If this is your first visit, or even if you have been here before, a fun place to get acquainted with Philadelphia is on a Duck tour. Ducks are amphibious buses that ride on land and water. Kids love them. My son, who is obsessed with vehicles of all shapes and sizes, had a great time riding the ducks. Even the history that he learned on board made an impression.

We took the Ride the Ducks tour, which departs at 6th and Market and runs every half-hour from March through November. You can purchase your tickets at Independence Visitor Center at 6th and Market Streets, which is just across from the Liberty Bell. It is a good idea to arrive about 15 or 20 minutes before the tour departs, and even earlier during warm weather days. This ensures you will get a seat on the bus. Tickets are $26 for adults and $16 for children under 12. It is definitely worth it. Our tour guide, Fred, who is the captain of the duck on most weekends, has a corny sense of humor; he kept us laughing for a good part of the 90-minute tour. He also provided history, jokes, and tidbits about good places to eat and visit.