{"id":136,"date":"2013-03-11T17:10:05","date_gmt":"2013-03-11T21:10:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.greatvalleyhouse.com\/WP\/?page_id=136"},"modified":"2017-07-11T16:51:16","modified_gmt":"2017-07-11T20:51:16","slug":"things-to-do","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.greatvalleyhouse.com\/?page_id=136","title":{"rendered":"Area Activities"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><em>Looking for some ideas of things to do while visiting the area?<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Great Valley House is only about 10-minute drive from Valley Forge National Historic Park and about 30 min. drive to either Philadelphia&#8217;s Historic District or to the Brandywine area of Chester County, including the Brandywine River Museum or Longwood Gardens. \u00a0There is something of interest for every taste in this historic and picturesque area. In addition to the 4 acres of property with the Great Valley House, the inn is directly adjacent to 20 acres of protected open space with walking trails open to the public. \u00a0The beautiful inground swimming pool is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day which guests are invited to enjoy.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Here are some ideas and online links of activities to see and do in the immediate area:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ushistory.org\/valleyforge\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Historic Valley Forge National Park<\/a><\/b>\u00a0presented by The Valley Forge Historical Society. Provides information on the museum, the history, who served there and George Washington. If you follow the museum link from their home page, you can find a recommendation for the The Great Valley House from some nice people who have stayed here.<\/li>\n<li><b style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/encampmentstore.org\/trolleyTours.php?trolley\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">History of Valley Forge Trolley Tour<\/a><\/b><span style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u00a0The &#8220;History of Valley Forge&#8221; trolley tour highlights the key stories of General Washington and his troops during the 1777-78 Valley Forge winter encampment.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ushistory.org\/valleyforge\/youasked\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ask the Curator at Valley Forge<\/a><\/b><span style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u00a0Read scores of previously answered questions &#8212; or ask your own question about Valley Forge!. Compliments of the Curator, Valley Forge Historical Society.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"text-align: justify;\">The<\/span><b style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/valleyforge.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a0Valley Forge Convention &amp; Visitors Bureau<\/a><\/b><span style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u00a0is a great resource for information on our area. Topics include What&#8217;s New? What&#8217;s to do? Calendar of Events! How to get to Valley Forge? Where to get more information?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"text-align: justify;\">The\u00a0<\/span><b style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ushistory.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Liberty Net&#8217;s\u00a0<i>Historic Philadelphia<\/i><\/a><\/b><span style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u00a0site is a fountain of information on Philadelphia with both historic and contemporary things to do and see. See The Betsy Rose and the Historic Mile pages. There are also links to Liberty Net&#8217;s Valley Forge pages.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ushistory.org\/brandywine\/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Brandywine Battlefield Park<\/a><\/b><span style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u00a0The Brandywine Battlefield Park brings to life the largest engagement of the Revolutionary War, fought on September 11, 1777, between the Continental Army led by General George Washington and the British forces headed by General William Howe.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chestercohistorical.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chester County Historical Society<\/a><\/b><span style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u00a0Explore 300 years of Chester County history. Discover the intrigue of America&#8217;s past through the unique lens of local history.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chestercountylinks.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chester County.\u00a0<\/a><\/b><span style=\"text-align: justify;\">An index of web sites related to Chester County which is the home of all the title deeds referred to on our history page. This web site has a number of very helpful links to places of interest in our area.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Local Weather<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wunderground.com\/cgi-bin\/findweather\/getForecast?query=19355\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Weather Underground<\/a><\/b>\u00a0the current local weather forecast.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Cultural Activities<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.longwoodgardens.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Longwood Gardens<\/a><\/b>\u00a0The world&#8217;s premier horticultural display garden. Longwood offers 1,050 acres of gardens, woodlands, and meadows; 20 outdoor gardens; 20 indoor gardens within 4 acres of heated greenhouses; 11,000 different types of plants and spectacular fountains.\u00a0Kennett Square, PA &#8211; 610-388-1000<\/li>\n<li><b style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.winterthur.