Business & Tech

Cheap Trips: Train Exhibit, Holiday House Tour and Craft Show

Find four local attractions you can visit on one tank of gas.

Want to head out on a trip, but looking to save money?

Try one of these four trips you can enjoy on just one tank of gas: the Train Exhibit in Allentown, Farmhouse Christmas Craft Show in Hartsville, Schuylkill Canal Park in Mont Clare and a Holiday House Tour in Chestnut Hill.

Train Exhibit at the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum

Address: 432 W. Walnut Street, Allentown, PA 18101
How Far from Bryn Mawr-Gladwyne Patch: 55 miles or 1 hour, 11 minutes
Admission
:

  • $6 adults
  • $3 children
  • Free for children under 5

Hours:

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  • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday
  • Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday

Summary: The museum's latest exhibit, "Glory & Triumph: Trains Made in America," features 10 model train layouts, interactive displays and more than 300 items—many from the Lehigh Valley Railroad, which ran from 1855 to 1959. The railroad was a major transporter of coal and also featured luxury accommodations for travelers on its flagship passenger train, the Black Diamond. For kids, the exhibit includes a Thomas Fun Room where Thomas the Tank Engine is the star of a train layout. The 4,000-square-foot exhibit opened Nov. 20 and runs through July 31, 2012.
Links:

Lock 60, Schuylkill Canal Park

Address: 400 Towpath Road, Mont Clare, PA 19453
Distance From Bryn Mawr-Gladwyne Patch: 23 miles or 33 minutes
Admission: Free
Parking: Free lot
Hours:

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  • Daily, sunrise-10 p.m.

Summary: Depending on the time of the year, this area treasure offers canoeing, cycling, hiking, geocaching, cross-country skiing and running, as well as beautiful scenery. One of the highlights of the year is the stunning Holiday Luminaria, which is scheduled this year on Dec. 10. Considered one of the most spectacular light shows of the holiday season, there are hundreds of luminary candles lining towpatch up to the house, where you can take part in joyful holiday music and visit with Santa Claus.
Links:

Farmhouse Christmas Craft Show at the Moland House

Address: 1641 Old York Road, Hartsville, PA
 18974
How Far From Bryn Mawr-Gladwyne Patch: 25 miles or 38 minutes
Admission: $1
Hours: Nov. 25—Dec. 3

  • Fridays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • All other days 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Summary: The historic Moland House is a restored farmhouse in Bucks County that was once the headquarters of General George Washington. Each year, the house's staff puts on a Christmas Craft Show that organizers boast has "the perfect gift for everyone on your list."
Links:

Chestnut Hill Holiday House Tour

Address: Registration and tour maps will be at Christ Ascension Lutheran Church, 8300 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19118
How Far From Bryn Mawr-Gladwyne Patch: 14 miles or 26 minutes
Admission:

  • $35. Groups of 10 or more receive a 10 percent discount.

Hours: The tour is Dec. 3 and includes five houses, which will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Summary: The Holiday House Tour is a tradition in Chestnut Hill presented by the local community association. The area is a National Historic District, and the houses on the tour include architecture spanning 300 years. Each house is designed with decorations and flowers from local businesses. The tour combines history and style, showing off the creativity of local designers and the details of the area’s past. To top it all off, a trolley car will run along the tour route, each trolley with a tour guide who will provide additional history behind the homes and information on the designs. Register by calling 215-248-8810, or by mail at Chestnut Hill Community Association, 8434 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118.
Links:


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