Posts Tagged ‘train trips’

Fantastic Sports Bars for Flyers Fans in Philadelphia – Book a Hotel, Too and Make It a Getaway

Sometimes going to a Rangers game in Manhattan is just too much – too much of a travel hassle, too much money, too many crowds. So why not consider a road trip or train trip to Philadelphia? It’s a one-hour trip to the City of Brotherly Love and you’ll be in the heartland of hockey fandom.

Hockey season means lots of cheering, camaraderie and group gatherings. Here’s where to get your hockey fix when you can’t make it to the arena.

You can be as loud as you want at these Philadelphia sports bars.

Courtesy Cavanaugh's Rittenhouse

Cavanaugh’s Rittenhouse

Cavanaugh’s Rittenhouse has been a staple among Philadelphia Flyer fans for the past 15 years. Now in a new Rittenhouse location on 1921 Sansom Street, the popular pub serves up a broad food menu along with nearly 50 brews on draft and in bottles and cans including IPAs, sour beers and international favorites. Ciders and the ever-popular “mystery beer” — you pay an extra-low price for whatever strikes the brewmaster’s fancy — keep the place hopping. Cav’s, as the bar and restaurant is known to locals, has 22 HD TVs to keep your attention on the ice.

Courtesy Cavanaugh's Rittenhouse

A wide-ranging food menu is available, but the Cav’s specials are the best bets. Try Cav’s acclaimed Philly cheesesteak, award-winning wings, nuggets and burgers. A pizza oven adds more choices. If you can’t decide, bring a group of friends and order the faves put together on Cav’s platter and topped with pierogis and sinfully tasty tater tots. For adults, Cav’s is open until 2am. If you bring the kids, they have their own special menu with a soft drink so they can toast and cheer as well.

Courtesy P.J. Clarke’s

P.J. Clarke’s

Building on the popularity of its locations in New York City and Washington, DC, P.J. Clarke’s is centrally located near Independence Hall. More of a sports bar than its siblings, the Philadelphia outpost is a go-to for watching the Flyers while enjoying P.J. Clarke’s signature burgers, cottage fries and raw bar.

PJ Clarke's - Photo by Ashley Sears

In addition, they recently updated their Philly menu to include new items you can only find at this location including the Jumbo Philly Soft Pretzel with Yards Philly Pale Ale Beer Cheese and the Salmon 6th & Walnut Chopped Salad. For another Philly-only fave, try the popular Curtis Burger with Horseradish Cheddar Cheese, Griddled Tomato and Chipotle Mayo – you won’t find that in NYC or DC.

Courtesy P.J. Clarke’s

Do take note: having a burger here is a much as a Philadelphia rite of passage as showing your FlyGuy fanaticism. Park yourself in front of the TV screens adorning all walls, and cheer for that extra hat trick.

Courtesy Xfifnity Live - Broad Street Bullies Pub & PBR Philly

Xfinity Live!

You might have missed out getting tickets to the Flyers, but you still want to be as close to the action as possible. Flyers fans unite! Xfinity Live! makes that possible with their entertainment center set smack in the middle of the Philadelphia Sports Complex. With a mix of restaurants, all with TVs, and an outdoor space featuring a 24-foot-wide HD screen, you can scream along with your fan friends whether they are at the actual game at the Wells Fargo Center or sitting with you just feet away from the bar. Choose from the outdoor space, weather-dependent, or indoor restaurants including 1100 Social, PBR Philly Victory Beer Hall, Chickies and Pete’s for unmatched crabfries and cutlets, Lorenzo and Sons’ pizza, a cheesesteak at Philly’s own Geno’s, or the Broad Street Bullies Pub, a pub with an added attraction of hockey memorabilia from the legendary Broad Street Bullies team of the 70s.

Courtesy Garage Passyunk

Garage Passyunk and Garage Fishtown

Philadelphia’s Garages give you two colorful neighborhood choices to watch the Flyers skate to victory. Garage Passyunk in the Italian market area in South Philly has five large flat screen TVs to keep you glued to the action at the arena as you toast with any of 150 cans of beers. Between periods, you can play pool, skeeball or check out some of Garage’s pinball machines.

Courtesy Garage Fishtown

Just four miles away, Garage Fishtown, in Philly’s artsy nabe, has 400 beers, whiskey and pickle backs, plus a similar array of pool tables, skeeball and nine large flat screen TVs to keep you entertained. Try Garage’s handmade pierogis, smash burgers and Polish nachos for some unusual finger food munchies– they pair perfectly with Garage’s varied brews.

Wondering Where to Stay?

Courtesy Loews Hotel Philadelphia - Luxury Double Room

You don’t want to travel late night back to NYC. Make it an overnight or even a weekend by booking a room at the centrally located Loews Hotel Philadelphia in Center City.

Courtesy Loews Hotel Philadelphia - Turkish Bath

The historic hotel has everything you could think of to make this a special getaway from an outstanding spa with its own hammam for a Turkish bath experience and a full menu of treatments for men and women alike – try the unusual Soft Pack Float;

Courtesy Loews Hotel Philadelphia - Bank and Bourbon Restaurant

The Bank and Bourbon whiskey bar/sports bar that stays open late and features 92 varieties of the amber brew plus an extensive menu of whiskeys; and an all-day restaurant with hearty dishes for cold-weather travel.

