By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
The Gay Street Open-Air Market
When August arrives, the entertainment/activity schedule really ramps up. The first weekend in August features a plethora of country fairs, festivals, outdoor concerts, big top circus shows and nature-related events.
West Chester will be in celebration mode all weekend.
You can double your pleasure and double your fun tonight in West Chester.
It’s Friday and that means the Gay Street Open-Air Market is open.
It’s Friday August 1 and that means it’s a First Friday.
On the First Friday of each month, Downtown West Chester presents a rotating schedule of free community events, exclusive sales and extended evening hours at many retail businesses — and free street-level, metered parking after 5 p.m.
During the summer, Downtown West Chester hosts a Summer Concert Series on the First Friday of June, July, August, and September.
Different bands will perform at the Historic Courthouse and the Jack Loew Plaza from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
On Friday evening, Dave Wilson Power Trio is performing at the Chester County Historic Courthouse and Acrobat Alley is performing at the Jack Loew Plaza at 44 West.
For more info, visit https://www.downtownwestchester.com/…/summer-concert…/.
The Gay Street Open-Air Market will be open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through September 28.
The Open-Air Market gives residents and visitors more space to shop, eat, and explore the town.
Four blocks of Gay Street are closed to vehicles every weekend, so everyone can partake in al fresco dining and shopping.
The streets are closed from roughly Friday at 8 a.m. to Monday at 8 a.m.
This event is rain or shine. Shopping/dining in the street will most likely be unavailable until the bad weather passes, but Gay Street will remain closed.
For more info, visit https://www.downtownwestchester.com/openairmarket/.
The “2025 Town Tours and Village Walks” (www.chescoplanning.org/Historic/TownTours) program has returned for its 31st year with the theme of “Untold Stories.”
This year’s programs will focus on people and places that are not the economic or social elite, war heroes, or celebrities.
The featured sites will represent the everyday citizens and places of Chester County that are the foundation of our history and heritage.
Featured sites include those connected to the Underground Railroad, the shift workers of our industries, educators, farmers, Revolutionary War soldiers, and more. Some of the sites featured this year include Barnard Station in Pocopson, Coatesville’s business district, charcoal production sites at Warwick County Park, and more.
The programs are free and held weekly, on Thursdays, now through August 21 at locations throughout Chester County
Every program starts at 5:30 p.m. and ends at 7 p.m.
The event for August 7 will be “Oxford Region Self -Guided Driving Tour.”
The Oxford Area Historical Association is hosting a journey of the small villages in the Oxford region, such as Homeville, Russellville, Tweedale, Hopewell, and Lewisville.
Hometown Harvest First Friday
Oxford is also celebrating First Friday with the “Hometown Harvest First Friday.”
The event, which is also billed as the “Hometown Harvest First Friday & Tractor Parade,” will take place on August 2 from 5-8 p.m.
The event, which is presented by Oxford Mainstreet, Inc. (oxfordmainstreet.com), will be focused on farm-to-table agriculture and how important farmers are to our daily lives.
According to Oxford Mainstreet, Inc., “The Oxford community is steeped in a rich history of farming and agriculture, and we’re thrilled to be able to bring that to the heart of downtown Oxford with our second annual Hometown Harvest.”
Phoenixville First Fridays (http://www.phoenixvillefirst.org) are back in 2025 with celebrations from 5:50-8:30 p.m. every inaugural Friday of the month.
This year, First Fridays will operate within the weekly Bridge Street open-air closure to create an ambiance of a night market all along Bridge Street.There will be live musicians placed throughout downtown on Bridge and Main Streets, and handmade craft vendors and artists displaying and selling their art in the Main and Bridge Street parking lot.
Lancaster’s popular First Friday (http://www.visitlancastercity.com/first-friday/) is an arts extravaganza that runs from 5-9 p.m. on August 2.
Visitors to downtown Lancaster will have the opportunity to discover innovative exhibitions, performances and perhaps a few surprises as they walk the streets lined with trees and distinctive architecture.
This weekend’s event will include the First Friday Trolley which will be free to the public every First Friday of the month now through October.
The trolley will make stops within the Arts District Loop. Along the route you can find art galleries, shops, restaurants, bars, and more.
Non-traditional boutiques and excellent restaurants complement the art galleries, artisan studios, museums, performing groups, professional theater, symphony orchestra and art college.
Another First Friday event this weekend will take place in Old City Philadelphia (230 Vine Street and locations throughout Old City Philadelphia, 215- 625-9200,www.oldcitydistrict.org).
On the first Friday of each month — year-round — Old City’s galleries, studios, shops and restaurants open their doors for First Friday, in an epic exhibition of the neighborhood’s vibrant arts scene.
Old City Arts Association launched First Friday in 1991 to introduce Philadelphia to the improving neighborhood and the artists and designers who were bringing it back to life.
Two decades later, Old City is a nationally recognized arts destination, named in 2013 as one of the country’s top ArtPlaces by the ArtPlace Foundation.
