Day Trips: Railroad History, Big Pocono, Mercer Museum

Want to get out of town and go for a trip, but looking to save money?

Try one of these three trips you can enjoy on just one tank of gas: the Newtown Square Railroad Museum, the Mercer Museum in Doylestown and Big Pocono State Park in Tannersville.

Newtown Square Pennsylvania Railroad Museum

Address: Drexel Lodge Park, 4200 block of West Chester Pike, Newtown Square
Distance from Northampton Patch: About 34 miles
Admission: Free
Hours: June – September: Saturdays and Sundays, from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. or by appointment
Summary: Built in 1895, the Newtown Square Freight Station building now houses the Newtown Square Pennsylvania Railroad Museum. The museum, open on weekends from June through September, features antique cars, model train displays, local art and more.

Links:

• Website

Mercer Museum

Address: 84 S Pine St., Doylestown
Distance from Northampton Patch: About 10 miles
Hours: Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday, noon - 5 p.m.
Admission: Adults $9; Seniors (age 62 and older) $8; Youth (age 5 -17) $4; Children younger than 5, free; Members, free.
Summary: The Mercer Museum is a six-story castle constructed of concrete by Henry C. Mercer to house and exhibit his collection of everyday objects from the mid-19th Century. Many objects, such as a whaling boat, stagecoach and Conestoga wagon, are suspended from the ceiling of the castle's central atrium, having been delibertly hung per Mercer's direction, to force visitors to view these objects in a new and different way. Museum patrons can view themed display rooms as they walk around on each floor, showing items such as tools of a hatmaker, shoemaker, confectionary and healing arts. Mercer purchased most of his collection prior to his death in 1930.

Links:

• Mercer Museum

Big Pocono State Park

Address: Route 715, Tannersville
Distance from Northampton Patch: About 76 miles
Admission: Free
Hours: Open daily dawn to dusk
Summary: Big Pocono encompasses 1,306 acres of rugged terrain on the summit and slopes of Camelback Mountain near Camelback Ski Area. The summit offers visitors a great view of northeastern Pennsylvania into New Jersey and New York. The park has 8.5 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. The top of Camelback Mountain is a unique forest called a scrub oak shrubland. There are three picnic areas with plenty of picnic tables and charcoal grills. Most areas provide “a picnic with a view” at an elevation of 2,100 feet above sea level. Spaces in Parking Lot 4 are designated for people with disabilities. In Parking Lot 2, parking spaces, the restroom, and some picnic tables are designated for people with disabilities.

Link:

• Website