Cheap Trips: Bryn Mawr Film Institute, Mermaid Art Studio, Jungle Wonder, Liberty Bell Museum

Looking to save money?

Try one of these four trips you can enjoy on just one tank of gas: the Bryn Mawr Film Institute, the Mermaid Art Studio in Ambler, Jungle Wonder in Royersford, and Liberty Bell Museum in Allentown.

Bryn Mawr Film Institute

Address: 824 West Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
How Far From Salisbury Patch? 52.90 miles / 1 hour 2 minutes
Hours: Varies. Check brynmawrfilm.org for movie showtimes and events.
Admission Fee For Movies:

• Adults $10
• Seniors and Students $7
• BMFI member $5
• Costs for classes and other events vary. Check BMFI's website.

Summary: Bryn Mawr Film Institute is a nonprofit theater that was founded in 2002 on Lancaster Avenue in Lower Merion Township. In addition to regularly showing independent and documentary films, the theater also broadcasts a number of theatrical and dance performances from locations around the world. BMFI hosts classes taught by area film experts, and invites patrons to dress up for one of several annual sing-alongs, including Dec. 21's already sold out The Sound of Music. The film institute is currently showing The Descendants and My Week with Marilyn.

Links:

• Other Patch stories
• Website

Mermaid Art Studio

Address: 15 E Butler Ave, Ambler, PA 19002
How Far From Salisbury Patch? 36.13 miles / 53 minutes
Admission: Free, but charges for painting.
Hours:

• School year: Tue-Sat, 10 a.m.-8pm; Sun, Mon, closed. 
• Summer: Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun, closed.

Summary: Customers can enjoy painting porcelain objects from mugs to butterflies. Locally owned and operated, Mermaid Art Studios is a great place to make heartwarming gifts for loved ones, to bring kids, or to simply enjoy an afternoon of painting. Mermaid Art Studio also holds parties, classes for adults and children and a summer camp.

Links:

• Facebook Page

Jungle Wonder

Address: 238 W Ridge Pike, Royersford, PA 19468
How Far From Salisbury Patch? 28.29 miles / 49 minutes
Hours: 

• Sun-Thu, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Fri, Sat, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Admission: Black Light Miniature Golf $5; Soft Playground (Jungle Gym) $6; Toddler Gym and Bounce $6 (1 & 2 years); Bounce & Gym $8.99 (Ages 3 to 5); Balladium $6; Bowling $3; Laser Tag $6; Golf & Gym $10; Gym, Golf and Balladium $15. Tuesdays: Every attraction is 1/2 price (excludes laser tag, not valid on school holidays). Family Deal $39.95 (Jungle Gym, Golf, Balladium) 2 adults & 2 Kids.
Summary: Jungle Wonder is a 25,000 square foot facility that will entertain the family for hours with a variety of attractions. The highlight of the trip will be spending time in the gigantic soft playground (Jungle Gym) that combines slides, tunnels, mazes, and other obstacles to challenge and entertain children up to 12 years old. Also featured are six spacious themed party rooms that are ideal for your child's birthday parties, any group activities or company meetings as well as a private dining area and cafe featuring pizza, sandwiches, wraps, chicken strips, hot dogs, coffee, soft drinks, ice cream and more.
Links:

• Patch Places Listing
• Website

Liberty Bell Museum at Zion's Church

Address: 622 W. Hamilton St., Allentown, PA 18101
How Far From Salisbury Patch? 3.76 miles / 8 minutes
Hours: Noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday
Admission: Donations appreciated
Summary: The Liberty Bell Museum is located in the basement of Allentown's Old Zion Reformed Church—the church where patriots hid the Liberty Bell under the floor when Philadelphia was at risk of falling under British control during the Revolutionary War. A train of 700 wagons carried the bell and military stores to the Lehigh Valley to keep them out of enemy hands. The museum features an exact copy of the Liberty Bell, which visitors can ring. The church, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was used as a refuge during Indian raids, a revolutionary war hospital and a gathering place for the reading of the Declaration of Independence. The museum will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2012.
Links: Website