On the first Friday evening of every month, the streets of Old City fill with art lovers of all kinds who wander among the neighborhood’s 40-plus galleries, most of which are open from 5-9 p.m.
On Saturday, Brandywine Battlefield Park (1491 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, www.brandywinebattlefield.org) will present “Rally the Troops: A Living History Encampment.”At the event, which will run from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on August 2, visitors can travel back to 1777 and experience what life was like for soldiers and civilians as the past comes to life through engaging experiences.
They will be able to explore a Patriot encampment, meet historical interpreters, and see Washington’s encampment come to life.
Hands-on fun for all ages includes live musket firing demos, Continental Army recruitment activities and Kids’ musket drills.
There will be tours of the site’s historic homes — Benjamin Ring House (Washington’s HQ) at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and Gideon Gilpin House at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Musket firing demos are scheduled for 11 a.m., noon, 1 and 3 p.m. while kids’ musket drills will be held at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and $7 for youth (3-11).
Some of the area’s annual events such as the Goshen Fair and Das Awkscht Fescht have been around for a long time — a really long time.
One of the best — and longest-running – fairs is the annual Goshen Country Fair (Goshen Fairgrounds, Park Avenue, East Goshen, 610- 430-1554, www.goshencountryfair.org).
The fair, which is celebrating its diamond anniversary (75th) this season, will run from now through August 3 at the Goshen Fairgrounds, which are located just off West Chester Pike three miles east of West Chester.
The free family-oriented event is held each year as a benefit for the Goshen Fire Company. It will open at 6 p.m. on Friday and at 5 p.m. on Saturday.
This is an authentic down-home country fair with all the agricultural events held at most traditional country fairs, including livestock competitions each night at 6 p.m.
The fair will also feature competitions for pies, vegetables, jams and jellies, specimen flowers, bread, cookies, flowering houseplants, cakes, flower arrangements, and candy. Nightly attractions include live music performances, tug-of-war competitions and pie-eating contests.
The schedule for live music includes Slingshot on August 1 and Southern Edge Band on August 2.
You can also take a trip back in time by attending Das Awkscht Fescht (Macungie Memorial Park, Main Street, Macungie, 610-967-2317, www.awkscht.com) — an event that is easy to enjoy and difficult to pronounce.
Das Awkscht Fescht, which is celebrating its 62nd anniversary this year, runs from August 1-3 in Macungie, a small town just south of Allentown. It is billed as one of the largest antique and classic car shows in the country with over 3,500 cars on display.
The popular annual event takes its name from “Der Augscht”, which is the Pennsylvania Dutch word for “August.” Das Awkscht Fescht, which is held the first weekend of August each year, is a traditional summer festival with a full roster of family fun events.
This year’s featured car is the Chevrolet Camaro.
There is a completely different car show each day. August 1 features the Variety Show with thousands of pre-1991 automobile models along with a variety of classic tractors, trucks and motorcycles.
On August 2, the spotlight will be on the Antique and Classic Car Show with more than 1,200 antique cars, classic automobiles and sports cars. On August 3, the event is the Special Interest Car Show featuring 35 car clubs with more than 800 vintage autos.
There will be a variety of kids’ shows and activities including jugglers, magicians, ventriloquists, clowns and a special creative activity and display center. Kids of all ages will enjoy the Antique Toy Show, which is held at Eyer Middle School, and Toy Town, which is staged outdoors.
Other attractions include daily bingo sessions, picnics in the park, a playground, a huge public swimming pool, an arts and crafts show featuring over 120 artisans and an “Antique Auto Flea Market.” There will also be fireworks spectacular Saturday at 9:30 p.m.
Admission to the festival is $10 for adults and free for children (15 and under).
Another top attraction in the Lehigh Valley is Musikfest.
Bethlehem’s Musikfest (downtown Bethlehem, 610-332-1300, www.musikfest.org) is a special event — an event that is more than just another popular summertime festival in the Lehigh Valley.
Over the years, Musikfest has established itself as one of America’s top annual music festivals an event that offers big name headliners as well as a wide variety of folk, rock, pop and ethnic music acts.
It also sports some impressive numbers.
The festival, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, features free music performances on most of its indoor and outdoor stages.
Musikfest, which is running now through August 10, presents more than 300 live musical performances and draws over one million people to the Lehigh Valley every August.
The main concert stage at Musikfest is the Sands Steel Stage which features national touring acts with tickets required for all shows.
The following is this year’s main stage schedule – Riley Green on August 1, The Avett Brothers on August 2, Darius Rucker on August 3, the Black Crowes on August 4, Chicago on August 5, Nelly on August 6, Gilberto Santa Rosa on August 7, Third Eye Blind on August 8, Jordan Davis on August 9 and The Black Keys on August 10.
There will also be a multitude of free concerts but Musikfest is much more than just festival offering a wealth of music.
It also features interactive arts and theater activities for children along with a large number of concessions offering a wide array of food and beverage treats.
