Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
Wanderlog staff Updated • updatedApr 10, 2023
How long is the drive from Corolla to Philadelphia?
The direct drive from Corolla to Philadelphia is 359 mi (577 km), and should have a drive time of 7 hrs 39 mins in normal traffic.
If you’re going on a road trip from Corolla to Philadelphia, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way — with Virginia Beach, Ocean City, Yorktown, Lewes, Wilmington, Norfolk, Dover, Newport News, and Hampton, as well as top places to visit like USS Wisconsin BB-64 and Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, or the ever-popular Currituck Beach Lighthouse.
The top cities between Corolla and Philadelphia are Virginia Beach, Ocean City, Yorktown, Lewes, Wilmington, Norfolk, Dover, Newport News, and Hampton. Virginia Beach is the most popular city on the route. It's 2 hours from Corolla and 6 hours from Philadelphia.
Norfolk is a coastal metropolis located in the southeast of Virginia. It boasts a significant naval facility, Naval Station Norfolk, situated on Chesapeake Bay. Tourists can visit Nauticus, a maritime museum housing the Battleship Wisconsin - an enormous WWII vessel. Art enthusiasts can explore Chrysler Museum of Art's extensive collection of glass art and European and American paintings as well as sculptures. Besides that, the Virginia Zoo by the river houses various animals such as bears, birds, lions and farm creatures.
32% as popular as Virginia Beach
2 minutes off the main route, 28% of way to Philadelphia
Located in the southeast of Virginia, Virginia Beach is a city that lies at the intersection of Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Its oceanfront stretches 3 miles, adorned with a boardwalk and beach-lined views. The First Landing State Park situated on its bayside commemorates the arrival of English colonists to Jamestown in 1607.
Most popular city on this route
13 minutes off the main route, 30% of way to Philadelphia
Need a place to stay?
WhereWhere are you going
When
–
Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
When
–
Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
Hampton, a vibrant city in Virginia, is part of the Hampton Roads region and boasts a population of 137,148. It's known for its rich history, sunny beaches, and diverse neighborhoods. When exploring this area alongside Newport News, visitors can savor delicious breakfast options infused with local flavors. The region's deep roots in American history are evident through historical landmarks and its association with the Civil War and the United States Space Program.
9% as popular as Virginia Beach
4 minutes off the main route, 32% of way to Philadelphia
Newport News, an independent city in Virginia, is part of the Hampton Roads region and has a population of around 186,247. Together with Hampton, it offers sunny beaches, historical landmarks, and diverse neighborhoods. The city's history dates back to the founding of Jamestown and it has played a significant role in American history from the Civil War to the United States Space Program.
12% as popular as Virginia Beach
5 minutes off the main route, 34% of way to Philadelphia
Yorktown is a designated place for census in Virginia, USA, and serves as the county seat of York County. This area has a rich history dating back to the colonial era when it was one of the eight original shires in Virginia. It boasts a small population of only 195 people according to the 2010 census, while York County has around 66,134 residents as per estimates from 2011.
19% as popular as Virginia Beach
12 minutes off the main route, 36% of way to Philadelphia
I'll never travel to Philadelphia without this trip planner again
Ocean City is a tourist destination situated in Maryland, USA. It lies between Isle of Wight Bay and the Atlantic Ocean and boasts of numerous beaches and a wooden boardwalk lined with many hotels, restaurants, and shops. Trimper's Rides is located at the southern end of the boardwalk and has been hosting theme-park attractions for many years. Visitors can also enjoy kayaking or take tour boats to Assateague Island nearby.
55% as popular as Virginia Beach
18 minutes off the main route, 64% of way to Philadelphia
Lewes, a charming city located on the Delaware Bay in eastern Sussex County, is part of the rapidly growing Cape Region along with neighboring Rehoboth Beach. The city's population was recorded at 3,303 in the 2020 census. One of its notable attractions is a historic Queen Anne Victorian house on Savannah Road, which has been transformed into Raas, an Indian fusion pan-Asian restaurant.
19% as popular as Virginia Beach
19 minutes off the main route, 72% of way to Philadelphia
Dover is the capital city of Delaware. The First State Heritage Park comprises several sites around the centuries-old Green. These include the 1791 Old State House and Biggs Museum of American Art. Dover International Speedway hosts NASCAR races. A variety of aircraft are displayed at the Air Mobility Command Museum, at Dover Air Force Base. Nearby, bird-rich Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge is on Delaware Bay.
12% as popular as Virginia Beach
2 minutes off the main route, 80% of way to Philadelphia
Wilmington is a metropolitan area located in the state of Delaware, situated on the Delaware and Christina rivers. The city has numerous tourist attractions, including the DuPont Building and Hagley Museum, which reflect the local du Pont family's legacy. The Hagley Museum encompasses not just their Georgian-style home but also gunpowder works dating back to 1802. Old Swedes Church stands between Brandywine Creek and Christina River while Brandywine Park can be found to its north.
17% as popular as Virginia Beach
3 minutes off the main route, 91% of way to Philadelphia
Best stops along Corolla to Philadelphia drive
The top stops along the way from Corolla to Philadelphia (with short detours) are Harrah's Philadelphia Casino and Racetrack, Independence Hall, and Virginia Beach Boardwalk. Other popular stops include Boardwalk, Liberty Bell, and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.
The Currituck Beach Lighthouse, established in 1873, is a brick structure featuring a staircase with 220 steps. Visitors can enjoy exhibits and purchase souvenirs from the gift shop. The grounds are well-maintained and also offer stunning views. This historical landmark is a great attraction for those interested in history and architecture. Additionally, the lighthouse features a charming wooden porch furnished with rocking chairs that provide a relaxing atmosphere to visitors.
Beautiful NC Lighthouse! It is a great one to climb. Very accessible with landings and hand rails. $12 cost of entry. Grounds are well maintained with a parking lot fairly close to the entrance. The gift shop has nifty memorabilia. This is a must visit attraction in NC.
Sherri Barham — Google review
A beautiful brick lighthouse that you can tour! They charge $12 to climb to the top. A 220 step spiral staircase with landings every 20 or so steps (handy for climbing breaks) takes you to the top & back. The views from the top are breathtaking! As was the wind the day we visited. 💨 Don't miss the souvenir shop or nearby boat museum (free).
William McCurdy — Google review
This historic lighthouse is managed by a nonprofit and is amazingly well preserved and cared for. The grounds are beautiful and accessible from a nearby free parking lot with very nice clean restrooms adjacent to the maritime museum. It does cost $13 to climb the tower. The keepers house is not open to the public, but the small keepers quarter is open as a very well-stocked gift shop. The lighthouse is surrounded by live oak had pine forest, and is not fully viewable until you are very close. Then, photo opportunities are plentiful. The view from the top is truly amazing of the ocean and Currituck Sound. Interpretive signage is plentiful and very informative. This is truly a low cost and must-see OBX attraction.
LR P — Google review
Spent 4 days and 3 nights at this Inn. The staff were so pleasant. There was the cutest people in the office. The Inn and grounds were exceptionally clean, we had a king suite. The room as huge, with a kitchenette, a small table with a leaf, 2 chairs. The bathroom was a nice size. The bed was comfortable, pillows were a bit hard. A typical continental breakfast is served from 8am-10am. Would absolutely stay here again.
Raine — Google review
Awesome place to visit and see an older age construction of the lighthouse. Quite a few steps to the top, but was well worth it. There are several landing and stopping points with history on the wall to learn from and take a rest from the climb. The area itself is just fabulous. Give it a visit. You won’t be disappointed!!
Damac (U. S. Traveler) — Google review
Awesome and thankful that it’s been maintained as it was from day 1. Awesome climb up and the views are second to none. Should offer discounts to seniors/military to attract more locals to experience it first hand.
Southwest Speed LLC — Google review
Was glad the hours were extended to 8pm on summer season. Jill the lady in charge of the tickets has been very gracious in answering our questions regarding the landmark. The climb was not too bad, just take your time to ascend, and you will be rewarded with a breath taking view of the surrounding area. It was very windy at top
Ed R — Google review
It shouldn't be so much to walk up the lighthouse, but I understand they need money to keep it preserved and to pay for the boat museum next door. I am thankful that we got to go.
There was a line, even before opening at 9 but we had a fun time. I would go again when my kids are older if they were interested.
You can see so much from the top but it is hard to feel like you can linger long since you know a whole line of people is waiting at the bottom.
Jennifer Martin — Google review
This is a beautiful lighthouse, but if you have mobility issues, nothing there is very accessible. Because it falls under historical laws, they are not required to make it accessible. The sidewalks are uneven brick, and even the gift shop has a very steep staircase that was hard for my 70 year old mom to get up. Unfortunately there is only 1 handicapped parking spot, and we were forced to park next to the garbage cans. It is unfortunate that they don't attempt at all to make it easier for people to at least view the lighthouse easier and access shopping there.
angela baldwin — Google review
Great history, awesome climb and stunning views. Also the grounds are fantastic and they have THE BEST gift shop on the OBX. Along with a charming wooden porch with rocking chairs. Loved this place
Dan Blevins — Google review
This is currently the only lighthouse on the outer banks you can walk up to and climb without a reservation. Actually you cant make advanced reservations at all. The hardest part is actually getting to the lighthouse as it is on the most northern end of the outer banks as traffic can build up in Duck during the tourist season (Summer). To avoid the traffic mess I recommend coming up early in the morning (Like before 8am). Don't try to take an alternative way as traffic backs up on the neighborhood streets as well. Choosing the wrong time to visit can increase your drive time up to an hour. Use google maps to best judge traffic build up. The lighthouse itself is easy to climb with landings to stop on and rest. The building is well ventilated with fans on most landings during hot weather. The staff is friendly. A museum shop is located next to the lighthouse and has some nice items for sale. Parking maybe hard to find during busy times. There are lots of other things to do in the area including visiting other historical buildings or seeing the Currituck Maritime Museum at the base of the lighthouse.
Andrew White — Google review
This is a wonderful historical destination. The lighthouse is one of the few that still allows you to climb the stairs inside. Across the grass from the lighthouse are several historical buildings as well as an information center with the history of the lighthouse and buildings. It is a beautiful property to wander around with the kids and pets as well. (Just remember to clean up after them).
J Pagan — Google review
Get there early; the line seems to grow as the day goes.
To help with the flow of people they only let a few groups in at a time.
Climb was 220 steps -spiral steps & 9 platform landing.
Seemed like an easy climb. But your speed up is at the mercy of the group in front of you.
Its windy at the top - good views up there!
Robert — Google review
The line was long, but once you got inside, it felt like you had the place to yourself. When we got to the top, we were the only ones up there. We were able to walk around the top of the lighthouse with unobstructed views. When we got there, the line was at the back of the brick walkway, and It took us 40 minutes to get our turn. It went pretty fast, I thought. The store was cute and had a lot of things to purchase. We walked to the museum afterwards and checked out the views at the park. I took my 2 kids, who are 10 and 12. We had to stop a few times on our way up, but there were fans on the landings so we could catch our breath and cool off.
Lauren Oliveira — Google review
This is a beautiful lighthouse. I did not go to the top but they did let me in to get pictures. It is $12 to get in. There is also a really nice gift shop that I loved and a museum. Only issue is the museum is closed on the weekends. The surrounding area around the waterfront is beautiful too.
Karen — Google review
Great day climbing this lighthouse on Wednesday 12/27/23. $10 per person, must sign a waiver to climb. Great adrenaline rush at the top balcony of this lighthouse!!!
Allysa Robinson — Google review
Such a beautiful lighthouse! We did not climb the stairs to go to the top, but we are planning to in the future. I believe it is $12 per person to enter and climb to the top (there was little to no wait to enter the lighthose while ee were there). Walking around the grounds is free. Their gift shop is adorable and one of the historic buildings.
Kara C — Google review
This lighthouse is located in Corolla, Beach North Carolina in the Outer Banks. It is a fun, family, friendly lighthouse that encourages you to learn more about the local history. Nearby is amazing views, and a barbecue restaurant that is highly sought after this small town at the northern part of the island is one of the hidden gems of North Carolina.
Marc Sierra — Google review
The Currituck Beach Lighthouse was built in 1875 and is the only one in the state where the original brick remains unpainted. For a climb to the top it's best to arrive early to avoid the crowds. It's 220 steps up to the catwalk, and I had it all to myself to enjoy what can be described as spectacular views. The surrounding grounds were shaded and peaceful.
Charles Pinney — Google review
What a beautiful place! Great place to have a picnic also. Would definitely go back
COLLEEN PRALL-EMM — Google review
An intense walk up to the top of the lighthouse, but so worth it. The panoramic views of the area were amazing. As one walks up the spiral staircase it is nice to.take a break at each of the landings to catch one's breath. A very impressive and majestic brick lighthouse.
The USS Wisconsin, one of the largest and last battleships ever built by the United States Navy, is now a nautical museum at Nauticus in Norfolk, Virginia. Touring it is a great way to learn about its history and see different parts of the ship.
