45 Great Day Trips Near Philadelphia

With grounds as breathtaking as the art at the bucolic Brandywine Museum of Art, the former 1864 gristmill surrounded by wildflower gardens and the meandering Brandywine River offers a tranquil respite from the city.

Inside, works by Andrew Wyeth sit beside other illustrations, paintings and installations, along with permanent and rotating exhibitions.

Don’t miss: A chance to visit nearby N.C. Wyeth House & Studio, a space filled with Colonial Revival architecture, country furnishings, illustration tools and many Wyeth relics, including a birch-bark canoe and a firearm collection
Vibe: Art + gardens = perfection

Head to Doylestown to explore an actual castle. As the former home to archaeologist, anthropologist, ceramist and all-around Renaissance man Henry Chapman Mercer, the century-old Fonthill Castle displays Mercer’s massive collection of prints, books and handcrafted tiles produced at his historic TileWorks (see below).

Stroll the hallways of the concrete castle for a glimpse into Mercer’s life and collections, including cuneiform tablets dating back four millennia, all still laid out in Mercer’s eclectic style. The building’s 44 rooms, 18 fireplaces and 200 windows invite hours of inquisitive wandering. The site also offers regular tours, festivals and events.

Vibe: Old-world charm
Know before you go: Check out partner site, the Mercer Museum (see below).

With more than 450 stores covering nearly 3 million square feet, King of Prussia, a Simon Property Mall is the third-largest in America and the premier shopping destination on the East Coast, welcoming around 25 million visitors each year.

The three-level facility offers anchor stores like Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus and stylish shops including Tiffany & Co., Versace, Chanel and Louis Vuitton (along with all your mall favorites), plus over 50 dining options for on-the-go or sit down.

Vibe: So much shopping, so little time.
Know before you go: Arrive via SEPTA’s 124 or 125 bus routes or grab one of the 13,000 parking spaces.

Are you a Lego maniac? Then head to the 33,000-square-foot Legoland Discovery Center at Montgomery County’s Plymouth Meeting Mall.

Designed for kids ages 3 to 10, the indoor LEGO playground offers a dozen Lego-themed rides and attractions (like The Great Lego Race Virtual Reality Experience and Imagination Express), Lego 4D Cinema, create-your-own build stations and Lego workshops. Plus, fuel up at the site’s themed café and pick up all kinds of Lego merch in the gift shop.

Vibe: You can build anything out of Legos.
Don’t miss: Philadelphia Miniland, a million-plus brick recreation of Philly’s most iconic buildings, streets and landmarks

At 300-acre Linvilla Orchards family farmstead — one of the last working farms in Delaware County — visitors can roam the fields for pick-your-own produce like apples, peaches, berries and corn, or attend plenty of fun-filled farm-themed festivals like fall’s Pumpkinland and winter’s Christmas Around the Farm.

Stop by the open-daily farmers market with delicious fresh-baked pies, meet barnyard animals, cast a fishing line into Orchard Lake, play a round of mini-golf or enjoy a ride (hay, pony or train versions).

Good for: Fresh-from-the-farm fruits and veggies
Don’t miss: The seasonal on-site Ship Bottom Beer Garden

The largest display garden in the Greater Philadelphia region, Kennett Square’s famed Longwood Gardens boasts more than 10,000 plants and trees across 1,100 acres and hosts numerous seasonal celebrations like its Illuminated Fountain Performances, A Longwood Christmas and more.

The Pierre du Pont-founded destination, named No. 1 on Fodor’s list of best botanical gardens across the United States, includes exhibits like the Green Wall, Orchid House, Hillside Garden and Longwood Reimagined — a recent transformation of the site’s core conservatory and new 32,000-square-foot West Conservatory.

Know before you go: Visitors should purchase advance tickets for guaranteed admission.
Don’t miss: The water lily gardens in full bloom starting in August

Popular Lahaska storybook shopping haven Peddler’s Village welcomes over 2 million visitors a year to its 70-plus charming colonial-style independent boutiques, specialty shops, wineries and restaurants ringing the turn-of-the-century park-like landscaped grounds and winding brick pathways.

