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Walnut Street Theatre — Kids Theaters in Philadelphia

Walnut Street Theatre

4.7(2,417)4.7 out of 5 stars, 2417 reviews Philadelphia, PA

About Walnut Street Theatre

Walnut Street Theatre offers a consistently delightful experience with high-quality productions, talented casts, impressive staging, and the unique charm of a historic venue. It's a cultural gem providing a variety of shows suitable for different tastes, with friendly staff and comfortable seating (though space can be tight).

What parents should know

Summarized from real visitor reviews.

Best for: Families seeking a high-quality, live theater experience in a historic setting.A cultural outing with children who appreciate impressive theatrical productions.Parents looking for a charming and special evening out, potentially with discounted tickets.Those who enjoy talented singing and dancing performances.While many shows are marketed for families (e.g., 'Elf' having plenty of kids in the audience), parents should be aware that content may include mature themes, profanity, or controversial social commentary that might not be suitable for younger children or families sensitive to such topics.

Why families love it

  • Consistently high-quality productions with talented casts and impressive staging.
  • Charming historic venue adds a unique and special ambiance to each visit.
  • Friendly, helpful, and personable staff, including excellent box office personnel.
  • Comfortable, padded seating (though legroom can be an issue for some).
  • Variety in their season lineup ensures there's something for everyone.
  • Discounted tickets may be available for same-day shows at the box office.

Insider tips

  • To save on drinks, bring your cup back for discounted refills.
  • Check at the box office for potential discounted, same-day tickets, especially if you're flexible with seating arrangements.
  • Head downstairs for bathrooms and concessions, which may offer more space or options.
  • If using lockers, ensure you have quarters on hand and be prepared to try a few to find a working one.
  • For family shows, consider researching the specific production's content warnings if you are sensitive to profanity or controversial themes.

Good to know before you go

  • If you or your family members require ample legroom or spacious seating.
  • If you are sensitive to unexpected profanity, cursing, or controversial social/political commentary in shows marketed as 'family-friendly'.
  • If you expect to get adjacent seats with discounted box office tickets, as availability may be limited.
  • Seating can be very tight with limited legroom, potentially uncomfortable for average-sized or larger individuals.
  • Some shows marketed as family-friendly (e.g., 'Elf') may contain unexpected profanity, cursing, or controversial social commentary (e.g., references to pro same-sex marriage, hate-filled comments about groups) that some parents find disrespectful or inappropriate for children.
Crowds
Can get a little crowded, especially for popular shows or peak times.
Value
Drinks are pricey, but you can get discounted refills by bringing your cup back. Discounted tickets for same-day performances may be available at the box office, offering good value despite potential non-adjacent seating.
Food
Drinks are available and are pricey; however, discounted refills are offered if you bring your cup back.
Accessibility
No specific accessibility accommodations were mentioned in reviews.
Safety
No specific safety features were mentioned in the provided reviews.

What parents say

Melissa Maisonet
5.05.0 out of 5 stars
"Went to the Walnut Theater for the first time and had such a beautiful time. Great show and had nice seats. Every staff person were so nice and helpful. Drinks were pricey but remember to bring your cup back if you get a refill, because then it's discounted. Highly recommend this theatre."

4 weeks ago

Bhavana Mehta
5.05.0 out of 5 stars
"I've attended several shows at the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia, and it's always a delightful experience. The productions are consistently high-quality, with talented casts and impressive staging. The historic venue adds a unique charm, making each visit special. Seating is comfortable, and the staff is friendly and helpful. The variety in their season lineup ensures there's something for everyone. I highly recommend catching a performance here; it's a cultural gem in the city."

2 months ago

S King
5.05.0 out of 5 stars
"We had a marvelous time at the Walnut Street Theatre! While walking by, we decided to stop at the box office to check for discounted tickets to Elf later that evening. The gentleman at the box office was fantastic—polite, humorous, and full of personality. He teased us about being out-of-towners and made the experience even more enjoyable. Although we couldn’t get seats together, we were thrilled with the selection and the discounted price. The show itself was delightful—entertaining and well-executed. Buddy’s enthusiasm was pure joy, and the elf legs were a hilarious touch! The theater itsel"

4 months ago

Reviews sourced from public Google data.