Because of its expanse, the region is best visited by car, but before you rent a car, see our Valley Forge on Foot section below. The more ambitious can explore by bike as there are a wealth of scenic and challenging trails throughout the area. Since it is such a large region, we've organized our "Things to do" section by:

historical attractions
cultural attractions
shopping
scenic attractions

Click on the "see more info on" for complete listings.

HISTORICAL ATTRACTIONS:

Most of the area's attractions can be reached within a half an hour drive from the region's centerpiece, Valley Forge National Historic Park. Located off of Route 23, the park's 3600 acres memorialize one of the great struggles of the American Revolution. General George Washington brought the 12,000-strong Continental Army to Valley Forge for the 1777-1778 winter.

While no major battle was fought over the following few months, over two thousand American soldiers died from hunger, disease and exposure. The survivors would later emerge from Valley Forge and play a pivotal role in the formation of the United States of America.

The park is large enough that a car is recommended to explore it fully, but much of the path that follows the driving tour could be walked given a few hours. Bus tours of the park are offered daily between June and August, or weekends in September, October and May. Along the park drive are historical sites such as Washington's headquarters restored to the condition in which the general himself would have been accustomed to, as well as memorials and recreations of winter encampments.

The recently remodeled welcome center is located just off of Route 23 as you enter the park. Inside are displays of period artifacts, as well as storyboards depicting the struggle for independence in 18th Century America. Naturally beautiful, the park's rolling hills are dotted with thick stands of trees and open meadows.

For the 225th Anniversary of the Struggle for Philadelphia, 1777-1778, more than sixty events have been scheduled over the next two years. Daily ongoing events at Valley Forge National Park range from displays of artifacts from the late 18th Century to musket firing demonstrations. Also scheduled for the area are reenactments of historical events such as Washington's crossing of the Delaware River and the siege of Fort Mifflin in an on-going event called "Patriots or Traitors?"

For further immersion into the Revolutionary War era, be sure to pay a visit further west to Chester Springs, home to the 18th & 19th Century village of Historic Yellow Springs. Open daily, tours of the village can be prearranged. The town gained its namesake from the mineral water spa dating back to the 18th Century.

While much of Pennsylvania experienced a substantial economic boom during the Industrial Revolution due to iron and anthracite production, Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site in Elverson precursed the boom. Open daily, a visit to Hopewell Furnace will give you a taste of life on an 18th Century "iron plantation."

The site of so many monumental events in American History, Valley Forge was also home to great historical figures, many of whose houses still stand and are open to the public. South of Valley Forge Park in Paoli, join a tour of Historic Waynesborough. Once the home of the Revolutionary War General "Mad" Anthony Wayne, visitors are now provided with a snapshot of his life through tours of the 18th Century mansion.

Brandywine Battlefield Park, in Chadds Ford, was the scene of a surprise attack by the British in mid-September of 1777. In addition to a museum, visit the Benjamin Ring House, headquarters of General Washington during the battle, and the Gideon Gilpin House, which housed the French Patriot, the Marquis de Lafayette. Both stone buildings are preserved to look as they did in the late 18th Century and offer a peak into the life of rural Pennsylvania during the era.

A bit further North and East in Birdsboro, be sure to stop into the Daniel Boone Homestead. Constructed in 1734, the grounds contain not only the Boone residence, but also a blacksmith shop, log house, and saw mill as well as a visitor's center and hiking trails.

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CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS:

Once you've had your fill of historic sites and museums, plan on visiting one of the area art galleries. Three notables include the must-see Wharton Esherik Studio in Malvern, The Barnes Foundation in Merion Station and Chadds Ford's Brandywine River Museum. Perched atop Valley Forge Mountain, the Esherick Studio houses a collection of woodworking and sculptures. Tours of the studio (a work of art itself) must be arranged in advance. Residing in a converted 19th Century gristmill, the Brandywine River Museum displays works by three generations of Wyeths, as well as other notable American artists.

Malvern's Gallery at Cedar Hollow, has an antique shop on the premises, but also displays original works by local and national artists.

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SHOPPING:

Perhaps the only attraction more plentiful than historic sites is the concentration of shopping villages and malls within a half hour drive of Valley Forge Nation Park. Shopping opportunities range from the nation's largest retail shopping mall to quaint village streets lined with shops. Consequently, the opportunities to drop your plastic are endless.

Any visit to the area has to begin at The Plaza & The Court at King of Prussia Mall. The largest in the country, the King of Prussia Mall is home to over four hundred stores and restaurants, including eight major department stores. Kids will enjoy the Build-a-Bear Workshop store.

Had your mall fix? Head to Skippack Village, just north of Valley Forge, and stroll the streets of the 18th Century village. The village is home to over fifty restaurants and shops. But remember, no matter where you are in the Valley Forge area, the history is rich. General George Washington and the Continental Army camped at Skippack Village before continuing on to Valley Forge in 1777-1778.

Not surprisingly for an area so steeped in history, Valley Forge is an antique hunter's paradise. With thirty thousand square feet of antiques and collectibles under one roof, the Kulpsville Antique & Flea Market should be your first stop. The antique center is located in Kulpsville, fifteen minutes north by car from the VF Park.

For a more organic shopping experience try Merrymead Farm in nearby Lansdale. One of Pennsylvaniaís "Century Farms," Merrymead Farm has been owned and operated by the same family for over one hundred years. Today, the farm offers seasonal activities such as hayrides and a cornfield maze. Merrymead also offers in-season produce for sale, as well as a dairy store with over thirty different flavors of homemade ice cream.

At home shoppers will enjoy touring the QVC Studios in nearby West Chester.

