Cheap Trips: Farming Co-op, Museum and 'Of Mice and Men'

Are you interested in taking a trip, but not willing to part with a stack of money?

Try one of these three trips you can enjoy on just one tank of gas: the Mort Brooks Memorial in Mt. Airy, the People's Light and Theatre Company in Malvern and the Allentown Art Museum in Allentown.

1. Mort Brooks Memorial Farm at Awbury Arboretum

Address: 1011 E. Washington Lane, Philadelphia
How Far From Emmaus Patch: About 46.0 miles / About 1 hour 8 minutes

Admission:

• Free

Hours:

• The farm is generally open to the public throughout the day, but visitors can also volunteer. Click here for information on volunteer times.

Summary: The Mort Brooks Farm is a part of Weavers Way Co-Op, which is based in Mt. Airy. The farm grows all kinds of vegetables year round -- items such as artichokes, asparagus, turnips, okra, onions and ornamental gourds. It was originally established in memorial of longtime co-op member Mort Brooks and has evolved into a food source in Northwest Philadelphia.

Links:

2. People’s Light & Theatre Company: Of Mice and Men

Address: 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern
How Far From Emmaus Patch: About 52.7 miles / About 1 hour 8 minutes

Admission: 

• A Seat: $45, $42 (17 and under)
• B Seat: $25

Hours:

• "Of Mice and Men" runs through March 25.
• The approximate running time is 2 hour and 15 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission.
  

Summary: John Steinbeck’s heart-wrenching tale of George and Lennie will be performed at The People’s Light & Theatre Company through March 25. The classic American drama is a story of deep friendships and hard choices, set against the backdrop of Depression era California. The Chester County playhouse is in its 35th year of operation.

Links: 

• Patch listing
• Website

3. Allentown Art Museum

Address: 31 N. Fifth Street, Allentown
How Far From Emmaus Patch: About 8.6 miles / About 19 minutes

Admission:

• Free on Sundays
• $12 for adults
• $10 for students and seniors
• $10 for children age 6 and older
• Free for members, active service military personnel and children under the age of 5

Hours: 

• Closed Monday
• Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.

Summary: Established more than 75 years ago, the Allentown Art Museum welcomes 100,000 visitors a year and underwent a major renovation/expansion in 2010-11. The museum now has more room for its permanent collection plus a bigger museum store and a new museum cafe. American paintings and sculpture are the museum's primary focus, but the collection also includes more than 100 European "Old Master" works. A special exhibit - "Who Shot Rock & Roll: A Photographic History, 1955 to the Present" - is on display through May 13.

Links:

• Museum website