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Outdoor Fun

So, you prefer to travel on two wheels or your own two feet. We get that - and we can take you to some of the region’s greatest places to pedal, hike, climb, skate, and get in touch with nature. SEPTA lets you bring your bike along on Regional Rail lines, the Norristown High Speed Line, Market-Frankford Line, and Broad Street Line on weekdays except for during peak commute times and all day on Saturday, Sunday, and major holidays. Bikes are welcome on buses anytime.

Fairmount Park Ropes Course, photo courtesy of Philadelphia Parks and Recreation

Upcoming Local Happenings

Art Star Pop Up Market at Midtown Village Fall Festival

Midtown Village
September 30, 2023 - October 1, 2023

Our 40+ Curated Craft Vendors will be set up along Chestnut Street between 12th and Broad Street. This neighborhood festival also features tons of food vendors, bars, and live music. Ride the Market-Frankford Line to 13th Street, Broad Street Line to Walnut-Locust, Trolley Routes to 13th Street, and any Regional Rail Line to Jefferson Station. There are also several Bus Routes that serve the Gayborhood including Routes 9, 12, 21, 23, 42, and 45.

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cinéSPEAK presents Black Orpheus / Orfeu Negro (1959)

Clark Park

A special cinema series hosted by diversity-first cinema and film publication cinéSPEAK pops up in West Philly’s Clark Park on select Fridays this year, with free weekly outdoor screenings which highlight independent films featuring diverse voices from around the world. Events are accompanied by local DJs, food trucks and more. On September 22, look forward to Marcel Camus’ 1959 film Black Orpheus / Orfeu Negro. BYO blankets and chairs, and registration is suggested. Get there on SEPTA. Routes 13, 30, 31 & 34 drop you right there!

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Collingswood Second Saturdays

Collingswood

Enjoy live music and art in Collingswood! Second Saturday was started by a collection of store owners that had an interest in promoting the arts in Collingswood. Now thru December visitors can plan a FREE night on the town to experience the unique arts, music, shopping and dining Collingswood is known for. Make a SEPTA to PATCO connection. Hop the Market-Frankford Line to 8th & Market to connect to PATCO or the Broad Street Line Walnut-Locust for the PATCO stop at 15th & Locust. Tunnels connect the systems underground, just follow the signs. For more info - click here.

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Fall for Ardmore

Ardmore

The second annual Fall for Ardmore event, featuring a VIP Beer Garden is happening on Schauffele Plaza (parking lot adjacent to Tired Hands Fermentaria) on Saturday, September 30, 2023, from 2:00pm to 6:00pm. Downtown Ardmore will be alive with shopping, food, beer, live music, and fun activities for the whole family! Admission to Fall for Ardmore is free with food and drink for sale. Get there on SEPTA! Hop the Paoli/Thorndale Line to Ardmore or Routes 44, 103 or 106. 

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Fishtown Fall Feastivale

Fishtown

Fishtown FestivALE is back for 2023 with a NEW name & NEW focus on all things EATS - find it all on Frankford Ave on September 23! Now called the Fishtown Fall Feastivale - this outdoor end-of-summer food festival & celebration features local foods including burgers, brisket and Bavarian pretzels, paired with Fishtown favorite cocktails & beer, & over 50 local art & retail vendors. A local dunk tank setup and carnival games ensures a swimmingly good time as local DJs playing classic rock and funk encourage visitors to dance the night away. To get there on SEPTA - hop the Market-Frankford Line to Girard or Routes 5, 15, 25 or 57. Look out for detours!

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Friday Under the Stars & Stripes Movie Series

Betsy Ross House

The Betsy Ross House kicks off outdoor movie season with the return of its annual film series highlighting gems of the so-bad-it’s-good sci-fi genre. Tickets are required. Bring your own snacks and drinks, and plan to arrive early to snag a table. Additional screenings are scheduled for the first Friday of each month through October. Short walk from 2nd Street Station on the Market-Frankford Line or hop Routes 17, 33 or 48.

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Garden Railway at Morris Arboretum

Morris Aboretum

The Garden Railway is celebrating 25 years with a new addition—300 feet of track! This is the largest expansion of the Garden Railway since it was installed in 1998. The new looping section of track extends the total model rail trackage to a third of a mile, making it one of the largest outdoor model train displays in the country. Get to Morris Arboretum on SEPTA. Ride the Chestnut Hill East or Chestnut Hill West Line to the last stop. From there hop the Route L or 97 toward Plymouth Meeting or Plymouth Meeting Mall to the Germantown Avenue & Northwestern Avenue stop. Walk down Northwestern Avenue for .5 miles past Chestnut Hill College and the apartment complex until you come to the black wrought-iron gate of the Arboretum. Best part - "walking in" saves you 50% on admission!

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Germantown Arts District Block Party

Germantown

🚚 Live music and dance, food trucks, local vendors, artists, and games will fill the inaugural Germantown Arts District Block Party - a free Fourth Friday celebration  on Friday, 9/22. Get there on the SEPTA Routes 23, X, or XH or hop the Chestnut Hill East Line to Germantown.

