King of Prussia Trip Overview
Welcome to Valley Forge National Military Park, a historic American Revolution site! In the icy December of 1777, General George Washington camped the Continental Army here to wait out the long winter. The following six months tested the mettle and resilience of his ragtag fighting force and served as a critical turning point in the Revolutionary War. Explore the rich backstory of this historic Revolutionary America site with this self-guided tour.
Here’s how it works: Within 30 min, we’ll send you two things: a unique password and the Action Tour Guide app. Download the Action Tour Guide onto your phone and enter the password. Then download the tour inside. When you arrive, go to the Valley Forge Visitor Center to start the tour. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
THIS ISN’T AN ENTRANCE TICKET. CHECK COVID RULES AND OPENING HOURS BEFORE YOUR VISIT.
NO EXPIRATION — THE TOUR IS AVAILABLE FROM THE MINUTE YOU BOOK UNTIL FOREVER!
Additional Info
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
Starts: King of Prussia, United States
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore King of Prussia Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, United States
Welcome to Valley Forge National Military Park, a historic American Revolution site! In the icy December of 1777, General George Washington camped the Continental Army here to wait out the long winter. The following six months tested the mettle and resilience of his ragtag fighting force and served as a critical turning point in the Revolutionary War. Explore the rich backstory of this historic Revolutionary America site with this self-guided tour.
Here’s how it works: Within 30 min, we’ll send you two things: a unique password and the Action Tour Guide app. Download the Action Tour Guide onto your phone and enter the password. Then download the tour inside. When you arrive, go to the Valley Forge Visitor Center to start the tour. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
THIS ISN’T AN ENTRANCE TICKET. CHECK COVID RULES AND OPENING HOURS BEFORE YOUR VISIT.
NO EXPIRATION — THE TOUR IS AVAILABLE FROM THE MINUTE YOU BOOK UNTIL FOREVER!
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Visitor Center At Valley Forge, 1400 N Outer Line Dr, King of Prussia, PA 19406, USA
Welcome to Valley Forge, where George Washington and his Continental Army faced one of their greatest ever challenges. When he arrived here in December of 1777 and hunkered down for a long, cold winter, Washington knew his army may not survive to see the spring. It stands today as a testament to the strength and resilience of the rebel forces.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Muhlenberg Brigade, Wayne, PA 19087, USA
Next, you’ll arrive at the site of the Muhlenberg Brigade, where you’ll hear about “Devil Pete” Muhlenberg, a former reverend who set aside the good book to pick up a rifle during the revolution.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Maine Memorial, Joseph Plumb Martin Trail, Wayne, PA 19087, USA
After that is the Maine Memorial, honoring the soldiers from Maine and emphasizing how tenuous the connections were between men from the different colonies during this time.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: National Memorial Arch, Valley Forge, PA
Then you’ll arrive at the National Memorial Arch, perhaps Valley Forge’s most notable monument. This impressive arch honors the entire continental army who wintered here, both those who survived and those who didn’t.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: General Wayne Statue, 408 Guthrie Rd, Wayne, PA 19087, USA
The next monument, a statue of General Wayne, is dedicated to another of Washington’s fiercest fighters. Wayne didn’t earn the nickname “Mad Anthony” for nothing!
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Knox’s Quarters Parking, Wayne, PA 19087, USA
Next, you’ll visit Henry Knox’s quarters, where the self-taught artilleryman turned general served as an important voice of reason during the long winter months.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Delaware Memorial, Parking lot, King of Prussia, PA 19406, USA
Continuing on, you’ll come to the Delaware Memorial and learn about how the situation at Valley Forge began to unravel.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Commander in Chief’s Guard Huts (Valley Forge National Park), King of Prussia, PA 19406, USA
Next up, at the huts of George Washington’s personal guards, you’ll get a glimpse into a secret plot to take down the Commander in Chief.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Valley Forge National Historical Park, 1400 N Outer Line Drive, Valley Forge, PA 19406-1000
Well, here he is – the man, the myth, the legend, George Washington himself. A veteran of the French and Indian War, Washington was appointed to the head of the Continental Army by the Continental Congress in 1775, due to his extensive military experience and the belief that having a Virginian in charge would unify the colonies more than a New Englander like John Hancock. As a commander, Washington is known more for his organizational skill and leadership qualities than his tactical abilities, which are considered decidedly average. He is known as a thoughtful and analytical leader, making him the perfect choice for a war against a powerful enemy like the British.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: New Jersey Brigade Memorial, Phoenixville, PA 19460, USA
Your route takes you next to the New Jersey Brigade Memorial, which honors some of the most well-trained, dependable troops in the entire ragtag army.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Statue of General Friedrich von Steuben, Valley Forge Park Rd, King of Prussia, PA 19406, USA
As the months drag on, one thing has become very clear to General Washington. His army, tough as they are, are not even close to ready to fight this war. They’ve barely survived their first few months in Valley Forge, and everything is on the verge of falling apart. Something has to be done. Somehow, this ragtag group of surly volunteers has to be turned into a real army, or surviving this winter will mean nothing.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Varnum’s Quarters, Valley Forge Rd, Phoenixville, PA 19460, USA
Next, you’ll see the stone house used during that fateful winter by General James Mitchell Varnum, one of Washington’s closest advisors. Varnum is best known for bringing the first Black soldiers into the Continental Army.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Patriots of African Descent Monument, Joseph Plumb Martin Trail, King of Prussia, PA 19406, USA
After that is a monument which honors those very soldiers: the Patriots of African Descent Monument. This memorial provides a fascinating window into an often overlooked slice of history.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Philander Chase Knox Estate, 151 Library Ln, Malvern, PA 19355, USA
An optional stop takes you to the Philander Chase Knox Estate, where the Attorney General who served under Presidents McKinley and Roosevelt once lived.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Valley Forge National Historical Park, 1400 N Outer Line Drive, Valley Forge, PA 19406-1000
Another detour takes you to the Valley Forge Train Station, which has all sorts of info not only on old-timey trains, but also on General Washington.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Washington Memorial Chapel, Rt 23, Valley Forge, PA 19481
Fans of revolutionary history will want to detour to the Washington Memorial Chapel, which boasts a replica of Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell!
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Washington Memorial Chapel Cemetery, King of Prussia, PA 19406, USA
Behind the Memorial Chapel you’ll find the Washington Memorial Cemetery, where several important figures like Philander Knox have been laid to rest.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Maurice Stephens House, King of Prussia, PA 19406, USA
You can also visit the Mauricce Stevens House, built atop the site of another general’s quarters used during the winter of 1777.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Port Kennedy Railroad Station, 3113 Valley Forge Cir, King of Prussia, PA 19406, USA
Those intrigued by abandoned places will find lots to like at the Port Kennedy Railroad Station, a defunct station that’s been shuttered since the 1980s.
Duration: 5 minutes
