45 excursions d'une journée près de Philadelphie

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.

À ne pas manquer : A chance to visit nearby Maison et studio N.C. Wyeth, 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

Se rendre à l'adresse suivante 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 Château de Fonthill 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
Sachez avant de partir : Check out partner site, the Mercer Museum (see below).

Avec plus de 450 magasins couvrant près de 3 millions de pieds carrés, 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 plus de 50 options de restauration for on-the-go or sit down.

Vibe : So much shopping, so little time.
Sachez avant de partir : Arrive via SEPTA's 124 ou 125 bus routes or grab one of the 13,000 parking spaces.

Vous êtes un fanatique de Lego ? Alors rendez-vous au 33 000 pieds carrés Legoland Discovery Center à 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.
À ne pas manquer : Philadelphie Miniland, a million-plus brick recreation of Philly’s most iconic buildings, streets and landmarks

Sur 300 acres Linvilla Orchards ferme familiale — l'une des dernières fermes en activité dans 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).

Bon pour : Fresh-from-the-farm fruits and veggies
À ne pas manquer : The seasonal on-site Brasserie en plein air Ship Bottom

Le plus grand jardin d'exposition de la région de Philadelphie, Kennett Square’Le célèbre Longwood Gardens boasts more than 10,000 plants and trees across 1,100 acres and hosts numerous seasonal celebrations like its Spectacles de fontaines illuminées, Un Noël à Longwood et plus encore.

La destination fondée par Pierre du Pont, nommée numéro 1 sur la liste de l'Union européenne. Fodor's liste de les meilleurs jardins botaniques des États-Unis, includes exhibits like the Green Wall, Orchid House, Hillside Garden and Longwood revisité — a recent transformation of the site’s core conservatory and new 32,000-square-foot West Conservatory.

Sachez avant de partir : Visitors should purchase billets en prévente for guaranteed admission.
À ne pas manquer : The water lily gardens in full bloom starting in August

Lahaska, paradis populaire du shopping et des livres d'histoires Village de colporteurs 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 Foire de Giggleberry for kids.

Sachez avant de partir : Vérifier le attraction’s calendar pour les festivals annuels populaires célébrant les fraises, les myrtilles, le chocolat, les pommes, les épouvantails, les Peeps, les maisons en pain d'épice, les nichoirs et bien plus encore.
Bon pour : Finding that special someone the perfect gift

Delaware County Parc d'État de Ridley Creek 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 Plantation coloniale de Pennsylvanie, the 112-acre Pratt family farm that operated from 1720 to 1820 that’s now a living history site.

Bon pour : Awe-walks and gentle hikes
Vibe : Tranquil green space

Nous vous dirons comment vous rendre, comment vous rendre à Sesame Place, le seul Rue Sésame-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 Un Noël tout en fourrure. 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.

Sachez avant de partir : 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.

Aujourd'hui, Valley Forge National Historical Park rend hommage à ceux qui ont campé ici avec des monuments, des statues et des bâtiments répartis sur tout le site, ainsi que des répliques de huttes, le quartier général original du général Washington, le Arche commémorative nationale 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.

À ne pas manquer : 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 Parc du champ de bataille de Brandywine en Delaware County.

Stop by the visitor center to see its museum and exhibitions and take a visite libre with or without audio. Check out two on-site maisons historiques: 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
À ne pas manquer : Pop-up événements like Brews on the Battlefield

Les Musée Glencairn en 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 Quartier historique de Bryn Athyn comprend également le bâtiment de 26 000 pieds carrés datant de l'époque de l'âge d'or Domaine de Cairnwood maison et jardins historiques, et le style gothique primitif Swedenborgien Cathédrale de Bryn Athyn.

À ne pas manquer : Glencairn’s vue imprenable depuis la tour down to the city
Sachez avant de partir : Book a tour in advance to visit with a professional guide.

Niché dans l'immensité du parc d'État de French Creek, dans la campagne Chester County, le site historique de 848 acres Lieu historique national de Hopewell Furnace 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.

Bon pour : Learning about industrial history
Sachez avant de partir : Birdwatching and photography opportunities abound.