While browsing through vintage apparel, handmade jewelry and local art and craft stores, take a moment to enjoy the scenery (like flowing fountains and Zen gardens), or the historic carousel and Giggleberry Fair for kids.

Know before you go: Check the attraction’s calendar for popular annual festivals celebrating strawberries, blueberries, chocolate, apples, scarecrows, Peeps, gingerbread houses, birdhouses and more.
Good for: Finding that special someone the perfect gift

Delaware County’s Ridley Creek State Park is a 2,600-acre oasis of wooded trails and rolling hills perfect for outdoor adventurers. Visitors can enjoy hiking and horseback riding trails, a creek stocked with trout, park space for archery and permitted deer hunts, and picnic areas.

Also within the park, history buffs can explore the former workers’ cottages, mill dam and historic buildings in the 18th-century milling village known as Sycamore Mills, as well as visit the Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation, the 112-acre Pratt family farm that operated from 1720 to 1820 that’s now a living history site.

Good for: Awe-walks and gentle hikes
Vibe: Tranquil green space

We’ll tell you how to get, how to get to Sesame Place, the only Sesame Street-themed amusement park outside California. Fans can meet huggable furry friends like Cookie Monster, Big Bird, Elmo and Abby Cadabby, and experience thrills on 28 kid-friendly rides and water attractions.

The 14-acre site also features carnival games, concessions, daily parades, live entertainment, character birthdays and seasonal festivities like A Very Furry Christmas. The park typically opens from mid-March through Halloween (with water attractions opening around Memorial Day), along with special dates during late fall and winter.

Know before you go: Sesame Place is a certified autism center with abundant accommodations for those with special needs.
Vibe: Supersized characters make for smiling faces.

The difficult 1777 to 1778 winter that the Continental Army spent at this site went down as one of the Revolutionary War’s most trying periods.

Today, Valley Forge National Historical Park honors those who encamped here with monuments, statues and buildings throughout the grounds, along with replicated huts, General Washington’s original headquarters, the National Memorial Arch and a visitor center, which features artifacts and a life-size statue of the future first president.

The 3,500-acre park also includes scenic overlooks, picnic areas and miles of recreational trails where runners, hikers and cyclists can cruise the park.

Don’t miss: The encampment huts and canons in Artillery Park
Vibe: Sprawling hills with history everywhere

George Washington and his Continental Army experienced the longest single-day battle of the entire Revolutionary War at what we now call Brandywine Battlefield Park in Delaware County.

Stop by the visitor center to see its museum and exhibitions and take a self-guided tour with or without audio. Check out two on-site historic homes: the Benjamin Ring House — Washington’s battlefield headquarters — has an innovative six-legged hinged bed in the master bedroom, and the Gideon Gilpin House was once the site of a Quaker farm overtaken by British commander-in-chief William Howe.

Vibe: Solemnly serene
Don’t miss: Pop-up events like Brews on the Battlefield

The Glencairn Museum in Montgomery County is one of the nation’s largest dedicated to religious art and history, containing nearly 8,000 works from Greece, Rome, ancient Egypt, Asia, medieval Europe, early Islamic and Indigenous nations, and more.

The gallery also features a large collection of Nativity art (including stained glass, sculptures, manuscripts and paintings).

The surrounding Bryn Athyn Historic District also includes the 26,000-square-foot Gilded Age-era Cairnwood Estate historic home and gardens, and the Early Gothic-style Swedenborgian Bryn Athyn Cathedral.

Don’t miss: Glencairn’s fantastic tower views down to the city
Know before you go: Book a tour in advance to visit with a professional guide.

Tucked into the expanse of French Creek State Park in rural Chester County, the historic 848-acre Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site features 14 now-restored structures that were part of a colonial-era iron-producing village that relied on free labor and the work of enslaved people.

