Community Corner
Cheap Trips: Knights, Shops, History and the Zoo
Discover four local attractions you can visit on one tank of gas.
Looking to save money?
Try one of these four trips you can enjoy on just one tank of gas--the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire in Manheim, the Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown, Pottsgrove Manor in Pottstown and the Plymouth Meeting Mall.
Plymouth Meeting Mall
Address: 500 W. Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting, Pa.
How Far From Your Patch? About 1 hour (40 miles) from Hellertown.
Hours:
- Monday through Saturday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Sunday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission Fee: No fee to get in, but since it's a mall you'll likely spend some money somewhere.
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Summary: Considering its close location to Interstates 476, 276 and 76, as well as its 110 specialty stores, the Plymouth Meeting Mall is a convenient shopping location for many of the area's consumers. The bi-level shopping center includes a movie theater, several restaurants, a Whole Foods grocery store, department stores and food courts. The Plymouth Meeting Mall even has its own Presbyterian worship center, the Church on the Mall, for shoppers who are looking for a spiritual experience. A full list of the mall's stores can be found on its website.
Link:
Find out what's happening in Hellertown-Lower Sauconwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Pottsgrove Manor
Address: 100 W. King St., Pottstown, Pa.
How Far From Your Patch? About 1 hour (35 miles) from Hellertown.
Admission Fee:
- A donation of $2 per person is suggested.
- Parking is available in a free lot.
- Groups are welcome.
Hours:
- Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.
Summary: Take a step back in time when you visit this historic site, which was built in 1752 for John Potts, a Colonial era ironmaster and the founder of Pottstown. The mansion has been restored to give visitors a glimpse into the lifestyle of the Potts family and the Colonial American period. Pottsgrove Manor hosts educational demonstrations and programs, and displays numerous artifacts from the time period.
Links:
Elmwood Park Zoo
Address: 1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown, Pa.
How Far From Your Patch? About 1 hour (38 miles) from Hellertown.
Price:
- Adult: $12
- Seniors: $9
- Children ages 2-12: $9
- Children younger than 2: Free
- Groups of 15 or more pay $7 per person
Hours: Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Gates close at 4:30 p.m.) Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
Summary: Founded in 1924, Elmwood Park Zoo is one of only 218 accredited zoos and aquariums nationwide. Its mission is to foster an appreciation of wildlife and its conservation. The zoo offers animal exhibits, education programs and community outreach activities to families from throughout the area. Be sure to stop by the zoo’s playground to let the little ones climb the new alligator sculpture. And for adults, the zoo is holding its annual Oktoberfest on Sept. 17.
Links:
Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire
Address: 2775 Lebanon Road,
Manheim, Pa.
How Far From Your Patch? About 1 hour, 40 minutes (78 miles) from Hellertown.
Price:
- Adult one-day admission $24.95 online, $29.95 at the gate
- Child admission $10.95
Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekends until Oct. 30
Summary: The faire recreates a 16th century English village on 35 acres with 12 stages offering live music, magic, puppet shows, Shakespearean plays and live jousting. Enjoy period foods, and micro-brewed ales and wines. Shop at Renaissance merchants.
Links:
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