philly area things to do

Longwood Gardens

April 26, 2019 by Jennifer LeBow Leave a Comment

What is Longwood Gardens?

Longwood Gardens is a Philadelphia area attraction that isn’t just for tourists. It offers an unparalleled horticultural experience and is considered one of the best gardens in the world. It is routinely ranked first in the United States. With over 1,000 acres, over four acres of heated greenhouses and over 4600 distinct plant species, there is always something unique to see, any time of year. Throw in their famous fountains and you’ll understand why Longwood is the gold standard of gardens.

What is Longwood Garden’s History and Mission?

Founded by the DuPont family, Longwood has a long history of sponsoring cultural events against the backdrop of the fabulous landscape. The facility even owns a rare, concert-quality pipe organ. If you are looking for musical performances, there are several, especially during their summer series. You can also take advantage of educational programs, spotlight talks, birding hikes and themed tours.

Special Exhibits and Events at Longwood

Annual highlights include the late winter Orchid Extravaganza and a Longwood Christmas. The Christmas extravaganza features over half a million lights, several fire pits and strolling carolers. During the summer, visit Longwood and experience the unbelievable Illuminated Fountain show, “as water in all shapes, sizes, and heights combines with music and infinite colors” delights you in a 30-minute performance. The July 4th show, complete with fireworks, isn’t too shabby either. To plan your visit, check out the different gardens and what is in bloom at that time.

Great Hikes Near Philadelphia

April 25, 2019 by Jennifer LeBow Leave a Comment

Philadelphia Main Line Relocation — Are you looking for a great spot for a nature walk or more challenging hike? The Philadelphia area offers lots of choices.

Where to take a great hike near Philadelphia

Take a hike? Don’t mind if I do! Depending on your ability, time frame and willingness to travel, there are a variety of different places in the Philadelphia area to go walking. Some are a few hours away and are probably overnight trips. Some others may be about an hour’s drive and there are plenty within 30 minutes of the city. If you’re looking for more of a mountain hike, you’ll need to travel a bit. If you enjoy a packed dirt path under a tree canopy, you won’t have to look further than Fairmount Park.

A hike for everyone

If you are not an experienced hiker and aren’t sure just what you’re looking for, I’d start with this list. Easy, paved and very close to Philadelphia, the Manayunk Towpath is part of the Schuylkill River Trail, which stretches all the way out past Phoenixville. You’ll see old textile mills and canal locks and won’t be climbing rocks or bushwacking trees. If you are looking for a more “in the woods” kind of hike, try Ridley Creek State Park, less than 20 miles from Center City. This serene spot also offers good trout fishing and you’ll see horse back riders, cyclists and even cross county skiers. Of course, Valley Forge Park is a wonderful option if you’d like fairly easy walking with a large dose of history sprinkled in. With picnic benches and easy parking, families often use this park to take a walk, fly kites and have some lunch.

Hikes with waterfalls

Are you specifically looking for a hike featuring a waterfall? Not only are they beautiful, but they cool the air around them and the sound they produce changes from white noise to thundering the closer you are. They are a sort of feast for the senses. Moving water tends to discourage flying insects, too. If you would like to plan a Philadelphia area nature walk that includes a waterfall, here’s a great list. For the most bang for your buck (or the most waterfalls for your miles), I’d recommend the Falls Trail at Ricketts Glen State Park. It’s a rigorous trail and only for experienced hikers but rewards the effort with 21 waterfalls. Be sure to wear slip-proof shoes as all those waterfalls make for potentially slippery conditions. If you want a short hike (though steep, and not easy!) but one with lots of waterfalls, try this two-mile trail in Jim Thorpe.

Hikes with terrific views

Maybe you love walking through the woods or up mountains or along meandering trails, but only if you find a wonderful view at the end. If you need the promise of a fabulous vista to provide the motivation to walk, these destinations will not disappoint. Not for the faint of heart, the Delaware Water Gap’s Mt. Tammany trail offers a sweeping view of the mountain. In the fall with the the trees ablaze with color, it’s hard to beat. For a much easier, closer to Philadelphia and very different kind of walk, try John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge. Located near the airport, it’s not only easy to reach, but is centered around Tinicum Marsh. The water attracts birds and other wildlife and the fairly level trail means you can focus more on your surroundings than your footing.

Reading Terminal Market

January 9, 2019 by Jennifer LeBow Leave a Comment

Reading Terminal Market: History

Reading Terminal was just named the best farmers market in the U.S. (To see the others on the list, click here.) Reading Terminal Market is a beloved institution and a mainstay of Philadelphia. Natives of the city as well as transplants laud it as one of the best destinations for tourists and locals alike. It is well over a century old, with a fascinating history. While not the oldest market in the country (that honor is held by the Lancaster Central Market about two hours west of Philadelphia), farmers markets have been popular in the city since its founding. There were many outdoor food markets, but, due to health concerns, the trend in the late 1800s was toward indoor venues. In 1890, the Reading and Pennsylvania Railroads (yes, like the spaces on your monopoly board) bought the land to build a new terminal. This space had been where two outdoor markets had been. The vendors refused to move and set up their stands beneath the tracks–and the original Reading Terminal Market was born.

Reading Terminal Market Vendors

What will you find at Reading Terminal Market? Some of the best food vendors in the city. From butchers to fishmongers to produce purveyors, there are plenty of places to pick up fresh ingredients for dinner. There are prepared foods to enjoy as well (and hundreds of people go to the market regularly for lunch). If you’re looking for dessert, between Mueller’s chocolates, Famous cookie booth, Bassett’s ice cream and Beiler’s Donuts, you won’t go hungry. Many of these booths feature local foods (including Philly Fair Food and many Lancaster County businesses) so it’s a true Philadelphia experience. There is a wonderful cookbook seller, a satellite Head Nut store and lots of other booths to visit. For a map of all the vendors and more info, click here.

