Lots going on in June 2018 in Philadelphia to celebrate LGBTQ Pride Month. We’ve included both events that we are organizing (the picnic on the 23rd!) and others that are in the community that we are planning to attend. Hope you can make it to some or all of them!
Pride Month Kickoff and Pride in the Plaza Celebration – Thursday, June 7th 5-8pm
Join the Mayor’s Office of LGBT Affairs as we celebrate Pride Month with a City Hall flag raising ceremony and kickoff party on June 7th!
The official City of Philadelphia flag raising with the Mayor and City Council will occur from 5-6 pm followed by a huge party in the City Hall courtyard 6-8pm featuring food trucks, live performances, DJs, dancing as well as HIV testing, voter registration and legal expungement services! 
Family Festival Pride Celebration at the Please  Touch Museum – Saturday, June 9th, 9am
The Please Touch Museum is holding their first ever Pride event. Meet up with other PFP families at the torch in the main hall at 9am. RSVP on the Facebook event so we know to look for you! Families needing financial assistance to attend should reach out to stephanie@phillyfamilypride.org for discounted tickets.
20th Annual Philadelphia Dyke March – Saturday, June 9th, 3pm
Rally: Kicking it off at 3:00 pm at Kahn Park (11th and Pine streets); Free iced coffee will be available thanks to our friends at Good Karma!
March: Step off and take to the damn streets promptly at 4:00 pm!
After march: Chill in the park and have some free water ice as Philly’s Dyke performers rock the mic for the rest of the day! As always, PDM brings you electrifying speakers and performers, awesome entertainment and of course an opportunity to take over Philly’s streets!
Philly Pride Run 5k and 1.5 miler – Sunday, June 10th, 10:30am
Celebrate Philly Pride 2018 with Philly’s inaugural Philly Pride Run 5K Race AND the original 1.5 miler Fun Run down the historic Pride Parade route in Center City Philadelphia! Click the link for more details. The 1.5 mile race leads the Pride Parade!
Philly Pride Parade & Festival – Sunday, June 10th, 10am-4pm
March with PFP in the Philly Pride parade. Meet up in the area of 13th and Locust at 10:30am. March steps off at 11:30am. Look for the PFP banner and be sure to RSVP on the Facebook event or email us so we know to look for you. The parade route is 1.3 miles long and ends at Penn’s Landing (where you can take public transit or walk back to the beginning or continue into the festival.)
PFP will also again host the Family Zone at the Pride Festival at Penn’s Landing with crafts, books and blocks for kids and a place to rest for adults. Volunteer with PFP to get free admission to the festival! This year’s headline entertainer is Margaret Cho!  Email stephanie@phillyfamilypride.org to volunteer.
Drag Queen Story Time – Tuesday, June 12th, 4:30pm
Join the Free Library of Philadelphia for one of their many Pride events in June for a drag queen story time at the Fumo Library in South Philly with Brittany Lynn. See the full list of Free Library Events around the city for Pride.
Intergenerational Panel – Wednesday, June 19th, 6pm
This is not to be missed! Hosted at the main branch of the Free Library in the Skyline room, this event will be a discussion on LGBTQIA+ community, history, identity, and what Pride means to folx from a multitude of generations. See the list of other Pride Month events from the Philadelphia Mayor’s Office of LGBT Affairs.
Family Pride Picnic and Arts Festival – Saturday, June 23rd, 11am-4pm, Lovett Park
Join hosts Philly Family Pride, Mt. Airy Art Garage and the Mayor’s Office for LGBT Affairs for a picnic and arts festival in the newly renovated Lovett Park on Germantown Ave. in Mt. Airy as we celebrate pride with crafts, entertainers, FOOD TRUCKS, games, art and more. Special guests include Mayor Kenney, LGBT Affairs Director Amber Hikes, members of City Council and more to be announced. Rain date June 30th.  More.
Phillies Pride Night  – Thursday, June 28th, 7pm
This year’s Pride Night at Citizen’s Bank Park will take place in a game vs. the Washington Nationals and is sponsored by Giant Food Stores. The first 1,500 fans who purchase tickets to this event will receive a coupon for a Phillies rainbow flag. Click the link above for tickets. PFP families who want to sit together/meet up should email stephanie@phillyfamilypride.org. Tickets are discounted $4 when using promo code PRIDE.

Welcome to all the folks visiting Philadelphia this week for Creating Change 2017! If you brought your kids, Philly Family Pride, the regional LGBTQ parents group, has a few tips for you on where to take the little (and not so little) ones. All are LGBTQ-parent friendly. First we’ll go through 5 indoor places for those under five and then five places for the older kids.
Feel free to email PFP director Stephanie Haynes with questions at stephanie@phillyfamilypride.org.
5 places for under the under 5 set
It’s chilly, so we’re starting with three indoor places to keep warm and have fun.

