The Wissahickon Valley Trail

Explore the beauty of the Wissahickon Valley Trail, a jewel of the Philadelphia area. The seven mile trail follows Wissahickon Creek along Forbidden Drive, which has been turned into a path for hiking, jogging, horseback riding and bicycling. Forbidden Drive got its name after motorized traffic was banned on it in the 1920s. In addition to an abundance of gorgeous plant life and plentiful birds and wildlife, the path has a variety of historical features, including homes that were once the domiciles of notable Philadelphians. A variety of other hiking trails in various levels of strenuousness can be accessed off of the main trail. Parking is available on Valley Green. Maps of the trail can be ordered through the Friends of the Wissahickon Valley Park Trail website.

Wissahickon Valley Trail
Valley Green Road at Wissahickon
Philadelphia, PA 19128
(215) 247-0417
http://www.yelp.com/biz/wissahickon-valley-trail-philadelphia

World Cafe Live: Groundbreaking Music

World Café Live takes the groundbreaking syndicated radio show one step further, offering patrons a chance to see world-class performers live on stage in two different venues every day of the week. The space is also home to a café and bar featuring a tasty array of food and drink. The café offers weekday lunch specials with soups, sandwiches, salads and wraps for a mere $8. The regular menu dishes out taste pleasers like Pan Seared Sea Scallops, Duck Confit, Gouda & Broccoli Bread Pudding, Fish & Chips and a Portabella Burger. Free music performances are often scheduled in the bar and café areas. Stop by for Happy Hour to partake of tasty food and drink specials. Check out their Peanut Butter and Jams music concerts for the kids. See their website for performance schedules and ticket info.

World Cafe Live
3025 Walnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 222-1400
http://www.yelp.com/biz/world-cafe-live-philadelphia

What’s New at Citizens Bank Park in 2013

Citizens Bank Park brings us new and exciting options for the 2013 baseball season. First of all, lots of new merchandise is available like Phillies yoga mats and panini/waffle presses. Harry the K's is updating the menu with new items like Disco Fries, fries with brown gravy, mozzarella, and bacon, Phillies Fries, fries with chopped steak, onions, and cheese sauce, Salt and Vinegar Fries, and Mini Corn Dogs. While those menu items may not be the most healthful, many CBP concession stands are beginning to offer better, healthier choices like black bean burgers and gluten-free options. Bullpen Brews is featuring a wider selection of micro, imported, and regional beers. And make sure you check out Dessert Alley for a selection of tasty desserts!

Philadelphia Phillies
Citizens Bank Park
1 Citizens Bank Way
Philadelphia, PA 19176
http://www.yelp.com/biz/citizens-bank-park-philadelphia

Schuylkill Banks: Riverside Bliss

If you haven’t gotten the memo, Schuylkill Banks is Philadelphia’s premier riverfront destination, replete with greenways, parks, riverfront docks, boathouses, residential areas and industrial sites. Go there to walk, jog, bicycle, rollerblade, stroll, sunbathe and picnic along the river’s banks in a fun, vibrant outdoor environment. It’s just a hop-skip from many Philadelphia neighborhoods, providing a great opportunity to get out and enjoy the great outdoors close to home. More than a mile of trail connects to Kelly Drive and 5,805 feet of trail is located at Grays Ferry Crescent. Bring your kayak and set off on the river, or bring a pole and fish along the banks. Whatever activity you choose, be sure to take advantage of this fantastic outdoor space in the heart of the city.

Schuykill Banks
Philadelphia, PA 19103
http://www.yelp.com/biz/schuylkill-banks-philadelphia

The Wagner Free Institute of Science: Investigate the Earth

Situated just outside of the museum district in Philadelphia, The Wagner Free Institute of Science offers a wonderfully comprehensive overview of the vast realms of science — for free! Curators at the Institute have brought in various unique specimens to create vivid, 3-D exhibits that enthrall everyone who visits. Adults and children, alike, will love checking out the collections of minerals, fossils, shells, and mounted birds and mammals. A few must-sees of the Institute are the assembled dinosaur skeletons, as well as the first American saber-tooth tiger. In addition, people of all ages can receive more in-depth instruction through free, hands-on classes — some are geared toward young students, while the introductory college level courses are for adults of any level. Other offerings include the weekly lecture series, group discussions, as well as family-friendly festivals. The Wagner Free Institute is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and admission is free.

