I recently spent a few days in Philadelphia, my second visit to the City of Brother Love, and I think I have finally figured out why people live there. Although my first visit solidified the stereotypes I’d heard about the less than pleasant people, my return trip revealed the vibrancy of one of America’s oldest and most diverse cities. If you’re looking for a great city that’s a heck of a lot less expensive than the average metropolis in the area, head to Philly – and check out some of these free and cheap hot spots.

South Street

It’s a hike from the more popular Historic or Downtown districts, but South Street is worth the walk (or cab fare). It’s an eclectic mix of colorful architecture, restaurants, thrift stores, and “adult” shops. I’m not sure what makes South Street the perfect destination for lingerie and adult toys, but there were more places to buy love potions in this neighborhood than in all of Vegas. That being said, it’s still a very kid-friendly walking district during the day, and a great place to score a slice of pizza the size of your head. (Lorenzo’s - $2 for a slice of cheese.)

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The Louvre in Paris, France is full of beauty inside and out. It’s located an easy walk from the Eiffel Tower and numerous cafes, but you may want to save those for another day — the Louvre is a full day (at least) of art and history.

Inside you’ll find some of the best known art EVER. The Mona Lisa is there (please don’t bring up The Da Vinci Code), as is the armless beauty of Venus de Milo.

The building that houses the Louvre was built in the 12th century, and the museum has been there since 1793. It’s a work of art in its own right.

There are plenty of family activities, including guided tours, workshops and storytellers. There are even special deals and activities for visitors under the age of 30 (anyone older and you can’t trust them!).

The Louvre is a must-see on any trip to France. Take the kids, they’ll thank you.

This post is part of UpTake’s Monday Museums & Monuments Series.

Photo: http2007 via Flickr

The Green Mountain Coffee Visitor's Center

Whether you are visiting the Waterbury, Vermont area, or just passing through, make sure you are hungry!  There are loads of sampling opportunities and factory tours just off the highway – don’t miss them.

Start out at the Green Mountain Coffee Visitor Center and Cafe – located at Waterbury Station.  To find it on your GPS, search for the Waterbury Amtrak Station.  There’s a small museum, and a cafe with just about every flavor of Green Mountain coffee imaginable.  If you have a Keurig, you’ll just love the selection of K-cups available.

Then, stop off at the Ben and Jerry’s Waterbury Factory where you can take a tour of the Ben and Jerry’s factory, try some delicious ice cream, and enjoy fabulous views of the town.  Try to visit on a weekday, when the factory is in operation.  In season, there are also some food vendors and craft projects for the kids.

Next stop is the Cold Hollow Cider Mill, where you can get some delicious cider donuts and sample some apple cider.  Make sure you get some extra donuts – they are good the next day too!

Are you still hungry?  You can’t miss the Cabot Annex Store.  While it isn’t the main visitor center, there are still loads of samples available – you can’t leave here without buying something.

Are you planning on staying in the area?  Consider Stoweflake, a four-season resort with the nicest spa I’ve ever visited, located in nearby Stowe, Vermont.

Photo credit: Jodi Grundig

Disclosure: I received a complimentary stay at Stoweflake.