Franklin Square
Philadelphia, PA · 1 hour 18 minutes from Reading · Free
Plan the day
Franklin Square is one of Philadelphia's original squares, a park at 200 N 6th Street in Philadelphia, PA run by Historic Philadelphia, Inc., with a carousel, mini golf, a playground and an 1838 fountain.
Entry to the square is free and the pieces inside cost little: the Parx Liberty Carousel is $4 a ride, Philly Mini Golf plays 18 holes past the city's landmarks, the playground is free year-round, and SquareBurger serves from noon. The fountain, built in 1838, runs a dancing-water show set to music through October 31, and in October the course becomes Spooky Mini Golf, with fog, strobes and animated props after 5:00 PM.
Before you go
Reserve parking through SpotHero; on-street spots on 6th Street and on Race between 6th and 7th are paid at the kiosk. Friday to Sunday nights of Spooky Mini Golf require advance tickets; daytime and weeknight walk-ups may be available. The square is near the Market-Frankford Line and PATCO.
Coming up
Spooky Mini Golf runs October 1 to November 1, 2026, 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, with a kid-friendly daytime course and fog, strobes and animated props after 5:00 PM; the Pumpkin Patch is October 17 and the Boo-zy Bar pours Thursday to Sunday, 5:00 to 9:00 PM.
Checked October 8, 2026 on the official site. Hours, prices and seasons change, so confirm there before a long drive.
