Many people think that Valley Forge National Historical Park was a Revolutionary War battlefield. Visitors are often surprised to find out that there was no fighting at Valley Forge. Instead, it was the site of a six-month training ground for battle-weary soldiers. It was here that General George Washington forged his Continental Army into a fighting force in the winter of 1777–78.

Today, Valley Forge National Historical Park is a lush 3,600-acre expanse of rolling hillsides, dotted with flowering dogwood trees and mountain laurel. Throughout the park are soldiers’ log huts, Washington’s original stone headquarters, which has been restored and furnished, and statues and monuments to the army’s courage, which remind visitors of our national heritage.

Six miles of paved trails throughout the park connect to a well-maintained system of recreational trails crisscrossing the entire region.  The 22-mile scenic Schuylkill River Trail meanders through the park. As the seasons change, visitors can enjoy fly fishing in Valley Creek, picnicking, bird watching and kite flying.

Visitors should start their day at the Welcome Center with the 18-minute film, “Valley Forge: A Winter Encampment,” which runs every 30 minutes beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the Park Theatre. Displays and artifacts in the exhibit area illustrate what life was like in the camp.

As you tour the park, you will find the National Memorial Arch, statues of General “Mad Anthony” Wayne and Baron Friedrich von Steuben and the Monument to Patriots of African Descent. Costumed interpreters are posted at the Muhlenberg Brigade huts Saturdays and Sundays (weather permitting), from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. There are Soldier Life programs at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and at Varnum’s Quarters from noon to 4 p.m. through Dec. 30 and daily at Washington’s Headquarters from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Touring the park

There are many ways to explore the park. You can walk, drive, bike or ride on horseback. On weekends, visitors can rent bikes at the Welcome Center. You can take a free, self-guided tour using a map or cell phone. Just dial 484-396-1018 and listen to the park come to life at the place where you are standing. You can visit the stops in any order. You can also take advantage of the seasonal trolley tours.

Recreational facilities in the park include designated picnic areas, the six-mile Joseph Plumb Martin trail, 10 miles of horse trails and the Valley Forge-to-Philadelphia Schuylkill River Trail.

Storytellers are located on benches at the Welcome Center, National Memorial Arch and Washington’s Headquarters at designated times. Visitors can come and listen as specially trained storytellers share riveting stories of the encampment and how it became a turning point in the Revolutionary War. You can take advantage of this free program daily through Oct. 28 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The park also offers “Behind the Scenes Vault Tours,” where visitors can view antique muskets, polearms, power horns, canteens, eating equipment, documents and archeological artifacts. Tours are for small groups only from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is an admission fee. Call 610-783-1020 for reservations.

Children’s activities

Children ages 6 to 12 are invited to “enlist” in the Continental Army. Participants receive enlistment papers and copies of Continental currency. They learn how to stand and march like soldiers and even learn how to load and fire a dummy musket. This free program is offered the first Saturday of each month, January through April, at 11 a.m., at the Welcome Center.

Park Ranger George Matlack challenges visitors to come and stay at least a half a day. “Revisit history and come away with a better understanding of our heritage,” he says. “This is a place that stimulates further inquiry.”

Valley Forge National Historical Park is located just 18 miles from Philadelphia and halfway between New York City and Washington, D.C., at Route 23 and N. Gulph Road in Valley Forge, Pa. The park is open daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information, call 610-783-1077 or visit www.nps.gov/vafo or www.valleyforge.org.

Morris Arboretum and Gardens

For those wanting to experience more beauty of the area, you won’t want to miss Morris Arboretum and Gardens of the University of Pennsylvania. The arboretum is an intimate, 92-acre Victorian delight that allows visitors to experience peaceful gardens with colorful flowers, changing scenery and unusual trees in a romantic, historic landscape.

The summer home of Quaker brother and sister John and Lydia Morris, the beautiful gardens contain thousands of rare and lovely woody plants, including some of Philadelphia’s oldest, rarest and largest trees. A champion Katsura tree and Japanese overlook garden are legacies of the pair’s trips to Asia.  A stone bench and gazebo provide vantage points for enjoying the formal rose gardens, and there are many sculptures throughout the grounds. There’s a rustic log cabin where Lydia held tea parties, an Italian loggia with a statue of Mercury and a hidden passageway; a swan pond with a love temple and a glass fernery.  The arboretum hosts many weddings, special events and classes throughout the year and offers free guided tours on Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Morris Arboretum is located at 100 Northwestern Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118. For information on hours, tours and events, visit www.morrisarboretum.com or call 215-247-5777.

Shopping and dining

Girlfriends: Shop till you drop at King of Prussia Mall, just minutes away from Valley Forge. This mall is the largest retail-shopping complex in the country. Put on your walking shoes: there are over 400 shops, luxury retailers and restaurants that will delight the serious and casual shopper alike. Mall hours are Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For information, visit www.kingofprussiamall.com.

For an excellent Italian dining experience, visit Maggiano’s Little Italy Restaurant on the perimeter of the mall. The bustling 300-seat restaurant includes a comfortable bar area, mezzanine dining, a spacious wrap-around outdoor porch and a large banquet facility. The food is made from scratch and is genuinely Italian. I highly recommend the chicken and spinach manicotti as well as the four cheese ravioli. For information and reservations, call 610-992-3333 or visit www.maggianos.com. The restaurant is located at 205 Mall Blvd., King of Prussia, PA 19406.