Cheap Trips: Shopping, Movies, Bridges and Helicopters

Looking to save money? 

Try one of these four trips you can enjoy on just one tank of gas – the Lehigh Valley Covered Bridge Tour, Suburban Square in Ardmore, the American Helicopter Museum in West Chester and the Ambler Theater.

Lehigh Valley Covered Bridge Tour

Address: Tour starts at Oxford Drive (24th Street), Allentown, PA

How Far From Upper Macungie Patch? Two of the covered bridges are in South Whitehall, so you're practically there. If you go to the start of the tour in Allentown, it's 3.4 miles, or 7 minutes from the township.

Admission: Free

Hours: Daytime is best.

Summary: Journey back to a more idyllic time in this self-guided tour of seven of Pennsylvania's covered bridges. You can visit all seven, which is a 50-mile tour, or just a few. The tour starts at Bogert's Bridge in Allentown, then takes you to South Whitehall and other municipalities.

Links:

• Self-Guided Tour Information
• More On The Tour From Discover Lehigh Valley

Suburban Square Shopping Center

Address: 34 Parking Plaza, Ardmore, PA 

How Far From Upper Macungie Patch? 58 miles, or one hour, nine minutes drive time.

Admission Fee: None. There is free parking.

Hours:

• Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Wed, Fri: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Sun: Noon-5 p.m.

Summary: Opened in 1928, Suburban Square is considered the first shopping center in the United States, but parts of it feel more like a town square than a modern mall. The courtyard in front of Macy’s is like that, leading into a pretty, urban setting with large trees as old as the square itself, benches, a fountain, and food carts in summer.

And it’s just getting better: there’s work underway now for a new courtyard, an opened-up street (St. James Place) for concerts and other performances, more outdoor seating, new “concept” stores and a new high-end restaurant to give the existing Plate and Sweetgreen some competition.

By Thanksgiving, a good deal, if not all, of that work will be done.
 

Links:

• Suburban Square Website

American Helicopter Museum & Education Center

Address: 1220 American Blvd., West Chester, PA

How Far From South Whitehall Patch?  63 miles, or one hour, 10 minutes drive time.

Admission Fee:

• Adults $10
• Seniors $8
• Students and children $7
• Children 2 and younger free
• Parking: Free lot

Hours:

• Wed. through Sat: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Sunday: Noon-5 p.m.
• Mon. and Tues. open by appointment only

Summary: The American Helicopter Museum and Education Center, which opened in 1996, is considered by many to be the nation's premier aviation museum devoted exclusively to helicopters. The museum chronicles the role helicopters play in history and the modern world and also offers summer camps and educational programs for preschoolers through adults. The facility also maintains a library and restores helicopters.

Links:

• Patch Place Listing
• Museum Website

The Ambler Theater

Address: 108 E. Butler Ave. Ambler, PA

How Far From South Whitehall Patch? 48 miles, or 56 minutes drive time.

Admission Fee:

• Adults $8.50
• Student and Matinee discount

Hours:

• Mon.- Sun..Showtimes. 
• Special event “One Man, Two Guvnors” on Sep. 27, 7 p.m.

Summary: The Ambler Theater continues to delight moviegoers with that old time charm. The building, opened in 1928 by Warner Brothers, has undergone a number of changes in its time, but lives on today as a non-profit entity, with daily showings of independent and international films. The Ambler Theater’s ownership has also done much to continue to draw patrons, including hosting weekly events such as throwback films and special viewings. This week, a filming of the London Theatre comedy hit “One Man, Two Guvnors,” will be shown on Tuesday, September 27, at 7 p.m. In addition, the building has kept many of its original features, including its iconic vertical neon sign, and box seating in its main theater.

Links:

• Theater Website
• Showtimes