Cheap Trips: Movies, Homes, Gardening and a Boat Ride

Looking to save money?

Try one of these four trips you can enjoy on just one tank of gas -- Frank Theatres Montgomeryville in Lansdale, Hugh Moore Park Canal Boat Ride in Easton, the Delaware County Master Gardener program in Springfield, and Cliveden and Upsala in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia

1. Cliveden and Upsala

Address: 6401 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia (Mt. Airy), PA
How Far From Nazareth Patch? About an hour and a half

Admission Fees:

• Adults -- $10
• Students -- $8

Hours:

• Thursday through Sunday from April to December: Noon to 4 p.m.
• Second Saturday of the month from May through October: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Summary: Cliveden and Upsala are historical homes on the property owned by the Chew family. The grounds are where the Battle of Germantown was fought during the Revolutionary War. Visitors can take tours of the facility, which can also be rented out for private functions. Cliveden provides lectures throughout the year.

Links:

• Cliveden Website
• Patch Event Coverage
• Patch Place Listing

2. Delaware County Master Gardener Program

Address: Smedley Park, 20 Paper Mill Road, Springfield, PA
How Far From Nazareth Patch? About an hour and a half
Price: Free
Phone: (610) 690-2655
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Summary: The Delaware County Master Gardener program works with home gardeners to continue their horticulture education. Under the direction of Linda Barry, the program’s mission is to bring researched-based information to home gardeners by offering classes, workshops, a speaker series and horticulture projects. One of the most popular activities the program offers is Second Saturdays at Smedley Park. On the second Saturday of each month, volunteers hold horticulture classes that cover everything from pruning to wreath-making.

Links:

• Website

3. Frank Theatres Montgomeryville

Address: 750 Montgomery Glen Drive, Lansdale, PA
How Far From Nazareth Patch? About one hour

Admission Fees:

• Adults -- $10
• Students -- $8

Hours: Movies begin as early as 11 a.m. and run as late as 10:15 p.m.

Summary: On seven screens, Frank Theatres Montgomeryville has 12 or more movies playing on any given night. The cinema is located in the Water Tower Shopping Center near Five Points in Montgomery Township. The theater is the former location of the United Artists Eric 7. It is known for its neighborhood atmosphere and economical value.
Frank Theatres often offers $1 movies for children during the summer, as well as midnight showings for select films.

Links:

• Website

4. Hugh Moore Park Canal Boat Ride

Address: 2750 Hugh Moore Park Road, Easton, PA
How Far From Nazareth Patch? About 15 minutes

Admission Fees:

• Adults -- $10.75
• Seniors -- $9.50 (65 and older)
• Children (3 to 15) -- $8
• Children (2 and under) -- Free

Hours: Labor Day and weekends only in September -- ride times are 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Summary: Hugh Moore Park features 19th century industrial ruins, locks and other canal structures. Visitors can take a 40-minute ride on the Josiah White II mule-drawn canal boat. A crew in period costumes tells the history of the region's canals. Admission fee includes the Emrick Technology Center, which features a 26-ton steam engine and other treaures of the Lehigh Valley's industrial heritage.

Link:  
Website