This ship holds so many secrets. I am a lead investigator for Haunted Nights Paranormal Events and we booked a private paranormal investigation for the night. Had a sold out crowd and everyone had a blast. The curators were very informative about the history of the ship and showing us all of the history that took place on that ship. Little needs to be said that there was great paranormal activity and can't wait to go back. Thanks to the staff for keeping a beautiful ship beautiful.
Derek Morris — Google review
This was such an awesome experience! I’ve never been on a WWII Battleship before. The experience is two parts - naval history museum and the battleship. You can do guided tours or just walk the ship on your own. They’ve done a great job preserving this piece of history as well as describing the ship and life aboard it. I highly recommend this. Plus it’s a very affordable experience. All in all an excellent piece of military history!!
Brad Harris — Google review
Amazing museum with an awesome historic monument. I would highly recommend to people of all ages & interests. I think about anyone can go to this museum and find it as a really neat experience. You can explore the ships deck including 3 floors up and 2 floors down. Expect it to take quite some time to explore the whole thing.
Alex Montgomery — Google review
This was absolutely AMAZING!! As an Army veteran myself, I loved it! I did this tour with my wife. It is self guided, but a pay tour is available. We spent 3 hours touring every nook and crany of this vessel. The history of it is so much more than I imagined. This is a must see exhibit! Come early as this does take a while to tour completely, as there is an inside museum as well. We will definitely visit again.
Aaron Able — Google review
I always enjoy visiting our military museums. Battleship Wisconsin is one of my favorites because the guides on board are very helpful. It is easy to request military ceremonies on board for advancements and change of command type situations, and they are very helpful with details and providing needed equipment. My son loves exploring different places on the ship, and they have various programs during the year. DEFINITELY worth several visits!
Thao Barnes — Google review
A very informative self tour through a once operational battery ship. The teenagers loved it! There was a great indoor science center as well for young and old.
Heads up: Getting down to the different levels isn't possible from what I saw if you are handicapped, too young, or unable to climb up and down steep ladders.
atina tinkham — Google review
Had a great time. Awe inspiring historic displays. You can pay for a tour or go self-guided. There are 7 decks and two museums to explore. Navy vets hang out and talk to tourists about their experiences. I met a naval surgeon and since I am an OR nurse I found his stories fascinating. Great value.
Catherine Clayton — Google review
Did the self guided tour. Great chance to see history in person. If physically able there are plenty of opportunities to walk through and see a great variety of different departments within the ship.
William Charney — Google review
There’s easy parking which is not too expensive across the road from the museum. Staff are friendly and the exhibits in the museum are very informative. The actual ship is an education in itself the history of USS Wisconsin from World War II to the modern day conflicts that It found itself in. how shipboard life was able and is very real once you go below decks you realise how cramped and confusing it is, also what an amazing piece of engineering that wasn’t designed on a computer rather with a slide rule!
Phil Russell REALTOR — Google review
In the are for a hockey tournament and decided to spend time seeing new things. My family and our friends enjoyed exploring the USS Wisconsin. Even told other families who went to visit the next day and enjoyed it just as much!
J Borja — Google review
What a great experience for all ages. You visit the WWII Battleship after touring the naval history museum. There's a kid section in the museum that is informative and educational. They offer a guided tour (additional fee) or just walk the ship on your own.
Cost of entrance to museum and battleship: $17.95/adult plus tax is $19.25.
They did a wonderful job preserving this piece of history and documentation. They describe the ship and life aboard it quite accurately.
Wear comfortable foot wear as the ship is huge and lots of walking.
I highly recommend this visit as it details a part of the US military history!
Corina Mayo — Google review
Very cool big boat. Also extra cool it’s named after our fav state. Some interesting history through its service. Seeing it up close really makes you think about all the awesome people who served on it. They allow you to see a few internal decks. But a lot is off limits, which is unfortunate. I really wanted to see the bridge and engine room and that was not possible. Also banged my noggin a few times, but I’m over 6 ft so if you’re tall be careful.
Jake Gordon — Google review
A fantastic experience - both the museum and the ship. Our volunteer tour guide (an army artillery captain) put on a great show and was extremely knowledgeable. After our tour because he saw my extreme interest he continued around the ship with me explaining various additional things beyond the tour and telling some wonderful stories. Strongly recommend to visitors of all ages.
Zachary White — Google review
This was a very informative attraction and display. I like the fact that they have tour guides to take you around and describe the workings of the boat. Behind the scenes is definitely the way to go and don't forget to go inside the gun to it. Never living on a ship this gives you a good perspective how daily life was.
Warren Edwards — Google review
If your a history Buff this is a must see while in Norfolk!! We did not do the guided tours this time but we did see the entire ship minus the pilot house and a lower deck! It is an amazing experience and well worth the price of admission. No guided you can spend all day here! We spent about 4 hours taking it all in. It was a workout for sure, lots of places to climb down to or up to! Take your time and enjoy the experience! Thinking 18-25 yr olds ram this ship is completely amazing! The greatest generation for sure, it really is a great experience! I hope you enjoy my many photos. The galley and mess hall was great, officers area was neat to see as well !
Shawn Stiner — Google review
My family and I loved exploring this ship and we highly recommend your family checks it out too! It is such a great learning experience for kids. Definitely visit the museum as well. Expect to spend most of the day here if you want to see everything.
Katie Detwiler — Google review
Love these giants of the sea. We had the extreme pleasure of getting Charlie as a guide. He was friendly and had the advantage of being very versed in the Navy. Thank you!!
Darkwing Duck (Big_Banana) — Google review
The second year going and it got even better. Absolutely beautiful. They allow you into more of the lower deck which makes the event so much more interesting. They should consider offering tours of the ship’s interior all year round.
Al Montalvo — Google review
Very cool ship. Great history and fun to walk around. There are three levels you can go through. The top deck is off limits, which was a little disappointing but still had a good time. Took about an hour to walk through at a decent pace. There are employees throughout ship to answer questions if needed. Museum is nice. It is operated by the Navy, which was pretty cool. Gift store is also nice. They are currently renovating so there will be more to do in the future.
Bran — Google review
Wow that was a big ship a lot of climbing stairs. Bring your walking shoes. And don't miss the museum that's included with the admission. A lot of people around that can answer question. And if your a veteran or active duty go to there web site to get free admission.
Richard Schmidt — Google review
It was incredible!!! I've never been on a battleship before. If you've never been. I highly recommend it. Keep in mind, this is an actual battleship and it's not real handicap friendly (which I am). I wasn't able to go below deck, so I missed a lot of it, but my kids enjoyed it thoroughly!!
Matt Hatten — Google review
The Wisconsin battleship and connected museum are fantastic & well worth your time ! I traveled solo & took around 2 hours ! Great experience about battleship ! Must visit if you’re in Norfolk 👍
Kanchan P. Adhikari — Google review
Battleship that didn't sink and became a museum! We look through the ship first before heading over the museum to learn more of its history and all the other ships that used to roam the world. Always amazed me how people used to practically live in these things and operated them.
Niera Jan — Google review
It was an amazing Christmas light display while also getting to be up close with some very cool history. This was tastefully done with some many beautiful lights and sections set up. Getting to go below deck was especially cool to see, especially with the Christmas theme carried out there as well. The train display was nice to see as well. A very good visit, especially with the family.
paul matticks — Google review
Mind-blowing landmark. I was really pleased to hear the history of the ship as a part of the guided tour from the retired navy captain Jim.
You can go around the ship and see how it was to be a seamen back in the days. Some free parking space with a time limit of 2 hours is available across the street, but they recommend to park in the garage.
Ilyas Dossanov — Google review
Well worth a visit for people of all ages. A large amount of the ship is open to explore at your own pace. As well as several exhibits throughout the museum building covering local and maritime history of America.
The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center is a top tourist spot in Virginia Beach that focuses on marine life from the past and present. With an IMAX theater, boat tour, and aviary, this aquarium is perfect for anyone who wants to learn more about the ocean creatures living in Virginia Beach.
I found this to be a fun and educational aquarium well worth my time. I am a NC resident and decided to take a day trip to explore the Virginia Aquarium. The staff here was warm, friendly, and eager to share information to enhance my experience. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring the boardwalk and learning about oyster beds and reefs and the efforts to restore and protect them. There are quite a few large tanks here, each with different offerings, and more than one touch tank. I did not take the whale watching boat tour but I will come back to participate in the experience. I spent more than two hours here and still did not take in all that the aquarium had to offer. I also really appreciated that the gift shop had a large selection of eco-friendly options and things made by local artists. This was a trip well worth my time, and I look forward to returning with friends.
Charles Nye — Google review
Lovely aquarium. $25 for ages 12+, $20 for ages 3-11.
Lots of parking in front lot, but there is a $5 fee (pay at muni-meter).
At this time, reservations are required. We were lucky enough to show up at around 12 pm on a Wednesday and get a 1 pm reservation…as we didn’t know and didn’t book in advance. Masks are NOT required throughout the aquarium.
The beginning portion of the aquarium did get very crowded as it is a narrow pathway through a few exhibits, including the glass aquarium tunnel…when you consider tons of kids and parents taking a gazillion photos, this stretch of the aquarium can get chaotic at times…even with the timed reservations.
After that area though…there is more than enough space to explore at your leisure. Lots of interesting and well-thought-out exhibits…be sure to look and read everything. There is so much to learn.
The entire aquarium is well-kept and maintained. All staff were very nice and helpful.
I highly recommend the aquarium to those of all ages.
Jason Persaud — Google review
Great aquarium!! Tickets were 29.95$/adult and 25.95$/youth. The shop was so cute- so many cute souvenirs, I got a glass turtle for 32$ which is good deal!! I had such a great time, wasn’t that packed on a Friday afternoon. So fun for the family! Great value for everything. Cute fishies!!
Litzy A — Google review
We visited on 7/12/23 and it seems like most of the exhibits were completed with the exception of 2. We loved the interactive nature of the aquarium; we could have spent an hour in imaginary play in the underwater submarine. We also loved touching the stingrays and the hermit crabs. The cafe was open while we were there, but we didn’t check it out other than to snap a photo. There is also a nursing room / pod for moms. Highly recommend this family friendly experience.
Portia T — Google review
Great aquarium! Lots of unique fish to look at and unique experiences. Everybody we interacted with was kind and helpful. I’m glad they limit the number of people in the aquarium at any given time. To be honest, it’s still way too crowded in some tight areas with interesting attractions. My wife is somewhat claustrophobic and it did make her very uncomfortable a couple times. Wish they had more space, but can’t blame them for making the most of the space they have.
Only critique I have would be the ticket line. They have several stations, but they seem to only have one person working the ticket counter when we visit.
Tyler C — Google review
Quite literally a very old building, but I really enjoyed the features. It could be far more, but I assume they lack funding. Regardless, you’re coming to see the fish 🐠 and whatnot, and they have plenty of it. Fun for kids without a doubt. Went with the family.
Tolson Musick — Google review
What an awesome experience this aquarium is! We took our twin 6 year olds here for part of their Birthday and they very much enjoyed it. Staff at the various areas were extremely informative and it was very educational. Would definitely recommend this aquarium if you've never been. It took us approximately 60-90 minutes to do the entire experience but you could spend hours in there! So cool!
Lacey Jones — Google review
Went the Friday after Thanksgiving. It was busy, but no wait and we didn't have to pay to park. Staff was friendly and everyone greeted you with a smile. The exhibits were great and there were plenty of areas to stop and take a break. My 3yr old grandson really enjoyed, especially with the sting rays and the turtles.
Teri Manning — Google review
What a beautiful aquarium!
My daughters truly enjoyed all the exhibits, beautiful animals, obstacle courses, and guided nature walk.
We were all tickled by the talking crow, blown away by the mesmerizing sea turtle, in awe of the jellyfish exhibit, and of course, it's always a blast to touch the stingrays.
Staff members were all very kind, and our tour guide was very informative.
This was a great spring break destination.
Dani B. — Google review
This place is great!! We always go to aquariums in as many states as possible and this is definitely in top 5. It is older so they are doing renovations but the exhibits are very good. They've worked hard at making it all encompassing. I wish I could buy the soundtrack!! It's so relaxing!! The gift shop has a large variety and is decently priced. Everyone is so friendly, insider tip....if you see someone with a messenger bag ask what's in it!! They're so knowledgeable and ready to share what they know!!
Terri Hart — Google review
We had fun overall. The adventure park trail is beautiful. Not worth the 59 we paid for 2 adults 1 child. Cafe closed for renovation, no other food options. Very small, few attractions and the adventure park not included. They are making renovations to a large back building so once cafe and back building are done I'd say it's worth it but unless they reduce the price for the very reduced usage/viewing options during renovation I'd skip it.
Jaime Clark — Google review
We spent 2 hrs here. If you take your time, engage in the many interactive features it's worth the money and won't take 45 min like some reviews say.
Very interactive, technology and sensory (touch whale baleen, what does shark skin feel like, touch a sting ray in the touch pond, play in a replica submarine with lots of buttons, knobs, switches & lights, and SO much more). We got to see a sea turtle and a moray eel get fed.