1. Please Touch Museum – This is Philly’s children’s museum, located in the historic Memorial Hall in Philly’s Fairmount Park. It’s a little way from the hustle and bustle of Center City, but well worth the trip for the miniature grocery store, carousel, real bus to “drive” and much, much more. For parents interested in history, be sure to check out the Centennial exhibit downstairs for lots on the 1876 Centennial celebration in Philadelphia. (Memorial Hall is one of the last surviving buildings constructed for that HUGE event.)
2. Academy of Natural Sciences – Find this gem of a natural history museum on the Ben Franklin Parkway across from the Swann Memorial Fountain at 19th Street. Your little dinosaur enthusiasts will find a lot to love in the Dinosaur Hall. The best spot for the five and unders here is the third floor and their “Outside In” area where there’s lots to touch and explore including a rotating cast of live animals.
3. NEST Center City – Check out the air-conditioned, eco-friendly, and safe playspace at the corner of 13th and Locust Streets, a short walk from the Marriott. Non-member day passes to NEST are offered for $15 for the first child, and $5 for each additional child. The playspace is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The 3,000 square foot playspace is designated for kids ranging from 6 months to 6 years.
4. Smith Memorial Plaground & Playhouse – The five and under set in Philly LOVE the Smith Playhouse for indoor, cold weather play. This spacious three floor historic building is worth the drive to Fairmount Park. (Be sure to use their directions.) Although they do ask for people to donate on their way in or out, Smith Playhouse is free with free parking. As an outdoor bonus, if it’s not too cold, there’s a HUGE playground outside as well with a 100 year-old wooden slide and a big toddler playground including baby swings. The playground is for for 10 and under.
5. Fireman’s Hall Museum – This wonderful little museum is fantastic for all future fire-fighters and truck enthusiasts. It’s located at 147 N. 2nd Street and open Tuesday through Saturday, 10am-4:30pm. Admission is free, donations appreciated. The museum presents and preserves the history of firefighting in Philadelphia, paying tribute to its firefighters, both paid and volunteer, through the museum’s exhibits, public programs and award ceremonies

5 places for the 6 and up crowd

1. Franklin Institute – This is our science museum, located at 20th and the Ben Franklin Parkway, right near  the Academy of Natural Sciences. Older kids will love the new brain exhibit where you climb up and through neural pathways as well as trick your brain with a whole series of optical illusions. The IMAX movies are always fun, and there are two great special exhibits there now as well: Robot Revolution and Jurassic Park: The Exhibition. Finally, don’t miss a walk (or run) through the giant heart –  it’s a right of passage for all Philly-area kids. The Franklin Institute is open every day, 9:30am-5:00pm.
2. Independence Hall & the Liberty Bell – Especially if you are traveling from far away, your school-aged kids should see these historic places. Get your timed tickets in advance to minimize waiting for the Hall. Both are located at 6th and Market Streets, six blocks from the conference location. Visitors should arrive at the security screening area approximately 30 minutes prior to the time on their timed entry ticket. The tour begins at the time on your timed entry ticket. Independence Hall tickets are FREE. There is no charge for same day distribution (non-reserved) tickets obtained at the Independence Visitor Center on the day of your visit. There is a handling fee of $1.50 per ticket for advance reservations. For the Liberty Bell, no tickets are required. It is also free and right across the street from Independence Hall. Check the web sites for hours.
3. U.S. Mint – Want to see coins being made? This is only one of two places in the country where you can see it in person! Take a free, self-guided tour in 45 minutes, right next to Independence Hall. Open Monday through Friday, 9am-4:30pm.
4. National Constitution Center – Lots to see and do here for older kids, including watching yourself take the Presidential Oath of Office on TV and the “Headed to the White House” exhibit. The museum is right up Independence Mall from the Liberty Bell, so an easy one to add on to a day of history tours.
5.  Ice Skating – There are two great places to ice skate outdoors in Philly this time of year. One is VERY close to the Marriott conference location: the Rothman Rink at Dilworth Park on the west side of City Hall. It’s open Monday-Thursday Noon-9pm, Friday Noon-11pm and Saturday 11am-11pm. Kids under 10 are just $3 plus a $10 skate rental. If you’re up for traveling a little bit further, you can visit the BlueCross RiverRink at Penn’s Landing for a scenic Winterfest. Surrounding the regulation-sized ice rink, you’ll find outdoor seating area with fire pits, cozy warming cabins, the Franklin Fountain Confectionary Cabin, the Kids Lodge with arcade games, and a chalet-inspired Lodge with food and beverages from Garces and Chickie’s and Pete’s. With the Delaware River to the east and the Ben Franklin Bridge to the north, it makes for a spectacular winter scene! They are open 1pm-11pm Monday through Thursday and until 1am Friday and Saturday nights.

We hope you have a great time in Philadelphia with your family! Feel free to contact PFP Director Stephanie Haynes with any questions at stephanie@phillyfamilypride.org.

Welcome to all the #LGBTDNC delegates visiting Philadelphia this week. If you brought your kids, Philly Family Pride, the regional LGBTQ parents group, has a few tips for you on where to take the little (and not so little) ones. All are LGBT-parent friendly. First we’ll go through 5 indoor places under and then five places for the older kids.
Feel free to email PFP director Stephanie Haynes with questions at stephanie@phillyfamilypride.org.
5 places for under the under 5 set
It’s HOT, so we’re starting with three indoor places to beat the heat and have fun.