Inside the early American “iron plantation” — which operated from 1771 to 1883 and once produced 115 big guns for the Continental Navy — visitors can participate in demonstrations on charcoal burning and craft making.

Good for: Learning about industrial history
Know before you go: Birdwatching and photography opportunities abound.

The museum at Bucks County’s Pearl S. Buck House — the early 18th-century estate and farmhouse of the Nobel Prize-winning author — features a plethora of The Good Earth author’s personal belongings, including the typewriter she used to pen the classic historical fiction novel.

Visitors to the Perkasie site, often referred to as Green Hill Farms, can tour her former home, the stunning gardens and Buck’s nearby gravesite.

Know before you go: The museum offers two timed tours — Pearl S. Buck: Taking Action and Pearl S. Buck: Life & Legacy — which require advance ticketing.
Good for: A step back in time

Both a heritage site and nature area, Washington Crossing Historic Park offers visitors a view of the spot where General Washington and his troops famously crossed the Delaware River in the dark of Christmas night 1776 on their way to key victories at Trenton and Princeton.

The park features several historic locales, including the Thompson-Neely House, Grist Mill and Bowman’s Hill Tower (overlooking 134-acre Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, see below). Also on site: a visitor center, walking paths, picnic pavilions, fishing areas and boat launches.

Know before you go: Visit in December to witness one of two crossing reenactments.
Vibe: Revolutionary history

Joggers, hikers and cyclists flock to the nearly 60-mile linear stretch of Delaware Canal State Park, which runs from Bristol to Easton along the Delaware River. Contained within the five-county Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, the park’s Delaware Canal Towpath connects towns like Morrisville, Yardley and New Hope.

Nature enthusiasts can stop by the 155-acre Giving Pond Recreation Area in Tinicum Township (surrounded by a 1.3-mile loop trail), which offers opportunities to observe wildlife along the shoreline. There’s plenty of fun on the water, too, as the river and canal (and nearly a dozen islands) offer ample opportunities for fishing, canoeing and kayaking.

Good for: Getting in some exercise surrounded by nature
Know before you go: Check maps ahead of time to find where to enter the 60-mile park.

Opened in 2019, Montgomery County’s John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove occupies the site of the famed ornithologist and environmentalist’s historic 18th-century home and farm.

Inside the visitor’s center, explore the galleries and exhibits on conservation and art, then head outside to 200 acres of nature trails, woods and history, where the idyllic woodlands draw bird- and leaf-watchers alike, no matter the season.

The birding hotspot features several bird blinds across the property to birdwatch.

Don’t miss: The resident avian ambassadors, birds once injured, now rehabilitated and used for educational programs
Know before you go: Trails and grounds are free and open to the public.

Looking for a spot to escape the city and spend the day outdoors? The 535-acre Marsh Creek Lake inside the 1,727-acre Marsh Creek State Park offers a lengthy list of outdoor adventures, including boating, fishing, hiking and more. The lake also serves as a rest stop for migrating fowl, perfect for birdwatching.

With two boat launches and 220 seasonal mooring slips, the lake is especially popular with sailboaters who take advantage of the combination of good natural terrain and prevailing winds.

Good for: Long summer days, lakeside
Know before you go: Fishing in the lake is good-to-excellent for warm-water fish.

Visitors to the 5,286-acre Nockamixon State Park in Bucks County (east of Quakertown) can find over 40 miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding, plus an 18-hole disc golf course, picnic sites and five public boat launches.

The park’s seven-mile-long eponymous lake holds the title of southeastern Pennsylvania’s largest at 1450 acres. A designated “Trophy Bass” lake, it’s a stellar spot for boaters and kayakers, windsurfers, paddleboarders, fishing enthusiasts and outdoor recreationists of all types.

