If a trip to the City of Brotherly Love is in your future, then check out CityPASS, for an affordable and wheelchair-accessible way to explore Philadelphia. CityPASS users can choose from three, four or five of the following attractions; and the ticket book is good for 30 days once validated.

• Adventure Aquarium
• The Franklin Institute
• Philadelphia Zoo
• Big Bus Company and Philadelphia Trolley Works
• One Liberty Observation Deck
• Eastern State Penitentiary
• Please Touch Museum
• Museum of the American Revolution
• Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial
• Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
• National Constitution Center
• Barnes Foundation

Plan your Route

There are several ways to enjoy the Philadelphia CityPASS. A 24-hour Big Bus ( www.phillytour.com) pass is one ticket option; and although the whole bus fleet is not accessible, arrangements for an accessible bus can be made with 48-hours notice. The wheelchair-lift can accommodate up to 650 pounds, but if you want to enjoy the view from the top of the double-decker bus, you have to negotiate the narrow staircase.

There are two ways to ride the Big Bus; you can ride the entire route as a tour, or you can hop off and enjoy attractions along the way. If you elect to hop off, the same accessible bus will return to your stop two hours later, so be sure and check with the driver and plan accordingly.

The Franklin Institute, One Liberty Observation Deck, Eastern State Penitentiary, the Museum of The American Revolution, the National Constitution Center and the Barnes Foundation are all located along the Blue Route; while the Philadelphia Zoo and the Please Touch Museum are on the Zoo (Red) Loop.

You can save even more time by purchasing your CityPASS online, but ticket books are also available at all the included attractions. Either way, it’s a great way to see Philadelphia

Visit the Historic District

A visit to the historic district — including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and the Benjamin Franklin Museum — is a must-do on any Philadelphia itinerary.  There’s so much to see in the area, that you might want to set aside two days to see it all at a leisurely pace. And while you’re in the area, be sure and use your CityPASS ticket to visit the National Constitution Center ( www.constitutioncenter.org).

Located across Arch Street from the Independence Visitor Center, the National Constitution Center is the first and only institution established by Congress to disseminate information about the United States Constitution on a non-partisan basis. And although that sounds like a mouthful, it’s a world away from eighth grade civics.

There is level access to the front entrance through the courtyard on Arch Street, with barrier-free access throughout the galleries. The first thing on the agenda is Freedom Rising; a live multimedia production which outlines the history of the Constitution. There is level access to the auditorium, with elevator access up to the wheelchair and companion seats.

After the show, save some time to browse through the interactive exhibits that chart the history of the Constitution, from its ratification to present day. Along the way the exhibits depict the effects that different events have had on our freedom and our government; from slavery, the New Deal and prohibition, to Watergate, the Americans with Disabilities Act and women’s rights. They even address some controversial contemporary issues, such as the Affordable Care Act, same sex marriage, immigration reform and presidential power in the age of terror. It’s well-done, balanced and very thought provoking.

Hit the Big House

The Eastern State Penitentiary ( www.easternstate.org) is also worth a visit. There’s level access over to the entrance, with curb-cuts and wide sidewalks along the way. There are three steps down into the ticket office and gift shop, but if you can’t manage them, just ask the attendant to open the gate. There is level access to most of the buildings, and an accessible porta-potty on the grounds; and although a few cells are not accessible,  you can certainly get a good look at them from the corridors.

Make sure and pick up the audio tour (included with admission) as it’s narrated by former guards and prisoners and it paints an accurate picture of what prison life was like. Opened in 1830, the Eastern State Penitentiary was designed to strike fear into the prisoners, and to isolate them so they could reflect on their crimes. They spent 23 hours a day in their cells, and when they did leave they had to wear a black hood so they wouldn’t see anyone else. Talking to anyone — prisoners or guards — was strictly forbidden. Indeed it was a solitary life and the tour reflects that. That said, it’s really not appropriate for children under seven, so if you have kids in tow, the Please Touch Museum is really a better choice.

Franklin Institute

The Franklin Institute (www.fi.edu),  is an excellent place to spend the remainder of the day. From the bus stop, there is a level pathway over to the building; and although steps grace the front entrance, an accessible entrance is located just to the right of it. There are also steps in the atrium; however there is ramp access up to the ticket counter and entrance.

Known as an innovator in hands-on interactive exhibits, the Franklin Institute has a large collection of science-based touchable attractions that explore everything from sports to space. Highlights include The Sports Challenge, which uses virtual-reality technology to illustrate the physics of sports, Space Command’s simulated earth-orbit research station, a fully equipped weather station and exhibits on electricity.

Access is good through all of the galleries, with elevator access to all floors. It’s best to use the B bank of elevators, located near the entrance, as these elevators serve all floors. And although there is a restroom on the third floor, it’s difficult to get a wheelchair in the door; however there is a truly accessible restroom on the main (second) floor, just off the atrium.

Admission to the planetarium is also included with the CityPASS ticket. There is level access to the planetarium, with wheelchair and companion seating in front. Unlike most planetariums, the seats don’t tip back a lot, and most of the show is easy to see from a wheelchair or a standard chair. The immersive done — measuring 60 feet in length — provides the ultimate screen for cosmic exploration, with good views of the night sky and a live program.

There are also a number of demonstrations throughout the museum during the day, so make sure and check your program. And although there are a lot of kids at this attraction, it’s also a fun place for adults.

Cross the Delaware

Although it’s located in Camden, New Jersey, the Adventure Aquarium ( www.adventureaquarium.com) is also included in the Philadelphia CityPASS booklet. If you are riding the Big Bus, get off at Penn’s Landing to catch the RiverLink Ferry (www.riverlinkferry.org) to cross the river. The ferry departs from the Philadelphia side on the hour, and the Camden side on the half-hour, with round trip tickets priced at just $9.

There is level access to the ferry on both sides, and there is a large accessible restroom on the main deck of the vessel. There’s plenty of room for wheelchairs on the main deck, with lots of companion seating nearby. Access to the upper deck is only by stairs, but the view from below is just as nice. It’s almost like a mini river cruise, as you get nice views of the waterfront, the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, the Battleship New Jersey and the Philadelphia skyline on the way to Camden.

Over on the other side, there’s level access along the riverside promenade up to the Adventure Aquarium. And with a CityPASS ticket, you can bypass the long ticket line and exchange your pass for an admission ticket at the will-call window.

There is level access to the aquarium entrance, which is located on the river side. Accessible restrooms are located next to the main desk, and there is elevator access to the second floor. All of the galleries have ramp access, wheelchair-height exhibits and plenty of room to navigate a wheelchair.

Must-sees include Hippo Haven, which houses Nile hippos Button and Genny, and a stop at the touch pool to get up close and personal with a anemone, sea cucumber or snail. And don’t miss the shark exhibit, which includes a Plexiglas tunnel that offers a 360-degree view of the inhabitants.  Last, but not least, don’t miss Penguin Island, where you’ll see the incredibly cute Black-footed African Penguins.

All in all, it’s a great accessible place to spend the day. And if you can’t manage the distance around the aquarium, wheelchairs are available for loan at the front desk. Take your time to enjoy it all, before you head back to Philadelphia on the return ferry.