There are interesting things to do in every community in the Delaware Valley. Though some destinations we’ll highlight are familiar and cherished, we hope to introduce you to others that will become new favorites just slightly Off the Beaten Path.

Bucks County 

Gershwin to Gillespie: Portraits in American Music—Michener Art Museum
Now through Sunday, October, 7
Union Square on Bridge Street, New Hope
(215) 862-7633 | www.michenerartmuseum.org
Fee: Members are free; $5 with general admission, $4 seniors, $2 children (6-18), under age 6 is free.

James A. Michener Museum salutes 20th century American music with 50 photographic portraits of some of America’s greatest composers and musical performers, including George Gershwin, Dizzy Gillespie, Leonard Bernstein, Duke Ellington, B.B. King, Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, John Coltrane, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin and Bob Dylan.  The exhibition offers personal glimpses into the lives of these great talents, as captured by some of the most influential American photographers, including Philippe Halsman, Edward Steichen, Annie Leibovitz, Ansel Adams, Art Kane and Chuck Close.

If you go…head over to Puck (1 Printers Alley), Bucks County’s premier source for high-quality music, where you can eat delicious American cuisine while enjoying the live entertainment.

7th Annual Village Renaissance Faire—Middletown Grange Fairgrounds
Saturday, September 15 through Sunday, September 16 from 11 A.M. to 6 P.M.
Penns Park Road, Wrightstown
(215) 348-6491 | www.villagefaire.org
Fee:  $5, children under age 8 are free.

One weekend every year, the fairgrounds are transformed into the ultimate family festival with stories, history, crafts, varied entertainment and interactive play. Conveniently set on the beautiful Middletown Grange Fairgrounds, the Village Renaissance Faire is designed to entertain, educate and involve visitors of all ages. Activities will include living history pavilions, demonstrations, juried merchants, music, dance, theatre, puppetry, archery, human chess, flying hawk exhibitions and free children’s activities.

If you go…pay a visit to Il Sol Tuscan Grill (225 N. Sycamore Street, Newtown), a quaint restaurant in the heart of Newtown, celebrating the beautiful foods, fine wines and great music of Tuscany.

Montgomery County 

Skippack Ghost Walk—Village Coffeehaus and Books
Through Friday, November 23
4019 Skippack Pike, Skippack, PA
(484) 961-7130 | www.skippackghostwalk.com
Fee: $12

Stroll into the past as you journey through 18th and 19th century buildings in the historic town of Skippack.  Stories of the unusual and supernatural are combined with the fascinating history of Skippack and the surrounding countryside.  Ghost walk tours are held every Friday and Saturday night until the Skippack Tree Lighting in late November.  Tours last one hour and are filled with tales of paranormal experiences that are sure to entertain the whole family.

If you go…grab a bite to eat at Jus-Dales Carriage House (3911 Skippack Pike), where there’s a little taste of everything.

Oktoberfest—Ambler Main Street
Sunday, September 30 from 12 P.M. to 5 P.M.
Butler Avenue, P.O. Box 36, Ambler, PA
(215) 641-1070 | www.amblermainstreet.org
Fee:  Free!

Celebrate Ambler’s 16th annual Oktoberfest celebration and enjoy great music, German dancers, food, children’s rides, original artwork and fine handcrafted items.  This year features an expanded Musicfest with the new Brewfest.  It’s sure to be the most exciting event to date. Bring the whole family to this festive street fair, where it will be fun for everyone.

If you go…take advantage of Bridgets 8 West, right in the heart of Ambler (8 W. Butler Pike), to enjoy the exotic flavors of Pacific regional cuisine.

The Main Line 

A Ballroom Dance Extravaganza: An Evening of Dancing Instruction—Rosemont College
Thursday, September 27 at 7 P.M.
1400 Montgomery Avenue, Rosemont
(610) 527-0200 x 3102 | www.rosemont.edu
Fee: $60

The hit reality series, “Dancing with the Stars” has left many of us wishing we had better dance moves.  Now, guests can learn how to master techniques from two talented ballroom performers at Rosemont College.  The evening begins with a ballroom dance performance, during which Svetlana Roosiparg and Stephen Jones will show off their tango and salsa skills.  After the performance, the pair will teach two popular ballroom dances—the foxtrot and swing. 

If you go…grab a meal at Gullifty’s Pizza Grille & Bar (1149 Lancaster Avenue), where food and fun has evolved into a family tradition.

Brandywine River Kayak—Great Valley Nature Center
Wednesday, September 12 from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M.
PO Box 82, Rt. 29 & Hollow Road, Devault
(610) 935-9777 | www.gvnc.org
Fee:  $30

Join the Great Valley Nature Center on this relaxing kayaking trip!   Gently paddle as you observe the 10-and-a-half-acre site includes many habitats, including wetlands, fields and woods.  Stop by the riverside for lunch and take advantage of this beautiful scenic area, where there is a system of nature trails, live farm animals, and wildflower gardens.  Boats, paddles, personal flotation devices, transportation from the Nature Center and instruction will be provided. 

If you go…visit Avalon Restaurant (312 S. High Street), an exciting BYOB with a modern American menu inspired with global flavors.

Philadelphia 

Philadelphia Live Arts Festival & Philly Fringe—Varied Locations
Friday, August 31 through Saturday, September 15
32 N. Front Street, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 413-9006 | www.livearts-fringe.org
Fee:  Prices vary

The Philadelphia Live Arts Festival & Philly Fringe will showcase 37 works alongside nearly 170 self-produced shows that will draw more than 45,000 people.  The festival will feature cutting-edge performing arts events created by some of the most renowned contemporary artists from the region and around the world, including The Wooster Group, Elevator Repair Service, The Riot Group, Cynthia Hopkins, and Coco Fusco, among others.

If you go...have a bite to eat at La Famiglia Ristorante (8 S. Front Street), one of Philadelphia’s finest Italian restaurants.

Morris Arboretum Garden Railway Display—The University of Pennsylvania
Now through Monday, October 8
Open weekdays from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. and 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. weekends
100 Northwestern Avenue, Chestnut Hill, PA
(215) 247-5777 | www.morrisarboretum.org
Fee: Free with regular admission: $10 adults, $8 seniors, $5 students and youth (3-18), under age 3 is free. 

This year marks the 10-year anniversary of the Garden Railway Display at the Morris Arboretum.  Set within the beauty of the arboretum’s gardens, Garden Railway has grown to include a quarter mile of track, featuring seven loops and tunnels with 12 rail lines, two cable cars, and nine bridges. The 2007 theme is Great American Train Stations, featuring replicas of some of our country’s original railroad stations, including Gettysburg where Lincoln arrived to deliver the Gettysburg Address.

If you go…stop in at Osaka Sushi Japanese Restaurant (8605 Germantown Avenue), and enjoy contemporary Asian cuisine at its finest, including a full sushi bar.