Holiday Shopping Events Near Hatfield, PA
While it’s fun to do holiday shopping at traditional destinations such as malls and outlet centers, you may find some unique gifts at shopping events. Holiday bazaars, expos, and indoor flea markets are examples of one-time events that enable you to support local artists and organizations while making progress on your holiday shopping list. Here are some holiday shopping events near Hatfield, Pennsylvania.
Greensgrow Holiday Bazaar in Philadelphia
Make the 45-minute drive to Philadelphia for the Greensgrow Holiday Bazaar December 3, 4, 10, and 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The event takes place at Greensgrow Farms and features about 30 artists offering handmade fine jewelry, edible treats, bath/body gifts, accessories, ceramics, and wood-work creations. As a bonus, you can also buy your Christmas tree and evergreen swags to decorate your home at this event.
In the Nick of Time Holiday Marketplace in Gilbertsville
Located 22 miles west of Hatfield, Gilbertsville hosts a special event December 18 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. In the Nick of Time Holiday Marketplace takes place at the Gilbertsville Fire Company. More than 75 local crafts people and vendors gather to sell their best wares for people looking to finish up their holiday shopping.
The Christmas Arts and Crafts Show in Lansdale
Less than four miles from Hatfield, the Christmas Arts and Crafts Show in Lansdale takes place at Central Schwenkfelder Church on December 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is a great opportunity to support local artists while buying one-of-a-kind gifts for your family and friends.
In the weeks leading up to the holiday season, there are multiple festive shopping events near Hatfield.
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Holiday Shopping Destinations Around Hatfield
If you live in Hatfield, Pennsylvania, you’re a short distance from several cities that offer exciting retail shopping opportunities. Hatfield’s ideal location makes holiday shopping a breeze. There are several places near Hatfield where you can buy the right gift for every person on your list.
Plymouth Meeting Mall and King of Prussia Mall
Head 30 minutes south from Hatfield to visit large malls in Plymouth Meeting and King of Prussia. These two malls are less than 10 miles apart, making it easy to visit both in one day. Though both malls have popular chain retail stores, King of Prussia, known as KOP, has the most robust store directory. KOP offers upscale shopping with stores such as Coach, Louis Vuitton, Mount Blanc, and Swarovski.
Tanger Outlets in Lancaster
It only takes an hour and a half to drive from Hatfield to Lancaster’s Tanger Outlets. Shop discounted prices on favorite brands such as Banana Republic, Talbots, Nike, Gap, and Polo. Because the outlets are in Lancaster, you’re also close to some local shops where you can buy Amish-made goods.
Montgomery Mall in North Wales
If you’re tight on time, check out Montgomery Mall in North Wales. It’s only a 15-minute drive from Hatfield. You’ll find a variety of stores such as Ann Taylor, Dick’s, the Disney Store, FYE, and Yankee Candle.
All these shopping destinations are located close to popular restaurants so you can have a delicious meal when you finish shopping. In addition, the malls have indoor play areas for kids, making the shopping trip enjoyable for youngsters.
Image via Flickr by Montgomery County Planning Commission
Day Trip Ideas Near Hatfield, PA
Starting from Hatfield, Pennsylvania, there are a number of interesting places to visit a short drive away. From magnificent gardens to ski areas, activities abound for anyone looking to take a day trip from Hatfield. Browse this list of day trip ideas and start planning your next excursion.
Blue Mountain Ski Area
Located one hour northwest of Hatfield, the Blue Mountain Ski Area sits on the Kittatinny Ridge in the Appalachian Mountains. Spread out over 164 acres, the area is an ideal spot to ski, snowboard, or snow tube. Boasting some of the longest runs in the state, the Blue Mountain Ski Area welcomes skilled skiers, beginners, and those with intermediate skills. Make plans to check out the 39 ski trails and 22 lanes for snow tubing.
Longwood Gardens
Regardless of the season, Longwood Gardens is a botanical wonder in the Brandywine Valley. Even though you might not think to visit a garden in winter, consider strolling through Longwood in November and December. In the weeks leading up to the holidays, the garden attracts visitors with its indoor and outdoor displays that draw inspiration from beloved holiday music. It only takes one hour in the car to travel from Hatfield to Kennett Square, the home of Longwood Gardens.
Bushkill Falls
About an hour and a half north of Hatfield, you find Bushkill Falls. This natural waterfall is so beautiful, people call it the Niagara Falls of Pennsylvania. Well-worn trails and bridges offer breath-taking views of the rushing water.
Because of its prime location, Hatfield affords residents the opportunity to visit a variety of scenic areas.
