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Inexpensive or Free Summer Activities in Philadelphia
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Personal Finance 101
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Personal Finances
Inexpensive or Free Summer Activities in Philadelphia
Whether you’re looking for outdoor activities for the kids or ways to cool off in the air conditioning, the Greater Philadelphia area offers a wide range of inexpensive venues and local community events to enjoy, including summer concerts, museums, nature tours, history walks, and many more adventures to enjoy! There’s no need to spend a fortune to have some summer fun! Check out our list of fun and inexpensive or free things to do in Philadelphia this summer.
Fun things to do in Philadelphia this Summer:
Philadelphia, the birthplace of America, is home to many free and inexpensive sights to explore.
- Interested in a day of American history? Start with Independence Mall and a free visit to the Liberty Bell. Then, immerse yourself in Philadelphia history with a Constitutional walking tour.
- Are you a foodie? The bustling Reading Terminal Market, as well as the vibrant outdoor South 9th Street Italian Market and the Southeast Asian Market in FDR Park are all excellent adventures for your eyes and tastebuds. Stop by and score some delicious free samples.
- If you love spending time near the water, check out Penn’s Landing on the Delaware River Waterfront. Spruce Street Harbor Park is home to many riverfront activities and culinary treats. Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest offers roller skating fun and carnival food and Fairmount Park features a zoo and beautiful gardens to explore.
- Enjoy natural history? Wagner Free Institute of Science is a natural history museum offering free educational natural science exhibits.
For more fun summer activities, check out Visit Philadelphia.
Fun things to do in Bucks County this Summer:
From hiking, fishing, and swimming to playhouses and art galleries, Bucks County, PA offers something for everyone. There are antique shops, coffee shops, and 16 county and state parks, featuring 475 miles of trails.
- Love antiques and shopping? The Bucks County town of New Hope has been named the #1 small town for arts and culture in the United States by Travel & Leisure magazine. Don’t miss a visit to New Hope, filled with antique stores, eclectic shopping, and beautiful views.
- Want a day of waterfront fun? The Bristol Waterfront Park at the end of Mill Street in Bristol hosts concerts, festivals, fishing, boating yoga, outdoor dining, monuments, people-watching, and more. Spend a day in quaint Bristol and enjoy all the town has to offer.
- Up for exploring? Bucks County is home to 12 covered bridges, many located on the beautiful country back roads. Use these turn-by-turn driving directions to take a self-lead tour!
- Feeling brave? Bucks County has gathered its share of haunting stories and unexplained phenomenon. Take a self-guided haunted driving tour – if you dare.
- Looking for an unusual activity? Visit Ringing Rocks County Park and the Bridgeton Boulder Field. While it may look like nothing more than a field filled with rocks, tapping on these rocks produces a ringing, bell-like sound. No one knows exactly why the rocks “ring”, but it’s believed it has something to do with how the rocks were formed and the weathering process.
For more ideas for fun things to do in Bucks County, check out 25 Free Things to Do in Bucks County.
Fun things to do in Chester County this Summer:
Chester County, Pennsylvania is home to a range of affordable activities. From boating, historical villages and battlegrounds to farms and wineries, there’s plenty to do for kids, adults, and families.
- Are you a history buff? The Brandywine Battlefield Park in Chadds Ford offers a number of inexpensive educational programs for students and adults. The Chadds Ford Winery is nearby and welcomes you to bring your own food to enjoy while sampling their wine.
- Want more Chester County history? Town Tours and Village Walks offers a series of summer evening strolls on Thursdays. Explore villages and hamlets, learning about their history in Chester County. Tours begin at 5:30 and run until 7 p.m.
- Love potato chips and snacks? Chester County is home to Herr Foods Inc., maker of Herr’s potato chips and snack foods. Herr’s offers free Snack Factory tours on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It’s a hands-on learning experience, showcasing how they make and package their products.
- Love horses? You can visit and feed retired horses at Ryerss Farm for Aged Equines for free. The farm provides a safe haven for retired racehorses and other horses needing a second chance.
- Outdoor movie, anyone? Well known for the university, the town of West Chester is home to dozens of shops, restaurants, and historical sites. Visit the Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center for $5 Movie Mondays or find a free open-air concert in the park.
