Cheap Trips: Animals, Living History and Shopping

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, the Pottsgrove Manor in Pottstown and the Plymouth Meeting Mall.

Plymouth Meeting Mall

Address: 500 W Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA

How Far From Pottstown: 40 mnutes, 30 miles

Hours:  9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mon. through Sat., 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sun.

Admission Fee: No fee to get in, but since it's a mall you'll likely spend some money somewhere.

Summary: Considering it's close location to Interstates 476, 276 and 76, as well as its 110 specialty stores, the Plymouth Meeting Mall makes for a convenient shopping location for the area's consumers. The bi-level shopping center includes a movie theater, several restaurants, a Whole Foods grocery store, as well as traditional mall touchstones like 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 and printed out at its website.

Link:

Mall Website

Pottsgrove Manor

Address: 1000 West King St., Pottstown, PA

How Far From Your Pottstown? Three minutes, one mile

Admission Fee: A donation of $2 per person is suggested.

Parking: Free lot

Restrictions: No smoking

Group trips are welcome

Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tues. through Sat., Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. Sun.

Summary: Take a step back in history when you visit this historical site, which was built in 1752 for John Potts, ironmaster and founder of Pottstown. The mansion has been restored to give visitors a glimpse into the lifestyle of the Potts family and the colonial American time 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 Pottstown: 35 minutes, 23 miles

Price: adult - $12, seniors - $9, children ages 2-12 - $9, children younger than 2 - free, groups of 15 or more - $7 per person

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (Gates close at 4:30 p.m.) Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve and New Years Day.

Summary: Founded in 1924, the Elmwood Park Zoo is one of only 218 accredited zoos and aquariums. 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 all over the tri-county area. Be sure to stop by the zoo’s playground and let your little ones climb the new alligator sculpture. And for you adults, the zoo is holding its annual Oktoberfest on Saturday, Sept. 17.

Links:

Elmwood Park Zoo

Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire

Address: 2775 Lebanon Road, 
Manheim, PA

How Far From Your Pottstown: One hour, 51 miles

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, Shakespearen plays and live jousting. Enjoy period foods, micro-brewed ales and wines. Shop at Renaissance merchants.

Links:

Website