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Montgomery County
Valley Forge – Where History Lives!
Valley Forge: Visits for Many Reasons
Just half an hour from Center City Philadelphia, the Valley Forge area offers convenience, affordability and easy access to city and countryside.
History Buffs Make Valley Forge Their Headquarters
At the 3,600-acre Valley Forge National Historical Park, Revolutionary War cannon, soldiers’ huts, Washington’s Headquarters, defensive redoubts engineered by French military experts and displays of weaponry and medical equipment offer a clear view of the determination our forefathers had. Battle reenactments take place at historic sites throughout the surrounding countryside each year, and demonstrations of domestic chores, from spinning and weaving to bread-making, bring more than 30 historic homes to life.
African-American Freedom Trail Tours Are Great For the Whole Family
Guided group tours take visitors back in time to the American Revolution, when more than 5,000 patriots of African Descent served in the Continental Army under Gen. George Washington. Discover the untold stories of those who struggled for freedom, from the Revolution through Abolition, the Underground Railroad and the Civil War.
Gardeners Find Inspiration Here
There are more gardens and arboreta here than anywhere else in North America. They include the nation’s oldest living botanical garden, a 92-acre pleasure garden, rose gardens, a swan pond and the nation’s only surviving glass-enclosed Victorian fernery, Japanese gardens, arboretums, champion trees, native wildflowers and woodlands. It all adds up to a paradise for gardening enthusiasts and nature lovers.
For Art Lovers, This Area is a Treasure Trove
One of the world’s largest and most impressive collections of Impressionist and post-Impressionist art is on display at The Barnes Foundation. Albert C. Barnes, a multi-millionaire pharmaceutical inventor and manufacturer, amassed the collection of more than 2,500 art objects including 180 paintings by Renoir, 69 by Cezanne and 60 by Matisse, along with others by Picasso, Seurat, Modigliani and Monet. The Barnes Foundation also houses a collection of African art and Native American Jewelry. Located in a wealthy Main Line neighborhood, the Barnes Foundation operates under restricted visiting hours and admissions policies, so planning ahead is essential; an advance reservation system is in place.
John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove was the first home in America of renowned wildlife artist John James Audubon, whose work inspired the conservation movement that bears his name. Visitors to the house can see where he lived, a priceless collection of his original works, and the landscape that inspired him. Wander through the 175-acre wildlife sanctuary on your own, or take one of the many guided nature walks.
At galleries and art centers throughout the region, visitors can see ever-changing displays of work, take classes and experience the region’s vibrant art scene.
Seniors Love the Valley Forge Area
More gardens and arboreta than anywhere else in North America – Revolutionary War history – decorative arts and antiques – restored mansions – and shopping, shopping, shopping! This is why seniors love vacationing in the Valley Forge area. The Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau has also created new “Grandparents/Grandkids” tours, too.
Kids Have Fun While Learning
Colonial crafts, musket firing, farm life and nature walks put fun into a learning vacation in the Valley Forge area. Families can plan a vacation around a special event, like a living history demonstration – or choose one of the itineraries from “Getaway Guide to the Valley Forge Countryside,” a free booklet that offers both historical information and driving directions for more than 20 different one-day trips. African-American Heritage, the American Revolution and Family Fun are a few of the topics. Call 1-866-VF-VISIT to receive a free booklet and Visitors Guide.
Shop, Shop, Shop!
King of Prussia Mall is the largest retail mall on the East Coast, with some 365 stores, eight major department stores and 40 restaurants. But there are three other major malls, quaint shopping villages and chic suburban communities where visitors can find one-of-a-kind gifts and hand-crafted treasures to take home. Finally, the Philadelphia Premium Outlets feature more than 120 stores offering impressive savings.
Plan Your Getaway Now
For vacation planning, the Valley Forge Visitors Guide & Calendar of Events is an invaluable tool. It lists 148 attractions, museums, gardens and historic sites, as well as 50 shopping locations, from outlets to quaint shopping villages to King of Prussia Mall, one of the nation’s largest! Also included is a six-month calendar, listing more than 250 events, festivals and performances. Available free by calling toll-free: 1.888.Visit VF; or visit our web site at www.valleyforge.org.
BASIC FACTS
TRANSPORTATION: Valley Forge is just a 25-minute drive west of downtown Philadelphia, and is easily accessible by air, rail, bus and auto.
By Air: The Valley Forge area is served by all major airlines via the Philadelphia International Airport, 30-minutes from Valley Forge. Hourly limousine service is available from the airport to most Valley Forge area hotels, and all major car rental agencies are available. Airport limousine service to King of Prussia/Valley Forge is $20 per person and up, each way. Service to Fort Washington is $20. Helicopter service is also available from Philadelphia's airport to King of Prussia.
By Auto/Motorcoach: The Valley Forge is at the crossroads of five major highways. It spans Exits 326 to 343 of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. From Harrisburg/Pittsburgh and west or from New York/Northern New Jersey and east take the turnpike. From Allentown/Wilkes Barre/Scranton and north, take I-476 (the Northeast extension of the turnpike). From Philadelphia/Atlantic City and southern New Jersey, take I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway). From Wilmington/Baltimore/Washington and points south, take I-95 to I-476 to I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway) or I-276 (Turnpike).
By Train: AMTRAK provides frequent service from New York, Washington, DC, and other major cities throughout the U.S. to Philadelphia. AMTRAK puts Philadelphia's 30th Street Station just one hour and 10 minutes from Manhattan and only one hour and 40 minutes from Washington, DC.
Auto Rentals and Taxi service are available from 30th Street station to King of Prussia. The region’s Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) provides regular bus service (Route 124 and 125) from Philadelphia to King of Prussia hotels. Its regional high-speed railroad serves the area via the R-5 and R-6 lines to the Western and Northern suburbs, and R-1, R-2 and R-8 lines to the North/Northeast, with trains from Philadelphia's 30th Street, Market Street and Suburban stations.
After touring Valley Forge, it's a quick drive to Philadelphia, Reading or the Brandywine Valley. And the Pennsylvania Dutch Country and Bucks County are less than an hour away.
AVERAGE TEMPERATURE: (in degrees Fahrenheit)
Spring: 43 - 74
Summer: 65 - 88
Fall: 37 - 68
Winter: 20 - 49
DISTANCE TO VALLEY FORGE: (in miles)
Boston, MA 320 Annapolis, MD 125
Lancaster, PA 55 Atlantic City, NJ 77
Baltimore, MD 105 New York, NY 100
Philadelphia, PA 18 Pittsburgh, PA 290
Reading, PA 50 Gettysburg, PA 105
Harrisburg, PA 105 Hartford, CT 225
Washington, DC 140 Williamsburg,VA 300
MEETING/CONVENTION FACILITIES: Choose among more than 60 hotels, inns and extended stay properties, including 14 full-service convention hotels and eight accredited conference centers.
The Valley Forge Convention Center offers 108,000 square feet of fully sub-dividable space, adjoined by two full-service hotels with 488 guest rooms, a nightclub and three restaurants.
The area’s eight IACC-accredited conference centers are: Desmond Great Valley Hotel & Conference Center; Ace Center; The Sheraton Park Ridge Hotel and Conference Center, the Villanova Conference Center; Valley Forge Scanticon Hotel and Conference Center; and the Liberty Conference Center at the new Crowne Plaza at Valley Forge.
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