James John Audubon Center at Mill Grove: A Place for Wildlife Explorers

You can learn about nature and wildlife through countless books, but the only real way to truly experience the natural world is by exploring it in person. The James John Audubon Center at Mill Grove gives visitors the opportunity to do just that, hosting a variety of birds, animals, and insects in their natural habitats.

There are five miles of marked trails on this 175-acre facility for exploring the wilderness around the grounds, and if you look carefully you can spot multiple types of geese, swans, game birds, and more. The Audubon Museum provides background history on Mill Grove itself, and there are children’s educational programs throughout the year on a variety of different topics. If you want to teach your children about the wonders of the natural world, the James John Audubon Center is a great community resource.

The museum at the James John Audubon Center is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. The grounds are open 7 a.m. to dusk Tuesdays through Sundays.

James John Audubon Center at Mill Grove
1201 Pawlings Road
Audubon, PA 19403
(610) 666-5593
www.johnjames.audubon.org
www.yelp.com/biz/mill-grove-wildlife-sanctuary-john-james-audubon-center-audubon

King of Prussia Mall: Spend a Day at One of the Largest Malls in the Country

While the Mall of America gets the recognition of being the largest mall in the country, the King of Prussia Mall gives it a run for its money. This impressively large mall offers a great mix of over 400 retailers, from Burberry to Forever 21. Whatever your favorite luxury label or mall brand may be, it likely has a home here.

Department stores, like Macy’s and Nordstrom, make up a large portion of the retail space, and there’s both an expansive food court and a number of full-sized restaurants for a quick lunch stop during a day of shopping. Explore both the original Court section of the mall and the newer Plaza, and then pop into the Cheesecake Factory or Legal Sea Foods to fuel up on some delicious grub.

King of Prussia Mall is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. Parking is available in either the large garage or the open parking lots, though it is often quite crowded. To beat the crowds, regulars recommend shopping earlier in the morning.

King of Prussia Mall
160 N. Gulph Road
King of Prussia, PA 19406
(610) 265-5727
www.simon.com/mall/king-of-prussia-mall
www.yelp.com/biz/king-of-prussia-mall-king-of-prussia

Wegmans: Get Lost in This Truly Super Supermarket

It’s no wonder why the locals in the King of Prussia area are so devoted to Wegmans. This upscale grocery store is a foodie’s paradise, with a selection of both prepared foods and groceries so expansive that you’ll want to stay for hours. Inside, the store is bright and airy and so large that you can’t help but feel impressed.

The Market Café serves a wide variety of foods ranging from classic American dinner dishes to authentic Indian cuisine, and it even has a full bar where diners can grab a drink with their meals. The cheese section is more expansive than those at many gourmet food shops, the produce is mainly organic and locally sourced, and beauty is in bloom in the floral department.

Wegmans carries mainly fresh, organic produce and other higher quality options. Stop by the store to see it for yourself!

Wegmans
1 Village Drive
King of Prussia, PA 19406
(484) 690-3500
www.yelp.com/biz/wegmans-king-of-prussia
www.wegmans.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10052&catalogId=10002&langId=-1&partNumber=STORE_48

Conshohocken Italian Bakery: A Local Standard

Is there any smell more satisfying than that of freshly-baked bread? You can experience it for yourself at the Conshohocken Italian Bakery. The flavor is said to be just as good with locals raving that this place turns out delightful loaves of bread and other treats.

They’ve been in business for over 40 years, so they obviously know the score. Conshohocken Italian Bakery also has a pizza oven, producing a regional style of tomato pie baked in a rectangular pan, brushed with a tangy, salty sauce. The white pizza is quite well-regarded – foregoing the tomatoes lets them use unusual toppings like broccoli and anchovies to excellent effect. Their sweet treats also earn praise, with traditional anisette cookies drawing raves. Try a cannoli as well. On the weekends, you can find great deals on day-old bread and rolls.

Conshohocken Italian Bakery
79 Jones Street
Conshohocken, PA 19428
(610) 825-9334
http://www.yelp.com/biz/conshohocken-italian-bakery-inc-conshohocken

Maple Acres Farm: Eat Fresh, Local Produce

Whether you want to shop at the farm-fresh market or decide to drive out to the farm itself for a day of pick-your-own fun, Maple Acres Farm in Plymouth Meeting is a good choice. Everything at this market is picked daily, and you'll find whatever is in season and at the peak of ripeness. During the spring months, the market is full of fresh, crisp lettuce and other greens, while in mid-summer the crops lean more toward juicy heirloom tomatoes and corn on the cob. As cool weather returns, so do acorn squash and root vegetables.

The farm's unique pick-your-own flower fields are especially popular during the summer. Walk through a meadow of colorful zinnias, picking out an armful to display as a centerpiece for your dining room table, or let one of the farm's staff florists arrange your fresh-cut flowers into a professionally crafted bouquet. Return in the fall to bring home some pumpkins!

