King of Prussia, PA Road Trips

King of Prussia is a suburban community that is located 20 miles northwest of the city of Philadelphia in Montgomery County in southeastern Pennsylvania. The town developed around the King of Prussia Inn, a tavern that was built as a cottage in 1719 at what is now the intersection of U.S. Route 202 (Dekalb Pike) and Gulph Road. The cottage became an inn called Berry's Tavern in 1769 and was popular with travelers as it was a day's travel by horse from Philadelphia. General George Washington visited the inn on Thanksgiving Day in 1777. During the winter of 1777-78, General Washington and the Continental Army made their winter encampment nearby in Valley Forge while the British occupied the city of Philadelphia. By 1786, Berry's Tavern became known as the King of Prussia Inn, named after Frederick II, King of Prussia. King of Prussia would remain a rural area into the 20th century. In the middle of the 20th century, King of Prussia saw extensive suburban development. The town is now home to several office parks and retail space that developed around the convergence of the Schuylkill Expressway, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, U.S. Route 202, and U.S. Route 422. King of Prussia is considered an "edge city" of Philadelphia, an area with business and shopping outside the central business district of a city in what was once a rural area. King of Prussia has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons. Summers are hot and humid, with highs averaging in the 80s and lows averaging in the 60s. Summer temperatures occasionally rise to the 90s or 100s.

1 Valley Forge National Historical Park, 1400 N Outer Line Dr, ☏ +1 610 783-1000. 7AM-dusk daily. Visitor centerː 9AM-5PM. The focal point of Valley Forge attractions is the 3,600-acre Valley Forge National Historical Park. It was here that General George Washington forged his Continental Army into a fighting force, during the difficult winter encampment of 1777-78. Of all places associated with America's War for Independence, none conveys the suffering, sacrifice and ultimate triumph more than Valley Forge. No battles were fought, no bayonet charges or artillery bombardments took place. Nonetheless, some 2,000 soldiers died - more Americans than were killed at the battles of Brandywine and Germantown combined. Valley Forge is the story of an army's epic struggle to survive against terrible odds, hunger, disease and the unrelenting forces of nature. Today, the park is a lush, 3,600-acre expanse of rolling hillsides dotted with flowering dogwood trees. Washington's original stone headquarters has been restored and furnished; log huts have been reconstructed; and statues and monuments throughout the park remind visitors of the American national heritage. Among them are statues of General "Mad Anthony" Wayne and Baron Friedrich von Steuben; and the Monument to Patriots of African Descent. Stop at the Visitors Center at the junction of Rt 23 and N. Gulph Rd. Open daily, it features exhibits, artifacts, a gift shop and an 18-minute film. Rangers will be leading "Following in their footsteps" tours to discuss the life of everyday soldiers. The actual walk is a quarter mile.

iFLY King of Prussia, 290 Goddard Blvd, ☏ +1 610 595-4359. M-Th 10AM-8PM, F 10AM-10PM, Sa 9AM-10PM, Su 9AM-8PM. Indoor skydiving facility. Available for group events. Has a conference facility, party rooms, and catering. $69.95 for two flights. (updated Mar 2017) Philadelphia Rock Gym, E-520 N. Circle Drive, Oaks, ☏ +1 610 666-7673. Minutes from King of Prussia is the area's first and only full service rock climbing facility, offering introductory classes, teambuilding, outdoor adventures, day passes, group rates and event rentals. Theatre Horizon, 243 Crest Way, ☏ +1 610 283-2230. Regal King of Prussia Stadium 16 IMAX & RPX, 300 Goddard Blvd, ☏ +1 610 337-0282, toll-free: +1 844-462-7342. Movie theater with 16 screens offering first-run movies in IMAX, RealD 3D, and RPX. Amenities include stadium seating, digital projection, game room, concessions, listening devices, mobile ticketing, and ticket kiosk. Wheelchair accessible. 1 Valley Forge Casino Resort, 1160 First Ave, ☏ +1 610 354-8118. 24 hours daily. This casino resort offers 600 slot machines, 50 table games, 23 blackjack tables, 4 craps tables, 4 roulette tables, and other assorted carnival games. Sports betting is available at the FanDuel Sportsbook at Valley Forge Casino Resort. In addition to gambling, Valley Forge Casino Resort has five casual dining restaurants and two fine dining restaurants offering a variety of food such as steaks, burgers, pasta, and sushi.