Reserved the 9am time slot as I read it can get very crowded later in the day, was not crowded was able to make our way through exhibits with ease.
Danielle Roberts — Google review
We purchased the Dolphin Cruise for our family of 5. We enjoyed taking the kids out on the intercostal waterway and the Atlantic ocean. It was really awesome to see the dolphins and to view Virgina Beach from the boat. I highly recommend this tour. The staff was engaging with everyone and there also is a nice little place inside to get drinks and snacks and cool off. There are bathrooms on this boat. Bring your camera so you can get some great photos and videos.
Christina Marie — Google review
I really enjoyed going to the aquarium for my first time. It was a night for VA BEACH employees and family. Everyone seemed to be really enjoying the evening. There was also cake and drink such as water and punch of some kind. The pictures and video say more than I can. Please enjoy and go for yourself soon.
Darryl — Google review
My daughter and I travel almost two hours to visit every year for her birthday. There are so many types of life to see, and lots of exhibits. We enjoy the outside walk, as well. We will definitely be returning! I do recommend visiting during the week in the off-season, while school is in. It is a lot less busy!
Lindsey Chase — Google review
Very nice facility. Fun for the children with lots of hands-on exhibits. I liked having the opportunity to touch a sea jelly. It was very clean, and there were many employees around to provide more information than was included on the signs. The cafe was a bit hard to find in the main building.
Shari Clifton — Google review
Great aquarium. We spent 4 hours there today. 🥱 Definitely worth it. Lots of touch pools. Sting Ray's, Jellyfish and Hermit Crabs. There's play areas for toddlers. Several gift shops. The outdoor adventure coarse is cool. We did not take advantage. But several were having fun out there. The second building had the Jellyfish and octopuses 🐙 sadly no octopuses were out today. We did eat at the café. It was actually worth it. Pleased with all of the food. Overall it was a great experience. 👍🏼
april “aprilbeautylife” — Google review
I've been going to this place ever since I was a kid. It's a really great aquarium, especially for visitors from out of town. It isn't the biggest, but the staff is always so sweet and kind, and they're always incredibly knowledgeable. It's a great learning experience for kids to come here too! They've made some improvements and added some new exhibits that are really awesome! They also include a lot of detailed information about the surrounding area, which is really knowledgeable and important to the local community. I've lived here in Virginia Beach for 20 years, and this is still a great and wonderful exhibit. Highly recommended.
Misha Haynie — Google review
It was a good time. A lot of things are empty either due to covid or them getting ready to remodel. My husband and I took our son for his first visit and we all still enjoyed it. Wish the city would invest more money in the aquarium so they could expand and add more things.
Ryan Rodriguez-Bishop — Google review
Such a beautiful place our 7 month old had an amazing time. Highly recommend this experience. Loved that it wasn't crowded but did seem to be really busy when we were leaving so I recommend earlier times. Parking was also smooth too by being early (1130).
Shanell M — Google review
This was one of the best Aquariums we've visited on Vacation... Tons of sea life and local river types of fish... Several sharks and huge sea turtles.. my favorite sea animal.. some wildlife, snakes, frogs and such, and a huge alligator and Komodo dragon... We spent probably easily around 2 hrs there.. several interactive things for kids to do and see.. I highly recommend going... Also some outdoor things to see as well
James Vinson — Google review
I visited 2 yrs ago and enjoyed it. This time around, It just didn't seem as exciting. Like everything else, prices went up, and now, during their peak summer season, you have to buy a ticket on their website with your arrival time. They also added a $5. Parking fee. I understand things have to be updated and repaired, and they must close exhibits, but the aquarium just wasn't the same without the sharks this time around.
Ken Breitenbecker — Google review
If you’re on Virginia Beach this place is worth an hour of your time. It’s not that much of an aquarium but it’s integrated nicely in its beautiful surroundings. The aquarium describe the local environment vividly and interesting.
Morten Andersen — Google review
My family and I had a great experience at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center! We happened to be staying in Virginia Beach during our road trip and found the aquarium when looking for things to do in the area. We all love animals so naturally we wanted to go see the exotic sea animals at the aquarium!
We purchased our tickets online through my husband since he is an active duty member and could get a discount ($2 off adult and youth rates). So just a heads up if you are a military family, they do offer discounted rates!
The aquarium is pretty big! The entrance is also located right by the gift shop in case you'd rather do your shopping beforehand. I noticed when going to aquariums or similar places, gift shops are more busy at the end of the day when people are leaving. They have all the typical items for sale (toys, stuffed animals, aquarium merchandise, apparel etc.)
There's a bunch of animals to see at the aquarium! Starting with the seals that are in the front, one animal you don't have to pay to see! They're so adorable and really know how to put on a show. Inside they have a big selection of different fish, amphibians, sea turtles, sharks, sting rays (you can pet them!) etc. Prepare for a decent amount of walking since the place is huge! They also have an outdoor area that you can walk around and enjoy the river that runs alongside the aquarium. It was very relaxing to spend a moment enjoying the beautiful views.
Overall I highly recommend taking your family here! Kids and adults will have a great time seeing all of the gorgeous animals they have.
Darien D. — Google review
This place is a captivating destination with a diverse range of marine life exhibits. From playful otters to majestic sea turtles, the aquarium offers an immersive experience for visitors of all ages. The knowledgeable staff enhances the educational aspect, making it an excellent place for families and marine enthusiasts. The interactive displays and well-maintained facilities contribute to an enjoyable and informative visit.
Jahidul Hasan — Google review
Reserving tickets online are convenient on their website. Parking is widely available. I have been visiting the aquarium with my dad for over a decade. We always learn something new about our seas. My toddlers enjoyed the touch pools near the end of the main building. Featuring a wide variety of aquatic animals and activities, it is an excellent educational experience for the entire family. We left inspired to be better stewards of our waterways and to protect our ocean friends.
Tabitha Short — Google review
We had a blast today with a 7y old and a 5y old. Spent 7 hours there!
Easy parking, easy check-in with online tickets. Very friendly staff and mascot photo-ops. Tons of interactive exhibits, as well as touch pools (rays, bay and jellies) for kids, separate tanks for Red Sea, sharks and bay. I particularly enjoyed the diverse and relevant information about ancient Virginia & geology. I think they design the exhibits with ecosystem concept in mind, which I appreciate a lot. They don’t have a lot of shows (we did see seal feeding and training which was very short) which I don’t mind at all, I love how educational the whole experience was. We even went to the south building via the nature trail, we enjoyed the trail and the outdoor playground the most. The playground and south building is partially finished, but I see huge potential. I hope they will add octopus, more otters, unique marine lives in the future. And complete the playground, please. It’s a Chesapeake bay concept playground, which is so cool, and again very hands-on and educational. I read some of the information panels and love what they offer. And hope the overall playground amenities will encourage kids to explore, learn and spend long hours outdoor, because it’s by the Owl creek! We spotted pelicans, egrets, geese, herons and more today. Maybe one day they will offer guided kayak tour as well?
The most “disappointed” part of today was the boat tour, we did see a few dolphins, but 2h was long and a little plain for my kids.
Overall, this was an excellent indoor and outdoor full-day trip with kids. It was very educational and fun. Definitely will be back.
Serena Liao — Google review
Second time visiting this aquarium on our trips to Virginia Beach from Ohio and we loved it even more than the last time! We were early and got to watch the outdoor seals get fed, which was a cool experience. The exhibits were all clean and well taken care of. But one of the best things about this facility that sets it apart from the rest is the staff. They are engaging, smart, and kind. This one lady (and I regret not getting her name) shared many stories of the animals we saw and personal experiences she has had working there. Loved her enthusiasm and drive. Will definitely come back the next time we are in the area. ❤️
Jessica Wolfe — Google review
VR, adventure park, two buildings, photos,gift shop,epic exhibits and amazing staff. 👏🏽 I mean what else could you ask for plus the other building has an outdoor area. Plus so much more my daughter and I saw but don't want to spoil it for anyone. Was super cool to see all the changes and to take my daughter. I haven't been to this aquarium since I was a kid. So if you haven't been you should go or go again. Oh in April they will have a mermaid also the cafe is super nice the food was really good.
April Calderon — Google review
Great place to see marine life!
Such a fun day seeing all types of fish, reptiles, and some water loving mammals. I absolutely loved the variety of the exhibits. The sharks were one of my favorite creatures to observe.
Admission price was reasonable for the size of the venue. My husband and I spent about two hours and had a great time. It was Easter weekend, but it did not feel packed or crowded. We did not walk the trail on the outside of the main building, but we plan to visit again in the future.
V. Tsodzo — Google review
Kimberly at ticket admissions was extremely knowledgeable and helpful in getting our tickets with add ons! All employees we came in contact with were awesome, educated & excited to be there. The wait for ticket purchase honestly wasn’t bad, they were quick & efficient — but if you want to bypass the line all together I recommend buying the tickets online
The overall experience was so fun, packed full of sights, education & activities - never a dull moment! Thanks
VB Aquarium!!!🤍🐠🪼🦀🐙
JORDAN LASSITER — Google review
We had a great time. Pace your time, much to see. The nature walk to the South building is very nice with lots of places to sit. It rained on us but the tree canopy kept us pretty dry. Great for the entire family.
TTV rayray284 — Google review
Absolutely amazing experience. I’ve lived in VA for almost 10 years now and this was my very first time going. It was wonderful, informative, creative, and fun. I will definitely be going back and may make this a monthly visit. I absolutely loved it.
Imari Perkins — Google review
I had a really great time here. Aquariums are just fun and awe inspiring. I will say a couple things that I didn’t love about this location and then will share what I did love.
I don’t like that you have to pay for parking in the summer. Winter is fine, but I don’t like that it is $5 to park. For where it is located, it just doesn’t feel right to me.
The aquarium feels small. They have fantastic exhibits and wonderful species. I am just saying from past experiences at other aquariums, I just did not spend as much time here. The price is also high.
What I did love: the seals are very cute and I like their exhibit being outside the aquarium.
The Komodo dragons are so cool to see.
Staff was very friendly and kind.
Two kinds of sea turtles on display was really cool
Brennan — Google review
We had a great time with my kids and grandkids. The Aquarium was really busy on that Saturday and there were so many people! It made it a little harder to get around but we started at the North Building and then walked to the South Building. The kids had a blast and we stayed about 2 1/2 hours.
jody korman — Google review
I would rate our visit a 10 star rating!
The entire experience was amazing.
From easy parking, building graphics, seals greeting us, friendly informative interactions with the staff, building layouts, exhibit signage, clean spacious tanks, engaging marine species, virtual reality experiences, gift shop memories, even the restroom signs were memorable.
This is a must see experience.
That is my review for only the main building as I will save the review the newly opened south building and the walkway between them for another day.
(Hint… it is also wonderful and don’t miss the Jellies)
James Kelly — Google review
4.4
(14187)
•
4.5
(3613)
717 General Booth Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, USA
The Virginia Beach Boardwalk is a vast pedestrian walkway lined with various hotels and eateries, hosting numerous summer events and concerts. Visitors can explore the area by renting a bike, surrey, or blades and checking out the family-friendly attractions along Atlantic Avenue. The beach itself is always crowded with an array of friendly locals who are always eager to help tourists navigate the area. Additionally, the beach boasts crystal-clear waters that are perfect for taking children accustomed to Pacific beaches on an exciting new adventure.
Beautiful clean beach. Locals were friendly and helpful. Always look forward to going back to visit
Veronica Hinkston — Google review
Love boardwalks! Enjoyed this one!! It was the middle of March when we visited Virginia Beach ... weather was around 40 degrees, rainy, and windy. We still walked by the beach and took in the beauty of the ocean. Would love to come back in summer.
Strawberry Fields — Google review
Everyone living in Virginia will never miss to visit this beach. It’s totally crowded most of the days and you have so many places to check nearby. Went on a storm day and it was crazy.
It?s me Charzi — Google review
It’s a beautiful place. Waters blue. People are very nice. And good food everywhere
BELLA A — Google review
Good holiday spot!!
Satya Singh — Google review
Great beach views. Plenty of stops to enjoy refreshments. Be sure to stop in at one of the many restaurants, especially "Chics"!!!
Marty Kapp — Google review
I love the beach but getting to bring my kids to the Atlantic when all they knew was the Pacfic was the best.
Taiesha Iles — Google review
Great family vacation place with tons of fun activities
Virginia Beach Living — Google review
The 3 mile Boardwalk was great and was kept really clean. I walked it every morning around 5 am while on vacation waiting for the sun to rise. I was able to watch dolphins every day while I took my morning walk. There are lots of places to rent Surrey's and bicycles to ride on the boardwalk bike path. Also, lots of food options. Looking forward to our next trip down there.
Richard Goewey — Google review
It is a fine beach with nice boardwalk. Although had trouble finding parking. Overall it is a good beach to visit
Aktha Panday — Google review
Good family vacation spot. We love to come here for spring and summer break. Lots of activities during the season.