Image via Flickr by R’lyeh Imaging
Top 3 Museums in Pennsylvania Worth Visiting
Pennsylvania is full of unique and educational museums. If you’re interested in art, history, or science, be sure to check out these top museums in the state.
1. Andy Warhol Museum
Andy Warhol is famous for his pop art, including his Campbell’s Soup Cans and Marilyn Diptych. However, when you stop by the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, you can see even more of his work and learn more about his life. The museum’s collection includes 900 paintings, 4,000 photographs, 100 sculptures, 1,000 published prints, and 2,000 works on paper.
2. Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center
If you’re planning a trip to Gettysburg National Military Park, make sure your first stop is at the Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center. Here you can get maps of the park and learn more about the ranger-led programs offered in different areas of the park. You’ll find interactive exhibits, hands-on displays, and artifacts including uniforms and weaponry. The state-of-the-art theater also shows a film that gives you a better idea of how the events at Gettysburg fit into the Civil War and American history.
3. Philadelphia Museum of Art
While Rocky fans won’t want to miss running up the iconic staircase at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, you should also take some time to go inside and explore. The museum is one of the oldest in the country and has more than 200 galleries with over 227,000 pieces of art.
The next time you’re looking to learn something new, take a trip to one of these top Pennsylvania museums.
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The Fanciest Premium Toyota Trim Levels
From well-appointed interiors to extra features on the exterior these modern Toyota vehicles have exceptionally attractive top trim levels.
Tundra Platinum
Tackle your workweek and take on the weekend in the Tundra Platinum. This CrewMax comes with four full-size doors, a 5.5-foot bed, and 38-gallon fuel tank. Inside you’ll get conveniences like a rearview mirror with a compass that automatically dims, a power vertical sliding rear window with privacy glass and a defogger, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, and heated and ventilated leather front seats.
Camry XSE
The Camry XSE is the top trim level of this popular sedan. On the outside you get projector-beam halogen headlights that have a black sport trim bezel. You’ll also enjoy LED daytime running lights, a color-keyed rear spoiler, and a chrome-tipped exhaust. The XSE is also the only trim level in the Camry line to come with 18-inch alloy wheels with black accents. Inside you’ll get extras like dual zone automatic climate control, an advanced audio system, and leather-trimmed heated front seats.
Highlander Limited
If you’re looking for extra space and luxurious features, get behind the wheel of the Highlander Limited. The power outside mirrors come with a folding feature, memory function, blind spot warning indicator, and integrated turn signal. You also get safety features like an integrated backup camera and comforts such as ventilated and heated leather-trimmed front seats.
When you’re looking for the best features and interior materials offered by Toyota, get behind the wheel of one of these top trim levels.
Image via Flickr by Joseph Brent
When the snowflakes start falling, you don’t have to stay cooped up indoors. Instead, head outside and enjoy a few of these great Pennsylvania winter activities.
Ice Skating
Lace up your skates and take a spin around the ice. Presque Isle State Park, Cook Forest State Park, and Moraine State Park all offer recreational opportunities for ice skating. If you prefer urban ice skating, head to the Rothman Ice Rink at Dilworth Park in Philadelphia. Or check out the MassMutual Ice Rink at PPG Place or Schenley Park Ice Skating Rink in Pittsburgh.
Dog Sledding
While you usually don’t picture dog sledding in Pennsylvania, you can head to Nemacolin Woodlands Resort for this exciting and unforgettable experience. First take a tour of the dog yard that houses the 24 Alaskan huskies, and then get a short lesson on the basics of dog sledding. After that, you’re ready to hop on the sled, zip across the snow at up to 20 miles per hour, and see the Laurel Highlands countryside like you’ve never seen it before.
Snow Tubing
If you’re looking for even more speedy winter thrills, check out one of the great snow tubing parks around the state. Most ski areas have snow tube parks, including Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Hidden Valley Resort, and Shawnee Mountain. Or head to Camelback Mountain in the Pocono Mountains. With 42 lanes, this is the biggest snow tubing park in the country.
Make this winter fun and memorable by getting outside and taking part in these great winter activities around Pennsylvania.
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A Look at the Curious Toyota uBox
Every generation views the style and function of cars differently. The uBox is the latest concept car from Toyota manufactured for Generation Z, or those born after 1995. Keep reading for more information about this intriguing vehicle.
Two-Year Collaboration
The Toyota uBox is a concept car that’s the result of a two-year collaboration between graduate students at Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research and Toyota Motor North America. The students worked with Toyota on everything from the initial design process, to engineering, to market research, and building.
Boxy Body
The boxy body of the uBox looks like nothing currently on the road. While it’s called a utility vehicle, it looks more like a van. Instead of the smooth, aerodynamic lines we’re used to, there are a lot of sharp angles and hard edges. On top, the curved glass roof is held up with an industry-first aluminum bonded with composite carbon fiber rails.