1. Please Touch Museum – This is Philly’s children’s museum, located in the historic Memorial Hall in Philly’s Fairmount Park. It’s a little ways from the hustle and bustle of Center City, but well worth the trip for the miniature grocery store, carousel, real bus to “drive” and much, much more. For parents interested in history, be sure to check out the Centennial exhibit downstairs for lots on the 1876 Centennial celebration in Philadelphia. (Memorial Hall is one of the last surviving buildings constructed for that HUGE event.) Check out the GROUPON before it expires for a discounted rates.
2. Academy of Natural Sciences – Find this gem of a natural history museum on the Ben Franklin Parkway across from the Swann Memorial Fountain at 19th Street. Your little dinosaur enthusiasts will find a lot to love in the Dinosaur Hall, but as an added bonus, their current temporary exhibit is Dinosaurs Unearthed! It has animatronic/realistic dinosaurs – not just bones – so the special exhibit is not for those easily scared. The best spot for the five and unders here is the third floor and their “Outside In” area where there’s lots to touch and explore including a rotating cast of live animals.
3. NEST Center City – Check out the air-conditioned, eco-friendly, and safe playspace at the corner of 13th and Locust Streets. Non-member day passes to NEST are offered for $15 for the first child, and $5 for each additional child. The playspace is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The 3,000 square foot playspace is designated for kids ranging from 6 months to 6 years.
4. Smith Memorial Plaground & Playhouse – The five and under set in Philly LOVE the Smith Playhouse for indoor, hot day play. This spacious three floor historic building is worth the drive to Fairmount Park. (Be sure to use their directions.) Although they do ask for people to donate on their way in or out, Smith Playhouse is free with free parking. As an outdoor bonus, if it’s not too hot, there’s a HUGE playground outside as well with a 100 year-old wooden slide and a big toddler playground including baby swings. The playground is for for 10 and under.
5. Sister Cites Park – This wonderful little park has been host to many PFP gatherings for parents with little kids. Find it at 18th and the Parkway, bring the kids’ swimsuits and change of clothes and get ready to watch your little one splash in the shallow boat pond, climb over a rock path in the Children’s Discovery Garden (over and over). There’s also a cafe to grab an iced coffee or snack. (A bonus place to splash and play is in Dilworth Park on the west side of City Hall when they have the fountains on there.)

5 places for the 6 and up crowd

1. Franklin Institute – This is our science museum, located at 20th and the Ben Franklin Parkway, right near both the Academy of Natural Sciences and Sister Cities Park. Older kids will love the new brain exhibit where you climb up and through neural pathways as well as trick your brain with a whole series of optical illusions. The IMAX movies are always fun, and there are two great special exhibits there now as well: The Science Behind Pixar and Lost Egypt. Finally, don’t miss a walk (or run) through the giant heart – it’s showing its age, but it’s a right of passage for all Philly-area kids. Check the web site for extended summer hours. Most days they are open until 7pm.
2. Independence Hall & the Liberty Bell – Especially if you are traveling from far away, your school-aged kids should see these historic places. Get your timed tickets in advance to minimize waiting for the Hall. Both are located at 6th and Market Streets. Summer hours 9am-7pm. Visitors should arrive at the security screening area approximately 30 minutes prior to the time on their timed entry ticket. The tour begins at the time on your timed entry ticket. Independence Hall tickets are FREE. There is no charge for same day distribution (non-reserved) tickets obtained at the Independence Visitor Center on the day of your visit. There is a handling fee of $1.50 per ticket for advance reservations. For the Liberty Bell, no tickets are required. It is also free and right across the street from Independence Hall.
3. U.S. Mint – Want to see coins being made? This is only one of two places in the country where you can see it in person! Take a free, self-guided tour in 45 minutes, right next to Independence Hall. Open in the summer, weekdays 9am-4:30pm.
4. National Constitution Center – Lots to see and do here for older kids, including watching yourself take the Presidential Oath of Office on TV and the “Headed to the White House” exhibit. Experience Headed to the White House the only exhibit of its kind, uniquely created to engage visitors of all ages with the excitement of the election season. Join the race, earn the nomination and win the election as artifacts, interactives and hands-on activities take you from the campaign trail and into the Oval Office – all in one visit. The museum is right up Independence Mall from the Liberty Bell, so an easy one to add on to a day of history tours.
5.  Penn’s Landing Trifecta – First visit the Independence Seaport Museum and tour a wooden battle ship and a submarine at this museum located at Penn’s Landing along the Delaware River. Next have lunch, play games, lay in a hammock and visit the “beach” at the Spruce Street Harbor Park (open 11am-11pm). There are games and fountains for kids, hammocks for adults, food, floating gardens and even a boardwalk arcade. The final piece of this three-fer at Penn’s Landing is the roller skating rink – located at the BlueCross River Rink at 101 S. Columbus Boulevard, a short walk from both of the other attractions listed. The rink opens at 1pm weekdays.