Shawn — Google review
Specifically the Holiday Lights at the Beach they do every year, on the 1st of January they open it to the public to bike through all their light displays for free. It is one of the coolest and most visually stunning experiences we have ever participated in. Just so beautiful and worthwhile, we will come every year now! Just need to brave the cold beach breeze but that’s the only minus.
Marianna Gleyzer — Google review
Nice lovely place to walk on the beach.
Mary Kwast — Google review
I absolutely love this place. I try to vacation along the boardwalk every chance I get. It's a beautiful walk along the beach with views for miles. Not just the beauty of this place is spectacular, but also the atmosphere. The last time I visited, I went out just after dark because I wanted to see the ships going past. Well, I was amazed at all the active, happy people present laughing, joking, playing music and having fun. It's an experience to remember. There is so much to see and do along the boardwalk; many picture opportunities, artistic sculptures, fishing, beach activities, small museums, music, biking, restaurants offering freshly caught seafood...I could go on and on. It's definitely worth a visit no matter your age. It's fun for the whole family.
Chele Lee — Google review
Came around April and man it was cold and windy. Still enjoyed it though.
Justin Villa — Google review
Overall nice beach. Less crowds than ocean city beach. I saw people are swimming around 10 pm. No lifeguards.
Rahman Afrin — Google review
The Virginia Beach Boardwalk offers a picturesque coastal experience with its scenic views, lively atmosphere, and diverse attractions. Stretching along the sandy shores, it's perfect for leisurely strolls, cycling, or enjoying the vibrant events. From quaint shops to delicious seafood joints, the boardwalk caters to various tastes. The iconic Neptune statue adds a touch of charm. However, it can get crowded during peak times. Overall, it's a delightful blend of beach vibes and entertainment, making it a must-visit spot for locals and tourists alike.
Digital Sparks — Google review
Love all most everything about it except for dog dropping on the boardwalk and in sand at beach and pushes vacations packages sale people accosting us as we are trying to relax.
Located in the southeast of Virginia, Virginia Beach is a city that lies at the intersection of Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Its oceanfront stretches 3 miles, adorned with a boardwalk and beach-lined views. The First Landing State Park situated on its bayside commemorates the arrival of English colonists to Jamestown in 1607.
Most popular city on this route
13 minutes off the main route, 30% of way to Philadelphia
I'll never travel to Philadelphia without this trip planner again
The Norfolk Botanical Garden is a large and lush green space that features over 450 different varieties of roses as well as other flowers and plants. The gardens are always blooming, with special areas for younger visitors, and all visitors can enjoy the beauty of nature here. The Gardens use 100% renewable energy to run it, making it a sustainable option for visitors.
My family LOVES the gardens! It’s so beautiful and relaxing. There’s tons of space so you don’t have to worry about going shoulder-to-shoulder with other people. A nice place to take your kids for a peaceful walk. During the summer they have their splash pads open in their children’s garden and have a little area for babies too and the trees and flowers are absolutely beautiful! They also have little houses for kids to venture through and huge sand hill as well! Definitely worth the yearly membership!
Samantha S — Google review
Beautiful, large botanical gardens. Wonderful variety of local and exotic floral. You just feel happy walking around this beautiful garden.
We spent several hours here, there is ample parking, a nice visitor center with multiple bathrooms on site throughout the gardens. There's a gift shop, and tour guides available. We did speak with several garden employees, all. We're very friendly and knowledgeable about the different species of plants. The garden was very clean, fragrant, and just plain lovely. Went during the summer months early in the morning before it got warm. It did take several hours, and I'm not even sure if we saw it all. There are many maps throughout the gardens to help you navigate grounds, and you do receive a paper copy when you enter through the gate. The gardens itself is very child friendly, with a large children's garden with interactive splash pads and a center. This would definitely be a cool place to take toddlers to spend the day. We took our two school age children and they enjoyed it very much. They had a good time learning about the plants, exploring the grounds, and also viewing the planes taking off on the other side of the gardens.
Would recommend bringing some water, wearing good shoes, and spending several hours here to truly explore the whole thing.
J. Garty — Google review
Went to the Dominion Energy Garden of Lights last night at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens. It was basically the drive through light show, but walking.
Everything looked amazing! I think the experience was a little more immersive walking compared to driving.
You can tell very clearly that there is a lot of work that goes into putting this light show together. Kudos to whoever was involved in making this happen!
You can also bring your dog(s)!
There are snacks, hot cocoa, and other things to purchase, but we didn’t end up getting any.
Corey Donker — Google review
Love the flowers and beautiful walk ways. The main building is clean but does need to be ADA compliant as there are no push button door openers. I went on a Sunday which is take your dog day. I also love the kids splash pad, great for families. Highly recommend being a member and getting tickets early. When there is a carline sometimes having that gets you in all that much faster. The garden is awesome and lots of things to see and places to relax. The only thing it could use more of is parking.
Grant Fifield — Google review
Love the botanical gardens! Will be back for a doggy Sunday walk or to enjoy the cafe patio. The last few times I've been was to drive through and see the Christmas light displays, so it was interesting to walk the grounds. The botanical gardens are HUGE! Definitely take your time strolling and try to catch the circuit shuttle. Spent some time picnicking under the cherry trees, very peaceful. There are ground bee projects around the area, though the bugs didn't bother us.
Monica Ford — Google review
First time back in many years. Gardens do not disappoint. Beautifully maintained. The rose garden is amazing. Definitely the best Botanical Gardens we've been to in a while. Will have to come back next visit to VA Beach. Lots more to see.
Mike Maggiano — Google review
Beautiful gardens with a nice layout for walking around. The day we went was super hot and muggy, so the big trees provided some welcome shade. Love the giant magnolias and old trees in general. My favorite area was the butterfly sanctuary where the two lovely naturalists enchanted us with so much great info about the butterfly and moth life cycle. The NATO observation tower is also neat for its unique shape and fun views.
They have a great online reservation and parking system, and the website is very informative. All the staff we interacted with were great as well.
Hanting Kniphuisen — Google review
Beautiful gardens with plenty to see. Parking and navigation are pretty easy and the website has some helpful information for planning a visit. It’s easy to make a reservation online.
The trails are long which allow for ample walking, and there is also plenty of shade and seating if you need it. Restrooms and water refill stations are conveniently located along the pathways (I highly recommend bringing a water bottle). The gardens are clean and very well maintained, and have lots of flowers, trees, and other flora to admire as well as some wildlife. I would say the butterfly house, the NATO tower, and the magic forest are my absolute favorite areas. It’s truly the perfect place to go on a nature walk or have a picnic with loved ones.
Side note, the airport is right next to the parking lot and it will generate some noise, but you can go on top of an overlook and watch the planes land and take off!
Nicole Hancock — Google review
We took our mom to Gardens to enjoy the beautiful weather, and we were not disappointed. The Gardens are fabulous! We rode the tram, and the guide was friendly and informative. Great way to spend some time outdoors.
Diana Cournoyer — Google review
I can not say enough wonderful things about Norfolk Botanical Garden. It is a bit of beauty and peace in a chaotic world. Flowers are blooming all year round. There is always something different to see each time you visit. It is a great place for kids. There is a kids water park that is open in the summer. If you want to bring your dog you can on Sunday. You can ride your bike along the path. They have an assortment of programs to suit the interest of any age group. Their native plant sales let you bring home your own part of the garden to plant in your own. It is well worth it to get an annual membership. The holiday lights can't be beat.
Michael Baxter — Google review
I loved this place so much. This place was absolutely beautiful and so fun. We went and spent a ton of time at the butterfly house which was a blast. We got to learn a ton from Lauran the butterfly specialist. The rest of the garden was super pretty and very peaceful. There weren't very many people there which was nice.
Gloria — Google review
Awesome gardens. Great informational signage all over. The World of Wonder - children's area - is incredible. I've been several times and still not seen it all. They have different events all year. Their holiday light are great, and have also seen artwork made from ocean trash, and the birdhouse contest. Also attended a conference there. Well worth a visit.
Diane Leiter — Google review
I tell everyone I know in the 757 to get a NBG membership. It is hands down the most beautiful, tranquil place to go for a scenic walk or picnic. If I ever get married again, the ceremony will be here! We go every Sunday for doggie day because the doggies love it as much as the humans do. We are so fortunate to have this place!
Amy Hendrick — Google review
12/22/23 - I am writing a review based on the Christmas lights. I went with my family and there was 8 of us. It's nice they have food and drinks right before you start your walk. We got a donuts from duck donuts which were delicious. The lights were great! The walk seemed kind of short though. Also the crowds were a bit annoying. Taking photos you had to wait for people to pass or have them wait for you to finish taking your photo. Overall though it was very enjoyable and very pretty. I think we took about an hour to walk through it but felt quick. I would still recommend to go see the lights!
Matea L. — Google review
We went for early spring blooms. Daffodils and cherry blossoms were the highlight at this time. Gorgeous gardens, lovely walk by the water and really cool lookout tower.
Rachael Blake — Google review
Absolutely beautiful, i recommend carrying food and a blanket to have a little picnic. Enjoy the space for as long as you can. Very peaceful
Nadine Ramdeo — Google review
What an amazing Christmas Light display. It was such a nice walk, a mix between asphalt and fine stone, but all of it easy on the feet. There is a stand to get some delicious hot chocolate to take on your walk or enjoy there at a table. The lights are absolutely amazing. We had a blast and want to visit this summer.
paul matticks — Google review
Lovely experience, it's the beginning of spring and there are already plants that have tons on flowers on them. The flowering trees and shrubs are in their mid to full bloom stages and it's definitely a sight to behold🥰 visited the children's garden for the first time and my son loved it lol
Lexy G. — Google review
Perfect location for family or maternity photos! The Norfolk Botanical Gardens is serene, peaceful, and idyllic for families to adventure around and enjoy the gorgeous landscape and variety of plants and animals, and is also a great location for family or maternity photos in Norfolk! As a professional photographer, I like to recommend the gardens for portrait sessions as the landscape provides a timeless, classic background which is ideal for documenting your family's memories. As a mother myself, I bring my toddlers to the splash pad in the summer for hours of endless fun, stopping off to get coffee from the coffee truck, and then enjoying ice cream from the Ben & Jerry's truck on our way home from a day in the sun at the garden. The rose garden is one of my favorite spots for family photos, and especially beautiful for maternity photos to document the incredible milestone of each pregnancy.
Chelsey Kraus — Google review
We LOVED OUR EXPERIENCE! Beautiful display. Yummy snacks and coffee drinks. A booze free environment. I recommend the first showing cause the traffic and parking gets pretty bad! A nice long walk at your own pace. Very elderly and disabled will definitely need a wheelchair. A good 1/2 block before you get to a bench each time.
Melissa Miles — Google review
Wonderful visit on Sunday! Daffodils are in full bloom, beautiful camelias, and the azaleas are just starting! Always love walking through the Japanese Gardens and on the tranquil and peaceful paths throughout the gardens! ❤️
Cindi Courter — Google review
We recently went to the norfolk botanical gardens for the Garden of Lights Christmas lights display. What a beautiful event with plenty of things to enjoy for every member of the family. We enjoyed the event immensely and would plan on visiting during the regular season based on our visit. We spent just about an hour walking through the varying displays. Really liked the Under the Sea, aircraft carrier, and frogs! And the waterfalls! And the... well, I hope you get my drift! Go and see this for yourself!
The Mariners' Museum and Park is an extensive, comprehensive museum dedicated to global maritime history. One of the main attractions is the on-site USS Monitor Center which displays parts of the Civil War-era Monitor, one of the world's first ironclad warships, along with numerous associated artifacts and a life-sized replica. The museum also showcases a wide range of seagoing vessels from throughout history and their sailors in its vast collection.
Very nice place! Great location, we love visiting here! Nice family location. Beautiful grounds, and nice to take your pets for a walk, or as a family to go walking. Big parking lot as well. We love their walking trails!
Paru Paro — Google review
Wonderful museum! All of the exhibits are well thought out and informative. We came for the Monitor exhibit and were not disappointed. The America's Cup exhibit was fantastic as well. If you're a history buff or a Mariner, plan to spend a solid half day here. We'll be back!
Arden Chambers — Google review
Beautiful museum! Great for families! Admission was only $1 when we visited. There was something for everyone here.
Children's area, amazing artifacts, and emersive exhibits. Our favorite was the miniature ship models. The kids loved the scavenger hunt. Everyone working here was so friendly. The cafe was closed the day we went. However, there are great places to eat nearby.
Carisa Schlumbaum — Google review
Loved it!! I'm visiting from GA and didn't really know much about it. The Battle Theater movie is a MUST and it was very educative on what happened between the two ironclads. The rest of the exhibits made a lot more sense once I watched that.
The life size Monitor was fun to walk on, and the small part of the replica CSS Virginia that you can go inside was fun too.
The scavenger hunt for kids kept everyone super attentive and involved and because it's basically just a checklist, kids of most ages can participate.
We had a wonderful time!! I highly recommend it if you're in the area. Plus, it's only $1!!
