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BRANDYWINE/VALLEY FORGE – great access, great history, great culture and the three stooges as well
randywine and Valley Forge, Pennsylvania—the Countryside of Philadelphia—embraces visitors year-round with an ever-changing array of music, painting, sculpture, dance, theater, exhibitions, shopping and sport. Its treasures unfold against the backdrop of the history that defined a nation and set the course for its people. But be prepared: A visit here isn’t just strolling by glass cases, gazing at artifacts. It’s watching your kids “join” the Continental Army and receive their marching orders; caressing your taste buds with the tangy bite of a local wine; fistpumping to celebrate conquering a rock wall; gazing wistfully at an artistic masterpiece; tapping your toe to music that ranges from funk to folk; and strapping on skis for a downhill or cross-country schuss. The tempo here can rev up to the dizzying whirl of a roulette wheel. Or it can ease to the pace of a leisurely stroll along a tree-lined walking path that winds along a
gurgling stream. Best of all, thanks to an extensive highway system, a world-class airport and numerous rail options, access is easy and convenient. And our array of hotels can either swath you in luxury or wrap you in homey comfort. Both Brandywine and Valley Forge played noteworthy roles in the Revolutionary War: We have museums to appeal to all tastes, from high art to lowbrow comedy. The Brandywine River Museum displays an unparalleled collection of illustrations, still-lifes and landscapes by three generations of the Wyeth family. The Wharton Esherick Museum celebrates the “Dean of American Craftsman” and his unique and fanciful woodcarvings. The John James Audubon Center contains a copy of his Birds of America, printed and hand colored from copper plate engravings. At the other end of the spectrum, The Stoogeum stands as tribute
to the comic artistry of The Three Stooges. Inside, a steady stream of their shorts plays out in an 85-seat theater, where visitors are free to sit back and giggle after viewing some 3,000 pieces of Stooge memorabilia. Outdoors, Brandywine and Valley Forge offer vistas that change character and detail with the passing of each season. The splendor on display puts the “great” in the term “great outdoors.” Sports-minded vacationers can take advantage of miles of trails for biking, hiking, jogging, and horseback riding. Golf, bowling, boating, skiing, ice skating and snowmobiling are abundant, and thrill-seekers can go zip-lining, rock climbing or mountain-biking. The world-renowned Longwood Gardens combines the best of Italian, French, and English traditions. New for 2013 are ongoing opportunities to enable visitors to “Go behind the Garden Gates” and witness the background operations of the garden. If you’d rather hunt bargains than
daffodils, King of Prussia Mall—the largest retail complex on the U.S. East Coast—features over 400 stores Nearby Philadelphia Premium Outlets additionally offers 150 name brand outlet stores offering 25–65 percent savings every day. The QVC Studio Tour allows you to experience a live television broadcast, where you can see for yourself how products are brought to life on air and delivered to millions of customers. Afterward, the studio store is available for shopping. Tempting palates is something at which Brandywine and Valley Forge excel. A crew of expert chefs can satisfy every craving, whether you’re in search of haute cuisine or hot dogs. Brandywine offers a renowned wine tasting tour of eight wineries, where you’ll experience beautiful estate vineyards in the rolling hills, charming tasting rooms and barrelaging cellars filled with premium wines that showcase a unique goût de terroir. The Countryside of Philadelphia: Everything & More!