Sesame Place Philadelphia

Sesame Place Philadelphia is a family park in Middletown Township, Pennsylvania, built around the children's television series Sesame Street. The site includes water slides, gentle rides, play zones, and stages where performers dressed as characters from the show appear throughout the day.

The park opened in 1980 as the first theme park in the world built entirely around a television program. Owners expanded the grounds over the following decades, adding new rides and water sections to keep pace with the enduring popularity of Sesame Street.

Characters from Sesame Street greet visitors throughout the day, walking along pathways and stopping for photos with families who grew up watching the television program. Children react to meeting Elmo or Oscar the Grouch in person, turning a familiar screen image into a physical experience they can touch and hug.

Entry is through a main gate, and the grounds divide into different themed sections marked by signage and pathways. Families find changing stations, nursing rooms, and first aid posts scattered throughout the park, making it easier to manage the needs of small children.

The park organizes special weekends for children with autism, during which sound levels are lowered and lighting is dimmed to create a calmer environment. These events allow families with special needs to experience the attractions in a less overwhelming setting.