Know before you go: Watercraft available to rent include canoes, motorboats, rowboats, sailboats, paddleboats and pontoons during the summer.
Vibe: Sailboats and expansive shorelines

Paddlers and anglers looking for a quiet place to recreate can head to Peace Valley Park’s Lake Galena in bucolic Bucks County, where gas-powered boats are forbidden.

The 1,500-acre park offers plenty of space to spread out and enjoy a lakeside picnic or group gathering at one of the many pavilions (rentals required). The lake’s calm waters offer the perfect space to try out paddling, with the onsite Peace Valley Boat Rental offering rowboats, kayaks, canoes and pedal-operated boats to rent.

Don’t miss: The amazing bird blind at Peace Valley Nature Center next door
Know before you go: The park also sits next to the tranquil Peace Valley Lavender Farm.

Bring your own hammer (no joke!) to Ringing Rocks Park, a seven-acre field of hulking round stones that respond to strategic whacks and thumps with the sound of ringing bells.

Climb onto the field and start banging away on the primordial igneous diabase boulders to experience an unexpected melodic sound created by a combination of melting permafrost, weathering and rock shape. Once through the boulder field, visitors can continue on into the 123-acre park, a dense forest for hikers, bikers and picnickers.

Don’t miss: High Falls, Bucks County’s highest waterfall, located within the park
Good for: Hours of rock-hopping fun

The Frances M. Maguire Art Museum at Saint Joseph’s University features a diverse collection of historic and contemporary art from around the world, housed in the same gallery space where Dr. Albert Barnes’ famed collection once lived.

Highlights include a distinctive stained glass gallery and an impressive collection of Latin American retablos and ex votos. The restored building, which opened in 2023, nods to the original Barnes decor, including a gallery with the Barnes’ signature burlap walls.

The museum shares space with the stunning 12-acre Barnes Arboretum — free and open to the public, with donations suggested.

Don’t miss: The arboretum’s stunning collection of azaleas, peonies and roses
Know before you go: The museum is open Wednesday through Saturday.

Pennsylvania impressionist paintings take center stage at the Michener Art Museum, named for the Pulitzer Prize-winning and Doylestown native writer of classics like Centennial, The Source, Chesapeake and the book that inspired Broadway’s South Pacific.

The museum, built from a historic 19th-century prison, also features other historical and contemporary works (much focusing on Bucks County creators), photo galleries, rotating exhibitions, a reading room inspired by the sleek woodwork of nearby furniture maker George Nakashima Woodworkers, a sculpture garden and a terrace built in the original prison yard.

Know before you go: Enjoy free admission on the second Saturday of each month.
Good for: Seeing a diverse collection of local art

Doylestown’s “working history” TileWorks museum (formerly Moravian Pottery & Tile Works) is a National Historic Landmark that continues to produce handmade tiles in a manner similar to the method established by founder and ceramicist Henry Chapman Mercer.

Visitors can tour the site to see original displays and observe the production process in the workshop where Mercer produced hand-crafted tiles during the American Arts & Crafts Movement of the late-19th to early-20th century.

Know before you go: Pair a visit with stops at the artist’s Fonthill home just across the property (see above) and his nearby Mercer Museum (see below).
Don’t miss: The annual Tilefest weekend

Deep in the Chester County woods atop a mountain adjacent to Valley Forge National Historical Park lived wood sculptor Wharton Esherick, “Dean of American Craftsmen,” whose work can be seen at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Esherick’s 12-acre rural modernist homestead, including his hand-built farmhouse and studio, was turned into the Wharton Esherick Museum, open to the public through tours from March through December. The immersive, interactive National Historic Landmark features thousands of artifacts and works of art.

Know before you go: Visitors must purchase advanced tickets ahead of a visit.
Good for: Stepping inside the world of a master artist

Nearly three-dozen helicopters, autogiros, convertiplanes and other spiral wing aircraft are on display at the American Helicopter Museum & Education Center.

The nation’s premier rotary flight aviation museum features displays, including a model helicopter room with over 400 pieces and an exhibit dedicated to the Whirly-Girls, a pioneering group of women pilots.