Check the website to see what's in season and available on any given week.

Maple Acres Farm
2656 Narcissa Road
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
(610) 828-7395
www.mapleacresfarmmarket.com
www.yelp.com/biz/maple-acre-farms-plymouth-meeting-2

Nordstrom Rack: Designer Deals

If you love Nordstrom’s selection of high quality, brand name clothing and accessories but simply can’t bear to pay the designer prices, Nordstrom Rack is an ideal solution to your shopping woes. This discount clothing store carries all of the same brands as Nordstrom, but at prices that are much more accommodating to limited budgets.

The inventory includes slightly outdated or overstock merchandise, including women’s clothing, handbags, shoes, and men’s clothing. You’ll find top name brands like Kate Spade, BCBG, Kenneth Cole, and Coach, as well as an almost overwhelming shoe department for men, women and kids. Plan on spending the good part of an afternoon sorting through the expansive selection.

Nordstrom Rack is located in the Overlook at King of Prussia, a cluster of stand-alone shops right next to the mall. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays.

Nordstrom Rack
310 Goddard Boulevard
King of Prussia, PA 19406
(610) 205-8717
shop.nordstrom.com/st/nordstrom-rack-the-overlook-at-king-of-prussia
www.yelp.com/biz/nordstrom-rack-king-of-prussia-2

Reed’s Country Store: A Unique Blue Bell Shoppe

Reed’s Country Store is a landmark in Blue Bell, having been in business since 1925. Generations of residents have trusted them to help furnish their homes with fine furniture over the years. You’ll find delightful furniture that may just bring a new touch of style to your ARK by Korman Blue Bell home.

Dressers, dining sets, media tables, breakfronts, cabinets, and side tables are made of the highest quality materials and craftsmanship.

Visit the website to learn more about this classic Blue Bell shop, or plan a visit to its Dekalb Pike space to see it in person.

Reed's Country Store
923 Dekalb Pike
Blue Bell, PA 19422
(610) 275-2276
http://reedsstore.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/reeds-country-wicker-blue-bell

Tee’s Golf Center: Golf and More

Get out your clubs, put on your plaid pants and make a beeline for Tee’s Golf Center. It’s the place to tee off on a state of the art driving range, with a 2,400 square foot putting green. Twelve tee boxes are covered and heated so you can practice in all types of weather. A driving range deck is also available. Want help with your golf game? Take a class at their BQ Golf Academy. Bring the kids and play a round or two of miniature golf on one of two 18-hole courses, complete with beautiful manicured landscaping, granite boulders, waterfalls and burbling streams. Hit the batting cages to practice your swing, or help your little one become the next major league home run hitter. Tee's Golf Center is open every day.

Tee's Golf Center
707 Conshohocken Road
Conshohocken, PA 19428
(610) 834-0845
http://www.teesgolfcenter.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tees-golf-center-conshohocken

Valley Forge National Historical Park: A Piece of Pennsylvania History

Whether you go for the history or just to spend a day in the park, the Valley Forge National Historical Park is a must-see travel destination. It’s one of the largest outdoor areas in southeastern Pennsylvania, with over 3,500 acres of park land, wildlife habitats, and historical sights.

The Continental Army camped in Valley Forge from 1777 to 1778 during the Revolutionary War, after which George Washington led them to triumph over their much more powerful British army in New Jersey at the end of 1778. Valley Forge is where the Continental Army trained and prepared for battle, and today it is an incredibly important landmark in our country’s history. Visitors can take guided historical tours, embark on hikes, or even enjoy a picnic surrounded by American heritage.

Valley Forge National Historical Park hosts a number of children’s educational programs, guest lectures, and other events throughout the year. The park is open from 7 a.m. to dusk year-round, except on major holidays.

Valley Forge National Historical Park
1400 N. Outer Line Drive
King of Prussia, PA 19406
(610) 783-1099
www.nps.gov/vafo/index.htm
www.yelp.com/biz/valley-forge-national-historical-park-king-of-prussia-2

Morris Arboretum: Natural Beauty

Bask in the beauty of nature just outside the city with a trip to the Morris Arboretum. Stroll through 92 acres of lush gardens, with 12,000 shrubs, trees and flowers. Landscaped gardens include the Azalea Meadow, the Japanese Hill & Water Garden, the Rose Garden, and the Swan Pond. The kids will love the Garden Railway, a miniature railroad with beautifully crafted buildings, plants and seasonal decorations. Out on a Limb lets you view the surroundings perched on a catwalk 50 feet in the air. More than 100 classes, educational tours and lectures for a variety of ages are offered.

The Morris Arboretum is open every day from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Admission is $16 for adults, $14 for seniors, $7 for children ages 3 to 17.

Morris Arboretum
100 E. Northwestern Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19118
(215) 247-5777
http://www.business-services.upenn.edu/arboretum/index.shtml
http://www.yelp.com/biz/morris-arboretum-philadelphia

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