Visiting Reading Terminal

There are several parking lots in the area, but, remember: the market is in the space adjacent to the rail terminal, so, depending on where you are traveling from, you might opt to take the train–you’ll want Jefferson Station. Click here for the SEPTA schedule. There are also special events held regularly (including frequent “Taste of Philly” days). To get the most out of your visit, take the vendor map with you so you don’t miss anything.

If you are relocating to the Philadelphia/Main Line area, please go to my blog page and search for posts using the relocation tag. Contact me to discuss your Philadelphia area relocation! jen@jenniferlebow.com/610 308-5973

Best Museums in and around Philadelphia

November 28, 2018 by Jennifer LeBow Leave a Comment

It can be challenging to find the best museums in and around Philadelphia since there are so many. We have some wonderful art museums, several museums that celebrate our country’s history, much of which took place in Philadelphia, and some that are focused on very particular or unusual collections or experiences. This is not an exhaustive list, but it does contain the majority of the larger museums in the area.

Art and Artifact Museums

The Philadelphia Museum of Art (home of the “Rocky steps”) is one of most visited art museums in the world and is an incredible building in its own right.

The Rodin Museum houses the largest collection of Rodin sculpture outside of France.

The Barnes Foundation was the private collection of Albert Barnes and consists mostly of impressionist, post-impressionist and modernist paintings. All the paintings are displayed within the strict arrangements Barnes mandated.

Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts is the oldest art school in the country and is contained within a spectacular Frank Furness building on Broad Street.

Woodmere Art Museum in Chestnut Hill is a mansion on beautiful grounds that collector Charles Knox Smith purchased in order to display his collection.

Brandywine Museum of Art occupies a lovely setting and features a large collection of Wyeth paintings.

Michener Art Museum celebrates Bucks County artists and is a local favorite. Native James Michener, a lifetime supporter of the arts, had wanted to open an art museum since the 1960s and was happy to lend his name to the establishment.

Rosenbach Museum specializes in rare books and manuscripts and is houses in two beautifully maintained period Philadelphia townhouses.

University Of Pennsylvania Museum is one of the oldest archaeological museums in the country. It occupies an architecturally significant building located across from Franklin Field, where the Army-Navy football game is played.

Mercer Musuem in Doylestown is not your average museum. Henry Mercer built a state-of-the-art (at the time) building to showcase his collections of Americana before the industrial age erased them from memory. He designed rooms intended to replicate (for example) what a blacksmith’s shop, apothecary or dairy barn would have looked like.

Wharton Esherick Museum in Malvern is the preserved home and workshop of this gifted and untraditional wood artist and sculptor. It is small, but so unusual, it’s worth the trip.

Historical Museums

Independence National Historic Park and the National Constitution Center are the start of a great history lesson in the city of many of our country’s “firsts” happened. Created to be very walkable, this set of buildings and the historically-garbed interpreters make the past come alive.

Museum of the American Revolution is the only museum dedicated to preserving and explaining the history of the birth of the United States as an independent nation.

African American Museum of Philadelphia is dedicated to sharing the life and work of African Americans in this country. It was the first institution of African American heritage to be built by a major city and is located in the historic district near Independence National Historic Park.

National Museum of Jewish History seeks to share the culture and heritage of Jews in America. It strives to educate both Jews and non-Jews about the Jewish-American experience.

Science Museums

Franklin Institute is a wonderful, hands-on science museum in a beautiful building on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. It offers great electricity exhibit, Sir Isaacs’s Loft, the Sports Zone, the Fels Planetarium and much more, but it’s the giant heart that will always be the most loved exhibit.

Academy of Natural Sciences, owned by Drexel University, is focused on education and research of bio diversity and environmental science. Visitors can see live butterflies as well as replicas of dinosaurs and many animals in between.

Philadelphia Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion is located north east of the city in an area where you might not expect to find a 7,000 sq. ft. area dedicated to butterflies. There are also two floors of museum space teaching about and celebrating the world of insects

Specialty Museums

Please Touch Museum is a museum created for children which encourages learning through experience. The supermarket is always a popular attraction as are the water play area (called River Adventures), Alice’s Wonderland and Imagination Playground. The Please Touch Museum is houses in Memorial Hall, built for the 1876 World’s Fair and the lower level has a scale model of the buildings at the fair with information about the exhibits.

Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum is a (previously private) collection of antique and rare racing cars. Each car’s history and significance is detailed in a placard next to it. A must-see for a racing enthusiast.

American Helicopter Museum, located in West Chester, is about an hour west of Philadelphia, but if you are a fan of rotary winged aircraft, it’s worth the trip.

Eastern State Penitentiary was the most expensive public building ever erected in America at the time of its completion. It was a testament to prison reform stressing rehabilitation vs. punishment and its architecture was intentionally designed to promote penance. It is most visited during October when Terror Behind the Walls brings Halloween ghoulishness to a new level with a haunted house experience unrivaled anywhere.

Mutter Museum might be your favorite if the macabre fascinates you. This institution, owned by the American College of Physicians, is a collection of medical history. It features some of the oddest, most disturbing anatomical specimens, historical medical equipment and even Einstein’s brain! It is not for the faint of heart.

Mummer’s Museum is an unapologetically Philadelphian institution. It is the repository for the costumes that are worn in the annual Mummer’s Parade, the oldest continuous folk parade in the country. These costumes can take nearly a year to create and are on display alongside information about history of the parade.

This list is by no means complete, but I hope it’s a good start! If there are museums you think I should add, please just drop me a note at jen@jenniferlebow.com.