Fonthill Castle Doylestown Brandywine River Museum of Art Chadds Ford Peddler’s Village New Hope THE LIBERTY BELL IS MADE OF BRONZE AND WEIGHS 2,080 POUNDS. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: PHOTO BY BOB KRIST, FOR VISIT PHILADELPHIA®; PHOTO BY J. FUSCO FOR VISIT PHILADELPHIA®; PHOTO BY D. CRUZ FOR VISIT PHILADELPHIA®; KEVIN CRAWFORD IMAGERY ENJOY COUNTRYSIDE QUAINTNESS Just beyond the bustling metropolis of Philadelphia is a collection of charming small towns, important historic sites, and scenic natural beauty waiting to be discovered. Stroll through the charming Peddler’s Village in New Hope, where more than 65 boutiques — from art galleries to old-time sweets shops — are housed in Colonial-style buildings, creating a storybook setting. Set amid lush hillsides and peaceful pastoral landscapes, the Brandywine River Museum of Art in Chadds Ford showcases a range of American artwork with a special focus on pieces inspired by the beauty of the Brandywine Valley. Peruse the museum’s extensive holdings of work by the Wyeth family of artists, and then take a guided tour of the Andrew Wyeth Studio , N.C. Wyeth House & Studio , and Kuerner Farm , where these artists lived, worked, and drew inspiration. In Doylestown, explore the life and works of archaeologist, antiquarian, and ceramist Henry Mercer at his former home, Fonthill Castle , as well as the Mercer Museum , Liberty Bell Center Philadelphia a Smithsonian affiliate that offers a glimpse into more than 60 crafts and trades through displaying pre-Industrial tools. For contemporary artwork by emerging and local artists, view the ever-changing exhibitions at Main Line Art Center in Haverford. From the iconic to the unusual, Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown is home to an array of animals from around the world, including giraffes, zebras, monkeys, capybaras, parrots, and big cats. For spectacular flora, follow the nature trails at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve in New Hope, and explore wildflower-filled forests, wide-open meadows, and peaceful water features that are home to wildlife. Philadelphia’s countryside is rich with historic significance and educational experiences. Delve into the history of helicopters at the American Helicopter Museum & Education Center in West Chester, where vintage aircraft, exhibits, videos, and hands-on flight simulators tell the story of rotary wing flight in Philadelphia and around the world. Meanwhile, Valley Forge National Historical Park in King of Prussia will take you back to the days of the American Revolution, when General George Washington and his troops in the Continental Army camped during the brutal winter of 1777, waiting to resume their opposition to British troops, who had occupied Philadelphia. visitPA.com 91
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