The Elmwood Park Zoo (1661 Harding Boulevard, Norristown, www.elmwoodparkzoo.org) is hosting one of its “Centennial Saturdays” on August 2.
On its website, the Zoo is issuing an invitation – “Join in the festivities with your family and friends as we continue to commemorate our special milestone with a series of exciting events.
“Enjoy live entertainment, indulge in a delicious birthday treat, and be amazed by our captivating animal shows.”
As an added attraction, the first 100 guests will receive a special giveaway item.
The Philadelphia Expo Center (100 Station Road, Oaks, 610-529-3614, phillyexpocenter.com) will host the 10th Annual “Phoenixville Punk Rock Flea Market” on August 2.
The Punk Rock Flea Market is the place to shop for vintage clothing, records, crafts, art, and most of all old punk junk from more than 200 vendors — and a “Hearse Show.”
DJs Sad Dad, Pauly Thunders and Dem Bones, will be blasting the soundtrack for the day — jam-packed full of punk rock, post-punk, new wave, metal, proto-metal, glam, hardcore and more!
Members of the Post-Mortem Hearse Club will be keeping it creepy with a selection of their finest hearses for your perusing pleasure.
This is an indoor event that will run from noon-6 p.m.
Admission is free.
The Delaware River waterfront hosts a number of cultural celebrations this summer during the PECO Multicultural Series. This weekend, the focus is on the culture of the African continent.
On August 3, the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing (201 South Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, www.delawareriverwaterfront.com) will be the site of the ACANA African Festival at the Great Plaza.
The annual outdoor concert, which will run from 2-8 p.m., brings artists, groups, and dance troupes from around the African continent to perform in a free event.
The festival provides a wide range of African entertainment, from traditional dance performances to modern Afropop and reggae musical performances. The family-oriented event also features African food vendors, as well as sales booths with traditional and modern clothing, arts and crafts.
This weekend, Glen Foerd (5001 Grant Avenue, Philadelphia, https://www.glenfoerd.org/events) is presenting several special activities.
On August 2, there will be “Yoga on the Boathouse” at 9 a.m. on the boathouse deck.
Vinyasa-style classes, led by Melissa Gyuraki, will emphasize the development of strength, flexibility, balance, and grace through the use of postures linked to breath.
“Upcycle Fest” will be held from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday.
“Upcycle Fest is a hands-on community event full of creativity, sustainability, and skill-sharing. We will have several working stations that will include needles and thread, fabrics, and paint.
The goal of this event is to update your wardrobe and learn something new.
The special activity on August 3 will be “Birds & Bottles: Still-life Drawing” with Artist in Residence, Cory Kram at 11 a.m.
This is a still-life drawing workshop, showcasing objects from Glen Foerd’s collection and found objects from the Poquessing Creek, a former dump site during the early 1900s.
“Open Boating Days at Glen Foerd” are scheduled for August 3, 6 and 24 and September 21.
Glen Foerd will have canoes, rowboats, and kayaks for guests to explore parts of the Poquessing Creek and Delaware River.
This is a walk-up, first-come, first-served event. Boat space is limited.
Glen Foerd is an 18-acre public park and historic site located along the Delaware River in Philadelphia. Built in 1850 and enlarged in 1902-03, the estate, which features consisting of historic gardens, an Italianate-Classical Revival style mansion, and multiple additional structures, was saved from potential development through the activism of dedicated neighbors in 1983.
Today, Glen Foerd focuses on welcoming a diverse community through a wide array of programs for all ages.
Hagley Museum and Library (Route 141, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-658-2400, www.hagley.org) will host “Summer Nights at Hagley” on August 6 from 5-8 p.m. – and every Wednesday evening through August 27.
Visitors to Hagley can enjoy an after-work hike or a picnic along Brandywine Creek’s most beautiful mile on summer Wednesday evenings from June through August.
It is a family event featuring summer fun in a beautiful outdoor setting. Guests can bring a picnic to enjoy at Hagley’s picnic pavilion on Workers’ Hill or at a picnic table along the Brandywine.
Dogfish Head craft beer and Woodside Farm Creamery ice cream are also available for purchase. You are welcome to bring your own food to “Summer Nights at Hagley,” but outside alcohol is strictly prohibited.
Admission is $5 per person and free for Hagley members and children five and under. Please note that this event is weather-dependent.
Hagley is the site of the gunpowder works founded by E. I. du Pont in 1802. This example of early American industry includes restored mills, a workers’ community, and the ancestral home and gardens of the du Pont family.
High on the bank of the Brandywine River overlooking the original powder mills, E. I. du Pont, founder of the DuPont Company, built his home.
For almost a century the Georgian-style home and surrounding complex of buildings and gardens served as the center of family and business life. Five generations of du Pont family members lived in the house since its completion in 1803, each leaving their mark.
Today you will see it much as it was when the last family member lived there, filled with furnishings and collections of American folk art, alongside treasured family pieces and items brought with the family from France when they left in 1799.
Additionally, there will be a “Walking Tour” on August 4 at 11 a.m.
