Located just outside of Philadelphia, King of Prussia is a smaller, quieter town than its neighbor city, but it still offers plenty of charm, history, and things to do and see. After a week-long business conference in Philadelphia, I realized that I had two days to kill before my flight back home. Since I felt that I had already seen everything I wanted to see in Philadelphia, I decided to venture just outside of Philly to King of Prussia.
King of Prussia may not be the most popular vacation destination in the country, but it’s a thriving business and retail center. Since it’s not located in the heart of a major city, King of Prussia is also more affordable than Philadelphia, so it’s a popular place to stay for people visiting Philly for business. Personally, I chose to explore King of Prussia because of its great shopping, history and outdoor activities, so I pulled up HotelTonight’s app and booked my last-minute hotel in King of Prussia in just a few quick minutes. With my hotel room waiting for me in the heart of King of Prussia, I hopped in my rental car and drove out of Philadelphia.
Valley Forge is a national historical park located in King of Prussia, or just a short drive away from Philadelphia. This 3,500-acre national park has something for every visitor, from beautiful hiking grounds to experienced storytellers that regale listeners with tales of the camp’s history. I chose to get out and stretch my legs on one of the walking trails in the park. Valley Forge has nearly 30 miles of trails that wind throughout the park, which is why it’s such a popular place for locals to enjoy the outdoors and get in some exercise. Valley Forge played an important role in America’s independence, as it was where the Continental Army stayed for six months under the command of George Washington. The history of Valley Forge is fascinating, especially for those who love American history, which is why it’s one of the most popular destinations in King of Prussia.
After a morning of exploring the historical grounds of Valley Forge, I made my way to the King of Prussia Town Center, which is located in the heart of the Village at Valley Forge. This dining and shopping hotspot is relatively new, so it’s quite the juxtaposition to the old, storied state park of Valley Forge. Apparently, this new complex has become quite popular among locals, since it has great dining options and a cool, trendy vibe. I wandered around the Town Center before finding a spot for lunch, and I could understand why so many young people are now choosing to live in this up-and-coming King of Prussia neighborhood.
King of Prussia may be best known for its enormous mall. After all, it is the largest shopping mall on the East Coast, and one of the largest in the entire country, so it definitely deserves to be called a shopper’s paradise. In this massive shopping and dining complex, there are almost 400 shops and more than 40 eateries. People travel far and wide to visit the King of Prussia Mall, so I knew I had to check it out while I was in town. I don’t normally consider myself a big shopper, but even I was amazed at the magnitude and the elegance of this mall. I was so mesmerized by the opulence and energy of the mall that I ended up staying all afternoon, so I just grabbed dinner at one of the mall’s most popular restaurants.
The next day, I decided to satisfy my craving for nature by heading to Spring Mountain. Since there was still snow on the mountain, I rented some skis and hit the slopes alongside all of Pennsylvania locals. This mountain is an easy drive away from both Philadelphia and King of Prussia, and it’s the local favorite spot for mountain activities. So I spent my last few hours in Pennsylvania enjoying the natural beauty of its mountains and experiencing the thrill of this adventure-lover’s paradise. Some locals even told me that during the summer months, Spring Mountain is a hotspot for great hiking, biking, and even zip lining.
While I wasn’t expecting to explore King of Prussia during my recent trip to Philadelphia, I was glad I had the opportunity to experience a new city. King of Prussia is considered an edge city to Philadelphia, and even though it’s not a major metropolis there is still plenty to do and see in this small town. I was able to make the most of my extra time in Pennsylvania thanks to HotelTonight, which made it simple for me to book my last-minute hotel in King of Prussia.