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Winterthur Museum<\/a><\/b><span style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u00a0World&#8217;s premier collection of American decorative arts 1640-1860, showcased in Period Rooms and exhibition Galleries, Garden &amp; tram.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebrandywine.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Historic Brandywine Valley<\/a><\/b><span style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u00a0Come explore the historic Brandywine Valley. Discover our natural beauty, our history, our art, antiques, mansions and gardens and our unique brand of country casual hospitality. The Brandywine is nestled amidst the rolling hills of southern Chester County, PA, where the Battle of Brandywine was fought, and northern New Castle County, DE where the paper was milled for the Declaration of Independence and America&#8217;s first currency.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebrandywine.com\/attractions\/rivermus.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Brandywine Museum<\/a><\/b><span style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u00a0Three galleries in the old mill building boast original structural beams, white plaster walls, and pine floors. The fourth, the Andrew Wyeth gallery, features flexible wall partitions and a unique skylight system. All galleries open from a circular, brick-floored core &#8211; a symbolic silo for the old mill &#8211; with dramatic walls of glass, providing spectacular views of the Brandywine River and the rural landscape that inspired many of the artists represented in the museum&#8217;s carefully focused collections.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.philamuseum.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Philadelphia Museum of Art.<\/a><\/b><span style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u00a0Current exhibits, hours, admission, phone numbers and directions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mummersmuseum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mummers Museum<\/a><\/b><span style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u00a0Exhibits relating to the Philadelphia New Years Parade. The marathon parade is made up of four major divisions starting early in the morning on New Year&#8217;s Day (weather permitting) and continues until late in the evening. Thousands participate as well as view the parade and the City of Philadelphia judges the performers and issues prizes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a title=\"U Penn Museum\" href=\"https:\/\/www.penn.museum\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology<\/a>\u00a0<\/b><span style=\"text-align: justify;\">One of top ten science museums. The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, through its research, collections, and dissemination of knowledge, advances understanding of the world&#8217;s cultural heritage.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bartramsgarden.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Historic Bartram&#8217;s Garden<\/a>\u00a0<\/b><span style=\"text-align: justify;\">America&#8217;s oldest living botanical garden, a pastoral 18th century homestead surrounded by the urban bustle of Philadelphia.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sproutabl.com\/gardening\/botanical-gardens\/\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">&#8220;55 Stunning Botanical Gardens to See Before You Die&#8221;<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/a>\u00a0&#8211; If you a gardener looking for inspiration, Winston Gray of Sproutabl.com has compiled a list of very special gardens across the country. For visitors to the Great Valley House, we have a couple of gardens on the list that are close by to visit &#8211; #3 Longwood Gardens and #28 Bartram Gardens. Review the list &#8212; you may find some of these gardens in your own backyard!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Hiking &amp; Biking<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/vafo\/planyourvisit\/hikingtrails.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Valley Forge Trails<\/a><\/b>\u00a0 Valley Forge National Historical Park contains 28 miles of authorized trail that are popular for hiking, biking and horseback riding.<\/li>\n<li><b style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alltrails.com\/nearby\/us\/pennsylvania\/joseph-plumb-martin-trail\/hiking\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Best Hiking Trails Near Valley Forge<\/a><\/b><\/li>\n<li><b style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikely.com\/maps\/bike-path\/Philadelphia-to-Valley-Forge\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bike Trail between Philadelphia and Valley Forge<\/a><\/b><\/li>\n<li><strong>Bicycle Rental<\/strong>: \u00a0No need to bring your bikes, you can rent them at Valley Forge National Historical Park &#8212; <a title=\"Valley Forge Bike Rental in the park\" href=\"https:\/\/www.greatvalleyhouse.com\/?p=665\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">click here<\/a> for Great Valley House blog post with all the details.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Shopping<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kingofprussiamall.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The King of Prussia Mall.<\/a><\/b>\u00a0Welcome to what is now the world&#8217;s most complete,the world&#8217;s most enticing, the world&#8217;s most exquisite shopping experience. The Plaza &amp; The Court at King of Prussia are the 2nd largest mall in the US and only 3-1\/2 mi. from Great Valley House.