The Ultimate Non-Touristy Guide to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Time for a little geography lesson. You’ve probably heard of Philadelphia, but it’s time we introduce you to its neighbors. Covering an area to the north and west of the city is Montgomery County, home to the Valley Forge region. Home to Valley Forge National Historical Park—where the Continental Army hunkered down during the winter of 1777-78—the area is more than just commemorating the Revolutionary War.

Dozens of cute downtown areas in Ambler, Ardmore, Jenkintown, Lansdale, Skippack, and more are perfect for dining and shopping. Plus, one of the country’s most legendary malls—King of Prussia Mall—awaits for all your designer (and not-quite-designer) digs. Whether you’re visiting Philly and want a break from the city or you’re beelining right to the ‘burbs, here’s all the essential things to do in Valley Forge.

A former early 1900s cigar factory is now a gallery for fine art and craft at reasonable prices. Whether you’re in the market for an oil landscape painting or want a unique stoneware bowl, you’ll find your next conversation piece here.

If the name doesn’t entice you enough already, Sexy Fries are perfectly crispy fries topped with fresh herbs, parmesan, hollandaise, and truffle oil. It’s the gastropub’s version of poutine meets fries Benedict. Sexy indeed.

Norristown native Charles L. Blockson was the curator behind one of the country’s most prestigious collections of African American artifacts. This exhibit showcases his work documenting the Black experience through rare books, periodicals, letters, photographs, artifacts, and memorabilia.

Here’s a little US history refresher: George Washington and the Continental Army spent a winter on the very grounds at Valley Forge National Historical Park. You can take a peek inside the very rooms where the country’s first president did his thing when he was still a general, plus reconstructed log huts where the soldiers shacked up.

The Pottstown location of Manatawny Still Works is as authentic as they come with spirit stills, a production center, and a barrel warehouse, in addition to the tasting room. (You can even get a guided tour on weekends.) The cocktail menu is always changing with the seasons, but you can count on classics like espresso martini, a gimlet, old fashioned, and whiskey flights.

Not only has this nursery been in business for decades, but Ott’s Exotic Plants has a wide assortment of plants both for beginner plant parents and expert gardeners alike. Outside the store is a blooming hillside of colorful mums, complete with a staircase so visitors can get a bird’s eye view.

This collectively farmer-owned restaurant has a variation on the classic chicken and waffle: Trade in the waffle for a glazed donut and see how the other half lives. The dish also comes with gravy, mac and cheese, and green beans.

If you’re a fan of niche museums and slapstick comedy, The Stoogeum is for you. This small but mighty museum houses 100,000 pieces of Stoogeabilia dating back to 1918, like movie posters, costumes, rare candid photos, and even Larry Fine’s driver’s license.

The third-largest mall in the country just happens to reside in humble Valley Forge. With over 400 stores, you can shop for everything from high-end designers like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Versace to more down-to-earth brands like Everlane, Savage x Fenty, and Uniqlo.

Stocking everything from fantasy and kids' books to reference books and works on Black history and culture, The Black Reserve Bookstore is a one-stop shop for all things literature. In addition to books, they stock stationery, clothing, and more.

With two locations in Valley Forge—Collegeville and Conshohocken—you’ve got double the opportunity to sink your teeth into Corropolese’s famous tomato pie. The square sheet pan pizza with tomato sauce and sprinkled romano cheese comes in many varieties including the classic red, sweet pepper, veggie, pepperoni, cheese, and more.

This former tire factory is packed to the brim with stuff from America’s history—namely wacky stuff. From dance organs and classic cars to circus clown dolls and carnival memorabilia, the American Treasure Tour is a feast for the eyes.

Even if you’re a novice rider, you can cosplay as a cowboy during the horseback rides offered at Red Buffalo Ranch. The guided trail rides last anywhere from an hour to two hours and wind through the landscape of Evansburg State Park. Rides are available by reservation only, FYI.

This authentic Caribbean BYOB showcases homemade recipes for popular dishes like curry chicken, braised turkey, and quinoa and avocado hot pot. You’ll find classics like jerk chicken and oxtail stew here, too.

You can’t miss the pink and white exterior of Elkins Park-based The Cheesecake Lady, where mini and full-size cheesecakes are for sale until sell-out. (And sell out they do.) Though The Cheesecake Lady offers cakes in dozens of flavors (like red velvet, Snickers, and vanilla coconut), among the most requested is strawberry crunch. The four-inch mini cheesecake is the perfect size for a little taste.

This indie comedy theater stages improv, standup, and variety shows—all BYOB-friendly. Between regular shows like Breeders (improv about parenting) and one-night-only affairs, here’s where you can get some giggles in many different formats.
 

Lace up your hiking boots and grab a pair of binoculars: It’s time to go birding. Spread over 200 acres of land, this nature preserve boasts five miles of mostly flat trails and over 175 species of feathered friends.

With over 850 slot machines, table games, and sports betting, Valley Forge Casino Resort is where you can get a taste of Atlantic City on this side of the Delaware River. The resort has several bars and restaurants, like Revolution Chophouse, a performance venue, and an outdoor pool. It’s also a hotel, so you can have a sleepover, too.

Short for “caffeine,” ‘feine is a Conshohocken coffee shop with a special blue latte made with jasmine green tea, butterfly pea flower powder, and honey. Grab a scone, bagel, or other pastry to complete the treat.

Keep the kids busy at this indoor LEGO playground, where they can build their own LEGO race cars and ultra-high towers, peek at a LEGO model of Philadelphia, and play in a LEGO-themed pirate ship. With over a dozen hands-on exhibits, there’s plenty to keep young tinkerers’ attention.

Ardmore’s outdoor shopping promenade is home to both local boutiques and national retailers like Endeavor Athletic and Sephora, respectively. Plus, a daily farmer’s market. If all that shopping makes you hungry, stop into Dan Dan, HipCityVeg, or Lola’s Garden to satisfy your hunger.

You don’t need to have any experience with golf to enjoy the good vibes at Topgolf. The gamified driving range invites guests to aim at huge colorful targets while you grub on nachos and flatbreads and sip on spiked lemonade and beer from the kitchen and bar.

A mansion with castle aesthetics? In Pennsylvania? You bet. What was once the home of wealthy businessman Raymond Pitcairn, his wife Mildred, and their children, is now a museum of religious art. The collection includes Egyptian, ancient Greek and Roman, medieval Christian, Islamic, Asian, and American Indian pieces all on display within stately rooms.

“Work hard. Drink local” is the name of the game at Workhorse Brewing Company, a King of Prussia-based brewery. They specialize in New England IPA, West Coast IPA, Golden Lager, and Queen of Prussia Session IPA, but also serve up a mean sour. Grab a flight to taste a bunch or go all in on a pint.

With over 100 cheeses in stock, you’ll have no trouble at all finding the cheese of your dreams at The Grand Fromage. The master mongers will even help you assemble your own cheese plate based on your tastes. Charcuterie, mustards, preserves, crackers, olive oils, honey, and chocolate are also for sale to round out your epic spread.

iFly offers the experience of skydiving without ever needing to get more than a few feet off the ground. Strap into a flight suit and helmet, step into the wind tunnel, and get blasted in the face with air so strong you’ll float in the air.

This small-batch winery handles every aspect of the winemaking process at their Hatboro facility. Each wine is named after a special person in owner Shakia Williams’ life, like the pink Moscato rosé named Jada and Evelena Riesling. The winery offers tastings, full pours, and bottle purchases.

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