Don’t miss: A chance to purchase a helicopter ride for a bird’s-eye view of the Chester County countryside
Know before you go: If you happen to own your own chopper, arrive in style utilizing the adjacent helipad and runway.

The American Treasure Tour (adjacent to The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center) is the region’s kitschiest museum.

The 100,000-square-foot collection features 1 million pieces of pop culture memorabilia, including neon signs, self-playing orchestras, life-sized cartoon characters, movie posters, antique autos, herds of stuffed animals, and the world’s largest slinky, Gumby and popsicle stick … all accessed via indoor electric tram.

Vibe: Fever dream, but in a good way
Know before you go: The museum is part of The Factory in Oaks complex, which also includes Arnold’s Family Fun Center (featuring go-karts, laser tag, bumper cars and the like), a trampoline park, a rock climbing gym, and a bowling center.

The towering six-story concrete castle that houses the Mercer Museum is full of themed rooms dedicated to the tools and crafts of American life before mechanization, plus a modern exhibition space.

Archaeologist, collector and tile maker Henry Chapman Mercer founded the Doylestown museum in 1916 to display his 40,000-piece collection of pre-industrial tools, early manual technologies and pre-mechanical transport, including a whaling boat, an antique fire engine and a Conestoga wagon. To protect artifacts from fire (and make them more observable), Mercer chose to hang several of the larger objects from the ceilings above.

Vibe: Who knew there was even a tool for that? Mercer did.
Know before you go: The museum’s modern addition hosts rotating exhibitions.

The statue of William Penn atop Philadelphia’s City Hall gazes down toward his landing site at Penn Treaty Park. But it was 22 miles northeast where Penn chose to construct his residence soon after he arrived, founding the bucolic Pennsbury Manor country estate on the Delaware River for his Quaker family.

Visitors to the manor — reconstructed in 1939 and the only museum dedicated to Pennsylvania’s founder — can peruse period furnishings, historical objects, and an award-winning exhibit about Penn and his legacy, as well as hands-on activities and open hearth cooking demos.

Don’t miss: Ongoing living history programs and pop-up events
Good for: Learning more about Penn’s history

Head to Bucks County’s historic Pidcock Creek Valley to unwind among more than 700 native plant species and the wildlife that depends on them. Bowman’s Hill Wildlife Preserve‘s 134 acres span forests, meadows, hillsides, creeks, ponds and extensive wetlands.

A robust calendar of programming — including specialty walks and lectures — helps interpret the surroundings. Or view the preserve from nearby Bowman’s Hill Tower, a 125-foot-tall stone structure offering panoramic 14-mile views on clear days, built to commemorate the events that transpired within Washington Crossing Historic Park.

Know before you go: The preserve has occasional free entry days.
Don’t miss: A chance to buy native plants at the preserve’s huge nursery

The exquisite 35-acre Chanticleer botanical pleasure garden, on the grounds of century-old Rosengarten manor, displays over 5,000 plants across a dozen collections.

The charm here comes from the carefully curated outdoor “rooms,” each with its own design and character. In-house landscape artists design installations incorporating wood, metal and stone into the lush gardens featuring perennials, annuals and even agricultural crops.

Note that, unlike many botanical gardens, Chanticleer chooses not to feature signs naming plants, instead encouraging visitors to chat with gardeners.

Don’t miss: The Teacup Garden, brimming with tropical plants arranged to create a colorful sensory experience
Know before you go: Bring a blanket to lounge on, but picnicking is a no-no.

The 650 acres of Tyler Arboretum’s woodlands, meadows and flora are part of a property that English Quaker Thomas Minshall purchased from William Penn in 1681. With 17 miles of trails, 80-foot-tall trees and delicate wildflowers, it’s one of the region’s oldest and largest public gardens.

Try solving the seven-ringed Meadow Maze labyrinth, learn about nature at Discovery Stations or discover the aromatic Fragrant Garden, one of the first gardens designed primarily for people who are blind or experiencing vision loss, along with several sites on the National Register of Historic Places.