<\/li>\n<li><strong style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a title=\"Premium Outlet Mall\" href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumoutlets.com\/outlets\/outlet.asp?id=75\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Philadelphia Premium Outlet Mall<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><span style=\"text-align: justify;\">150 outlet stores in Limerick, PA, 20 min. away.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitphilly.com\/shopping\/philadelphia\/franklin-mills-mall\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Franklin Mills<\/a><\/b><span style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u00a0The official landmark of the discount shopper.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vfoutlet.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">VF Factory Outlet\/VF Designers Outlet\u00a0<\/a><\/b><span style=\"text-align: justify;\">First quality trusted name brand clothing in Reading, PA.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/bestofskippack.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Skippack Village\u00a0<\/a><\/b><span style=\"text-align: justify;\">18th century street village houses, 50 shops and restaurants in Skippack, PA.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Entertainment<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vfcasino.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Valley Forge Casino<\/a><\/b>\u00a0The Valley Forge Casino Resort is the region\u2019s only full-amenity gaming resort with live table games and all the latest and greatest slot machines. A luxurious and exciting casino floor features 600 of the latest and most popular slot machines, along with 50 of the best table games, including Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Pai Gow Poker and Baccarat.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ushotairballoon.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The United States Hot Air Balloon Team\u00a0<\/a><\/b><span style=\"text-align: justify;\">Welcome To The Official Site of the US Hot Air Balloon Team.\u00a0<\/span>As a hot air balloon company unlike any other in the world, we customize balloon flights and tours in southeastern Pennsylvania, throughout the country and overseas. Couples and groups alike choose the details that make flights so memorable.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.air-ventures.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Air Ventures Hot Air Balloon Flights Inc.\u00a0<\/a><\/b><span style=\"text-align: justify;\">Offering hot air ballooning flights over beautiful Chester\u00a0County&#8230;flight certificates are available for sunrise or sunset. Enjoy a champagne toast and hors&#8217;oeuvres after viewing the earth from above.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chaddsford.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chaddsford Winery<\/a><\/b><span style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u00a0Between Longwood Gardens and Brandywine River Museum, Daily Tours, tasting and sales.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/smfhorses.com\/brochure.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Trail Horse back riding<\/a><\/b><span style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u00a0at\u00a0<\/span><a style=\"text-align: justify;\" href=\"https:\/\/smfhorses.com\/\">Sheeder Mill Farm<\/a><span style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u00a0Rides \u00bd hour and up, Trail Riding Lessons, Picnic Rides 1 \u00bd hour and up, 1 Day Travel Ride, Local Overnights (tent camping).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.phillyzoo.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Philadelphia Zoo<\/a><\/b><span style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u00a0The oldest zoo in America.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a style=\"text-align: justify;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.imax.com\/theatres\/t\/ua-king-of-prussia-stadium-16-imax\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>UA King Of Prussia Stadium 16 &amp; IMAX<\/b><\/a><span style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u00a0&#8211; 300 Goddard Blvd, King of Prussia, PA 19406 &#8211; (610)-337-0282<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Looking for some ideas of things to do while visiting the area? The Great Valley House is only about 10-minute drive from Valley Forge National Historic Park and about 30 min. drive to either Philadelphia&#8217;s Historic District or to the Brandywine area of Chester County, including the Brandywine River Museum[&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":882,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"spay_email":""},"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/P3htuf-2c","jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greatvalleyhouse.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/136"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greatvalleyhouse.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greatvalleyhouse.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatvalleyhouse.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatvalleyhouse.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=136"}],"version-history":[{"count":43,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatvalleyhouse.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/136\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":976,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatvalleyhouse.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/136\/revisions\/976"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatvalleyhouse.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/882"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greatvalleyhouse.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=136"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}