More Travels with Allen
We Can Still Have Fun In ’21
I have been writing “Travels With Al” for almost twenty years. I have written about restaurants, retail businesses, service firms, professional practices and many people and places I have found interesting. With what is going on in today’s pandemic-filled world I decided to make a complete switch and write about great places and things that I consider relatively safe that you may find both interesting and enjoyable. Even with the various restrictions we face, we can still have fun in ’21.
If you decide to visit Philadelphia there are a basket full of great activities worth mentioning. The Philadelphia Zoo is a super stop for kids and adults. We recently took our grandchildren there and it was great. Zoos are not what they once were. Today they have great habitats and very few cages. We had a ball and the kids loved it. The city also features the Please Touch Museum and the Candytopia Museum at 901 Market St.
Obviously the Art Museum, the Franklin Institute, the Rodin Museum, the Philadelphia Historical Museum are all worth visits. Before you leave the Logan Circle area look around for many other interesting spots. The Barnes Foundation is a national treasure that is also located near the Circle and worth a lengthy visit.
The Delaware River area is another great destination. There must be twenty or more great attractions worth visits. Obviously Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell location should be top priority spots. The Marine Museum, the Atwater Kent Museum, the Museum of the American Revolution on 3rd Street, the National Constitution Center, the Museum of the American Revolution on 3rd Street and The Seaport on the River are all worth visits. If possible plan a visit to the National Museum of Jewish History and the Afro American Museum along with the American Swedish Museum on Patterson Avenue.
Bucks County also has many spots worth visiting. The Pitcairn Wings of Freedom spot at 1115 Easton Road has a large number of aircraft worth viewing. While not the Air and Space Museum in Washington; it’s close by, offers free parking and provides an upfront look of many of America’s past war birds. Bucks County has a very fine Civil War Museum in Doylestown. The Mercer Museum, definitely worth a visit, is also located in Doylestown. Bryn Athyn features the Glencairn Museum and the magnificent Bryn Athyn Cathedral to visit. The New Hope and Ivyland Railroad is a favorite of kids and parents. Flemington, NJ features a great train museum on Rt. 202.
The list of Fun in ’21 is almost endless. The Mummers Museum, when open is a fun spot. If you are near the airport you might want to visit the Simone Auto Museum. The Eastern State Penitentiary on Girard Avenue and the Insectarium Museum on Frankford Avenue both are unique places you might want to visit. The Jim Loewer Glass Museum in Philly is also a small, but nice spot.
That’s about all the room I have for this article. I suggest you Google all of these spots before visiting. Make sure they are open, their hours and any costs that you may incur. There are many more things to do but I will hold off on more until next month. If you have a favorite that I didn’t mention, give me a shout. I will do my best to include reader recommendations in future editions.
Please stay safe and enjoy the New Year.