With the “Walking Tour,” participants can walk through history during an in-depth, 90-minute guided tour each Monday morning from March through December. This week’s topic is “What’s for Dinner? A Tale of Two Gardens.”
Participants can dig into two very different gardens — one fed the du Pont family and the other DuPont Company workers in the nineteenth century.
This tour explores the socioeconomic factors influencing the architecture, produce, and philosophies of each garden. Tour involves walking on uneven ground and is approximately 90 minutes in duration.
Admission is $20 for Adults, $16 for Seniors (62+) and Students, and $10 for Children 6-14.
A popular event in Delaware this weekend is “Steamin’ Day” at Auburn Heights Preserve (3000 Creek Road, Yorklyn, Delaware, 302-239-2385, http://auburnheights.org) on August 3.
Visitors are encouraged to climb into an antique automobile or board one of the trains and experience what it was like to travel at the turn of the 20th century. They can also tour the magnificent 1897 mansion that was home to three generations of the Marshall family.
Also included is entry to the Marshall Steam Museum, which features the world’s largest operating collection of Stanley steam cars along with a 1930s working Lionel electric train display, a hands-on engine display, kids’ activities and exhibits and the Museum Gift Shop. Self-guided experiences will be available along a designated route to ensure one-way paths and proper spacing.
Free popcorn may be enjoyed by all visitors during “Steamin’ Day” events and Woodside Farm Creamery will be on-site with delicious ice cream available for purchase. A food truck will also be on-site at “Steamin’ Day.”
Activities run from 12:30-4:30 p.m.
Another event this weekend which looks back to a bygone era is being presented by Pottsgrove Manor (100 West King Street, Pottstown, 610-326-4014, http://montcopa.org/index.aspx?nid=930).
Every Saturday in August, Pottsgrove Manor is presenting “Open House Days.”
Visitors can see something new every Saturday as Pottsgrove Manor highlights items from the collection and welcomes Living History activities throughout the day. They will be able to discover the ins-and-outs of 18th century items with the curator and learn about the trades and skills of the past with living history interpreters.
The themed Open House Days are: August 2 – Artifact interaction! Test the colors of the past with a workshop and presentation courtesy of special guest speakers from Winterthur; August 9 – Blacksmithing demonstrations with P.C. Janusz Historical Blacksmith; August 16 – Historic foodways demonstrations; August 23 – Music from the 18th century with musician Betsy Chapman; August 30 – Colonial fun and games!
Pottsgrove Manor’s staff and living history volunteers will demonstrate 18th-century trades, crafts, and pastimes. Many of the audience-friendly events are interactive.
This event also features free admission with a $2 suggested donation.
Hope Lodge (553 South Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington, 215-343-0965, http://www.ushistory.org/hope/) will be presenting a “Guided Mansion Tour” on August 3.
Hope Lodge was built between 1743 and 1748 by Samuel Morris, a prosperous Quaker entrepreneur. Morris acted as a farmer, shipowner, miller, iron master, shop owner, and owner of the mill now known as Mather Mill. Hope Lodge is an excellent example of early Georgian architecture, and it is possible that Edmund Woolley, architect of Independence Hall, offered advice in building. Samuel Morris owned the estate until his death in 1770.
Visitors can participate by watching a short film and then taking a tour. Guided tours of the mansion will depart at 1 and 2:30 p.m.
Tour admission is $8 for adults, $5 for seniors (age 65+) and for youth ages 6-17, and free for children under 5. Hope Lodge is a Blue Star Museum which means that active-duty military personnel, including National Guard and Reserve and their families, are admitted free for regular tours from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
On select Saturday and Sundays now through July 30, the Chaddsford Winery (632 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, 610-388-6221, http://www.chaddsford.com) is presenting
“Wine Down” on Fridays now through September 26 from 5-9 p.m. each night.
“Wine Down” will feature Quizzo trivia games on Fridays along with Happy Hour specials from 5-7 p.m., seasonal wine slushies, PA craft beer, fresh mocktails, and the winery’s newest wine releases.
In addition to wine available by the glass, there will be food items available for purchase.
Penns Woods Winery (124 Beaver Valley Road, Chadds Ford, http://www.pennswoodswinery.com) is presenting a summer music series.
The winery will open at 11 a.m. each day and have matinee performances of live music.
There will be music by Brooke DiCaro on August 1 from 5-7 p.m., Bill Hake on August 2 from 2-5 p.m. and Allison Landon on August 3 from 1-4 p.m.
Schuylkill Banks Riverboat Tour (www.schuylkillbanks.org/events/riverboat-tours-1) presents “Secrets of the Schuylkill” now through October.
The boat ride is a one-hour family-friendly tour of Philly’s second biggest river featuring sights such as Bartram’s Garden and Fairmount Water Works.
Riders can discover the Hidden River on a fun and educational riverboat tour while seeing spectacular views of Philadelphia.