Don’t miss: The towering sequoia tree, a rarity on the East Coast
Good for: Hours of outdoor meandering

Founded in 1924, Elmwood Park Zoo is arguably the oldest suburban zoo in the nation. The 16-acre attraction features over 100 species like bison, zebras, jaguars and red pandas, as well as Penny the American alligator and Noah the bald eagle, one of the mascots for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Pet the farm animals in the barn, ride the zoo-themed carousel, picnic with BYO snacks in the pavilions, purchase access to an “animal encounter” like feeding a giraffe, or grab a craft beer at the Zoo Brew Bar & Beer Garden.

Good for: Close-up animal views
Vibe: Laid-back, less-crowded zoo experience

Make Herr’s yours, as the slogan goes, with the tasty Herr’s Snack Factory Tour, a guided firsthand learning experience with a behind-the-scenes look at the production floor and factory warehouse where Herr’s Foods’ beloved pretzels, tortillas, popcorn, cheese curls and potato chips are created and packaged.

The one-hour tour of the working facility also includes fresh warm samples, a fun film at Chipper’s Theatre and a myriad of little-known snack facts along the way.

Don’t miss: The gift shop to load up on your favorite snacks
Know before you go: Tours are offered Mondays to Wednesdays.

Passengers aboard the New Hope Railroad — based at the 130-year-old New Hope Station — can enjoy narrated train tours of scenic Bucks County on classic rail cars like a 1925 steam locomotive or one of two diesel engines dating back to the early 1960s.

The railroad also offers a new human-powered rail bike experience where riders can pedal their way through the countryside in a 2-person or 4-person tandem rail bike (with an electric boost if needed!).

Don’t miss: Seasonal train trips for holidays like Valentine’s Day, Halloween and Christmas, or cocktail-themed trips for passengers 21 and older.
Good for: Stellar views through hills and valleys, passing by sprawling farms and historic bridges

Bucks County’s Doylestown offers a charming downtown to stroll and shop, centered around Main and State streets. Close to other day-trip-worthy spots like the Michener Art Museum and The Mercer Museum (see above), Downtown Doylestown rounds out a lovely day in the Countryside.

Grab your next great read or a cute gift at the sprawling Doylestown Bookshop or score some Philly-themed swag at Monkey’s Uncle, plus Main Street Marketplace offers a variety of shops and tasty bites — just to name a few.

Good for: Supporting small businesses
Vibe: Upscale and carefully curated

Head about an hour northwest of Philadelphia to spend the day in what Travel & Leisure has named the best small town in America to live. The former industrial town’s revitalization has been attracting tons of small shops and businesses.

Bridge Street — the town’s main drag — offers a mix of wine-tasting rooms, low-key restaurants and artsy, locally owned shops. From pampered pet supplies at Maddie’s Castle to chic women’s clothing at Refinery, Phoenixville offers charming, curated wares across its many boutique shops.

Fun fact: The town’s iconic Colonial Theatre hosts a Blobfest each summer.

Vibe: Artsy and laid back
Know before you go: Bridge Street is divided in the center of town by Main Street, home to boutique retail and food outlets.

Having revived its downtown commercial district in the early 2000s, West Chester’s community understands the value of supporting small local businesses. The resulting variety of small shops and boutiques centered around Gay and High streets means great shopping for all visitors.

Pick up a box of handcrafted artisan truffles at the award-winning Éclat Chocolatiers, load up on vintage Eagles jackets and other sports gear at Jawn Supply, or pair your records with microbrewed beer at Hop Fidelity.

Don’t miss: Rare and antiquarian books, maps and literary artifacts at Baldwin’s Book Barn, about two miles from downtown.
Know before you go: Park at metered spots using coins, credit or the Flowbird app.

Not many places rival New Hope’s special blend of quirkiness, history and joviality.