Seasons 52, 160 N Gulph Rd Suite 101 (King of Prussia Mall), ☏ +1 610 992-1152. Su-Th 11:30AM-10PM, F-Sa 11:30AM-11PM. Fresh grill and wine bar offering a seasonally-inspired menu and award-winning international wine list. Sullivan's Steakhouse, 700 West Dekalb Pike, ☏ +1 610 878-9025. Steaks, seafood, hand-shaken martinis and live music. Creed's Seafood & Steaks, 499 N. Gulph Rd, ☏ +1 610 265-2550. Chef John Talbot offers a diverse selection of fresh fish, seafood and steaks along with a raw bar menu. Live entertainment Friday and Saturday nights in the bar. Reservations suggested. Morton's The Steakhouse, 640 W Dekalb Pike Suite 1250, ☏ +1 610 491-1900. USDA Prime aged steaks, fresh seafood, hand picked vegetables and home-made desserts served in an elegant, club-like setting. Open for dinner nightly, private Boardroom dining available. The Melting Pot, 244 Mall Blvd, ☏ +1 610 265-7195. This unique dining experience offers an assortment of fondue, cooked at the table by the guests. Peppers By Amedeo's Restaurant & Bar, 175 Town Center Rd (Valley Forge Shopping Center), ☏ +1 610 265-2416. Excellent food made to order. Is known for large food and drink portions with good prices. Voted best Italian Restaurant Readers Choice five years in a row. Locally owned and operated. Maggiano's Little Italy, 160 N Gulph Rd Suite 205, ☏ +1 610 992-3333. Often said to be reminiscent of pre-World War II Little Italy, Maggiano's blends the tradition of family, good times with friends, and authentic Italian cuisine.

Fitzwater Station, 264 Canal St, Port Providence, ☏ +1 610 933-9958. Snacks, lunch, dinner and drinks on a deck overlooking the historic Schuylkill Canal, or on a glass enclosed porch. Daily and weekend specials, weekly entertainment. Paddle boats, Canoe and Kayak rentals. Screwball Sports Bar & Grille, 216 W Beider Rd. #600, ☏ +1 610 337-3888.

Hyatt Place Philadelphia/King Of Prussia, 440 American Ave, ☏ +1 484-690-3000. Complimentary breakfast buffet daily, in-room coffee maker, iron and board, two line phone, and free high speed internet access. Indoor pool and exercise room. Home2 Suites by Hilton King of Prussia Valley Forge, 550 W. DeKalb Pk, ☏ +1 610 962-0700. Complimentary Continental breakfast, newspaper, HBO, free high-speed wireless internet, fitness center, data ports, iron and board, coffeemaker, hairdryer. Refridgerators available. Adjacent to the King of Prussia Mall. AAA/AARP discounts. Silver Award winner. Hampton Inn - King of Prussia, 530 W. DeKalb Pk, ☏ +1 610 962-8111. 147 rooms. Multi-purpose rooms for meetings and functions. Free business and fitness centers. Group rates. Free deluxe breakfast bar. King deluxe rooms with microwave and refrigerator available. Free local calls. The Fairfield Inn Philadelphia-Valley Forge, 258 Mall Blvd, ☏ +1 610 337-0700. 80 rooms. Best Western Inn at King of Prussia, 127 S. Gulph Rd, ☏ +1 610 265-4500. 167 rooms. Deluxe Complimentary Continental breakfast, heated outdoor pool, spa and fitness center. Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 260 N. Gulph Rd, ☏ +1 610 768-9500. Three Diamond AAA rating. Complimentary Express Start Breakfast, USA Today newspaper, HBO,CNN,ESPN, High Speed Internet access, and fitness room with whirlpool. New two-room suites. Discounts at local restaurants Motel 6 King of Prussia, 815 W. DeKalb Pk, ☏ +1 610 265-7200. 170 rooms. Free local calls. Accepts small pets.