They can also learn about the past, present, and future of the tidal Schuylkill River and its impact on Philadelphia on a one-hour Secrets of the Schuylkill tour which costs $25 for adults and $15 for children (age 12 and under).
Tours depart from the Walnut Street Dock under the Walnut Street Bridge on the east bank of the Schuylkill River. Tours are scheduled for July 27 and August 3, 7, 17, 21, 24 and 28 There will also be tours on September 14 and 28.
There are also numerous kayak and moonlight kayak tours scheduled throughout the summer.
As part of Historic Philadelphia’s anniversary celebration at Franklin Square (200 Sixth Street, Philadelphia, phillychineselanternfestival.com), the organization is illuminating the park with its annual “Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival in Franklin Square.”
Now through August 31, Franklin Square will come alive every night with its Chinese Lantern Festival featuring more than two dozen illuminated lanterns – all constructed by lantern artisans from China.
In addition to the gorgeous light installations, visitors can enjoy live cultural stage performances, see the choreographed fountain light show in the historic Rendell Family Fountain, taste expanded food and drink options including Asian cuisine and American comfort food, drink a toast at the Dragon Beer Garden, and shop for Chinese folk artists’ crafts created on site as well as Festival-themed merchandise.
Guests can also play Philly Mini Golf and ride the Parx Liberty Carousel at a discounted rate. A portion of the proceeds from the festival benefits Historic Philadelphia, Inc. for the programming and care of this important public space and its many year-round free events.
Chinese-inspired performances will take place in Franklin Square twice nightly. Performances, which celebrate Chinese performance art and entertainment, are 30-minutes long and are scheduled for 7 and 9 p.m.
Festival hours are 6-11 p.m. Admission is $25 for adults ($28 on Saturday and Sunday), $23/$26 for youth, and $10 for children.
Peddler’s Village (Routes 202 and 263, Lahaska, 215-794-4000, www.peddlersvillage.com) is celebrating its “Peach Festival” on August 2 and 3 and “National Peach Month” throughout August.
The “Peach Festival” is a peach lovers’ paradise with plenty of peachy treats, weekend entertainment, and scenic strolls through the Village’s summer gardens.
Visitors will be able to savor the flavors of all things peach from savory to sweet at the Village’s restaurants and weekend outdoor food tent all month long.
Fresh peaches, peach pies, and peach products will be available on Saturdays and Sundays in August.
During the month of August, visitors can savor peach-themed food and drink specials served every day in Peddler’s Village’s restaurants and eateries.
Peddler’s Village shops will be open until 8 p.m. on Saturday.
Admission and parking are free. The event will be held rain or shine.
The West Chester Railroad (610-430-2233, www.wcrailroad.com) is running its “Summer Picnic Specials” every Sunday now through September 22 at noon each day.
Passengers can enjoy a relaxing 90-minute train ride from West Chester to Glen Mills and return on a warm summer afternoon. They can also pack a lunch to have during the excursion’s stop at the Glen Mills train station picnic grove.
Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for children (ages 2-12).
The New Hope Railroad (32 Bridge Street, New Hope, 215-862-2332, www.newhoperailroad.com) is running its “Grapevine Express,” which features “Grapevine Express” on August 1 and 2 at 5 p.m. each night.
Riders are invited to take part in a romantic “Wine and Cheese Excursion” and enjoy fine gourmet cheese, artisan crackers, meats, fruit, and our featured local wines. Additional Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic beverages are also available onboard.
Wine and cheese will be served to passengers as they travel along the same railroad line passengers did when it was built in 1891 connecting New Hope with Philadelphia. The journey travels through the beautiful hills and valleys of Bucks County, along once vital waterways and streams and across numerous trestle bridges.
The excursions will take place aboard one of the railroads lavishly-appointed early 1900’s first-class parlor cars.
Tickets are $99 (Ages 21 and older only).
The Northern Central Railway (2 West Main Street, New Freedom, www.northerncentralrailway.com) is running its “Firefly Flyer” on August 2 at 6:30 p.m.
The “Firefly Flyer” is an evening excursion to Glen Rock that will make a 1.5-hour stop at Railroad Park for a campfire (weather permitting) where riders can roast marshmallows for s’mores and listen to music from Dave Campbell.
Tickets are $98.99, Adult; and $19.99, Child (age 3-12).
This weekend, the Strasburg Railroad (Route 741, Strasburg, 717-687-7522, www.strasburgrailroad.com) is running its “Wine & Cheese Train” on August 1 and 2 at 4 and 6 p.m. each night and on August 3 at 5 p.m.
Passengers can enjoy the luxurious, climate-controlled first-class accommodations and a tasting of select wine, cheese, and crackers as they travel in style down the tracks from Strasburg to Paradise and back. The total trip time is 45 minutes.
“Wine & Cheese Train” boarding is 30 minutes before the scheduled departure. Riders must be 21 or older and have their photo ID ready when they board.
Featured wines are carefully selected from Waltz Vineyards, and cheeses are paired accordingly. Beer and select non-alcoholic beverages are also available for purchase upon request. Riders can purchase a souvenir wine glass on board the train if desired. Glasses are $7 each.