- Looking for an outdoor adventure? Marsh Creek State Park features a 535-acre lake for boating, fishing, and kayaking. There is also a public pool and picnic and hiking areas. You can also explore French Creek State Park, a former industrial site where the forests and wildlife habitats have grown back over time.
For more fun things to do in Chester County, visit BrandywineValley.com.
Fun things to do in Delaware County this Summer:
Delco boasts over 2,600 captivating acres of picturesque trails and stunning gardens. It’s also home to charming historic towns.
- Up for a full day of Delco fun? The town of Media is the county seat of Delaware County and offers window-shopping and vibrant summer street festivals. If you want to pick your own fresh fruit and flowers, Linvilla Orchards in Media is free fun for the family. Linvilla Orchards often hosts summertime events and has a farm market and a brewery to enjoy, plus farm animals, a playground, and fishing.
- Are you a military history buff? If so, you’ll enjoy the free Pennsylvania Veterans Museum located in the Media Armory, right underneath the Trader Joe’s. The museum is open 12-5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, and private and group tours are available.
- Want some outdoor fun? Visit beautiful Ridley Creek State Park which encompasses more than 2,600 acres of Delaware County woodlands and meadows. It’s a great place for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and picnicking. There are many free nature events posted regularly on the park’s website to enjoy.
- Enjoy an outdoor concert during the Rose Tree Summer Festival. And find even more arts and entertainment events on the Delaware County Arts Consortium (DCAC) website.
For more fun things to do in Delco, check out VisitDelco.com.
Fun things to do in Lancaster County this Summer:
Lancaster County, PA has it all, from Amish farms to ice cream shops. It’s so easy to find charming towns in Lancaster County with fun things to explore.
- Looking for live music? Citadel is a proud sponsor of the Summer Music Series in Long’s Park, offering free live music on Sundays from a variety of performers.
- Love candy? Stop by Wilbur Chocolate in Lititz, Pa and watch their candy makers craft their delicious fudge.
- Want more tasty treats? Tour the original Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery in Lititz, where you can get a hands-on lesson in pretzel twisting and watch bakers twisting old-fashioned soft pretzels by hand. Or observe the bakers at Hammond’s Pretzels and purchase a warm pretzel right out of the oven, along with other snacks and goodies in the store. You can find this and more as part of the Lancaster County Pretzel Tours!
- Need some exercise after all those treats? Stretch your legs, burn calories, and enjoy some beautiful views. Lancaster County's seemingly endless rolling Amish countryside back roads and scenic trails provide a backdrop for breathtaking touring.
- Looking for more American history? You can visit Wheatland, the home of James Buchanan, one of only two Pennsylvania born presidents. Or explore historic downtown Lancaster: The Small City That Changed America.
For more fun things to do in the Lancaster area, visit DiscoverLancaster.com.
Fun things to do in Montgomery County this Summer:
Montgomery County, PA is home to some of the best historical sites, outdoor adventures, and activities you’ll find anywhere.
- Love Revolutionary War stories? Retrace the steps of the nation’s first president, George Washington, and the Continental Army at Valley Forge National Historical Park. The historical attraction caters to visitors of all ages, offering seasonal tours and recreational activities, as well as free fun events. There are many trails for hiking and biking and areas for picnicking.
- Want to escape the heat or get some exercise? Perfect in hot or rainy weather, the King of Prussia Court and Plaza offer two shopping malls with 450 stores worth of window shopping, strolling, and people watching.
- Like nature walks and playing checkers? Visit the Children’s Forest, walk the trails, and engage in a game of giant checkers at Althouse Arboretum.
- Want to learn some Montco history? Tour Pottsgrove Manor, the home of John Potts, ironmaster and founder of Pottstown, and check out other events in the area on the Pottstown Area Regional Recreation Committee website.
- Take advantage of all the arts and culture Montco has to offer. The free, mobile-friendly Arts Montco Pass will take you on a self-guided journey to more than 30 locations throughout the county, including galleries and museums, music and theater venues, artist workshops, and more!
Want more? Check out these other top free finds for adventures in Montgomery County!
