Frugal Fun in Philly

 In the spirit of simple and economical fun, opportunities for which abound in the City of Brotherly Love, here are a few  frugal ideas from the locals:

Mennonite/Service
  • Volunteer for a day or a week with Kingdom Builders Construction to help improve local Anabaptist churches & ministry facilities.
  • Attend an Urban Mennonite Worship Service – Philadelphia has 18 Mennonite congregations within 10 miles of the historic Meetinghouse, and the Germantown Mennonite congregation worships just a few blocks away.
Outdoors/Parks
  • Watch the Sunset behind the Art Museum – From this elevation, you get a great view of the sun setting over the Schuylkill River.  A recently restored, Victorian-era gazebo is a great place for photo-ops.  Since the Museum closes most nights at 5pm, free parking is available just a stone’s throw away.
  • Walk or Bike the “Kelly Drive Loop” – Take all or part of the 8.5 mile paved multi-use path, and enjoy scenic views of the Schuylkill River, Boathouse Row and the Philadelphia skyline.  There is quite a bit of public sculpture along the river (including the famous “Rocky” statue in front of the Art Museum), and usually Canada geese to feed (bring your own bread).  
  • Check out an Outdoor Movie – In the summer months, many community organizations show free movies.  Bring a blanket & a picnic! 
  • Visit Forbidden Drive & Valley Green – Part of the City’s Fairmount Park system, Forbidden Drive is a wooded oasis in the middle of the city.  It is a wide, packed cinder, multi-use trail, just minutes from the historic Meetinghouse.  Valley Green is a quaint Inn-turned-restaurant (not inexpensive) with duck-feeding opportunities (bring your own bread)
  • ESPECIALLY FOR THE KIDS - Play & play some more at Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse – A giant outdoor playground featuring a giant wooden slide (the kids go down it on burlap sacks--lots of fun, not too scary!) and innovative play equipment (giant climbing spider, handicap-accessible swings, etc.). Indoor play area is for ages 5 and under only. Admission is free (donations accepted).
  • ESPECIALLY FOR THE KIDS - Splash in the water park at Sister Cities Park!  Free water fun for the family (especially little tots) on the Ben Franklin Parkway, the city’s elegant boulevard that runs from City Hall to the Art Museum.
  • Hike the trails of the Schuylkill Center!  The nation’s largest urban environmental education center is located in the Roxborough section of the City, boasts several miles of trails and an environmental art gallery.  Admission is free. 
Museums / Concerts / Theater
  • Wanamaker Organ Concerts at Macy's - Free 45-minute organ recitals are offered daily in this grand, old-style department store located just next to City Hall.  
  • The National Museum of American Jewish History, located next to Independence Mall, is “Pay What You Wish” after 5 pm on Wednesdays between Memorial Day and Labor Day (those days museum stays open until 8:00 pm.)
  • Philadelphia Museum of Art is “Pay What You Wish” on the first Sunday of the month and every Wednesday after 5:00 p.m.
  • “Pay-What-You-Can Night” at the Arden Theater – On the Wednesday night before a new show beings, the Arden allows patrons to “pay what you can” to see the last dress rehearsal.  This is not well-publicized on their website, so call ahead to be sure you have the right night.  Normally, showing up just before the show starts is not a problem, but if the show is in their smaller theater (The Arcadia Stage) you may want to get there as soon as they open up the box office, usually an hour before the show, to guarantee seats.  The Arden is located just blocks away from one of the busiest restaurant areas of town, so it’s easy to pick up tickets and then pop out for a bite to eat before the show.
  • $10 Tickets at the Walnut Street Theater - A limited number of $10 tickets are available at America's first theater for every Mainstage performance in the very last row of the Mezzanine, and they can be purchased in advance.  Unless the show is very full, you can usually move up during intermission for a better view during the second half of the show.
  • $10 Tickets to the Philadelphia Orchestra – A limited number of tickets are made available at the Kimmel Center box office between 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM the day of most subscription concert (11:30 AM– 12:30 PM for 2:00 PM performances)  Note that only one ticket per person will be distributed, so your whole group needs to pick up tickets in person.
Art & Architecture Tours