In accordance with Pennsylvania law, alcohol is only served during the train ride. The rail line is not permitted to serve alcoholic beverages while the train is berthed in the station.
This popular train is available on select Friday and Saturday evenings throughout the season. Tickets are $79.
If you like to look at model railroad layouts in addition to experiencing live trains, then you should definitely check out the Garden Railway Display at the Morris Arboretum & Garden (100 Northwestern Avenue, Chestnut Hill,www.morrisarboretum.org).
The ultra-popular Garden Railway Display has become a major summer attraction at The Gardens at Morris Arboretum. The 26th annual edition of the display will remain open until September 30.
This summer, Morris Arboretum will unveil a brand-new exhibition in its popular Garden Railway – “Garden Railway: Dinos!”
With more than 15 different rail lines running along a third of a mile of track, visitors will enjoy a spectacular display of dinosaurs including Triceratops, and Velociraptor, as well as other Mesozoic creatures—all made out of natural materials such as bark, leaves, and twigs.
As one of the largest outdoor miniature train displays in the United States, the Garden Railway will delight and amaze visitors of all ages.
The railway has a quarter mile of track featuring seven loops and tunnels with 15 different rail lines and two cable cars, nine bridges (including a trestle bridge you can walk under) and bustling model trains.
The buildings and the display are all made of natural materials – bark, leaves, twigs, hollow logs, mosses, acorns, dried flowers, seeds and stones – to form a perfectly proportioned miniature landscape complete with miniature rivers.
Philadelphia-area landmarks are all meticulously decorated for the holidays with lights that twinkle. There is even a masterpiece replica of Independence Hall made using pinecone seeds for shingles, acorns as finials and twigs as downspouts.
Visitors will be able to see miniature replicas of iconic structures at some of America’s most famous public gardens including the Climatron at Missouri Botanical Garden, Torii Gate and Pavilion at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Science Pyramid at Denver Botanic Gardens, and so much more.
Admission is $20 for adults; $18 for seniors (65 and older); $10 for students (ages 13-17 or with ID), active military and retired military; and free for children (under 3).
On August 2, Kitchen Kettle Village (3529 Old Philadelphia Pike, Intercourse, www.kitchenkettle.com) will host “Yummie’s Birthday Party” beginning at 9 a.m.
Kitchen Kettle Village is inviting everyone to come party in Lancaster County with Yummie, the gingerbread man and all his crazy friends.
Kids of all ages will enjoy this birthday bash for Yummie, the Kitchen Kettle Village mascot.
They can join the village’s overstuffed gingerbread mascot and a few mascot friends – including Cylo from the Lancaster Barnstormers, as they celebrate a truly scrumptious day in Pennsylvania Dutch Country.
The free event features live entertainment, a “Fun Zone” and singing, dancing and birthday treats.
The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum (8601 Lindbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia, www.fws.gov/refuge/John_Heinz) will present “Bird Walk” with Chuck Root and Emily Dodge.
This is an educational walk with two of the park’s knowledgeable volunteers.
Participants can discover the 300-plus species of birds that use the Refuge during their migration routes — each week guarantee different species.
The Walk will meet by visitor center and be at a relaxed paced on flat surfaces. There are restrooms near the trailhead. No registration required.
Another venue where you can get close to nature is Tyler Arboretum (515 Painter Road, Media, 610-566-9134, www.tylerarboretum.org).
The arboretum’s schedule for this weekend features the “Saturday Wildflower Walk: Summer Edition” on August 2at 11 a.m.
At the “Saturday Wildflower Walk,” wildflower expert Dick Cloud will lead an informative two-hour hike that will take visitors through meadows, woods, and occasionally streamside.
These walks are for those who have a love of plants, their role in ecology, or for those who want to learn more.
Admission to Tyler Arboretum is $18 for adults and $10 for teens (ages 12-17) and Military with valid ID.
There are many historical/horticultural sites in the area which are great places to visit – sites with indoor options like historic houses and museums and outdoor options such as beautiful gardens and rewarding nature walks.
The Brandywine Valley has quite a few museums and tourist sites that provide residents and tourists ideal opportunities to spend leisure time — and you can maximize your effort if you take advantage of the 2025 Brandywine Treasure Trail Passport.
The cost is $49 for an individual pass and $99 for a family pass (for up to five family members).
The Brandywine Treasure Trail Passport is good for one-time admission to Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley’s top attractions now through October 31.
A family pass, which includes one-day admission to each of 12 sites, can bring a savings of over $200 for the holders — especially since many of the participating institutions have regular admission fees in double figures.
The list of locations covered by the Brandywine Treasure Trail Passport includes Longwood Gardens, Delaware Museum of Nature and Science, Brandywine River Museum, Delaware Art Museum, Delaware History Museum, Hagley Museum and Library, Delaware Center for Contemporary Arts, Nemours Mansion & Gardens, Read House and Garden, Mt. Cuba Center, Rockwood Museum and Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library.