Versatile Interior
Inside the uBox, the removable seats are on sliding rails to allow for easy and quick reconfiguration for a variety of activities. The vehicle owner can customize all the door trim, dashboard display, and vents. There are also numerous 110-volt sockets located throughout the interior and exterior of the uBox to power everything from electronics to power tools.
The Toyota uBox shows what the next generation thinks our vehicles will look like. From a unique exterior to a flexible interior, this concept car gives us an exciting idea about where our vehicles are going.
Image via Flickr by JeepersMedia
4 Winter Driving Tips
Winter driving brings a unique set of challenges. To stay safe on the roads this winter, keep reading for a few helpful driving tips.
1. Be Extra Cautious Approaching a Bridge
Elevated structures like overpasses and bridges usually freeze before the rest of the road. While you might be traveling fine on the road, you could hit a patch of black ice on a bridge and lose control.
2. Give Yourself Extra Space
When you’re traveling on snowy or icy roads you should always leave yourself extra space to stop. You need at least three times the stopping space on slick roads that you need on dry roads. Additionally, when you’re driving in the snow, you need to do everything more slowly. Don’t expect to make any fast starts or sharp turns.
3. Keep Your Gas Tank Close to Full
Not only does a fuller gas tank prevent your vehicle’s gas-line from freezing, if you get stranded or stuck, running your engine is your only source of heat. You can leave your engine idling for as long as you have gas, and it will keep you warm and won’t hurt your engine.
4. Don’t Pass Snow Plows
The plow on a snow plow extends several feet beyond the width of the truck and makes it hard for the truck driver to see a passing car. Give the snow plows room to work and stay at least 200 feet back.
When you’re out on the roads this winter, keep these helpful driving tips in mind so you can travel safely.
Image via Flickr by Szift
3 Ideas for a Great Date in Hatfield
Whether you’ve just started dating or you’ve been married for years, the attractions around Hatfield offer plenty of fun for date night. When you’re looking to show your date a good time, consider one of these great activities.
1. Tour the Asher’s Chocolates Factory
Since 1892, Asher’s Chocolates has made fine chocolates and other sweets. Stop by the candy factory in Souderton Monday through Friday, and take the self-guided tour that shows you how this family-owned and operated company makes the sweet treats. After the tour, be sure to browse through the Victorian-style shop and box up a few chocolates to savor later.
2. Dinner at the Red Cedar Grille & Cocktails
The Red Cedar Grille & Cocktails is one of the newest restaurants in the Hatfield area. The menu has an international flair, yet it focuses on local and fresh ingredients. The bar offers a unique mix of wine, spirits, 12 taps for craft beers, and 40 bottled beers.
3. Live Music at Country Creek Winery
Country Creek Winery is in an old dairy barn from 1856. The winery produces and bottles its own wine on the premise. The fruit wines are made using Pennsylvania-grown fruit, and the white and red wines are made with French-American hybrid grapes. Stop by on the weekends for tastings, and then catch one of the live bands on the outdoor stage.
From a good dinner, to fun music, and a little something sweet afterwards, these great date ideas in Hatfield are sure to create wonderful memories.
Image via Flickr by eliduke
How Toyota Hybrids Work
Conventional vehicles use gasoline or diesel to power their internal combustion engines, but hybrids work a bit differently. With an electric motor and battery, hybrid vehicles are partially powered by electricity, reducing the need for gas to power the engine.
Less Pollution and Better Gas Mileage
Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) are designed to give you 20 to 30 more miles per gallon of gasoline than conventional automobiles, which is nothing to sneeze at. They can also be designed with different goals in mind, such as more power or less pollution. That’s why Toyota offers various hybrid vehicles, including the Camry Hybrid, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4 Hybrid.
Advanced Technologies
Most HEVs feature advanced technologies such as an electric motor drive and regenerative braking, the latter of which helps them recapture energy that would normally be lost because of braking or coasting. Other common features include an automatic start/stop that mechanically turns off the engine when the car stops and then restarts it once you press the accelerator. All these features are designed to reduce energy waste.
Hybrid Synergy Drive
Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive senses driving situations, including engine demand, automatically telling the car when to switch between electric power and gasoline. As the world’s leading hybrid technology, Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive provides all the power you need to enjoy impressive handling, dynamic acceleration, and reduced fuel consumption without compromise.
Toyota’s hybrid technology provides an uncompromised driving experience that will leave you wondering why you didn’t make the switch sooner.
Image via Flickr by M 93: „Dein Nordrhein-Westfalen”
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