West

Philadelphia Zoo

34th street and girard avenue. parking is available along girard avenue at 35th and 38th streets (http://philadelphiazoo.org/) open daily, except thanksgiving day, december 24, 25 and 31, january 1, and the second thursday in june. 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. march–november; –4:00 p.m. december–february. world-class zoo with camel and pony rides, bird safari, and victorian-era train. tickets $10.95/16.95 adults, $10.95/$13.95 children 2-11 high/low season.channel 6 zooballoon additional

A fantastic place to take young children. As the name says, everyone is encouraged to touch the exhibits.

Mann Center for the Performing Arts

5201 parkside avenue parking on belmont avenue. tickets 215-893-1999 fax 215-546-9524. (http://manncenter.org/) theater and dining complex. admission free, show prices vary.

Japanese House and Garden (Shofuso)

(http://shofuso.com/). the japanese house, as it is informally known to philadelphians, was built in 16th century style on the grounds of the horticultural center in the west philadelphia section of fairmount park near the intersection of belmont avenue and montgomery drive.