Community Corner

Cheap Trips: Visit a TV Show, Mountain, Maze and Ballroom

Find four local attractions you can visit on one tank of gas.

Looking to save money?

Try one of these four trips you can enjoy on just one tank of gas: The 10! Show at NBC Philadelphia in Bala Cynwyd, Sunnybrook Ballroom in Pottstown, the a-MAZE-ing Masquerade in Ambler and Hawk Mountain in Kempton.

The 10! Show on NBC Philadelphia

Address: 10 Monument Road, Bala Cynwyd, PA
How Far From Upper Macungie Patch? 63 miles
Admission: Free

  • The show airs at 11:30 a.m. each weekday.
  • Audience members must arrive between 9 and 9:15 a.m.


Summary: NBC's Philadelphia affiliate has broadcast from the suburban side of City Avenue (which marks part of the city's northwest boundary) since 1995. The 10! Show is a 30-minute local weekday program hosted by Bill Henley and Jillian Mele—the station calls it "Philadelphia's first local Lifestyle and Entertainment show." The show replays at 5 p.m. and midnight each night. Guests booked for last week included actor Haley Joel Osment, local fitness and sports icon Pat Croce, chef Jose Garces, wrestler Kurt Angle and comedian Gilbert Gottfried. Those who want to see the celebrity interviews, cooking segments, musical performances and more in person can call 877-713-1010 or email nbcphiladelphia10show@gmail.com to request audience tickets or obtain more information about the show. (Requests should include your name, address, phone number and email, as well as the requested date and the names of everyone in your group.)
Links:

Find out what's happening in Upper Macungiewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

 

Sunnybrook Ballroom

Address: 50 N Sunnybrook Road, Pottstown, PA
How Far From Upper Macungie Patch? 39 miles
Admission: Depends on events. See website for details.

Find out what's happening in Upper Macungiewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-noon, 1-4 p.m.
  • Evening hours by appointment.
  • Parking: Free lot, Valet

Summary: Sunnybrook Ballroom is one of the few remaining large dance halls of the pre-World War II era still in existence and still operating. From Karaoke on Thursday nights to live performances and dance parties on weekends, Sunnybrook Ballroom also offers banquet halls for large special occasions, including wedding receptions, banquets, large parties and corporate events. Sunnybrook will also be bringing back its famous Sunday Brunch on Nov. 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Other highlights for the rest of the rest of the year include Jerry Blavet on Saturday, Oct. 22, Halloween Dance Party on Oct. 29 with the Mudflaps and the annual Fall Dance on Nov. 19 with the Swing Fever Dance Band.
Links:

 

The a-MAZE-ing Masquerade

Address: 640 Swedesford Road, Ambler
, PA
How Far From Upper Macungie Patch? 39 miles
Admission: $15
When: Saturday, October 30  3-7 p.m.


Summary: Trek up to the Gwynedd Wildlife Preserve to experience its unique "Meadow Maze." Kids can learn about the animals who live in the meadow as they collect fun materials to create their own meadow-themed Halloween mask. Prizes will be awarded for the best creations. Grownups can enjoy a treat from the caramel apple bar while listening to live music and sampling a selection of fall beers from Victory Brewing Company. Kids, meanwhile, can enjoy their own libations from a root beer keg. Members of the Natural Lands Trust and WXPN FM enjoy half off admission.
Links:

 

Hawk Mountain

Address: 1700 Hawk Mountain Road, Kempton, PA
How Far From Upper Macungie Patch? 25 miles
Admission:

  • Autumn weekends (September through November) $7 adults and seniors, $3 children ages 6-12
  • Weekdays year-round $5 adults, $4 seniors, $3 children 6-12
  • Free for members and children younger than 5

Hours:

  • Visitor's Center open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. September through November
  • 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily the rest of the year
  • Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and days with inclement weather


Summary: This 2,600-acre sanctuary is the world’s first refuge for birds of prey. Hawk Mountain’s 8-mile trail system includes an easy 300-yard walk (about 100 steps) to the South Lookout and a 1-mile hike to the North Lookout. Autumn is prime time for seeing migrating hawks, eagles and falcons. A daily raptor count is posted online. Hawk Mountain’s visitor center and book store are open year round. A native plant garden and trails are open daily dawn to dusk.
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