Given the opportunities to Let Freedom Reign in Valley Forge & Montgomery County, PA, Labor Day here is a prime spot for one last summer hurrah, writes Justine Garbarino for Valley Forge.

While discovering our many possibilities, be sure to share your posts, photos, tweets, and status updates by using #MakeItMontco.

Affordable Adventure Itinerary

There’s an adrenaline rush waiting for you in Montgomery County! Here’s how to plan your next adventurous escape!

DAY 1

CHECK-IN: The best place for you to rest and recharge during your stay in Montgomery County is the Sheraton Valley Forge. This full-service hotel is in a prime location to the area’s top attractions. Relax in your room, take a dip in the pool or exercise in the on-site fitness center. You can also unwind in front of their fire pit, or at grab a drink at the bar.

HEALTHY LUNCH: At True Food Kitchen, you’ll enjoy fresh and nutritious dishes with made with seasonal and healthy ingredients. Favorites include the Edamame Dumplings, Shrimp Tacos and the Korean Noodle Bowl.

ABOVE THE TREES: Feel the adrenaline rush at one of Montgomery County’s two premier adventure courses. The courses at Elmwood Park Zoo and Spring Mountain Adventures combine the thrill of zip lining with the challenge of an obstacle course for an adventure unlike any other.

DAY 2

BRUNCH ALL DAY: Dig into brunch at Brunch, a locally owned and operated café in Conshohocken serving brunch every day! Brunch’s menu consists of meals made from fresh local ingredients and includes vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Try the Garden Frittata, Spinach Avocado Toast, or the Churro French Toast.

ON THE WATER: Start your outdoor adventure on the water. At Green Lane Park, in northwestern Montgomery County, you can enjoy fishing, boating, paddle boarding or kayaking on the lake. If you’d rather spend the day on the Schuylkill River, check out Port Providence Paddle. There you can rent kayaks and canoes.

MAKE AN ESCAPE: Think fast to complete your mission at the Escape Game King of Prussia. Start by picking your theme – from a 1950’s prison to deep space – then team up to solve clever and challenging puzzles – all in under 60 minutes!

DAY 3

ATTACK THE TRAILS: Did you know Montgomery County has 96 miles of trails? Discover what makes each one unique! Go for a bike ride along the Schuylkill River Trail or see key historic sites in Valley Forge National Historical Park, as you hike along the Joseph Plumb Trail.

NEED FOR SPEED: Let loose at Speedraceway in Horsham. The high-speed indoor go-kart racing track offers an exciting, adrenaline-pumping adventure. Once you are done, check out the state-of-the-art arcade, mini golf and axe throwing.

DRINK UP: Enjoy a good meal at Iron Abbey Gastropub in Horsham.  Whether you are craving a burger, steak, seafood or salad, it will be a delicious way to end your adventure in Montco. Check out their extensive menu of beer, wine, and spirits for a fun-filled night.

Grown Up Fun for Adults
Grab that special someone or get some friends together for the ultimate 3-days in Valley Forge & Montgomery County! Check-out these ideas!

DAY 1

KICK YOUR FEET UP: Kick back and relax as you settle into your stay at the Valley Forge Casino Resort. Here you can take in a show, dine at one of their restaurants, or play casino games.

SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP:  Montgomery County is a hot spot for those who love to shop! Head out for the day and explore locally-owned boutiques, outlet stores and shopping malls.

First, check out the King of Prussia Mall – one of the most iconic malls in the country! Here, you’ll find something for every taste and budget. The mall features more than 450 stores, including Nordstrom, Macy’s Neiman Marcus, and Bloomingdale’s, plus a collection of luxury retailers you won’t find anywhere else in the region.

Then, spend some time at the Philadelphia Premium Outlets. This open-air shopping destination has 150 outlet stores from the world’s leading designers including, Tory Burch, Polo Ralph Lauren, American Eagle and Kate Spade. With savings of 25% to 65% every day – you won’t go home empty handed!

UPSCALE DINING:  Treat yourself to dinner at Eddie V’s Prime Seafood. The restaurant and lounge, which serves seafood, steaks, cocktails and more, is set in a relaxed, yet elegant atmosphere. Must-haves include the shellfish Tower, crab Fried Rice, filet mignon, and Chilean sea bass.

Other upscale favorites include, Davio’s Italian Steakhouse, Morton’s The Steakhouse, and Sullivan’s Steakhouse.

DAY 2

HIT THE LINKS: Montgomery County, Pennsylvania is home to more than 50 golf courses, including some of the most historic and top-ranked courses in the country. Make the most of your visit, and hit the green early. You can even book you tee time online before you arrive at montcogolf.com.