Alyssa Allen — Google review
The renovation have given this museum a new life. I can't wait to go back with the whole family!!! Very beautiful
Elle Harden — Google review
This museum is a paradise for any naval or military historian, as well as for anyone that has sailed on the sea. The employees were all passionate and helpful, and there are plenty of things for kids to do, including a scavenger hunt. The museam is wonderfully curated and took about three hours to go through, and the cafe had fairly priced food and drinks.
Jacob Haver — Google review
Stunning natural beauty. Stopped by on a whim. Took a short walk on the Norton Trail. Came to the bridge and stopped there. Absolutely the most peaceful place. Then I looked down over the water and saw the 🐢 🐢 🐢 turtles. Wow...beautiful creatures. These aren't the loggerheads by the sea, these are Snapping turtles of various sizes. Amazing sight. Do not feed any wild life in any park. But especially here. These turtles can snap a finger in a minute. I watched them from the bridge. Safe distance...next time I'll go further. Loved it💜
Carol Kalvelage-Bohn — Google review
We once think this is a museum of telling history, but after we visited, we agree this is the museum for education, better to visit with your children. The most exhibits are modern ship models, and they will show how this model was made. Maybe the story behind the model will insist many people to learn.
hanhua ge — Google review
This is a great place to spend some time and is definitely worth a visit. Entry fee is only $1 but you can leave a donation if you enjoyed your visit. There are a full range of pieces from sailing boats to historical artifacts. There is a viewing area where you can see artifacts in various stages of restoration.
There are restored artifacts on display. There are knowledgeable staff walking around who are eager to answer any questions that you may have. There is an outside walking park but wasn't able to do it due to bad weather on the day of our visit. There is a gift shop and cafe on site.
Ray d — Google review
Took my 5yr old son here on a relaxing Saturday. We had fun completing the scavenger hunt the front desk gave us. Museum only charged around $2 that day. No lines and not busy but a lot to see.
Tino Martinez — Google review
This was a beautiful museum to go to! It was surprisingly large, with lots of information on different vessels and maritime events.
This place included beautifully detailed hand-made models of ships, real vessels, shipwrecked parts of the USS Monitor, and a full sized replica of the USS Monitor.
There was also an extremely large park you could enter for free, with lots of wildlife.
This is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon at!!
Emily Trunk — Google review
This museum is great. Extremely well done. With a $1 entrance fee, I had low expectations but this museum impressed around every corner. It focuses on the "Merrimack and Monitor" ships primarily, but it never gets boring. Quality displays that provided plenty of interesting information in a variety of formats. There's also a park that looked great, but we didn't have time to visit. This museum is well worth the stop.
Matt Triola (Tree) — Google review
If you've never heard or seen this place you should definitely come and check it out. The ticket price per person is only $1.00. My son really enjoyed it and wants to go again sometime.
Joshua Snyder — Google review
I cannot believe it is only a dollar to get in. The exhibits are phenomenal and the collection is comprehensive. I cannot wait to go back. The Monitor display is so cool. Make sure to watch the film in the gallery to understand why it is so important.
Brennan — Google review
I was in town on a business trip and stopped here to kill some time before my flight home and was pleasantly surprised. Upon entering, I was greeted by the docents who were very knowledgeable and provided tips on how to best navigate the museum and exhibits.
The highlights of the museum are the artifacts from the USS Monitor. You definitely want to watch the movie on the Battle of Hampton Roads between the USS Monitor and CSS Virginia. There's also the International Small Craft Center located in a separate building and an informative exhibit on the America's Cup yacht. But my favorite exhibit was the Miniature Ship Models of August Crabtree.
Kin Wong — Google review
Amazing! If you are in the VA Beach area, definitely go see the museum. $1 admission which means basically free!
Susan Parente — Google review
Lots of information regarding the Monitor and Merrimack battle, plus other general mariner information. The replica and artifacts from the Monitor were the biggest draw and are not to be missed. The museum is only $1, so you can't be it for value, and the docents are excellent and knowledgeable.
Chris M. — Google review
We learned so much, and entry was only $1 each. It took us 2.5 hrs to get through the first half. However, we read everything and looked at everything thoroughly. We Want to go back next time we are in VA as they were setting up for a new exhibit.
Sum Sum — Google review
We spent nearly 3 hours in the museum, which cost us only $1 each. It was well laid out and very informative. It described the story of the ironclad ships, the Merrimac and the Monitor, and there were reconstructions of the Monitor's turret as well as the entire ship. It was really interesting to see the actual turret being treated/preserved in a giant tank in the museum. Our only disappointment was that the cafe was closed. We then walked the 5-mile Noland trail around the park. This is a well- marked path with 14 large wooden bridges.
Patricia Goldring — Google review
Great museum for all ages. Also history is being restored in front of your eyes! Having the actual first Ironside that you can see and almost touch is amazing! I can't wait until it's all finished!
I was with my sister and her family and had fun playing large scale battleship and exploring with them. Highly recommend this to anyone in the area!
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is a remarkable 17.6-mile bridge-tunnel system that serves as an engineering marvel at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. It provides a seamless connection between Virginia's Eastern Shore and the mainland, offering travelers a scenic and convenient way to cross the bay. Completed in 1964, this iconic structure was designed to eliminate the reliance on ferries for transporting passengers and cargo, making it an essential part of Virginia's transportation network.
Maps, site guides & exhibits on the Revolutionary War's 1781 Siege of Yorktown, plus a gift shop.
So in love with Yorktown. My meditation spot. The atmosphere is surreal. Rich in history. Absolutely stunning views. What's not to love?
(H💚ME)
Photo's are of Yorktown National Cemetery / Battlefield.
My daughter and I walked the battlefield and had a memorable day.
Robyn Waring — Google review
The visitor center and battlefield are amazing to see from a historical perspective but as attractions go, it was lacking. The flow of the building itself distracted from what the theme of the visitor center was trying to establish. I'd love to see more focused exhibits help transition visitors through smoother. Still a great visit if you are even remotely interested in history.
Shane McGuirt — Google review
Ah, the historic Yorktown Battlefield, a gem of American history. The site where pivotal moments unfolded during the Revolutionary War. The meticulously preserved grounds transport you back in time, allowing you to relive the courage and determination of those who fought for independence.
The interpretive exhibits provide a comprehensive understanding of the siege of Yorktown, showcasing the military strategies employed by both American and French forces. Walking the earthworks and standing on the battleground, one can't help but feel a profound connection to the past.
The attention to detail in preserving the historical accuracy of buildings and landscapes is commendable. The visitor center offers a wealth of information, complemented by knowledgeable staff ready to answer any questions.
As a history enthusiast, I appreciate the immersive experience the Yorktown Battlefield offers. It's not just a collection of artifacts; it's a living testament to the sacrifices made for freedom. Whether you're a seasoned historian or just curious about America's roots, a visit to Yorktown Battlefield is a journey through time that's both educational and moving.
Digital Sparks — Google review
Amazing experience walking the same grounds our founder and forefather fought for our country! My husband and I did the driving tour. Made super easy and user friendly with the app. The staff made the directions very clear for having the best experience and making the most of our time here. Great experience! Wonderful staff.
Cynthia Lopez — Google review
Large battlefield that can be walked and driving trails. Visitor Center offers a 15 min video on history of the battlefield, has a small museum, and National Parks gift shop. Near the Yorktown waterfront.
Josh Hollinger — Google review
The visitor center provides a great introduction to the battle/siege of Yorktown. Then, the driving tour provides a good exposure to what the battlefield probably looked like. Redoubt 9/10 is the best stop, but I'd recommend doing the driving tour stopping at the second siege line, Redoubt 9/10, the Moore House, and surrender field at a minimum. Make sure you pick up the park brochure to compliment the specific driving tour signs to help you navigate to the stops.
Gary Klein — Google review
Very cool to see the history and let kids run around. I see no need to pay even though we did. Paying got you inside the small museum. They did have some of George Washington's stuff he really uses in there but the cool part was driving to the different locations. Very easy to do
Jay P — Google review
Battlefield tour is amazing. Be sure to take the encampment tour as well. All at your own pace by car and aided by the app. Take the time to get out at each stop and take it all in!
Joe Williams — Google review
We had a great experience! Right next to the beach and we were able to capture drone shots and panoramic shots of the statue! Great place to take in the history of this nation and was a crucial turning point in our society. Great place to meet people , food, and to get away with the family and have a peaceful time.
Loren Bagley — Google review
The Yorktown National Battlefield Park tells the story of the concluding confrontation of the Revolutionary War. The installation in the Visitors Center is interesting and educational. The driving tour of the battlefield is also a great view of the ground where the siege occurred and how the English lost. Definitely download the Yorktown app since the narration is very helpful. The colonial town also gives you the sense of what the grounds were like in that era. It's much less touristy than nearby Williamsburg and much less crowded. The memorial is also a nice place to stop.
Millie Kwan — Google review
Small visitor center. Has public bathrooms, trolley stop, parking and you can buy Yorktown Battlefield tickets there. Kids 15 & under and Former/Current military are free. Seniors are discounted. Everyone else is $15. Small museum at visitors center. Cannot buy multi-attraction tickets here.
That- Tim-Guy — Google review
It was a great place to learn about the Revolutionary War and what role Washington and Cornwallis played. It sent chills down my body when I was reading about Cornwallis's surrender and what effect that had on the outcome of the war. Amazing! The entire region is a vast wealth of history. Highly recommended to all who value freedom over tyranny! Thank a veteran!
bk hurst — Google review
Love the history here. I like the flow of the presentations and descriptions of life on the colonies, the struggle for freedom, and how it affected every person living there. If you are a history nut, give yourself time to walk, read, and listen to the displays and rangers. Going back today to take family on the driving tour.
Marty Hogan — Google review
What an amazing job they have done at the Yorktown Battlefield and Visitors Center! The National Parks locations are always top-notch! So impressive. They do a great job honoring our history! So much to see and learn in Yorktown.
I wish I had more time to spend in the great museum and gift shop. I did find two shirts in the shop priced better than in other historic locations.
The driving tour was great and even better with the National Parks app audio guide.
Yorktown is a must-see for any history buff!
I highly recommend it!
Jason Sargent — Google review
Self driving tour to go view the actual siege of Yorktown, like the mounds that was built along with the redoubts. The visitor center is worth some time to learn more about the siege and how it all built up to that moment to end the war.
Kyle Johnson — Google review
I went during the maritime heritage and sea shanty festival. It was a lot of fun and there were lots of pirates! Many groups were performing, and there were local artists with booths as well. It wasn’t actually in the center but rather down the street and around Yorktown. Parking was a bit cramped but other than that it was a blast!
Alex Lichty — Google review
Gorgeous place to spend quality family time. Parking and trolley 🚎 are free, so you can park in one spot and enjoy the ride around town. If you're going to the beach, you can't park inside the parking garage, but you can go either to the top floor or any other open parking.
Eric Montalvo — Google review
The last time I was here was during the pandemic & the Visitor Center was closed...so happy things are back to normal. The rangers are very informative. We listened to a ranger's 1-hour talk...he was fantastic! I highly recommend the talk! It was really hot, so the normal walk that goes along with the talk was very brief & we stayed mostly in the shade. The museum has some nice artifacts & displays & a short film. There are 2 sets of bathrooms & 2 water bottle filling stations (1 was out of order). From the Visitor Center, you can take a free trolley or take a short walk to historic Yorktown & the waterfront. There's also a driving tour accompanied by an app called "Yorktown Tour Guide" by American Battlefield Trust. The battlefield tour is 2 parts. The first part has more to see & reasons to get out of the car. The second part is a longer drive with less to actually see...besides beautiful fields & trees. The ride is pleasant. 😊
Monique — Google review
This park preserves the original battlefield of the final war of the revolution, the conflict between General George Washington and General Cornwallis of the British army. A video presentation is available on the campus and a motor trail, approximately 13 miles long, tours the area where the American and French troops were fortified against the British. The fortified earthen embarkments (called redoubts) are visible along the tour. An app is available for download that narrates the tour. It is well worth the time and effort to tour the area.
Larry Henry — Google review
4.7
(1611)
•
4.5
(1686)
1000 Colonial Nat'l Historical Pkwy, Yorktown, VA 23690, USA
Multimedia museum exploring the American Revolution with costumed interpreters on the battlefield.
This was a great historical experience. There is a educational experience museum inside with hands on experiences. Lots of movie snippets that help you understand what happened during this time period. Outside in the encampment and farming area, there were knowledgeable dressed in time era characters. They were very helpful to answer all questions, and let you have a hands on experience. Dress warm!!
Michell Lazov — Google review
This is a must stop on your historical tour of VA. The inside is full of lots and lots of fantastic information, great artifacts, and one really cool movie on the siege.
Outside it just stays fantastic with a fully set up camp and farm that have characters in time piece clothing answering questions and giving presentations and demonstrations.
Nathan Jackson — Google review
Very informative, larger than expected with many artifacts, paintings, movies and exhibits. Nice outdoor exhibits, also, including farm, encampment, medical tent, kitchen and more. Detailed depiction of the revolution from start to finish inside. Allow a full day unless you plan on snapping pictures of everything and reading later.