The Schuylkill Expressway (I-76) provides access to King of Prussia from Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76 to the west and I-276 to the east) toll road provides access to King of Prussia via the Valley Forge interchange from points west such as Harrisburg and Pittsburgh and points east such as the northern suburbs of Philadelphia, New Jersey, and New York City. U.S. Route 202 provides access to King of Prussia from West Chester to the south and from Norristown to the north. U.S. Route 422 provides access to King of Prussia from Pottstown, Reading, and other communities along the Schuylkill River to the northwest. If you are coming from Center City, Philadelphia, get on I-676 (Vine St Expressway), then go I-76 towards Valley Forge. Stay on I-76 for about 30 minutes. After proceeding on I-76 get off at the King of Prussia exit. If you want to go to the King of Prussia Mall follow the exit signs for Mall Boulevard. If you are coming from the suburbs of Philadelphia, take the Pennsylvania Turnpike towards Harrisburg, then proceed to the Valley Forge exit. Fly into Philadelphia International Airport (PHL IATA), take a taxi, Uber, or Lyft or rent a car. The trip from there to King of Prussia takes 30 minutes. King of Prussia is 26 miles from Philadelphia International Airport. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) provides bus service to King of Prussia. Many of the buses stop at the transit center adjacent to The Plaza at the King of Prussia Mall. There are two routes that connect King of Prussia with Center City Philadelphia.

It is easiest to get around town by car. SEPTA buses can also be used to get around King of Prussia, with service to most major points of interest such as the King of Prussia Mall, Valley Forge Casino Resort, and Valley Forge National Historical Park. The Rambler, ☏ +1 610 354-8899. M-Sa 9AM-4PM. Operated by the Greater Valley Forge Transportation Management Association, The Rambler is a community shuttle around the King of Prussia area, serving residential areas, shopping centers, the King of Prussia Mall, medical facilities, the Upper Merion Senior Center, and the Upper Merion Township Municipal Building. $2 one-way, $10 for ten trip tickets, $0.50 for students ages 10-16, senior citizens and children under 6 free. (updated Nov 2017) There are three companies that provide taxicab and limousine service in King of Prussia: Cabs Valley Forge, ☏ +1 484 985-9724. Provides taxicab service to King of Prussia, Valley Forge, and Upper Merion Township along with service to airports in Philadelphia, New Jersey, and New York. (updated Feb 2017) King Limousine, ☏ +1 610 265-3050. Provides limousine service to Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, New York, and beyond. (updated Feb 2017) Main Line Taxi, ☏ +1 610 272-1000. Provides taxicab and limousine service to Villanova, Ardmore, and King of Prussia along with service to airports in Philadelphia and Newark. (updated Feb 2017) Ride-hailing services Uber and Lyft can be used to get around King of Prussia.

Traffic in this area is thick and fast-moving, especially during rush hours (7-9AM and 4-6PM). Expect the interchanges to be backed up to the point where there are lines of cars winding around the nearby neighborhoods. Try to familiarize yourself with the traffic flow before you try driving in it, because if you are in the wrong lane trying to get onto one of the freeways, you will probably not be able to move over and will have to go the wrong direction and take a detour. Gulph Rd and Schuylkill River Rd are winding, steep, and have surprisingly high speed limits even though there are houses on them. Watch out for hidden driveways and sudden stops. Be careful walking around the town. There are few crosswalks or pedestrian signals. Near the mall, you will be forced to jaywalk if you want to get anywhere on foot. It is not a pedestrian-friendly area by any means.