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SCENIC ATTRACTIONS:

Valley Forge is chock full of arboretums for the avid birder. Just north of Valley Forge National Park is the Mill Grove Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary, the first American home of naturalist John James Audubon, and a birder's mecca. Built in 1762, Mill Grove contains a collection of Audubonís works that have been made viewable to the public. Fittingly, the 175-acre sanctuary surrounding Mill Grove is home to a number of species of birds.

Striking out and enjoying the fresh air while in Valley Forge can be as laid back as a visit to a farm stand or as active as powering a mountain bike on a wooded trail. Philadelphia, Valley Forge and the surrounding counties have really made a concerted effort to make the region bike-friendly. Valley Forge National Park itself has six miles of multi-use trails and ten miles of horseback riding trails. Upon entering the parking lot, you'll quickly notice the other outdoor enthusiasts gearing up for a run or bike ride through the park's rolling hills.

Other parks in the area include Evansburg State Park and the Upper Schuylkill Valley Park. At the Upper Schuylkill Valley Park in the town of Upper Providence, stop off at the wilderness center before viewing the fifteen acres set aside for indigenous wildlife. Cast a line into Skippack creek at Evansburg State Park in Collegeville or strike out on the five miles of mountain biking trails.

The Schuylkill River Trail begins in Center City, Philadelphia and runs out through Valley Forge National Park. The future should bring an extension of the trail along the entire 120-mile length of the Schuylkill River. The trails current path travels close to SEPTA Regional Rail Service and Bus Lines.

What better way to see all that Valley Forge has to offer than from a hot air balloon? The United States Hot Air Balloon Team can take you on a hot air balloon ride for as little as $169 per person!

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WAYNE:
The Wyndam Suites Valley Forge Hotel (left) is convenient to all attractions and offers some great shopping packages to the King of Prussia Mall throughout the year.

The Wayne Hotel provides convenient access to the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Center City Philadelphia and the Philadelphia International Airport. Originally built in 1906 and called the Waynewood, the Wayne Hotel has now been restored to its former prominence to fit the needs of both local business and community residents.

CHADDS FORD: An historically prominent Bed & Breakfast in the heart of the Brandywine Valley offering exceptional accommodations, The Pennsbury Inn is situated on eight acres of sculptured grounds bordered by woodland trails.

LAFAYETTE HILL: Lafayette's Retreat at General Lafayette Inn & Brewery in Lafayette Hill is as convenient to the shopping in Chestnut Hill as the historic haunts in Valley Forge. The inn was built in 1732 and has been operated as a restaurant and guesthouse ever since. The Victorian-style bed & breakfast is situated behind the restaurant in a secluded stand of oak trees and offers five rooms with private baths.

EXTON: The Inn at Chester Springs is a full service hotel with 216 elegant guest rooms and over 9,000 square feet of flexible meeting space.

NORTH WALES: Situated on twelve quiet acres in North Wales is The Joseph Ambler Inn. Originally constructed in 1732, the inn was slowly added to over the next two centuries. Today there are thirty guestrooms, each adorned with period antiques.

RADNOR: The Radnor Hotel is an elegant full service hotel conveniently located in the heart of Philadelphia's stylish Main Line neighborhood, easily accessible from major transportation routes the Pennsylvania Turnpike, the Schuylkill Expressway and I-95.

Other noteworthy choices include the Best Western in Concordville the Morning Star Bed & Breakfast in Phoenixville, the John Kindig House Bed & Breakfast in Hatfield, and The Mendenhall Inn in Mendenhall.

For the largest concentration of hotels and motels in the area, head to King of Prussia. The Best Western, Comfort Inn, Hilton and Sheraton all offer spacious rooms and modern amenities.

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The inns and restaurants of the Valley Forge region have been sending travelers home satisfied for almost three centuries. For a slice of Americana, try Dick Clark's American Bandstand Grill in King of Prussia, PA. Featuring music and memorabilia from the last five decades, the grill serves an American menu in a casual atmosphere.

Culture is alive in Valley Forge! Grab a show at the Radisson's Lily Langtry Theatre in King of Prussia or at one of the many dinner theatres in the area.

There are several breweries in the area. If you're fortunate enough to be staying at the General Lafeyette Inn & Brewery you won't have to travel far to sample the tasty micros brewed on the premises. A more unique old-world atmosphere than this 18th Century Inn and restaurant in Lafayette Hill would be hard to find.

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CAR:

I-95S to PA Turnpike West (I-276W).
Travel Time: Approximately 2.5 - 3 hours.

BUS:

Take Greyhound Bus Lines from Port Authority in NYC to King of Prussia, PA.
Travel time: 3.5-4 hours from Port Authority. Buses stop in Philadelphia. Some buses just make a stop there, some off-peak buses may need to transfer at Philadelphia. Check schedule at 1-800-229-9424.

Take a SEPTA Bus Route 125 From Center City Philadelphia with stops at The Plaza at King of Prussia, the Sheraton Valley Forge Hotel, Valley Forge National Historical Park (Park on weekdays only). Call 215-580-7800 for schedule.

TRAIN:

Take Amtrak to Philadelphia, 30th St. Station. Call 800-USA-RAIL. Then transfer to SEPTA Regional Line for local service to Valley Forge area. Call 215-580-7800 for schedule. Travel Time: Approximately 2.5-3 hours.

LOCAL TAXI: Norristown and King of Prussia area: Norristown Taxi 610-275-9700.

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Make your first stop Valley Forge National Historic Park. Not only is it an incredible destination in and of itself, helpful tour books and maps can be picked up in the welcome center that will guide you through your stay.

http://www.valleyforge.org - Visitor's Bureau
http://www.patriotsortraitors.com

For a detailed map of the Valley Forge area, please click here.