A Guide to Teen-Friendly Activities in Greater Philadelphia

Beat the Bomb is perfect for teens looking for a thrilling and interactive experience. Step into a real-life video game with immersive, high-energy games where teams race against the clock to solve puzzles and escape before the “bomb” goes off.

With challenging missions, plenty of excitement and the chance to work together, it’s the ultimate way for teens to have fun, build teamwork and test their skills.

Ax-throwing pros and first-timers alike can enjoy a thrilling experience at Bury The Hatchet in South Philadelphia.

This stress reliever offers an exciting outing for people of all ages, who can check out the indoor throwing range and learn the secrets of ax-throwing from an in-house ax master. Bonus: Guests can bring in their own food and drink.

Opening Thursday, May 29, 2025

F1 Arcade, an exciting new racing and dining experience, is set to open in the heart of Center City in May. Combining high-speed thrills with incredible food and drinks, this space venue offers a vibrant atmosphere perfect for competitive fun and socializing.

Whether you’re racing against friends or immersing yourself in the energy of Formula 1 culture, F1 Arcade is the perfect spot for birthdays, family outings and more.

Open seasonally in summer and winter

The Independence Blue Cross RiverRink is a multi-seasonal Philadelphia tradition, offering an ideal spot for fun, food and waterside views.

During the warmer months, teens can hit up Summerfest, complete with a roller skating rink, double-decker carousel, 60-foot Ferris wheel and mini-golf. Come chillier weather, the venue launches Winterfest, when the rink freezes over for ice skating — becoming Philadelphia’s only pro-sized outdoor rink.

Loomen Labs offers a reimagined, eco-friendly candle-making experience.

Sessions at Loomen Labs include planter-, candle- and perfume-making, and must be booked in advance online. At-home candle-making kits are also available to order.

Dust off those bowling skills and head over to the North Bowl (or its sister spot, South Bowl) for a night of classic bowling.

Keep the fun rolling or explore other options including billiards, foosball, air hockey, arcade games, pinball and a vintage photo booth. Guests under age 21 are welcome until 9 p.m. Note that bowling lanes are walk-in only on a first-come, first-served basis.

This tech-driven mini-golf course in Center City offers nine holes, live entertainment and a full menu of food and drinks.

Puttshack also welcomes players of all ages before 8 p.m., meaning teens can bring their game faces for some friendly competition in groups of up to six people.

Popular board game cafe Queen & Rook, located on South Street, provides a fun gaming experience with more than 1,200 games and puzzles.

There’s also an analog game room, plus plenty of food and drink options, including many vegan and vegetarian items.

Teens can strap in for an amazing time at SPIN Philadelphia, a table-tennis bar that features graffiti walls, live DJs, themed cocktails and even a bathtub full of hollow plastic balls (hello, Instagram moment).

Guests can pay for half-hour or full-hour time slots, and all ages are welcome before 9 p.m.

Whether you’re a golf fanatic or it’s your first time stepping up to the tee, Topgolf offers the ultimate golf experience that blends cutting-edge technology with the world of sports. Pick up a complimentary club and enjoy a game at one of the climate-controlled bays, where you can also order food.

Guests under age 16 must be supervised by someone age 21 or older, while golfers under age 18 must be supervised by someone age 21 or older after 9 p.m.

Open seasonally from spring through fall

Teens can climb through the trees in Fairmount Park at Treetop Quest Philly. Adventurers can harness up and zip line through the canopy at any one of the adventure parks, featuring 60 elevated obstacles and ziplines spanning five difficulty levels.

Treetop Quest is open for the season from late March through mid-November.

Yay Clay offers a fun and creative experience for teens looking to channel their artistic side. This colorful studio lets visitors shape and sculpt their own clay creations while learning the art of pottery.

With beginner-friendly workshops and a welcoming atmosphere, Yay Clay is the perfect spot to unwind, express creativity, and make memories with friends and family.

The Arden Theatre offers Teen Nights for those ages 13 to 18 where they can experience a new perspective of the theater’s mainstage production.

For just $15, teens can check out a live performance and enjoy an exclusive post-show conversation with the performers.

As Philly’s only venue dedicated to murder mysteries, Red Rum offers an interactive crime-solving theater experience where the audience takes the stage.

Teens can put their active minds and detective skills to use while participating in an interactive world of murder mysteries.

Check out Philadelphia’s elevated urban green space in University City.

Cira Green features grassy spots, skyline views, and plenty of food and drink options (when Sunset Social is open for the season). Whether looking for a lunchtime picnic, outdoor games or catching a free movie alfresco, Cira Green offers plenty of space for teens to be teens.