Lisa Wohlers — Google review
This museum is amazing!!!! A must visit for anyone with kids or the history lover💗 it's an amazing experience for the whole family. My kiddos like museum and history so this visit was a one of a kind experience. They loved everything about it. From the staff dressed up in colonial outfits to the stories they had to share. Very educational wish more kids could experience this.
Firewife Tutumom — Google review
The American Revolution Museum was amazing. My teenager loves history, and he thoroughly enjoyed the museum. I appreciated the curators' attempts to present a well-balanced retelling of history. I was very impressed by the artifacts, videos, interactive elements, and the overall presentation of the museum. We greatly enjoyed our time inside and outside of the museum. I gave the museum 4 stars because the women pictured below was rude to my children and seemed like she didn't want to be bothered. She acted as if we weren't worth her time. I sense that she wishes it were colonial times so she could treat us as 3/5 of a human being. She also didn't offer my children a sample of the food she cooked, which was set out on the table as samples. She can work on her personality.
Lauren H. — Google review
Great productions done for their theaters a good museum with rich history telling the road to revolution and the revolution. We enjoyed the outdoor conversation with the actors from the time period after. Very knowledgeable and personable. They welcomed questions and conversation.
Jes C — Google review
This is a great place to learn about our history and revolutionary war. I haven't read up on it since high school, so it's always good to revisit the past, especially as an adult with a new maturity and different world view. I liked all the artifacts and displays that tries to recreate what life was like.
GP Vidal — Google review
The American Revolution Museum was so interesting! All the staff were so knowledgeable and more than willing to interact! The musket demo was so fun! We loved seeing how the soldiers lived and then how civilian life was like during the time! The gardens were flourishing!!
Jessica Lynne — Google review
Overall, it’s really cool to visit and if you don’t know anything about it then I suggest you watch the intro video at the start. We did the combo pass for Jamestown/Yorktown and it comes out to a few dollars cheaper than buying individually, and you can visit for 7 days. Honestly, you won’t need to come back but it’s at least an option.
The museum portion has so much information that it’s information overload. They have a few cool displays and there was more interactive stuff for kids than Jamestown.
If I were to do it again, I would spend more time outside talking with the people in the settlement and village than in the museum.
Taylor Bentall — Google review
The museum is very well laid out and expertly presented. All of the museums and tours in the area do a very good job at presenting how the countries of Spain and England influenced the early government, cultures, laws, and trades of the early settlers, but could not dictate or control the human will. The story is very well presented of how their early influence affected the course of the development of a new nation, being modified by the commoners in the new land, developing their own culture of human acceptance and endurance and governance. The museum grounds also provide live interactive reenactments of trades, family life, cultures, and military practices. It is well worth the time spent to tour the campus.
Larry Henry — Google review
Great museum and though outside reenactment campsite is small it was well done. My only regret was going too late in the day. With kids the outdoor stuff is most interesting and kid friendly. Inside is more adult focused but there was one exhibit where you can type in what liberty means to you and the kids enjoyed that because they show up on electronic lanterns hanging on the tree in the exhibit. If you go with young kids, just set your expectations. Everything is stroller friendly. Would definitely go again without the kids to read more signs.
Grant Fifield — Google review
This was great! There's a period accurate working farm with very informative speakers as well as one at the surgeon's tent and staff in the homestead buildings.
Teresa Hartstein — Google review
Very nice museum. Layout is a bit confusing and no one offered a map. It was very informative. Lots of places to sit down and plenty of bathrooms. Took us about an hour to get through.
Krista Bracy — Google review
You arrive to a large parking lot that is wheelchair friendly.
The initial desk staff is friendly and very helpful in getting you started.
The exhibits are well lighted and layed out logically.
There are several short movies that make the exhibits much clearer.
The artifacts and writeups are clear and concise.
Love the use of holograms
Outside recreations of a farm and encampment bring it home when you speak to interpreters.
Thur knowledge of all aspects of colonial life during the American revolution era is astounding.
An amazing bit of history that made us who we are.
Stephen G — Google review
The newest of the Museums in the triangle. Definitely a lot to see and read. There is a theatre experience that is a must do. Could easily spend several hours exploring.
Candi Marie — Google review
Museum is nicely done. Needs more light in the exhibits tho, my old eyes couldn't read most of the descriptions.
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area that encompasses beaches, marshes, and forests. It is home to various species such as wild ponies, waterfowl, and other wildlife. The refuge also boasts a historic lighthouse and fishing opportunities. Its clean beaches and stunning parks make it a favorite destination for many visitors. During the off-season, the refuge offers peaceful trips with fewer crowds around.
Beautiful! Love this place and hope to go back. Going in the off season made for a quiet, peaceful trip with not many others about.
The beach is a great place to watch the sunset. Take note that the lighthouse is closed. Of course you in can see it but cannot go up.
Shira Reeves — Google review
This beach is very unique because there are sand bars, 100 feet out into the ocean, that actually break up the large waves and offes a safe swim into the Atlantic. Lots and lots of bike trails. Wild horses can be seen near the bay side. Awesome place to take the family.
(Dogs are not allowed in this park.)
G. C. — Google review
Went to check out this lighthouse in memory of my mother in law who was an avid lighthouse lover.
The drive was pretty fun getting there. A lot of sights to see. Now the lighthouse is on a wild life reserve. There is a 10 dollar fee to enter the wild life reserve. It is an all day pass though so if you leave you can come back till it closes for the day. The light house is a short drive and is on the right. Attached is an unfortunately small parking area. There are restrooms in the parking area as well. But be prepared it is a very basic restroom. No running water. When we parked there, there was a map that showed where the lighthouse was. It is a short walk through the trees and up a slight hill. Word of advice. BRING MOSQUITO REPELLENT! They are everywhere! When we got to the lighthouse it was a beautiful sight. The brickwork is awesome. The colors made it look like a giant candy cane. There is a park worker in the lighthouse and they count people going up the lighthouse. There are 175 steps up to the top of the lighthouse so be prepared for a bit of a climb. Overall had a good time here. Plus we got to see some wild horses out in the fields😊
cheF4phantom — Google review
Traveling through the state 04/07/2024 and opted to spend the day here seeing the refuge, biking the trails, stopping by the lighthouse (still temporarily closed), and searching for ponies throughout the marsh.
Amazingly peaceful place on a cool early April Sunday. Saw a handful of birds - egrets, mallards, even a turkey! And crossed paths with a sika deer on the west side of Woodland Trail Loop.
The ponies had just been rounded up by the "Saltwater Cowboys" and had their annual physicals the day prior; so, they hadn't quite moseyed their way back to their regular locations. But we got lucky and saw a few throughout the day.
Back Packer — Google review
Chincoteague will always have a special place in my heart. It did ever since I was a young girl reading about the ponies, and then after being stationed there for four years, the people and natural beauty of it just made it more special. The beaches are clean, the parks are gorgeous. It is always one of my favorite places!
Thao Barnes — Google review
Beautiful beaches. Very family friendly. Not a long walk from your car to the beach. Only 10 dollars per car to get into the park. The horses are beautiful and so whimsical. My toddlers loved coming here. We will definitely be back.
Deborah Gleiter — Google review
The mosquitos are out of control. We sprayed with Off and didn't seem to make a difference. The trails are paved and well kept. The beach access is plentiful. The area is clean and can get busy.
Tiffany Mendoza — Google review
I love the area.
Recently, I've been visiting quite a bit lately trying out new restaurants.
Enjoy seeing the ponies. Candy shops are great.
Views of the waterways are nice as well. This visit I saw the light house that is going to be re opened.
Nancy P — Google review
Wonderful facilty and wildlife area. Lots of parking and driving loop. Nice beach to wander.. See the famous Chincoteague ponies along the roadside viewing point. We happen to catch and attend the spring roundup that was fun. Lots of birds to see and photograph. $10 a car per day or one week for $25. We will definately return.
Tim Ward — Google review
Kudos to the Virginia side of this island in ensuring and protecting these beautiful wild ponies from the intrusions by those few but destructive ignorant human tourists who are allowed to get too close to these ponies on the Maryland side of Assateague Island. The Virginia Rescue Fire Company and staff who look out for and watch over these ponies know how to protect them properly. Maryland staff take note...there have been far too many tourist abuses especially lately to these wild ponies because you fail to provide barriers between the ponies and 'some' totally ignorant tourists harm them. The poor horse 'Chip' story being separated from his family because tourists kept inciting him is one case in point. The shameful tourist who hit another pony in the head with his cooler is another. These wild ponies depend on us to offer supportive love and care. We humans need to remember that we are all one. What goes around, comes around. Zoom in to see these amazing wild ponies, with two recently born foals, and the brown horse soon to birth hers.
Rickie Banning — Google review
Always a nice place to visit. Lots of fun things to do. walking trails and beach, watching birds and wild horses. There’s a lighthouse and visitor center. It can be crowded on weekends. Try early mornings and evenings to avoid crowds and see more nature.
Min Zhang — Google review
As others have said, unspoiled beaches, wetlands and trails to walk and bike. Hours are 5a-10p all for a mere $10 entry fee. The ponies were spotted grazing at 7pm on a Friday evening. Birds are plentiful as are mosquitoes so BRING BUG SPRAY (and sunscreen!).
Lisa — Google review
Excellent place for a family vacation to explore the Atlantic coastline. Miles of protected rugged shoreline. The Southern half of Assateague Island National Park. Located in Virginia. In addition to the undeveloped park, it has a driveable wildlife loop in the evening. The island is also home to the Chincoteague lighthouse which is open to the public. Part of the beach is open to drive on with the proper permits. There are several miles allowed to drive on. Excellent place to search for seashells due to oyster harvesting. NASA has several facilities before driving to Chincoteague including a visitor center with a viewing area for rocket launches that NASA occasionally uses. The hotels are only 3-4 stories high. No boardwalk. Plenty of places to shop for any and most everything. NO pets are permitted on any park property including all public vehicles.
John Smith — Google review
So much fun. Spent the majority of our trip here. Loved that you can see the ocean from your car.
Andrea Havrila — Google review
Much more of an aquatic wildlife park with famed wild ponies. Clean and well organized. The park has different entrance fee based on single or weekly admittance or membership. Family friendly and a good spot to get away from the daily grind.
Jude Dike — Google review
Each time we visit, it’s a whole new experience. As luck would have it, we had planned our vacation months in advance. Apparently so did Tropical Storm Ophelia. We arrived Thursday, September 21, and TS Ophelia was due Friday night.
We went to the Atlantic Ocean / Beach to watch the waves come in. They were huge! The park service hadn’t closed off the beach yet. We visited the beach on Saturday and it was all closed off. One could see the waves hit the beach just from the vehicle. It was a beautiful sight.
Traci Fannin - Poole — Google review
We visited on a weekday summer morning. Thanks to tips from the park ranger, we were able to see 2 groups of wild horses grazing in the marshes as we drove along Beach Road. The horses are fenced in a large enclosure for their protection. It was cool to see shore birds and egrets relaxing on trees and fences near the horses. We also hiked the Woodland Trail but did not see any horses there. The Lighthouse Trail and the 2 visitor centers are well worth the time as other stops.
Barb Hauck-Mah (barbhmphilly) — Google review
I was on Chincoteague Island, walked around, drove around. I encountered some marshy and natural areas, but as far as a Wildlife Refuge, this is actually referencing an area on Assateague Island, the barrier island, around the Wildlife loop, that encircles what is known as the Snow Goose Pool, a watery, marshy area. People drive around the loop to hopefully catch a glimpse of the wild horses that live here, but they steer clear of the road- far away. As opposed to the Maryland end of the island where it is commonplace to see horses on the road. It is a very scenic area teeming with vegetation, birds, and even foxes. An unspoiled area that is being protected and it's awesome to have access to it. If you live in a big city, this is not something you're accustomed to seeing. Awesome stuff.
I did the Berlin tour!! Honestly the best ghost tour I've been on :) it was a long night time walk, which was very lovely and spooky, but wear comfy shoes and use the bathroom before leaving. Also if you can't do long walks or have trouble seeing it could be difficult since it's quick and in the dark. But if you can do it, I totally recommend it ! Along with the thrilling ghosts and town mysteries, I learned a bunch about Berlins history! Our tour guide was Karen and she was very nice! She kept things interesting, you can tell she likes what she does! Anyway, I loved the tour very much and I would totally do it again!
Maggs — Google review
Our group took this tour in July 2021. While we personally, didn't see any paranormal activity, it was still a very good time. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable even though she told us it was her first soul tour. The stories that were told were very interesting. We learned so many things and if we are ever in the area again, we will go on another tour!
Sister Sister Book Blog — Google review
Tour guide Mary was friendly, accommodating and knowledgeable. I would give this tour 6 stars if possible. Great time walking around Ocean City.History and spooky meet. Will recommend to everyone who will listen.
mike jones — Google review
Very interesting history of Ocean City and lots of Ghost stories.
Bill Snyder — Google review
It was great! My tour guide was the sweetest! She was so kind and really told some interesting stories.