  • Tour the Academy of Music, a grand opera house style building that is the former home of the Philadelphia Orchestra.  Free; reservations needed.
  • Tour the Kimmel Center - Free tours of the Kimmel Center’s various performance venues are offered on the first Saturday of the month, and tours start with a 15-minute organ demonstration.  Free; reservations needed.
  • Visit the top of City Hall!   The 27-ton bronze statue of William Penn atop City Hall is the largest statue on any building in the world. No, you can’t get up to his hat, but you can ride an elevator to the deck around his feet for fun views of the downtown area.   There is an admission fee; reservations needed.
  • Take a Mural Tour - Thanks to the Mural Arts Program, Philadelphia boasts a wealth of beautiful and interesting murals blanketing the city. It is $20 per person to be driven around the city with a live guide, but another (free) option is to put on your walking shoes and follow a downloaded map of the walking tour along with a self-guided podcast of the tour or cellphone-guided audio tour.
  • For a mural tour with less walking, ride the 'El' to 69th Street & back to see Love Letter Murals!  Board at any Center City stop onto the westbound “Blue Line” subway.  As soon as the train comes above ground at 46th, you will see the first mural (to the south/left!).  Watch on both sides of the train for 50 murals.  You can get off the train at 63rd Street (there aren't any murals west of there) and cross the bridge over the tracks and board an eastbound train - no additional cost for the return trip.
  • Philadelphia's Magic Gardens (mosaics on South Street) - This unusual mosaic garden has an admission charge ($7 for adults, $5 for students and seniors), but if you’re not quite sure if you want to spend the money, you can still sample what’s in store by walking east on South Street starting from 10th Street looking at the buildings on the way--the artist has covered many a surface along that route with his mosaic collages.
Seasonal Freebies
  • Philadelphia Light Show & the Dickens Village at Macy's - A legendary part of the Christmas holiday in Philadelphia, this LED light show runs once an hour accompanied by holiday music from its on-site organ. This is perfect for the kids; it’s very popular, though, and there is no designated seating, so find a spot on the floor early. 
  • The Comcast Experience/Digital LED shows - These LED photo-realistic video shorts will capture your attention and wonder. The free videos are offered year-round, with special programming during the winter holidays (quickly becoming a rival to the show at Macy’s). Downstairs is a food court with some of the best on-the-go food in the city.
  • Flower Show at Macy’s - If you’re longing for a taste (and scent) of spring, visit the Macy’s flower show during March and April. Many family-friendly events are scheduled during the length of this display. 
Urban Eats
  • Reading Terminal Market – A unique urban market that occupies a full city block.  Full of casual eateries, bakeries and specialty food stalls.  This is located next to the Philadelphia Convention Center and Chinatown, best accessed by foot or public transportation (Parking can be difficult to find and/or expensive in this neighborhood).
  • 9th Street Italian Market - Walk through America's oldest outdoor market, spanning several blocks in South Philly.  Surrounded by a variety of ethnic eateries, this is a unique feast for the senses!   Park below Washington Avenue and walk north on 9th Street, or take the Broad Street subway and exit at the Ellsworth/Federal stop.
  • The Food Court at the Bellevue has a variety of options with daily specials, free wi-fi, and a soothing fountain. Right on S. Broad Street in the heart of the city. 
  • The Market & Shops on the ground floor of the Comcast Center has some of the best on-the-go food in the city, including an outpost of the city’s own DiBruno Brothers gourmet foods and the Termini Brothers bakery. 
  • Nook Coffee Bar - This is a good stop for coffee, pastries, and light lunch options, located at 15 S. 20th Street (just south of Market Street).
  • Darling's Cafe - This tiny cafe near the Franklin Institute has delicious light lunch options, coffee and pastries. Their cheesecakes are rated the best in the city, and we can personally attest to it.
  • Green Line Café – A great Mennonite-owned, local chain of coffee shops, with Center City and West Philly locations. 

Recommended on the Web

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Support provided in part by
Germantown Mennonite Historic Trust - 6133 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19144 - (215) 843-0943 - gmht@meetinghouse.info