What would be a fun thing to do in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas between Sept 11-14th?

Question

I have a friend visiting me in Philly and I want to plan something fun for the short time that he will be here. I was thinking about going to NYC, or horseback riding, hiking, dining out or just spending a weekend at a park like The Delaware Water Gap. The problem is that I am also new to Philly and don't know where to start or where to go. Thank you so much for all your help and suggestions.

Answer 1

If you like offbeat things, the fringe festival is going on then: http://www.pafringe.com/2008/home.cfm

If you want a great place to hike or horseback ride in the city, go to Forbidden drive: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wissahickon...

For friends that like museums, go to the art museum, and then have a picnic on kelly drive and people watch - you can also ride your bike or walk down Kelly and see boathouse row.

Answer 2

The Water Gap is always fun, though it's about 2-3 hours away.  The camping trips I've been on up there have always been fun, and by that time, the water may still be warm enough to roll off a kayak and go swimming.  

You could always try walking to the Zoo as well.  I'm not sure where you're at, but you could make the walk up Kelly Drive from behind the Art Museum, up to Girard Avenue and then cross over to the Zoo.  It's a very nice, and scenic walk.  

Almost all of the Museums are free on Sundays.  

The Eagles are out of town that weekend, but they are playing the Cowboys.  If you're Eagles' fans / not Cowboy's fans, then you could almost definitely find a bar to have a great time in.  

The Phillies are home though, and they're playing that weekend...3:30 on a Saturday afternoon and 1:30 on that Sunday afternoon against Milwaukee.  If you've never been there, it's worth checking out.  Tickets can be gotten for cheap, and you may as well get the cheapest ones if you've never been there before because you'll want to walk around the whole time anyway.  Lots of great food there, tons of sun (and shade if you need it) and it's easy to get to...it's the Southern-most end of the Broad Street Line, which is only $2-3 to ride each way.

There's no sense in going to NYC to dine-out, since Philly has been blowing up the restaurant scene.  Check out www.foobooz.com for some ideas there.  If you do want to go to NYC, count on it taking at least 2 hours (more like 3) and spending at least $30-40 each way on the cheapest train.  The Mega Bus, though, apparently starts as low as $1 each way, but you have to book a reservation to get that price.  

Finally, you can check out all of the Philly promotional things, like Philly2Nite or something like that.  The Foobooz link above should have all of those links within the site anyhow.    

Answer 3

Check it out..

Morris Arboretum

Sedgwick Gardens

Valley Green

If you like outdoors they are the most beautiful places. You won't even remember youre in Philly.

Tight thing is that Valley Green connects (by about a 20 mile trail) from Conshy to Philly. So its like a giant nature park, and you can ride horses and hike. Then after bit you can go in town a little and check out all the little restaurants in Conshy and they have awesome ice cream there too. It's a quaint little town (cobblestone and brick walks) its fancy for friends. hope you have fun in whatever you do!

Answer 4

I submit for your consideration Longwood Gardens.  This is a truly beautiful and very impressive day trip.  Visit thier site for a calendar of events and more information: www.longwoodgardens.org

You can also take a day trip through Lancaster Country.  There used to be a steam engine train ride you could take from Stoudsburg (I think) to Paradise (I think).  It was a nice, scenic tour.  It's beautiful country but don't take pictures of the locals.  It really bugs them.

www.co.lancaster.pa.us

www.padutchcountry.com/