Julia L — Google review
My wife and I did the St. Michael's ghost tour (28 Oct 23). We had a blast. Dee Dee Wood is an excellent tour guide and story teller. Very knowledgeable of the area and its history. She also has a good sense of humor. Thank you Miss Wood , for a great time. Glenn and Lisa P
Glenn Pepper — Google review
In my opinion, no vacation or trip is complete without a ghost tour. Despite the thunderstorms and the rain, I genuinely enjoyed the tour. A great mix of OC Maryland and the surrounding history (and some local lore) I highly recommend them for ghost tours.
Some of my favorite stops was the Henry House and the OC Lifesaving station, since their tales are both one of a kind.
Brittany Ledger — Google review
Very informative and entertaining. Highly recommend! Looking forward to going on other Ghost Tours!
sara noble — Google review
This tour was a lot of fun. The town of Ocean City, MD has a lot of history. Mary our tour guide was great. She grew up in this town and knows all about it's history. Definitely won't disappoint book now to get a good spook!!!!!
Cristian Diaz — Google review
Great experience and tour guide! I really enjoyed the history and folklore. St Michaels is a beautiful town and walking around the area with our group was a lot of fun. Made new friends and even captured a ghost on camera! Just be sure to use the bathroom before you start walking!
Angela Kopp — Google review
Very informative. Guide Mary was professional, pleasant, and easy to understand. We went as a family (two parents with kids ages 13 and 17) and we loved it
Alibeth Vandergrift — Google review
4.5
(70)
•
4.5
(561)
5775 Charles Cannon Rd, Marion Station, MD 21838, USA
Assateague Island National Seashore, a vast natural sand barrier, is renowned for its untamed horses and outdoor recreational activities. The park boasts various captivating features such as marshes, forests, dunes and a picturesque seashore that would be appreciated even without the presence of the famous equines. During off-seasons, visitors can enjoy the serene beach with minimal crowds. Nevertheless, it's impossible to mention this park without acknowledging the wild horses that wander freely around it.
All sorts of cool natural beauty here. Even without the famous horses I would still have a blast exploring this area. Every trail I walked on had something new to offer, whether it was marshes, forests, or dunes. The seashore itself is picturesque and really cool to be at, and because it was the off season when I visited, almost no one else was at the beach. But I can't talk about this place without mentioning the horses. They were so cool to see and knowing they were wild horses wandering about. I saw about 20 of them in my visit here, and it was just an awesome experience watching them walk around and stuff. If you're ever in the area I'd definitely recommend you give this park a try.
Tristan Diekman — Google review
First time visiting this beautiful place and camping. Loved the access to the clean beach. I would recommend to get to the beach early or not on a holiday weekend because my boyfriend and I were waiting like an hour and 15 minutes just to make it to pay the fee to access the island. Camping- lock your food up because the wild horses will come to your campsite if you don’t. It happened to your campsite neighbors. No one was hurt but still causes some anxiety. Loved the bathroom for camping for obvious reasons. Great place to explore and camp. I would recommend experiencing this place yourself!
Brian Copes — Google review
It was over 30 years since I had been there and I still love it! I got to share this experience with my son and he absolutely loved it too. We saw some wild ponies and a lot of wild life. Can't wait to go up again!!
These photos were taken at the Assateague National Seashore past the light house but before the Tom's Cove Visitor center and right after the visitor's center
pixargirl — Google review
Wonderful national seashore. Very kind, informative man at the visor center, thank you Peter. Spent the day there, visited the lighthouse, went around black duck Marsh and saw lots of ponies along the way and at the overlook out in the fields. Lots of other gorgeous wildlife, esp birds and waterfowl. The beach itself was so beautiful. Great day, can't wait to go back. Thinking of camping for a night or two next time. I believe with the proper planning and timing (off-peak when people aren't accidentally luring herds of ponies in to ravage the sites lol) it'd be amazing on the beach.
Kristen Baisley — Google review
We had an amazing experience while visiting Assateague Island for the day during our vacation to Ocean City. We saw more than ten wild ponies over a few couple visits. The beach and the dunes are absolutely breathtaking. We plan to vacation nearby again from May-October when the weather is a little warmer so that we can kayak on the island and go horse trail riding at one of the nearby horse farms.
Melissa Mazur — Google review
My family and I had a great day exploring this National Park. We were able to see wild horses, deer, and even bald eagles. It was very relaxing and beautiful everywhere we went. We will definitely be coming back.
Whitney — Google review
I adore Assateague island. I've been visiting this place since I was knee high to a grasshopper and will continue to visit this place in the future. this visit is with my wife and kids and couldn't be happier with the experience they are having so far. We spent a ton of time on the beach and we're able to find shells, sand crabs, and even horseshoe crab shells. There is limited parking which means there is limited number of folks on the beach. Not super busy even for August. We saw ponies and tons of birds which was a delight. the park requires a pass which is 10 dollars per day or 45 for the year. will absolutely return often.
Ian Miller — Google review
Amazing camping experience. If you could, get the campsite #78 at the Assateague island national seashore (ocean side)... just get it.
It is very private but please DO NOT forget to take mosquito repellent as they could just kill you at this campsite. We didn't find as many mosquitoes near other campsites around us. This has been the most pleasant camping experience with the beach steps away, private and very well maintained.
jack son — Google review
Beautiful state Park with lots of wild horses roaming around. Rented a couple of kayaks and paddled around the marshes. Hiked three different trails and the environments between the trails were very different, so beautiful to see so much in one park. Hiked through the marshes, the woods, and the dunes trail. The horses walked right up to our car but I definitely recommend keeping your distance on foot. Lots of bicycle rentals and fishing as well. Do plan on arriving early though, took an hour of waiting in line to get through the entrance! Definitely want to come back to try some beach front camping with the horses 🐎 ⛺
Nicole Austin — Google review
One of the most beautiful places I’ve been out of all the 13 countries I have traveled to! The horses are very chill and you get very close without spooking them. The beaches them selfs are soooo clean and the sand is almost pink at times . Definitely a place for all ages of family to enjoy 💜
They have hiking trails that are friendly for people who have trouble walking so that is a big plus! They also have multiple areas to camp. This beach allows you to bring your own horse to ride on the beach as well!
Kayla Mondragón — Google review
April was the perfect time to visit! Check out the visitor center on your way in to learn a bit of the history and then head over the bridge. We saw a couple horses up close by the road, but most were farther off along the shore. I'll bring binoculars next time!
Loved the Bayside, was calm and peaceful and we walked a couple miles along the shore, finding crabs and a baby terrapin.
Ocean side was much colder and winder and covered with horseshoe crab carcasses (which were pretty cool).
Think next time I will camp there, it was a bit crowded for my taste.
Kfirah Covel — Google review
Absolutely gorgeous place. Beautiful beach. Saw the horses. Just fun to see them in the wild. Could have seen them without paying the park admission as one greeted us at the end of the bridge - but love supporting our national parks
Valerie D — Google review
If you love horses, beaches and nature, this is the perfect camping spot. Yes, there are mosquitoes so take the proper precautions but Assateague Island is a breathe of fresh air. As a single mom with a young child, this was a perfect weekend camping getaway. It is easy to bike with a trailer, tons of nature to see and explore, lovely beaches for sea shell collecting and building Sandcastles and lots of opportunities to go barefoot and explore. Also, the horses are everything. My daughter rides horses and it was important for her to see horses as they exist wild and free. Be sure to stay 40 feet away and use precautions similar to those in bear country with food.
Jackie Omotalade — Google review
Assateague National Seashore is part of the American National Parks. It's almost a world on its own. We went on a summer weekday (Thursday, Aug 24) as well as Saturday on Labor Day weekend. I would recommend the former, if you're looking for peace and quiet or want to fish. Beachgoers at the seashore don't care about giving fishermen any space and kept walking into the lines. We went to the area right before the OSV section on both days, so really there were miles of open beach, and we were close to others who were fishing. On Saturday, the line to get into the park was less than a mile, but it took over 30 minutes to drive. Much quicker, and more parking available on weekdays. Cost is $25/vehicle for a 7 day pass (no 1 day), $45 for an annual pass, and free for walk/bike in. There's no food available in that area, so come prepared with food, shade, and anything else for the beach. There are outhouses and private showers, which is amazing. The horses are the highlight. We only saw them Saturday that far down on the beach. Follow the signs and rules!!
Shakila Nida Shah — Google review
We came to see the horses. Saw 8 within minutes. It was afternoon and they were feeding in the marsh. Also saw a pony. We didn’t stay to get to the beach it was so crowded so make sure you get there early. They also have a really nice visitor center. You are able to rent bikes, and they have a paved path.
Angela Radloff — Google review
There’s a tourist office right before crossing the bridge to ask about the horse’s whereabouts. They won’t know the exact location, but they’ll give you places to look out for. There’s also a bathroom to use here before heading to the beaches to look for the horses. We were able to spot a few after driving around!
Mich M — Google review
We visited this beach 2nd week in April. It was chilly overcast day so we didn't stay long, but our kids love a beach no matter what the weather. It's an Honor Code System as far as the $5 entrance fee off-season.
It's the only State Park Beach I've been to where you share it with horses! Listen, I love this concept, but remember you're visiting a beach that you share with animals that relieve themselves whenever wherever, of course. It's their home, just watch your step and do everyone a favor, leave the horses alone, and admire from a distance. Fines are hefty. Great spot to enjoy beach camping!
Melissa Y — Google review
Awesome beach and park. We saw few wild horses and walked on the beach. Our poodle enjoyed beach tremendously! Plenty spots for camping. Be aware of thorns. Our dog catch plenty of those just walking on grassy part. It was very painful for our fingers to remove those. To get to a deeper area of the park you need to pay even off season. Dog were not allowed there. Big parking lot. Bathrooms available in Visitor center before the breach. During season facilities open for campers on site.
victoria golishev — Google review
There is a state park, national seashore Stas after paying the national parks fee.
I see wild horses each time I visit the state park section.
The seashore side has walking trails. There is old, broken Baltimore Avenue.
From this section of the Assateague park you can go off road, but I believe it comes with extra fees.
There is beach on both sections.
There is a nice campground on the State section.
I love this park. It's very relaxing here, you can really feel the nature and re-energize yoi soul.
Highly recommend Park
Maryland
Dinara G — Google review
Absolutely in love with Assateague Island! This place is a hidden gem, and I can’t get enough of it. The highlight? The majestic horses that roam freely. In both of my visits, I’ve been lucky enough to spot these stunning creatures. Just a friendly heads-up, the park rangers are super vigilant about keeping everyone safe, so they’ll remind you to keep a respectful distance of 40 feet from the horses. Safety first, right? Speaking of safety, I’d recommend bringing a hard-top cooler, as those curious horses have an eye for any goodies we bring along. After all, it’s their island, and we’re just lucky guests. Don’t forget, the entrance fee is $25 for a 7-day pass, and if you’re feeling adventurous, they offer beach camping too. Can’t wait to make more memories in this truly unique paradise! 🐴🌴
Alexus Griffin — Google review
Assateague Island National Seashore is a dog friendly gem for beach lovers and campers. Seemingless endless soft sand beaches, back country camping, as well as ocean view sites in the sand dunes within 100 ft of parking.
Our family has done bay side camping in summer's past, and it was very muggy with lots of mosquitos. The last few times we've camped on the ocean side in the off-season (Nov & March), it was windy and cold in the evenings and at night. So either way, do your research and come prepared. Next time we might try oceanside camping in the summer, and bayside camping in the off-season.
We had had good horse encounters and some not so good. Heed the Ranger's warnings about storing food in your car and throwing garbage in the dumpsters, when meal time is over. Keep and eye out for horses heading in the direction of your campsite and act fast.
That said, it's a unique and memorable experience to camp so close to the ocean, to observe nature up close, and to have the beach as your playground only steps away. And for those that enjoy 4-wheeling and/or fishing, OSV (over-sand vehicle) annual permits are available from the Ranger's station. It allows you to drive on the beach all the way to the Virginia state line (conditions permitting). And is a great way to get some distance from other campers/beach goers.
Rangers are really nice and helpful, vault toilets are clean and well stocked with toilet paper. Cold showers are available all year round.
For EV owners, we could not find any destination chargers (or 30amp/50amp outlets) to plug into during our stay, but that would be a great addition. There are solar arrays, but I think those feed the Rangers station. There are plenty of Tesla superchargers at Royal Farms closer to Ocean City or on the way to Salisbury. There are a few EVSmart 50kw chargers between OC and Salisbury as well, but very inconvenient.
Abraham Oonnoonny — Google review
We visited the north and south side. We saw horses on both sides with the horse up close on the road on the north side. Seems they have more free roam on that side with a fenced in area on the south side. Worth visiting both sides to learn the history, enjoy the trails, landscape, horses and ocean.
Ashley Gutowski — Google review
4.8
(9307)
•
4.5
(481)
7206 National Seashore Lane, Berlin, MD 21811, USA
Animals from the Americas are housed in naturalistic habitats at this park with free admission.