The museum at Bucks County's Maison de Pearl S. Buck — au début du XVIIIe siècle propriété et ferme of the Nobel Prize-winning author — features a plethora of La bonne terre 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.

Sachez avant de partir : The museum offers two timed tours — Pearl S. Buck: Taking Action and Pearl S. Buck: Life & Legacy — which require advance ticketing.
Bon pour : A step back in time

À la fois site patrimonial et espace naturel, Parc historique de Washington Crossing 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 Maison Thompson-Neely, Moulin à farine et Tour de Bowman's Hill (surplombant 134 acres) Réserve de fleurs sauvages de Bowman's Hill, see below). Also on site: a visitor center, walking paths, picnic pavilions, fishing areas and boat launches.

Sachez avant de partir : Visit in December to witness l'une des deux reconstitutions de la traversée.
Vibe : Revolutionary history

Joggers, hikers and cyclists flock to the nearly 60-mile linear stretch of Parc d'État du canal du Delaware, which runs from Bristol to Easton along the Delaware River. Contained within the five-county Corridor du patrimoine national du Delaware et de la Lehigh, the park’s Delaware Canal Towpath connects towns like Morrisville, Yardley and Un nouvel espoir.

Nature enthusiasts can stop by the 155-acre Zone récréative Giving Pond 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.

Bon pour : Getting in some exercise surrounded by nature
Sachez avant de partir : Vérifier maps ahead of time to find where to enter the 60-mile park.

Opened in 2019, Montgomery County’s Centre John James Audubon à 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.

À ne pas manquer : The resident avian ambassadors, birds once injured, now rehabilitated and used for educational programs
Sachez avant de partir : 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 Parc d'État de Marsh Creek 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.

Bon pour : Long summer days, lakeside
Sachez avant de partir : Fishing in the lake is good-to-excellent for warm-water fish.

Visitors to the 5,286-acre Parc d'État de Nockamixon 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 lac éponyme 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.

Sachez avant de partir : 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 Parc Peace Valley’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.

À ne pas manquer : The amazing bird blind at Centre de la nature de Peace Valley next door
Sachez avant de partir : The park also sits next to the tranquil Ferme de lavande Peace Valley.

Apportez votre propre marteau (sans blague !) à Parc Ringing Rocks, 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.

À ne pas manquer : High Falls, Bucks County’s highest waterfall, located within the park
Bon pour : Hours of rock-hopping fun

Les Musée d'art Frances M. Maguire de l'université Saint Joseph 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.

À ne pas manquer : The arboretum’s stunning collection of azaleas, peonies and roses
Sachez avant de partir : The museum is open Wednesday through Saturday.

Les peintures impressionnistes de Pennsylvanie occupent le devant de la scène au Musée d'art Michener, nommé d'après le lauréat du prix Pulitzer et Doylestown auteur natif d'œuvres classiques telles que Centennial, La Source, Chesapeake et le livre qui a inspiré la comédie musicale de Broadway Pacifique Sud.

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.

Sachez avant de partir : Enjoy free admission on the second Saturday of each month.
Bon pour : Seeing a diverse collection of local art

L“” histoire du travail » à Doylestown” 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.

Sachez avant de partir : Pair a visit with stops at the artist’s Fonthill home just across the property (see above) and his nearby Mercer Museum (see below).
À ne pas manquer : The annual Tilefest weekend

Au plus profond de la 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.

Sachez avant de partir : Visitors must purchase advanced tickets ahead of a visit.
Bon pour : Stepping inside the world of a master artist

Près de trois douzaines d'hélicoptères, d'autogires, d'avions convertibles et d'autres aéronefs à voilure tournante sont exposés au Musée américain de l'hélicoptère et centre d'éducation.

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.

À ne pas manquer : A chance to purchase a helicopter ride for a bird’s-eye view of the Chester County countryside
Sachez avant de partir : If you happen to own your own chopper, arrive in style utilizing the adjacent helipad and runway.

Les Tournée des trésors américains (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 et popsicle stick … all accessed via indoor electric tram.

Vibe : Fever dream, but in a good way
Sachez avant de partir : The museum is part of The Factory in Oaks complex, which also includes Centre de loisirs familial Arnold's (featuring go-karts, laser tag, bumper cars and the like), a trampoline park, a rock climbing gym, and a bowling center.