The Wagner Free Institute
1700 W. Montgomery Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19121
(215) 763-6529

The Kelly Writers House: Pick Up The Pen

Philadelphia has been home to many of the greatest men of American letters, so it’s no surprise that the city is seeking to keep its literary tradition alive at the Kelly Writers House. Founded in 1995 by a group of students, teachers, and alumni at the University of Pennsylvania, the facility is a thriving hotspot for the literary arts in all their forms, staging over 300 events yearly. Some of the biggest events include the Fellows program, which brings nationally famous writers in for a brief residency where they discuss their work, speaking with students during the day and then hosting a panel at night. These are typically packed to the gills. The interesting thing about the Writers House is that it actually is a house – events take place in the living room, and seats are often at a premium. Everything is free, but for popular programs it’s wise to RSVP.

The Kelly Writers House
University of Pennsylvania
3805 Locust Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 573-9748
http://www.yelp.com/biz/kelly-writers-house-philadelphia

Academy of Natural Sciences: Our Nation’s Most Historic Natural History Museum

The Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia is our nation's oldest natural history museum. The museum has built an impressive collection over its nearly 200 years of existence. The staff is committed to researching biodiversity and the environment, and, thanks to their hard work, the museum is continually growing its permanent collections, as well as bringing in visiting exhibits. For a real thrill, check out the living creatures that inhabit the Butterflies exhibit, the Live Animal exhibit, and Outside In. The Academy of Natural Sciences has also replicated many exotic environments in impressive dioramas, and has enthralling displays of ancient bones and bodies in their dinosaur and mummies exhibits. The rotating exhibits often pay homage to well-known scientists and discoveries, or take an up-close look at different species and environments. The Academy is great for all ages, and kids will love all the hands-on activities and live animals! For a more adult experience, visit for a scientific lecture, field study, or monthly group discussion.

Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 299-1000

Fabric Workshop and Museum: Sew Cool

Founded in 1977, the Fabric Workshop and Museum was chartered with the intention of promoting the use of fabric and textile materials in the arts. It originally opened as a screenprinting studio focusing on functional arts, but over the life of the Workshop those restrictions have loosened, and now artists in residence work with a wide variety of materials and techniques, including horsehair and fiberglass. The roster of creative people who have collaborated with the Workshop includes luminaries like Louise Bourgeois, Felix Gonzales-Torres, and Glenn Ligon. Visitors rave about the variety of artwork on display in the spacious galleries. The Fabric Workshop and Museum also hosts a variety of educational programs, including a weekly silkscreening workshop and a robust online curriculum.

Fabric Workshop and Museum
1214 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 561-8888
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-fabric-workshop-and-museum-philadelphia

Plays and Players: Historic Philadephia Theater Company

Want to see where Kevin Bacon got his start? Head to Plays and Players, Philadelphia’s oldest theatre company. Once a private club for drama aficionados, it’s morphed over the last hundred or so years into an important part of Philadelphia’s vibrant theater arts community and is dedicated to supporting established and emerging local playwrights and actors. Previous productions in their two intimate theatres include Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus, Lost in Yonkers, Zombie! the Musical and Carousel. Currently on the playlist are Pardon My Invasion, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, and Travesties. Check out the Plays and Players website for a calendar of productions and ticket info. 

1714 Delancey Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 735-0630
 

Elfreth’s Alley: A Hidden Treasure

Philadelphia is rife with history, being one of the oldest cities in the United States. If you really want to take a trip back into the past, make a detour through Elfreth’s Alley. This is one of the oldest continually inhabited residential streets in the country, dating back to the early 1700s. Named after blacksmith Jeremiah Elfreth, the roadway is lined with Georgian-style townhomes that have weathered the test of time. In the 1930s, a preservation association was formed to ensure that the alley would remain intact for future generations to visit. The most interesting thing about Elfreth’s Alley is that it’s still a residential neighborhood – even though the buildings are centuries old, they’re all still inhabited. You can take a phone tour of the street to get some more information on its rich and fascinating history. Volunteer guides also staff the gift shop, which is interesting on its own accord.

Elfreth’s Alley
126 Elfreth's Alley
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 574-0560
http://www.yelp.com/biz/elfreths-alley-museum-philadelphia

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