Things to do in Valley Forge

The last SAGA Retreat in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania will soon be here and if while you are there you want to do something other than stitch, then the following will be of interest. There are many places from shopping malls to historical areas and local neighbourhoods and city centres to explore. It might be an idea to stay a little longer as the area is especially pretty and colourful in the autumn.

King of Prussia Mall (http://www.simon.com/mall/king-of-prussia)

The hotel is located just down the road from the largest mall in the United States, The King of Prussia Mall. You can shop in over 400 American and European retailers including Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s and Lord & Taylor, along with a collection of luxury shops. The mall is only a short distance away and is easily accessible from the hotel. Enjoy a nice walk or take the hotel courtesy shuttle directly to the mall complex. Details on the shuttle service are available at the hotel front desk.

Mall Hours: Monday to Saturday: 10am – 9pm, Sunday: 11am – 6pm

Premium Outlets (http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet)

Just 18 miles from the hotel are the Philadelphia outlets, so if you have access to a car an easy drive. The outlets are located in Limerick, Pennsylvania and has 150 outlet stores, including names like, Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, J.Crew, Nike, Ann Taylor, Calvin Klein, Coach, Last Call by Neiman Marcus, Sony, Tommy Hilfiger and more.

Philadelphia Premium Outlets Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 10am – 9pm, Sunday: 10am – 7pm

Valley Forge Historic National Park (http://www.nps.gov/vafo/index.htm)

Nearby Valley Forge Historic National Park is a great destination for history buffs and nature enthusiasts alike. Valley Forge National Historical Park is known for its role in the American Revolution. The park pays tribute to the ability of Americans to pull together and overcome adversity during extraordinary times. The Valley Forge National Historical Park is accessible in many ways. Formal tours are available by a themed trolley, bicycle or by foot. It is open from dawn to dusk year-round, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. The Visitor Center and other park buildings are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The City of Philadephia (http://www.visitphilly.com/)

Of course there is always the city of Philly to visit too! There are so many things to do that it is easier to visit their website to find out more, but of course some of the most popular are:

Reading Terminal Market- Established in 1892 at 12^th and Arch Streets, it is the nations oldest continuously operating farmer’s market. A food lovers paradise, it is the place to shop for all local produce such as meats, cheeses and desserts.

The Liberty Bell Center-where you can learn everything about the Bell from fact to fiction! Do you know where the Bell was made?*

Philadelphia Museum of Art- the third largest art museum in the country.

Independence Hall-In the summer of 1776, 56 men gathered and defied the King of England. Eleven years later, representatives from 12 states gathered to shape the U.S. Constitution, creating one unified nation.

The Betsy Ross House- Of course you should visit the home of the lady who stitched the first Stars and Stripes flag! The home is also a museum alive with the sights and sounds of the 18^th century.

You can also visit the local countryside and this link will take you to the website for the area:

http://www.visitphilly.com/counties/montgomery/

*Cast at London’s Whitechapel Bell Foundry, the bell arrived in Philadelphia in August 1752. Because the metal was too brittle, it cracked during a test strike and had to be recast twice. The final version—made of 70 percent copper, 25 percent tin and small amounts of lead, zinc, arsenic, gold and silver—weighed around 2,080 pounds and measured 12 feet in circumference around the lip and 3 feet from lip to crown. No one really knows when the final version cracked but there are many theories!

Editors Note:

Some of the photos used in this blog were from the Visit Philadelphia website, Press pages.