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Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest

Delaware River Waterfront

There's roller skating, boardwalk rides and games, mini golf, great food and drinks, and more at Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest. Get there on SEPTA. Hop the Market-Frankford Line to 2nd Street or Bus Routes 12, 21, 25, 42, 17, or 33.

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Parks on Tap

Dickinson Square Park

Philly’s roving beer garden brings brews and bites to parks and green spaces in neighborhoods in nearly every corner of the city this year. This week [9/20 thru 9/24], traveling taps set up shop at Dickinson Square Park. Hop the Route 57 there!

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Philadelphia Fringe Festival

Various Locations

Every September, avant-garde performance meets street theater during the annual Fringe Festival. The cutting-edge festival brings performances ranging from circus arts to comedy to traditional and unexpected venues throughout the city. Check it out thru 9/24!

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Philadelphia Marketplace

Dilworth Park

Every Saturday and Sunday - 9/2 thru 10/1 - celebrate summer with local vendors at an outdoor market place in Dilworth Park. A rotating lineup of Center City retailers, along with local small businesses and makers, pop-up weekly with a variety of offerings for all tastes. Get here on SEPTA! Hop the Market-Frankford Line or Trolley Routes 10, 11, 13, 34 & 36 to 15th Street, the Broad Street Line to City Hall, Bus Routes 2, 17, 33, 38, 44, 48, 124 or 125 or Regional Rail to Suburban Station.



Scarecrows in the Village

Peddler's Village

Now thru 10/29 - Get a jump on (slightly) spooky season at the charming Peddler’s Village, located about a 45-minute drive north from Center City Philadelphia. For eight weeks each autumn - more than 100 handmade scarecrows (ranging from silly to scary) pop up all over the village as part of an annual competition among local residents and organizations. To get here on SEPTA, ride the Lansdale-Doylestown Line to Doylestown. From there make a SEPTA to Uber or Lyft connection to Peddler's Village.

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Southeast Asian Market

FDR Park

Come hungry to this lively community market highlighting Southeast Asian cultures and cuisines. Pick produce, sample spices and enjoy prepared meals from more than 60 Lao, Khmer, Thai, Vietnamese and Indonesian vendors. The market sets up shop from 10AM to 6PM every Saturday and Sunday through the fall and will soon have a permanent home inside the park. Get here on SEPTA. Short walk from NRG Station on the Broad Street Line or hop Route 17.

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Spruce Street Harbor Park

Delaware River Waterfront

Enthusiasts of riverside can now enjoy hammocks, patio and arcade games, musical performances, and tasty treats from local purveyors while strolling the boardwalk at this warm-weather attraction now thru 9/24. The riverside Spruce Street Harbor Park is the perfect escape for visitors looking to relax and locals hoping to unwind. Get here on SEPTA. Short walk from 2nd Street Station on the Market-Frankford Line or ride Bus Routes 12, 21, 33, 42 or 25.

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Staying Power: Be Distinct or Go Extinct

Philadelphia Zoo

This brand-new exhibit at the Philadelphia Zoo - open from 4/1 thru 10/1 - features 25 gigantic animatronic insects and dinosaurs, offering visitors a chance to examine the traits that allowed insects to survive long after their dinosaur pals kicked the bucket. Keep an eye and an ear out as these life-sized dinosaurs and super-sized insects move and communicate with curious guests. Note: There is an additional charge to access the exhibit. Get there on SEPTA Routes 15 or 38. And don't forget - you've got Perks! Like $2 off admission to the Zoo when you flash your SEPTA Key card.

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Perks
The Mann Center
$10 OFF SELECT PERFORMANCES

SEPTA Key card holders can use promo code MANNLOOP to receive $10 off under...

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Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink
$1 OFF ADMISSION

SEPTA Key cardholders receive $1 off ice skating admission at the Rothman...

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Chinese Lantern Festival
$1 OFF PARX LIBERTY CAROUSEL RIDE

The Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival is open nightly in Franklin...

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Keystone Bicycle Co.
20% OFF MERCH

Keystone Bicycle Co. in South Kensington is a full-service bicycle shop...

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Elmwood Park Zoo
$2 OFF REGULAR ADMISSION

Elmwood Park Zoo features dozens of wild and exotic animals, including bald...

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Ghost Tour of Philadelphia
$5 OFF ADULT TICKET

Discover the secrets hidden in the shadows of America's most historic and...

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West Chester Railroad
5% OFF TICKET

The WCRR is an all-volunteer, not for profit corporation which is totally...

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Philadelphia Phillies
DISCOUNTED TICKETS

Ring the Bell! SEPTA Key cardholders receive a discount to select...

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Philly PHLASH
Free Rides

Ride the Philly PHLASH for FREE when you present your valid SEPTA Key card...

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Philadelphia Zoo
FREE RIDES ON THE SEPTA PZ EXPRESS

All aboard! During the 1800s, when construction of the Philadelphia Zoo was...

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Philadelphia Zoo
SAVE $2 ON ADMISSION

Philadelphia Zoo is a pioneer in animal care and conservation. Home to more...

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