Evansburg State Park: A Forest Oasis

Located just a few miles down the Germantown Pike in the quaint little town of Collegeville, Evansburg State Park is a less-traveled pocket of unspoiled wilderness that has become a favorite for outdoor-loving Pennsylvanians. The most prominent feature of the park is the Skippack Creek, which flows through beautiful valleys and ridges that give the park spectacular scenic views. The park was originally a settlement in the 18th century, and if you look closely around the grounds you can find remnants of mills and other buildings. Parkgoers now go to enjoy trout fishing in the creek, play baseball at one of the park’s four ballfields, or just meander through over 30 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Overnight camping is also available. The park is also home to a popular 18 hole golf course with a par of 71 that is open to the public.

Evansburg State Park
851 Mayhall Road
Collegeville, PA 19426
(610) 409-1150
http://www.yelp.com/biz/evansburg-state-park-collegeville

Green Lane Park: Aquatic Wonderland

Considered to be one of Montgomery County’s best parks, Green Lane Park boasts a spectacular 3,400 acres and three gorgeous lakes for all kinds of recreational activities. Miles of nature trails wend through the property, appropriate for hikers, bikers and horseback riders equally. The Reservoir is zoned for both boating and swimming, and there are boat rentals available at Deep Creek Lake as well. Recreation areas have charcoal grills for public use, picnic tables, and other amenities. In the summer, various community organizations use the park for a number of festivals, including free outdoor movie screenings, concerts, and more. In the winter, there is still plenty to see and do here, as trails open up for cross-country skiing and the lakes form a very thick crust of ice perfect for skating. Pets are welcome if kept on a leash, but it is prohibited to let them into the lakes or creek areas.

Green Lane Park
2144 Snyder Road
Montgomery County, PA 18074
(215) 234-4528
http://www.yelp.com/biz/green-lane-park-montgomery-county

Ridley Creek State Park: Natural Treasure

Area residents looking for a wide array of outdoor activities have been flocking to Ridley Creek State Park for generations. This gorgeous park, located in the town of Newtown Square, offers over 2,026 acres of meadows and woodlands for exploration, only 16 miles from the center of Philadelphia. That proximity to the city makes it a great weekend destination for urbanites looking to get away from it all. 14 picnic areas offer hundreds of picnic tables, as well as pavilions that can be reserved in advance. Ridley Creek, which runs through the park, is stocked with trout and a popular spot for local fisherman to catch their limit. An area is also reserved for fly-fishing, but is catch and release only. 12 miles of hiking trails at various levels of difficulty wend through the park, as well as biking, jogging, and horseback riding paths. From April to October, camping areas are also available for overnight stays.

Ridley Creek State Park
351 Gradyville Road
Newtown Square, PA 19073
http://www.yelp.com/biz/ridley-creek-state-park-newtown-square

Da Vinci’s Pub: The Art Of The Pour

Collegeville has no shortage of great places to grab a drink, but locals all seem to flock to Da Vinci’s Pub at one time or another. The reasons why are manifold: it’s got a classic vibe updated with modern technology. Located in the former home of Harpoon Louie’s, the décor has tons of carved wood accents and solid construction that make it feel like it’s been around forever. Many nights an acoustic guitar player provides entertainment that doesn’t intrude on conversations, which is welcome. Service is exceptional, with the staff drawing raves from patrons for their pleasant attitudes and speedy delivery. The bar boasts a solid selection of microbrews on tap, as well as a decent array of wines and some popular mixed drinks. Food is high-quality pub grub, with special raves going to the blackened chicken, which is moist and toothsome. Be aware that on weekends the place gets packed and overflows all available street parking, so you might have to walk a little bit.

Da Vinci’s Pub
217 E. Main Street
Collegeville, PA 19426
(610) 831-1955
http://www.yelp.com/biz/da-vincis-pub-collegeville

Color Me Mine: Creative Passions

Artists of all skill levels have been flocking to Montgomeryville’s Color Me Mine for years, and the wide range of creative activities available is very enticing. The process couldn’t be more simple: first, you select from one of hundreds of ceramic pieces to paint on,  from mugs, plates and tiles to more complicated pieces, and the prices are fairly low. Then you pay an eight-dollar studio fee and start decorating your unique piece of artwork. That fee covers everything you’ll use in the process, and there’s a lot of material to choose from. Once it’s done, you leave it there to be kiln-fired to seal the glaze and come pick it up about five days later. Color Me Mine is an awesome creative outlet for people of all ages and levels of experience, and they offer special deals and packages throughout the week to save a little money if you’re on a budget.

Color Me Mine
801 Bethlehem Pike
Montgomeryville, PA 18936
(215) 412-4565
http://www.yelp.com/biz/color-me-mine-montgomeryville

Par Breakers Golf Academy: Get in the Swing

Par Breakers pro Bernie Sheridan formerly ran Nike’s elite Golf School, but in 1998 he came home to the Philadelphia area to evangelize for golf and save you from grey hairs. What do we mean? Well, no one understands a golf swing like Bernie. Sure, he’s got all the technology used by PGA hotshots, like video swing analysis, the EDH Flightscope, P3 Pro Swing, and Zelocity Radar; but just let him look at you. Pay attention when he offers those good-natured tips. That slice—and your score—will shrink in no time.  Bernie’s eye is that good. Par Breakers offers private lessons, group clinics, on-course clinics, and kids’ summer golf camps. The indoor facility is the largest in the area, with full-size simulated greens and bunkers. You can also hit the driving range, get custom-fitted for clubs, or simulate a round on one of the world’s great courses.

Par Breakers Golf Academy
2300 West Drive
Oaks, PA 19456
(610) 666-9000
www.parbreakers.com

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