In the City of Brotherly Love

Caption: Geno's Steaks in South Philly, where Jim Brose joined the Clarks for dinner.

Some families are battleships when it comes to vacations: big, lumbering hulks of heavy steel and artillery that take a long time to change direction. The Clarks of New Jersey are PT boats, darting in and out of the waves with freedom and dexterity.

On Saturday, we decided to spend two nights in Philadelphia, so off we went. After Margie’s yoga class, we drove into downtown Philly to the historic Courtyard by Marriott, across the street from the world famous City Hall.

The Philadelphia Zoo was the star attraction, and it certainly entertained the entire family. Natalie asked: “Will the animals be locked, so they won’t get me?” Of course, Natalie. (Except for the golden lion monkeys.)

Some other highlights:

• Dinner at Genos. Philly cheese steak sandwiches are a big deal in South Philly, and Daddy’s friend Jim Brose joined the Clarks for dinner at Geno’s, the biggest, gaudiest cheesesteak joint in town. Interestingly, Pat’s across the street has the better sandwich. We conducted a side-by-side taste test.

• Please Touch Me Museum. Theo and Natalie loved this place. (Thanks for the recommendation, Mr. Brose.) There were about 30 distinct areas, and the children ran to each new adventure with undiminished enthusiasm. There was Alice in Wonderland, Where the Wild Things Are, and a supermarket for kids, all touchable. The museum will reopen in a new location Oct. 18. We will certainly return.

• Swimming in the hotel. Theo and Natalie both used their “swimmies” to keep their head above water. Theo is getting a little more comfortable in the water, but he still hesitates to submerge his face. Mommy and Daddy enjoyed the hot tub. So did the kids.

Oh great City of Brotherly Love, birthplace of freedom and liberty (within reason, of course) and cheesesteak, the Clarks of New Jersey salute you!