Find dozens of shops clustered along Main Street near its intersection with Bridge Street, but definitely make time to stroll along the side streets to find hidden gems. Boutique finds include vintage wares, gourmet olive oil, men’s and women’s clothing, gifts, and so much more.

This riverside town prides itself on its strong LGBTQ+ community and concentration of artistic talent, reflected in the diversity of its shops.

Vibe: Come as you are.
Know before you go: Stroll across the bridge to adjacent Lambertville, New Jersey, an equally adorable town.

Home to over 125 designer and brand-name factory stores from Coach and Kate Spade to Michael Kors and Swarovski, outdoor shopping plaza Philadelphia Premium Outlets offers 553,000 square feet of massive deals (upwards of 70% off) just north of Valley Forge in Pottstown.

When all those discounts make you hungry, grab lunch at one of the on-site restaurants like Tony Luke’s or at the convenient food court. If you need a rest, relax in the Fire Pit’s cozy, soft seating area.

Know before you go: Drive an EV? Charge up while you shop.
Good for: Endless discounts on your favorite brands

Six-block Suburban Square in Ardmore is the Main Line’s premier outdoor shopping plaza, and one of the nation’s oldest planned shopping centers (and first with a department store), dating back to the 1920s.

The lifestyle destination features high-end stores (like Warby Parker, Free People, West Elm and Dandelion) along with two dozen eateries (including Lola’s Garden, Shake Shack and Sweetgreen), as well as the on-site Ardmore Farmer’s Market.

Don’t miss: The Lawn, an open-air area designed for relaxation, picnics, live music and community events
Vibe: High-end shop-til-you-drop

Nicknamed “Everybody’s Hometown” for its stated commitment to diversity and neighborliness, Media holds the distinction as America’s original Fair Trade town — characterized by its support of businesses that ensure workers receive a fair price for products and labor.

Shopkeepers tend lovingly to stores situated in buildings older than the town itself, all along State Street, offering wares such as hand-crafted pottery at Earth & State or crystals and incense at Seven Stones gallery.

Good for: Buying Fair Trade goods
Know before you go: Fuel up on State Street after a day at nearby Tyler Arboretum or Ridley Creek State Park (see above).

Historic Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope dates back to 1939, but the building it occupies previously housed an 18th-century gristmill dating back to 1751. Since then, the riverside theater has seen the likes of Grace Kelly, Dick Van Dyke, Robert Redford, Liza Minnelli and more grace its stage.

Professional Broadway producers took over the venue in 2012, returning it to its roots, incubating soon-to-be Broadway hits and staying open year-round for local and touring productions, world premieres, original plays, musicals, live music and more.

Vibe: Broadway-style hits in an intimate setting
Don’t miss: Grabbing a bite at the Playhouse Deck restaurant and bar

Delaware County’s Hedgerow Theatre, founded in 1923 from a 19th-century gristmill, is a 100-seat repertory theater that has attracted prominent performers from Keanu Reeves to Ann Harding (who purchased and donated the theater in 1931). Hedgerow has also been a proving ground for writers like Eugene O’Neill, Langston Hughes and George Bernard Shaw.

In addition to the main playhouse and the 30-seat Big Room studio, the “Mother of All Philadelphia Theaters” offers an outdoor children’s theater and innovative sensory-friendly performances.

Vibe: An intimate, historic setting to see modern theater
Know before you go: The parking lot is compact, so arrive early to snag a spot.

The Philadelphia Union, the region’s Major League Soccer club, has been thrilling navy-and-gold-clad association football fans since 2010, including capturing the 2020 and 2025 Supporters’ Shield for the league’s best regular season record, three U.S. Open Cup finals appearances and a run to the MLS championship match in 2022.

Beautiful soccer-specific Subaru Park in Chester hosts the Union’s lively home games, led by the friendly-but-rowdy 5,000-member Sons of Ben supporters’ group.

Don’t miss: Epic views of the Delaware River and the Commodore Barry Bridge
Vibe: Doop!