FARM TO TABLE: Nestled inside Normandy Farm Hotel is The Farmer’s Daughter. This farmhouse-chic restaurant creates delicious, yet innovative dishes from locally sourced ingredients. Don’t forget to check out the bar for unique cocktails and local beers, and if the weather is nice, be sure to take advantage of the great outdoor dining space.

HANDCRAFTED HERE: Montgomery County has plenty of breweries, wineries and distilleries. Sample you way through a variety of styles at Workhorse Brewing Company in King of Prussia. Or check out what’s on tap at Round Guys Brewing Company in Lansdale. Or raise a glass at Sly Fox Brewing in Pottstown. Don’t forget to download the Montco Maker’s App to win free stuff!

DAY 3

MORNING BOOST:  If you are craving breakfast, check out Founding Farmers, located in the King of Prussia Town Center. The menu features pancakes, waffles, eggs in every style, and more. There’s even special breakfast cocktails, in addition to the classics, like mimosas and bloody mary drinks. As a farmer-owned restaurant, almost all of the food is made from scratch, using high-quality ingredients from local farms.

GO BACK IN HISTORY: Spend the day exploring Valley Forge National Historical Park – the site of the winter encampment of George Washington and the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Remember to check out the Muhlenberg Brigade huts, the National Memorial Arch, Washington’s Headquarters on your tour.

ARTS & CULTURE:  Visit the 27-acre sculpture garden at the Abington Art Center in Jenkintown for some more fresh air. This place is an amazing combination of art and nature. Larger-than-life works of art are showcased in this unique open-air gallery.

Family Fun Itinerary
Get outside and explore Montgomery County with your family. The area is filled with fun ways for kids and adults to explore history, nature and more! Here’s how to do it!

Day 1

CHECK-IN: Your family will find everything they need during their stay at the Alloy King of Prussia – a DoubleTree by Hilton. Enjoy newly renovated rooms, free parking, and room service. Don’t forget to grab a warm DoubleTree cookie at check-in!

HISTORY LESSON: Spend the day exploring Valley Forge National Historical Park. Valley Forge was the site of the winter encampment of George Washington and the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.

Remember to check out the Muhlenberg Brigade huts, the National Memorial Arch, Washington’s Headquarters and the Washington Memorial Chapel. There’s plenty of self-guided experiences, including audio tours and driving tours, available.

There are more than 30 miles of trails to explore too. You can walk or hike the trails to visit historic areas in the park. Don’t forget to explore beautiful, lesser-known areas including walking trails along Valley Creek, Mount Joy and Mount Misery, and Sullivan’s Bridge.

Don’t forget to grab your FREE copy of Patriot Tales, a comic book series which tells the fictional story of children that travel back in time, where they meet George Washington and discover the area’s history.

HISTORIC EATS: Legend holds that the Black Powder Tavern served as a site for George Washington’s secret meetings during the Revolutionary War. Today, the restaurant is serving up classic American food with craft beers and cocktails.

Day 2

GO WILD: Begin your day at the Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown. It first opened in 1924, and has grown into one of the area’s most popular attractions. Visitors can see jaguars up close, hand-feed the giraffes and meet some classic barn animals.

Also at the zoo, check-out TreeTop Adventures – PA’s only ropes course with zip lines over animal exhibits! The course features over 50 challenge games and zip lining that spans up to 50 feet above the ground. Perfect for kids & adults alike!

GRAB A BITE: Time for lunch at P.J. Whelihan’s Pub in Oaks. This family-friendly sports bar has something on the menu for everyone – from buffalo wings, to salads, to burgers. There’s 30 extra-large televisions around the restaurant and 48 beers on tap, including P.J.W. Copper Lager, brewed exclusively for P.J. Whelihan’s by Victory Brewing Company.

Day 3

QUICK BITE: Grab a sweet treat for breakfast at Duck Donuts in King of Prussia. The donuts are made-to-order, and you can top and drizzle anyway you want. There’s an endless amount of toppings to try, but if you need a place to start, try one of the fan favorites, like chocolate caramel crunch or blueberry lemonade.

GET SOME AIR: Experience indoor skydiving at iFly. There’s no parachute and no jumping – just the experience of feeling a freefall as you float on a smooth cushion of air! Both kids and parents can take flight together.

EXPLORE YOUR CREATIVITY: LEGOLAND® Discovery Center is the ultimate indoor play experience. Checkout MINILAND®, which features local landmarks made from over a million LEGO bricks. Then enjoy a fun and exciting LEGO themed ride, followed by a LEGO movie in the 4D Cinema. Kids can get hands-on with the thousands of LEGO bricks in themed build-and-play areas.