Community Corner
Cheap Trips: Hawk Mountain and More
Discover four local attractions you can visit on one tank of gas or less.
Editor's Note: The A-MAZE-ing Masquerade has been postponed to its rain date of Sunday, Oct. 30 (3 to 7pm) due to recent rains that have flooded the meadows at the Gwynedd Wildlife Preserve.
Looking to save money?
Try visiting one of these four nearby attractions: The 10! Show at NBC Philadelphia in Bala Cynwyd, Sunnybrook Ballroom in Pottstown, the a-MAZE-ing Masquerade in Ambler and Hawk Mountain in Kempton.
Hawk Mountain
Address: 1700 Hawk Mountain Road, Kempton, Pa.
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How Far From Hellertown? About 47 miles (50 minutes).
Admission:
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- Autumn weekends (September through November) $7 adults and seniors, $3 children ages 6-12
- Weekdays year-round $5 adults, $4 seniors, $3 children 6-12
- Free for members and children younger than 5
Hours:
- Visitor's Center open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. September through November and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily the rest of the year
- Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and days with inclement weather.
Summary: This 2,600-acre sanctuary is the world’s first refuge for birds of prey. Hawk Mountain’s 8-mile trail system includes an easy 300-yard walk (about 100 steps) to the South Lookout and a 1-mile hike to the North Lookout. Autumn is prime time for seeing migrating hawks, eagles and falcons. A daily raptor count is posted online. Hawk Mountain’s visitor center and book store are open year round. A native plant garden and trails are open daily dawn to dusk.
Links:
The 10! Show on NBC10 Philadelphia
Address: 10 Monument Road, Bala Cynwyd, Pa.
How Far From Hellertown? About 52 miles (1 hour 8 minutes).
Admission: Free
Hours:
- The show airs at 11:30 a.m. each weekday.
- Audience members must arrive between 9 and 9:15 a.m.
Summary: NBC's Philadelphia affiliate has broadcast from the suburban side of City Avenue (which marks part of the city's northwest boundary) since 1995. The 10! Show is a 30-minute local weekday program hosted by Bill Henley and Jillian Mele--the station calls it "Philadelphia's first local Lifestyle and Entertainment show." The show replays at 5 p.m. and midnight each night. Recent guests have included actor Haley Joel Osment, local fitness and sports icon Pat Croce, chef Jose Garces, wrestler Kurt Angle and comedian Gilbert Gottfried. Those who want to see the celebrity interviews, cooking segments, musical performances and more in person can call 877-713-1010 or email nbcphiladelphia10show@gmail.com to request audience tickets or obtain more information about the show. (Requests should include your name, address, phone number and email, as well as the requested date and the names of everyone in your group.)
Links:
Sunnybrook Ballroom
Address: 50 N. Sunnybrook Road, Pottstown, Pa.
How Far From Hellertown? About 33 miles (57 minutes).
Admission: Depends on event. See website for details.
Office Hours:
- Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon, 1 to 4 p.m.
- Evening hours by appointment.
Parking: Free lot, Valet
Summary: Sunnybrook Ballroom is one of the few remaining large dance halls of the pre-World War II era still in existence and still operating. From karaoke on Thursday nights to live performances and dance parties on weekends, Sunnybrook Ballroom offers a variety of entertainment options, as well as banquet halls for large special occasions, including wedding receptions, large parties and corporate events. Sunnybrook will also be bringing back its famous Sunday Brunch on Nov. 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Other highlights for the rest of the rest of the year include a Halloween Dance Party on Oct. 29 with the Mudflaps and the annual Fall Dance on Nov. 19 with the Swing Fever Dance Band.
Links:
The a-MAZE-ing Masquerade
Address: 640 Swedesford Road, Ambler , Pa.
How Far From Hellertown? About 31 miles (51 minutes).
Admission: $15
When: Saturday, Oct. 22, 3 to 7 p.m.
Summary: Trek up to the Gwynedd Wildlife Preserve to experience its unique "Meadow Maze." Kids can learn about the animals who live in the meadow as they collect fun materials to create their own meadow-themed Halloween mask. Prizes will be awarded for the best creations. Grown-ups can enjoy a treat from the caramel apple bar while listening to live music and sampling a selection of fall beers from Victory Brewing Company. Kids, meanwhile, can enjoy their own libations from a root beer keg. Members of the Natural Lands Trust and WXPN FM enjoy half off admission.
Links:
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