With the economy biting into the budget for getaways, late-summer vacationers could find themselves scaling back grand plans in favor of less exotic, more modestly priced destinations.
A Philadelphia "staycation" offers a chance to rediscover the affordable and accessible charms of this city.
"Philadelphia is an amazing value destination because we not only have history, we have culture, dining, and nightlife," said Caroline Bean, who works to promote the city for the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corp.
"The great thing about Philadelphia is that it doesn't wall off its history from the rest of the city," Bean said. Instead, Philadelphia's history is part of its vibrant personality.
Visitors can orient themselves by taking free strolls along the Delaware River at Penn's Landing, or by walking along Kelly Drive to watch the rowers on the Schuylkill.
For a more structured circuit, there is the self-guided Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia. Visit www.theconstitutional.com, download the printable online map, and follow it to more than 30 sites around historic Philadelphia.
Visitors "can do it at their leisure, and it's a great way of seeing the city," says Jonathan Bari, chairman of the Constitutional Walking Tour, which also offers guided tours of Independence National Historical Park.
Attractions like the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall are sure to please both out-of-towners and residents who haven't paid them a visit in a while. And a short distance from Independence Mall (bounded by Fifth and Sixth between Market and Walnut Streets) are historic sites like Franklin Square, the Betsy Ross House, and Christ Church, all with free admission or asking small donations.
Elfreth's Alley near Second Street is often called America's oldest continuously inhabited street. While most of its houses are now homes of city residents, two buildings serve as a museum and gift shop open to visitors. An admission fee of $5 includes a tour of the alley by a docent. Visitors can explore on their own with a cell phone tour.
"The history of Elfreth's Alley is the history of everyday people," said Bob Bernstein, interim executive director of the Elfreth's Alley Association.
The storytellers with Once Upon a Nation create a free, interactive tour experience. By visiting 13 benches in the city's historic area, children and adults can hear stories of Philadelphia history. Youngsters can turn the tour into a treasure hunt by filling in a Story Flag with stars from the 13 stops. Later, they may exchange the completed Story Flag for a prize at a local business.
An hour's drive outside the city, there is another kid-friendly tour - of Herr's Potato Chip Factory in Nottingham, Chester County. The Snack Factory tour comes with free samples fresh from the cooker, but it must be scheduled in advance by calling 1-800-637-6225.
A grown-up way to spend the day would be to tour one of the eight wineries on the Bucks County Wine Trail. Rushland Ridge Vineyard and Winery is a 22-acre family-run vineyard that offers free tastings of more than 13 varieties of reds and whites. Lisa Ullman, who runs the winery with her husband, Ed, says all of the wines are available by the bottle for less than $20.
There are also several vineyards in New Jersey within an hour's drive of the city. Amalthea Cellars in Camden County is part of the New Jersey Wine Trail and offers free tastings of 14 wines from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday.
For comprehensive lists of wineries, go online for Pennsylvania wineries at www.catchwine.com/wineries/pennsylvania and www.pennsylvaniawine.com; and for New Jersey wineries at www.catchwine.com/wineries/new_jersey and www.newjerseywines.com/wineries.html.
Even live theater can be affordable in Philadelphia. In addition to its Free at the Kimmel series, with concerts and talks given free of charge, the Kimmel Center has tickets available for $10 immediately before every performance. The Arden Theatre has $5 tickets available for students with ID before every performance, and final dress rehearsals are open to members of the public for whatever they choose to pay.
If You Go
Independence Hall is in Independence National Historical Park, but visitors should go first to the Independence Visitor Center near Sixth and Market Streets for free tickets. Tickets can be reserved in advance online for $1.50. The Visitor Center is open 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. Independence Hall is open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. Information: 800-537-7676, www.nps.gov/inde.
The Liberty Bell Center is on Market Street between Fifth and Sixth Streets. No tickets are required. Open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. Information: 800-537-7676, www.nps.gov/inde.
Betsy Ross House is at 239 Arch St. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m daily. Suggested admission: $3, $2 for students and children. The audio tour: $5, $4 for children includes admission. Information: 215-686-1252, www.betsyrosshouse.org.
Christ Church is on Second Street just north of Market Street. Suggested donation: $3, children $2. Group tours available. Open 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 1-5 p.m. Sundays. Information: 215-922-1695, www.christchurchphila.org.
Elfreth's Alley is near Second Street between Race and Arch Streets. The museum and gift shop are open 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and noon-5 p.m. Sundays. To take the free cell phone tour, call 585-627-4152. Museum admission includes a 20-minute guided tour. Adults: $5, $1 for children ages 6 to 18. Free for children under 6. Information: 215-574-0560, www.elfrethsalley.org.
Once Upon a Nation's 13 storytelling benches are placed throughout the historic area. Free and in operation 11 a.m.-4 p.m daily. Information, including a list of bench locations: 215-629-5801, www.historicphiladelphia.org/day/storytelling-benches.
Herr's potato chip factory is at 20 Herr Dr., Nottingham. Free tours are offered 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 9-11 a.m. Fridays, but must be scheduled in advance. Snacks may not be in production on Fridays. Information: 610-932-9330, www.herrs.com.
Rushland Ridge Vineyard and Winery is in Rushland, Bucks County. Tastings are free. Open 3-6 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, noon-6 p.m. Saturdays, noon-4 p.m. Sundays. Information: 215-598-0251, www.rushlandridge.com.
Amalthea Cellars is at 209 Vineyard Rd., Atco, Camden County. Open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Information: 856-768-8585, www.amaltheacellars.com.
The Kimmel Center is at 300 S. Broad St. Community Rush tickets for every Kimmel Center Presents series go on sale at 11:30 a.m. for matinee performances and at 5:30 p.m. for 8 p.m. concerts. The Broadway Series offers $28 Community Rush tickets on a show-by-show basis. These tickets are available at the Academy of Music box office two hours before curtain and must be paid for in cash. Information: 215-893-1999, www.kimmelcenter.org.
The Arden Theatre is at 40 N. Second St. between Market and Arch Streets. Student Rush tickets: $5, available five minutes before each performance. Limit one ticket per student. Dress rehearsals are open to the public and tickets are "pay what you can." Information: 215-922-1122, www.ardentheatre.org.
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