Mosaiced from floor to ceiling in handmade tiles, international folk art, reclaimed bicycle tires and more by prolific artist Isaiah Zagar, Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens Museum and its sister site, the Magic Gardens Studio, glisten with limitless creativity.

One of Philly’s most popular urban public art installations, the museum spans half a city block along famous South Street and features two indoor galleries and an unforgettable sculpture garden. One mile away, Zagar’s former workspace represents his largest masterpiece, three times the size of the flagship museum.

Bonus: Zagar has created hundreds of mosaics around the city, including many around South Street.

The Museum of Illusions Philadelphia offers an exciting experience where you can explore the boundaries between reality and perception.

This immersive museum features a wide array of optical illusions, holograms and interactive exhibits designed to challenge your senses and spark curiosity.

Step into an out-of-this-world playground at Otherworld Philadelphia in Northeast Philly, where teens can snap epic photos in mind-bending, otherworldly scenes.

This immersive wonderland is packed with trippy visuals, walk-through art installations and mixed-reality experiences designed to dazzle all the senses.

With over 50 interactive rooms to touch, tinker and explore, guests can go full detective-mode to unlock clues or simply soak in the wild backdrops. Heads up: Timed tickets are required, so snag yours in advance.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art features extensive collections of Renaissance, American, East and South Asian, Impressionist and contemporary masterpieces.

Admission is free for those 18 and under, and, on the first Sunday of the month, all visitors can take advantage of pay-what-you-wish entry.

Featuring the largest collection of works by Auguste Rodin outside of Paris, the Rodin Museum is a must-see in Philadelphia. And good news for teens: Visitors ages 18 and under can get in free.

Highlights include the only original cast of The Gates of Hell in North America, plus an iconic garden that displays a bronze cast of The Thinker.

Warm-weather outdoor oasis Spruce Street Harbor Park is the home of seasonal fun on the Delaware River. The buzzy riverside park features a boardwalk with food concessions and bars, giant board games, cargo container arcades, weekend craft markets, and live music.

But the real magic? Kicking back in Adirondack chairs overlooking the waterfront, lounging on net hammocks floating above the river or chilling in the woodsy meadow under thousands of twinkling LED lights.

The Continental Midtown boasts an array of mouthwatering dishes ranging from global tapas to signature dishes like French Onion Soup Dumplings. Whether lounging in a retro diner-esque booth or swinging in a basket chair, guests can savor their meals in a singular ambiance. The Continental Midtown offers a two-story atrium, lounge and outdoor rooftop patio.

Craft Hall is one of the city’s most family-friendly breweries, welcoming people of all ages — and their four-legged, furry friends — before 9 p.m.

Alongside beers from on-site Mainstay Independent Brewing, Craft Hall’s open gourmet kitchen offers barbecue from its 700-pound smoker, including dry-rub spare ribs, black-pepper brisket, smokehouse pizzas, and a BBQ tower complete with three meats and choice of sides.

The new Dim Sum Garden, located in Philadelphia’s Chinatown, offers an exciting dining experience with its signature giant dumplings, known for their impressive size and flavorful fillings.

The vibrant and welcoming atmosphere makes Dim Sum Garden a fun and engaging spot for teens, perfect for enjoying a variety of traditional dim sum in a lively, social setting.

Middle Child Clubhouse in Philadelphia is the perfect spot for teens to hang out and enjoy delicious comfort food with a modern twist.

Known for its mouthwatering sandwiches, fun atmosphere and a menu made for sharing, it’s the ideal place to grab a bite and chill with friends.

Inspired by 1950s-era diners, Nifty Fifty’s transports guests back in time, where they can order from an impressively large menu of shakes, burgers and fries. (Don’t forget a side order of nostalgia.)

While grooving to the throwback vibes, teens can pick from 100 handcrafted soda fountain flavors and relish in the classic red leather booth setup.

Pizzeria Stella offers a vibrant, casual setting for teens to enjoy expertly crafted, wood-fired pizzas. Known for its delicious pies and inventive toppings, it provides the perfect atmosphere to relax, savor a slice and spend time with friends.

With its welcoming vibe, Pizzeria Stella is an ideal spot for teens and families looking for a fun and flavorful dining experience.

The seasonal Philly PLASH is an easy and convenient way to get around the city. Visitors can choose from two routes: the Downtown Loop and the Zoo Loop.

Note that the days and hours of service differ by the season. Check the PHLASH’s official site for more.