Courtesy Reading Terminal Market

Additionally, the hotel is a few minutes’ walk from Reading Terminal Market where you can drink and dine in a fun, lively food hall setting that’s as historic (it dates from 1893) as it is varied. If you book a stay by January 24, Loews has a special Tailgate Rate that includes a complimentary room upgrade and a daily food and beverage credit.

Day Trips by Train from New York City — Festivals Await!

Seven exciting events taking place this summer in the Hudson Valley have the added benefit of being easily reachable by train from New York City. With a ride on Metro North or Amtrak, you can stop at these stations and walk—or take a short taxi ride or ride share service—to reach the event. www.hudsonrivervalley.com

While summer in New York City can be a lot of fun with parades, festivals, outdoor movies and concerts, sometimes it helps to have a getaway planned, no cars needed.  From Penn Station or Grand Central Terminal, you can start your day with a bite at the Pennsy or at the food court downstairs or grab a pastry and coffee from Zaro’s, meet your friends under the clock or departure board, then grab a train, sit back, and enjoy a day out of the city at one of these great events.

It’s easy:  you can use the new, interactive Hudson River Train Tour mobile app, recently developed by the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area in partnership with the National Park Service, to check out programs, find guides, and information about these wonderful day trip opportunities.

Station: Yonkers

Event: Yonkers Riverfest

Less than 15 minutes from Manhattan via Metro North from Grand Central, the 26th Annual Yonkers Riverfest takes place September 15, rain or shine, and it’s free. The festival will include music entertainment, arts, crafts, food, exhibits, children’s activities, and much more. Events take place along Main Street and Buena Vista Avenue, where the Yonkers Train Station is located. https://www.yonkersriverfest.org

Station: Peekskill

Event: Hudson Valley Exposition

Travel just 25 minutes from Manhattan via Metro North from Grand Central to The Hudson Valley Exposition, taking place on August 4, with many events right near the train station. The festival includes a Kidz Zone where children can create art, learn about science, interact with live animals and more. There will also be music, food, drinks and craft beer, and a wellness and technology area. http://www.hvexposition.com

Station: Beacon

Event: Hudson River Craft Beer Festival

Travel a little further – 1 ¼ hours — from Grand Central on Metro North and you can spend the day on the Beacon riverfront for the Hudson River Craft Beer Festival, September 15. For the 6th year, the festival will bring together beer lovers from all around the area to Riverfront Park, next to the Beacon train station. There will be over 150 releases from some of America’s best breweries to be sampled. And just think, you don’t have to drive!  General admission and VIP tickets are now available. https://americaontap.com/event/hudson-river-craft-beer-festival/

Station: Cold Spring

Event: The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival

In slightly under two hours, you can train via Metro North from Grand Central to The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival for shows at the Boscobel House and Gardens in Garrison. This year, the productions include Richard II, The Taming of the Shrew, The Heart of Robin Hood, The Sea-Maids Music and Rip Van Winkle. Shows take place from July to the beginning of September. What’s even better? HVSF will offer a free round-trip shuttle from the Cold Spring Train Station to the Theater Tent every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. https://hvshakespeare.org/

Station: Poughkeepsie

Event: 4th of July Fireworks

Buy a ticket for a ride that’s just an hour and a half from Manhattan by Metro North from Grand Central to see fireworks that are even more spectacular over the water. Join the City of Poughkeepsie and the Walkway Over the Hudson for their 4th of July celebration. The park, a 15-minute walk from the train, is the place to watch the city’s fireworks display overlooking the Hudson River, scheduled for 9pm. Tickets can be purchased online at $12.50 for adults, $10.00 for Walkway Members, Veterans and Seniors and free for children under 10. https://walkway.org/4th-of-july-fireworks-spectacular/

Station: Rhinecliff

Event: The Dutchess County Fair

Amtrak service from Penn Station in Manhattan will take you to the popular Dutchess County Fair in about an hour and a half to the second largest county fair in New York, scheduled this year from August 21-26. With more than 147 acres of land for farm animals and exhibitions, the grounds become an entertainment destination for all. There are free shows and attractions, and tickets can also be purchased for the Grandstand Concert Series including The Wallflowers, Chris Lane and Kip Moore.  Start your day early – this is a terrific event. http://dutchessfair.com/

Station: Hudson

Event: Basilica Soundscape

If you don’t mind a slightly longer trip, the 2 ½ hour ride on Amtrak from Penn Station in Manhattan will lead to the beautiful countryside where Basilica Soundscape is being held from September 14-16. Basilica Soundscape is a weekend of art, culture and music held in historic factory building down the street from the Amtrak station. Live performances by Efrim Menuck, Grouper, Haxan Cloak x Nick Zinner, Insect Ark, and Jungil Hong are scheduled over the three days. There will also be conceptual performances, author readings, local vendors and artisans, collaborations and activities throughout the weekend. http://basilicahudson.org/soundscape/about-basilica-soundscape/

www.hudsonrivervalley.com

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