Cheap Trips: Park, Art, Orchard and Theater

Looking to save money?

Try one of these four trips you can enjoy on just one tank of gas: Ringing Rock Park in Upper Black Eddy, Linvilla Orchards in Media, Water Elemental Crafts and Fine Art in Lansdale and Forge Theatre in Phoenixville.

Linvilla Orchards

Address: 5137 W. Knowlton Rd., Media, PA

How Far From Upper Macungie Patch? 62 miles, a one hour, 10 minute drive.

Admission: Free

Hours: Check website for seasonal hours.

Summary: Linvilla Orchards was started as a dairy farm in 1914 by the Linvill family. Now, this 300-acre farm serves the entire Delaware Valley, year round, with pumpkins, pies, apples and plants. But it's not just an autumn hotspot any longer. There are hayrides and corn mazes in the fall, but visitors can also cut down Christmas tress in winter, go fishing in the spring and swimming in the summer. At Linvilla's Farm Market, there are plenty or fruits and veggies, bakery items, candy and ice cream and they will even cook up your holiday dinners for you.

Links:

Water Elemental Crafts and Fine Art

Address: Dresher Arcade #5, 319 W. Main St., Lansdale, PA

How Far From Upper Macungie Patch? 34 miles,  43-minute drive.

Admission: Free

Hours:

• Friday and Saturday, Noon to 7 p.m.
• Sunday, Noon to 4 p.m.
• Gallery closed between exhibitions

Summary: Water Elemental Crafts and Fine Art is a gallery featuring glass sculpture, paintings, photography, book arts, pottery and jewelry. The current exhibition is “Driven to Abstraction: Mighty Glass Vessels and Other Curiosities.” A reception occurs Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The gallery was founded in 2010 by three artists: Aaron Wiener, Helen Mirkil and Brian H. Peterson. It is an artist-run commercial gallery with the mindset and mission of a non-profit space. All functions are run by its members, and each member pays a monthly membership fee. There is a 20 percent commission on sales. Local artists include Bette Conway, John Jones, Young Kang, Leah Koontz, Liat Pisco, Andy Szekely, Amanda Toll, and Mark Wangberg.

Link:

• Website

Ringing Rocks Park

Address: Ringing Rocks Road, Upper Black Eddy, PA

How Far From Upper Macungie Patch? 32 miles, a 49-minute drive.

Admission: Free

Hours: Open Daily

Summary: This 128-acre park features an unusual boulder field containing rocks that actually ring when struck. Bring a hammer. Ringing Rocks Park is home to Bucks County’s largest waterfall, which provides a beautiful backdrop for a picnic. The site is also a popular destination for hikers and mountain bikers willing to take to the woods unguided as there are few actual trails.

Links:

• Bucks County Parks and Recreation
• Photographic Tour of Ringing Rocks Park
• YouTube Video: Playing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" on Ringing Rocks

Forge Theatre

Address: 241 1st Ave., Phoenixville, PA

How Far From Upper Macungie Patch? 45 miles; a one hour, six-minute drive.

Admission:

• $15 Adults
• $12 Children Younger Than 18

Summary: A quaint community theater group that has been performing theatrical productions since 1962, the Forge Theatre in Phoenixville puts on six shows a year in a variety of genres. “Cabaret” opens Nov. 4 at the Forge Theatre. Performance dates are Nov. 4, 5, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, Dec. 1, 2, 3, 2011 at 8 pm; Nov. 13 at 2 p.m. The Forge Theatre also provides a summer youth program, as well as special events.

Links:

• Patch Place Listing
• Play Review

Forge Theater Website