Things to Do in Darby

The walls of an old, repurposed church reverberate with the sounds of joyful singing, strumming guitars, rhythmic tap shoes, theatrical monologues, and whirring pottery wheels. As part of a nonprofit organization, ACPPA Community Art Center's instructors kindle sparks of creativity in the community through youth and adult programs in studio and performing arts, fitness, and dance. A jam-packed calendar keeps families busy with art exhibitions, Mommy and Me pottery-painting classes, and community mural projects bring that residents together to beautify local spaces or paint over typos on the town's welcome sign.

Propelled by an affinity for fresh air, the family that helms Hispaniola Cycling fosters the same free-spirit mentality in its guests who embark on the outfit’s bike tours, which include cycles and helmets. Hispaniola’s guides are experts on the local topography, calling upon their respect for Mother Nature and a healthy fear of her mood swings to guide groups for spins around town or weekend jaunts through Valley Forge and along the Schuylkill River Trail. They can also expand fitness with wellness tours and camaraderie with corporate tours that follow custom routes around worksites, kick-starting employee heart rates a midday slump after they wrestle faulty fax machines.

At Markie's Mini-Golf, flowing brooks meander through rocky outcroppings and pristine greens that span 26,000 square feet across 18 holes. The course's nature-inspired layout snakes through caves and around a central waterfall, which flows into a fountain that summons thirsty golf balls. Groups putt around the pintsized course before lapping up sweet, hand-dipped scoops of Nelson's ice cream in an air-conditioned snack area. The frosty treats can be consumed around indoor tables or outside at picnic tables.