For more information, visit www.visitwilmingtonde.com/bmga/.
Visitors have been flocking all summer to Kennett Square to enjoy the “Festival of Fountains” at Longwood Gardens (Route 1, Kennett Square, www.longwoodgardens.org).
The “Festival of Fountains” opened for the season on May 9 and will run until September 28.
Longwood Gardens’ Open Air Theatre and Italian Water Garden fountains are popular attractions as are the Square Fountain, Round Fountain (Flower Garden Walk), Sylvan Fountain (Peirce’s Park), and Children’s Corner fountains.
Dancing fountains, performances under the stars, and beautiful gardens make the Festival of Fountains at Longwood Gardens magical.
The spectacular celebration of music, light, water, and nature includes distinctive garden experiences indoors and out.
Before the fountain performances, guests can sit under the stars and enjoy live music and refreshing brews and pub fare in Longwood’s Beer Garden. Other dining options at Longwood are 1906 Fine Dining and The Café.
As the season unfolds, flowering trees delightfully punctuate the landscape, radiant tulips stretch toward the sun, and the delicious fragrance of wisteria floats along the breeze.
Visitors can also enjoy special exhibits at the Orchid House.
Admission to Longwood Gardens is $35 for adults, $31 for seniors and college students, $26 for active military and $20 for youth.
The 2025 season is underway at Nemours Estate (1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, Delaware, nemoursestate.org). The entrance is located on the campus of Nemours Children’s Health, follow signs for Nemours Estate.
Originally constructed in 1910, Nemours Estate is one of Delaware’s grandest buildings and includes the largest formal French garden in North America.
Nemours Estate comprises an exquisite, 77-room mansion, the largest formal French gardens in North America, a Chauffeur’s Garage housing a collection of vintage automobiles, and 200 acres of scenic woodlands, meadows and lawns.
The Gardens are one of the estate’s prime attractions. The 157 jets at the center of the one-acre pool shoot water 12 feet into the air; when they are turned off, the entire “Long Walk” is reflected in the pool.
Admission to Nemours is $23 for adults, $21 for seniors and $10 for children.
Historic Odessa (Main Street, Odessa, Delaware, 302-378-4119, www.historicodessa.org) is both a scenic and an historic site in Delaware.
Odessa is one of Delaware’s most historic sites.
Known in the 18th-century as Cantwell’s Bridge, Odessa played a vital role in commercial life along the Delaware River as a busy grain shipping port.
Today, visitors can stroll along tree-lined streets and admire examples of 18th- and 19th-century architecture in one of the best-preserved towns in Delaware. They can also tour a remarkable collection of antiques and Americana preserved in period room settings and quaint exhibits.
Historic Odessa is open to the public from March through December, Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. The site is also open Monday by reservation. General Admission: Adults, $10; Groups, Seniors, Students, $8; and Children under six are free.
There will be several “Self-Guided Museum Tours of Rockwood” this weekend at Rockwood Park & Museum (4651 Washington Street Extension, Wilmington, DE, www.newcastlede.gov/431/Rockwood-Park-Museum).
Visitors can explore the grandeur, history and beauty of the Rockwood Mansion, home of the Shipley, Bringhurst and Hargraves families for 120 years.
These tours, which will be held on August 1 and 2 from noon-4 p.m. each day, emphasize the magnificent mansion interiors and stories of the families that lived there.
This self-guided alternative allows you to enjoy Rockwood your own way. This tour invites you to explore the first and second floors of the museum at your own pace. Additionally, staff and signage will be nearby to answer any questions.
Tours involves stairs. Reservations are suggested. Tickets for the self-guided tour are $10.
On August 2, Laurel Hill Cemetery (3822 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, www.laurelhillphl.com) will present the latest edition of its “Nurture with Nature” series.
The event, which runs from 3-5 p.m. on Saturday, is titled “Blooms & Brews: Native Bouquet & Herbal Tea.”
In this hands-on workshop, participants will discover the art of crafting stunning fresh bouquets using professional arranging techniques. They will utilize a beautiful mix of native plant materials harvested directly from the cemetery garden, combined with specially selected pre-found elements.
Guides will highlight three incredible native plants, teaching how to identify and incorporate them into both home and landscape. Beyond the blooms, participants will also learn to create their own custom herbal tea mixture featuring these beneficial plants for daily enjoyment.
And they will leave with their own gorgeous, hand-arranged bouquet and a personalized herbal tea blend.
Combining eco-mindfulness and creative activities, the workshops in this series invite participants to learn about the uses and roles of specific native plants through the lens of natural cycles.
Workshops are led by Kate Irvine, a licensed Therapeutic Horticulture Practitioner and mixed media artist.
This session will take place in Nature’s Sanctuary, one of two green burial habitats at Laurel Hill West.
Tickets are $20.
Andalusia Historic House, Gardens and Arboretum (1237 State Road, Andalusia, www.andalusiapa.org) is located on a wooded promontory overlooking the Delaware River.