L'imposant château en béton de six étages qui abrite le Musée Mercer 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.
Sachez avant de partir : The museum’s modern addition hosts rotating exhibitions.

La statue de William Penn au sommet City Hall de Philadelphie regarde vers son site d'atterrissage à Parc Penn Treaty. Mais c'est à 35 km au nord-est que Penn choisit de construire sa résidence peu après son arrivée, fondant ainsi la bucolique Manoir de Pennsbury 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.

À ne pas manquer : Ongoing living history programs and pop-up événements
Bon pour : 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. Réserve naturelle de Bowman's Hill‘Ses 134 acres s'étendent sur des forêts, des prairies, des collines, des ruisseaux, des étangs et de vastes zones humides.

A robust calendar of programming — notamment des promenades spécialisées et des conférences — aide à interpréter l'environnement. Ou admirez la réserve depuis les environs. Tour de Bowman's Hill, a 125-foot-tall stone structure offering panoramic 14-mile views on clear days, built to commemorate the events that transpired within Parc historique de Washington Crossing.

Sachez avant de partir : The preserve has occasional free entry days.
À ne pas manquer : A chance to buy native plants at the preserve’s huge nursery

Le magnifique domaine de 35 acres 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.

À ne pas manquer : The Teacup Garden, brimming with tropical plants arranged to create a colorful sensory experience
Sachez avant de partir : Bring a blanket to lounge on, but picnicking is a no-no.

Les 650 acres de Arboretum de Tyler’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.

À ne pas manquer : The towering sequoia tree, a rarity on the East Coast
Bon pour : Hours of outdoor meandering

Fondée en 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.

Bon pour : Close-up animal views
Vibe : Laid-back, less-crowded zoo experience

Faites de Herr's votre marque préférée, comme le dit le slogan, avec ses délicieux Visite de l'usine Herr's Snack, 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.

À ne pas manquer : The gift shop to load up on your favorite snacks
Sachez avant de partir : Des visites guidées sont proposées. Mondays to Wednesdays.

Les passagers à bord du Chemin de fer New Hope — basée à la gare New Hope Station, vieille de 130 ans — peuvent profiter de circuits en train commentés à travers des paysages pittoresques. 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!).

À ne pas manquer : Seasonal train trips for holidays like Valentine’s Day, Halloween and Christmas, or cocktail-themed trips for passengers 21 and older.
Bon pour : 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.

Bon pour : Supporting small businesses
Vibe : Upscale and carefully curated

Head about an hour northwest of Philadelphia to spend the day in what Voyages et loisirs 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
Sachez avant de partir : 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.

Achetez une boîte de truffes artisanales à l'hôtel primé Éclat Chocolatiers, load up on vintage Eagles jackets and other sports gear at Jawn Supply, or pair your records with microbrewed beer at Fidélité au houblon.

À ne pas manquer : Rare and antiquarian books, maps and literary artifacts at La grange aux livres de Baldwin, about two miles from downtown.
Sachez avant de partir : Park at metered spots using coins, credit or the Flowbird app.

Not many places rival Un nouvel espoir’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.
Sachez avant de partir : 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.

Sachez avant de partir : Drive an EV? Charge up while you shop.
Bon pour : Endless discounts on your favorite brands

Six blocs Place de la banlieue en 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 Marché fermier d'Ardmore.

À ne pas manquer : La pelouse, 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, Les médias 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 Terre et État or crystals and incense at Seven Stones galerie.

Bon pour : Buying Fair Trade goods
Sachez avant de partir : Fuel up on State Street after a day at nearby Tyler Arboretum or Ridley Creek State Park (see above).

Historique Bucks County Maison de jeux 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
À ne pas manquer : Grabbing a bite at the Terrasse du théâtre restaurant et bar

Delaware County Théâtre Hedgerow, 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
Sachez avant de partir : The parking lot is compact, so arrive early to snag a spot.

Les Union de Philadelphie, 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 Parc Subaru in Chester hosts the Union’s lively home games, led by the friendly-but-rowdy 5,000-member Sons of Ben supporters’ group.

À ne pas manquer : Epic views of the Delaware River and the Commodore Barry Bridge
Vibe : Doop !