It has been a stately presence on this stretch of water, just north of Philadelphia, for more than 200 years.
The ancestral home of the Biddle family, Andalusia is also a natural paradise of native woodlands and spectacular gardens that have evolved over time.
Placed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks in 1966, the Big House — one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in the United States — provides an unparalleled look into our nation’s past, while also offering a glimpse into the life of a family that helped to shape its future.
Its surrounding gardens delight the senses all through the year, from the tumbling, brightly colored leaves of fall to the floral extravaganza of spring and the abundance and scent of summer.
Self-Guided Garden Tours will be available Mondays through Wednesdays through November 4 (excluding holidays) at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m.
The 2025 season is in full swing at Chanticleer (786 Church Street, Wayne, www.chanticleergarden.org).
The Chanticleer estate dates from the early 20th-century, when land along the Main Line of the Pennsylvania Railroad was developed for summer homes to escape the heat of Philadelphia.
Adolph Rosengarten, Sr., and his wife Christine chose the Wayne-St. Davids area to build their country retreat. The family’s pharmaceutical firm would become part of Merck & Company in the 1920s.
The Rosengartens hired architect and former classmate Charles L. Borie to design the house, which was completed in 1913. Landscape architect Thomas Sears designed the terraces as extensions of the house. A 1924 addition converted the summer home into a year-round residence and the family moved here permanently.
Admission to Chanticleer is $15 for adults and free for pre-teen children (12 years and under).
Ghost Tour of Philadelphia (215-413-1997, www.ghosttour.com), Ghost Tour of Lancaster (717-687-6687, www.ghosttour.com) and Ghost Tour of Strasburg (717-687-6687, www.ghosttour.com) operate throughout the winter and offer an eerily entertaining evening of true ghost stories and real haunted houses.
The Ghost Tour of Philadelphia, which is based on the book, “Ghost Stories of Philadelphia, PA.,” is a candlelight walking tour along the back streets and secret gardens of Independence Park, Society Hill, and Old City, where ghostly spirits, haunted houses, and eerie graveyards abound.
Participants can discover the ghost lore of America’s most historic and most haunted city with stories from the founding of William Penn’s colony to present-day hauntings.
The activity is open year-round – weekends, December-February; every night, March-November. Tickets are $24.
The Ghost Tour of Lancaster and the Ghost Tour of Strasburg are based on the book, “Ghost Stories of Lancaster, PA.”
Participants in the Ghost Tour of Lancaster explore the long-forgotten mysteries of one of America’s oldest cities, with haunting tales of otherworldly vigils, fatal curses, and star-crossed lovers. The tour provides the opportunity to experience 300 years of haunted history from the Red Rose City’s thorny past. Tickets are $20.
The Ghost Tour of Strasburg is a candlelight walking tour of the quaint and historic town of Strasburg in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Visitors will experience an entertaining evening with a costumed tour guide spinning tales of haunted mansions, eerie graveyards, and spirits that roam the night … in a town lost in time. Tickets are $20.
Grim Philly’s “Dark Philly History Tour” (www.grimphilly.com) will be held every evening throughout the summer.
Participants can walk with tour guides from the grounds of America’s first White House, Congress, and Liberty Bell to homes and sites of Hamilton, Washington, Franklin, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, and more than 10 other Founding-Fathers. The surprising dirt of espionage, murder, sexual license and blackmail highlight the secrets of 1776 with a ghost story or two along the way. This tour is highly researched. And your guide is a historian.
Tickets are $35.
Treetop Quest Philly (51 Chamounix Drive, Philadelphia, www.treetopquest.com) is an aerial adventure park that will challenge you physically and mentally as you maneuver from tree to tree through obstacles and zip-lines.
Once you’re equipped, they will teach you how to operate your equipment and you’ll be able to swing through each course as many times as you want for 2.5 hours.
Each participant is outfitted with a harness and gloves. Each course has a continuous belay system — a lifeline that is impossible to detach without a staff member. The activity is self-guided, and the staff is ready to assist when needed.
Gloves are required for this activity. During this time, we encourage participants are encouraged to bring their own gloves to use while up in the trees. Gardening gloves are perfect for this activity.
Ticket prices are $64 for adults and $47 for youth (ages 7-11),
Sesame Place (100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, www.sesameplace.com) is enjoying its 45th Birthday Celebration this year.
The park is adorned with colorful garland, bright balloons, fabulous birthday presents and more fun décor. The fantastic, new Sesame Street Birthday Parade makes its debut and this colorful and musical parade will get the whole family dancing with contemporary and classic Sesame Street tunes, show-stopping performances, and an interactive birthday song. Everyone can dance, groove and sing along at the Furry Friends Birthday Dance Party, enjoy a Birthday-themed story time and get one-of-a-kind photos with everyone’s furry friends in their fabulous new birthday attire. Everyone’s invited to help us celebrate 45 years of furry fun this year at Sesame Place.
Ticket prices for Sesame Place start at $42.99.