I'm from out of town and I was just passing through looking for a trail to walk they had a nice Trail that had good scenery I took some great pictures in the trail also lead right into the zoo park that was free and the zoo was really nice. They had various animals and the animals were out and about. They do have a gift shop, restrooms, places for you to sit in the shade. Definitely good for kids to have fun learn about animals and there's even a playground at the entrance for the kids to play to get tired. There's also a big Park across from the zoo where you can have cookouts you can have a blanket layout just enjoy the breeze, the peace, family and friends and just the joy of nature.
Jay Wilson — Google review
Adorable, small zoo. Free to get in, nicely paved walking paths. A lot of the birds were not out during our trip due to the bird flu. They said they would be back out once the threat passed. They also had some blockades on a few of the exhibits as they have come to know that certain animals are more susceptible to Covid than others. So they wanted patrons to stay back further. This was totally understandable. Worth checking out if you enjoy animals or have children. The playground on the zoo grounds was a HIT. It’s big and very unique. Loved that it was designed by kids for kids.
Jessica H — Google review
Similar to other zoos, many animals are nocturnal and so are not visible or active. Others are just not interested in us. It's not a criticism of this zoo, just an observation. The animals seem well taken care of, and the grounds are clean. Great free experience, especially for those who can not afford to travel to see one of the "big" zoos.
Lisa McMahon — Google review
Although there aren't many animals to look at I still think this park is worth the trip! It's great for smaller kids that can't walk for too long. They have an awesome playground the kids can run around and play after looking at the animals and there are plenty of spots to sit and each lunch. Make sure you pack food and drinks, they have a small gift shop but it wasn't open when we went. I'm not sure if that's a normal occurrence but better to be prepared.
Stephanie Acton — Google review
This zoo is nice, has great animals and is free. Love its location. Loved the monkeys and the bison. The white peacock was so pretty. I would go again and just sit and watch the monkeys.
Mary Rasa — Google review
Many exhibits were closed when we visited, but we all still enjoyed it. I was surprised by the size, honestly. Not let down at all by the amount of animals, especially for being a free zoo, just wish we had been able to see more. I would absolutely recommend this if you're looking to kill a few hours and keep the kids happy!!
miranda gaff — Google review
We enjoyed this backyard zoo, it was really fun to see all the animals! Recommend it if you have little ones, and don't forget to check out their super cute gift shop!!
Atalante Shay — Google review
We had a great time here on vacation in ocean city. It is free and takes donations. It will keep you busy for about 45 minutes to a hour. Our son who is 12 loved it. It was well worth a trip here.
Mark Barnes — Google review
Perfectly refreshing place to get away from daily life. The animals charmed us. We saw a black bear turning his water trough upside down. This zoo is so accessible with a stroller and enjoyable for all.
Diane Albanese — Google review
A very nice and family friendly zoo that we visit when we make trips to Ocean City. No entrance or parking fees but please donate to help keep this zoo open. A decent size with various animals. You can easily spend an hour here with weekdays seeming to not be too busy.
There is a gift shop as well located towards the center on the East Gate Entrance side, not sure the hours of the shop but it closed right after we left and it was like 2pm.
Colby Guyer — Google review
Very clean, smaller zoo. Very nice day trip. Free parking and admission. There is a nice variety of animals to see here and the staff are very friendly when teaching you about the animals or letting you watch them feed the animals.
Mary Ella Burch — Google review
Very nice free zoo. A few exhibits were closed but overall it was a great experience. Easy to get to and parking was available on a Saturday afternoon. Would recommend for younger children as it's not long distances to walk and most of the animals are fairly close up so easy to spot them.
Sheldon Kilmer — Google review
This is an awesome FREE ADMISSION ZOO with what I thought I had really good parking. Had lots of fun here with some family, and I really enjoyed my time there! There was a bunch of enclosures, and each one had a sign to teach you about the animal that was there. It was also very handicapped friendly as there were plenty of paths and ramps in places there were stairs, although it was a bit bumpy in some places. I'd make quite a consideration to stop here, seeing as it's free and has a bunch to learn. Staff were friendly and did what was required to keep you and the animals safe. There was also a nice little gift shop with some pretty nice things that I'd recommend stopping at if you like buying something to remember your journey.
ProjectSkadi 935 — Google review
Cute zoo. A nice variety of animals in a very compact layout. The whole zoo will take about 45 min - 1 hr to get through. Parking and entrance fee are free.
Jeanette Dosch — Google review
Free to park and enter. It was a hot day but there were tons of shady areas while walking around. Good variety of animals. Employees were friendly. Gift shop had good selection of keepsakes at reasonable prices.
Danielle Meade — Google review
Very friendly zoo with a small, but still good, selection of animals to view and enjoy with your family. The park offers a small "beastro" with snacks, drinks and small meals. The enclosures are well kept and clean. The park itself is also well very maintained. I've been visiting this zoo since I was a child and am happy to see new attractions coming! The park isn't full of hills and is very easily accessible to anyone. Definitely a wonderful park for small children. There is no cost to enter, but please provide a donation at the gate!
Tara K — Google review
This is my second trip at the zoo. It’s a nice detour while going / coming back from the coast. Kids loved spending the time getting e cream looking at the animals and the birds. We always donate something when we get there and spend about 1-2 hours ( you can easily do more ) with all the kids.
Jitesh Batra — Google review
We were delighted to explore this zoo on a trip through Maryland. The park is well maintained, sustainably landscaped and free to visit. Donations are accepted at the entrance.The animals were actively exploring their environments, even on a sunny summer day. We appreciated the interpretive signage around the park to learn more about the animals. The alpacas, emus and bears were our favorites. There is free parking at the zoo and full restrooms. They are constructing some new habitats. We look forward to visiting again.
Barb Hauck-Mah (barbhmphilly) — Google review
The Salisbury zoo is quaint little zoo, but also quite nice. It's a good place to spend an afternoon and it's free. They also have a playground where my child and others had a blast. I believe the Salisbury zoo deserves a four star rating because it does deliver for what it is.
Scott Purper — Google review
I have lived in Salisbury most of my life, visiting the Zoo many times over the years. I just went this morning and WOW! They have really done some great work at renovations and new additions! If you have not ever been, or if it's been a few years, I strongly encourage you to check out the Salisbury Zoo.
The lively boardwalk situated near the beach is filled with various amenities such as restaurants, hotels, souvenir shops and other entertainment options. Visitors can enjoy the bustling atmosphere while taking a stroll along the vibrant promenade. The boardwalk offers an array of activities that cater to people of all ages and interests. It provides a perfect blend of dining, shopping and recreational opportunities that make it an ideal destination for tourists and locals alike.
4.5
(4933)
Ocean City, MD 21842, USA
I'll never travel to Philadelphia without this trip planner again
The beach in Ocean City MD is the most popular spot in the city for swimming, sunbathing, and surfing. The sand is soft and warm, the weather is sunny and pleasant year-round, and there are plenty of attractions nearby for family fun.
We love Ocean City MD beaches, we go every year! The water is always so beautiful and the shops, restaurants and boardwalk are a blast! We love coming for summer vacation and wouldn’t trade it for the world!
Katie Stackus — Google review
I love this beach! My favorite place for walking and relaxation during spring and fall season. The beach is gorgeous. Something about the ocean air, sound of the waves, and the sand in your toes, is so relaxing and can be a happy place for many.
K Young — Google review
I love this beach! My favorite place for walking and relaxation during this fall season, a go to place of course in the summer.
Lex Vera — Google review
Loved it here will be back. Cousin got married on the beach. Reception across the street. Hotel across the street. Plan it right and you can drink and not drive, be safe and enjoy. Had a great time with the family
sandie lamberti — Google review
Very beautiful beach, the water was very cold tho!! The sand is also very loose and kinda hard to walk on but its so soft it feels very nice. I def want to come back again some day :3
Cass The Frass — Google review
Wonderful place to visit. Guaranteed beach fun or your money back. There is a underwater sand dune that you can stand on that puts you safely in the middle of the water. It’s an awesome feeling.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
superafricanguy — Google review
We had great Sunday at this pleasant beach & beautiful broadwalk. Have amazingly beautiful list of stores and lot’s of food options to full our tummy. Adventurous rides and colorful pieces adds more to make this broadway a great place.
Rahul Sharma (TravellingWithColors) — Google review
We lived in Florida for four years, and I’ve never heard waves literally crashing on the sand. It was amazing, but a little overwhelming for my small kids.
The sand was nice enough (an unfair comparison to FL), but there were so many tiny flies. It was also nice that it wasn’t crowded and you could have your own section of the beach (we went around 10:00 am).
Easy walk from our Air BnB, but worth it even if it’s dead of summer, but make sure you bring your beach umbrella.
Victoria Vaden — Google review
I like Ocean City Beach. It's very long. If not mistaken, it's 10 miles long. The sand area is really big, wide so it accommodates lots of people.
Very busy boardwalk stretches form the south side for 3 miles. Many people are jogging or bike riding in the mornings.
The boardwalk is clean, and they offer lots thing to do here. There are so many food shops, restaurants, and souvenir shops.
Some hotels have pools on the boardwalk if you don't feel like walking on hot sand.
The beach is free. Live guards are on duty during the season.
Nice place for relaxing vacation
Ocean City, Maryland
Dinara G — Google review
It's my all-time favorite beach! There are so many things to do there. The boardwalk is clean and beautiful. The hotels around are kept up for the most part . There are miles of activity for everyone. Lots of food options hotels with beach views or bay view . They have very high-quality, high-priced places or middle of the road quality places . Your opinions are endless. The beach itself is very clean . I highly recommend a stay at Ocean City
Tina Richburg — Google review
Super clear beaches and so many fun things to do. The boardwalk is well kept and there are lots of options for food and drink. The whole area is easy accessible with multiple means of transportation. There are plenty of ride sharing companies, taxi companies and a bus that shuttles throughout the city. There are plenty of shopping and restaurants in walking distance of hotels. Was recently there for Bike Week. It was crowded as expected but everything was pretty organized. There were lots of signage posted to help traffic flow. The Convention center is also central located and easily accessible.
Jan Petrucelli — Google review
Ocean City Beach is a true gem! The sand is clean and soft, the water is clear and inviting. It's the perfect place for relaxation or fun-filled activities. The stunning sunrise and sunset views are an added bonus. A must-visit for beach lovers!
Katinov Photography & Videography Utah — Google review
Great gateaway for the weekend during the summer. Good foods around boardwalk and fun stuffs to do in the city.
Abhish Khanal — Google review
What a lovely beach !!! The beach is clean and there are showers areas on the boardwalk !!! Lovely place for family .
Mohita Chaudhuri — Google review
Great family friendly beach. Chairs and umbrellas available for rental. Amazing food options located up and down the boardwalk right next to the beach.
Mary Bloomer — Google review
Wide beaches, carefully manicured and maintained by local officials. Newly replaced boardwalk Tall buildings stretching along its coast and most favorable notice, and speaking for most of the state of Maryland's is it's clean streets. This makes an impression that reflects a cities memorable image.
Bethany Beach is a small coastal town in Delaware. It’s known for its wide, boardwalk-backed beach. North of town, Delaware Seashore State Park is a barrier island with miles of beaches between Rehoboth and Indian River bays and the Atlantic Ocean. To the south, Fenwick Island State Park has dunes and a surf area. The shoreline, fields and forests of Holts Landing State Park attract birdlife like herons and osprey.
Cape Henlopen State Park is a tranquil retreat situated on a former military base. Visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities including beach outings, disc golf, hikes, and observing the area from a tower. The campground is widely recognized as one of the best in the country with clean facilities such as private showers and well-maintained bathhouses.
Amazing find!!! We truly adored this park! The campsite was spacious, clean, and the history nearby is awesome! I was excited tho see that you could go up one of the lookout towers at the park. The showers were separate and clean. Staff was kind and helpful. Highly recommend this park for a wonderful stay! Just missing sewage onsite.
Derek — Google review
Beautiful park with an awesome borrow-a-bike program! The museum is very well kept and the nature center is filled with cool information! I definitely suggest stopping by the pier for the view of the coast and the Lewes-Cape May ferry. The beach was much less crowded than Rehoboth and stretched for quite a ways. There are multiple places to get a great view of the whole beach and the ocean. If you enjoy the beach, hiking trails, and nature, then this park is for you.
Quinton Lindner — Google review
Awesome place to explore for homeschooling, camping, beach days etc! Started camping here with my family as a child. Recently returned with my own child & had a great time. Plenty to do and see if you are camping spend a few days & enjoy it all! Nature center, bike share, beaches, trails, lighthouses, historic areas, the list goes on!
Essie Wilson — Google review
A lovely park full of nature and history. I love that you can go up into one of the towers (Tower 7) and they have lots of educational signs about the local history. A fun way to spend the day!
The Simple Environmentalist — Google review
My family and I love this place. It has miles of walking trails, free bike rentals, a cool little disc golf course and incredible scenery. We make a day trip out of it whenever we're in Bethany and it's never wasted time. Some of our best family memories are from this quiet, super clean natural area
Bill Ruffalo — Google review
Great park with lots to do for just $10 if you visit from out of state. We visited during off season during the first weekend of October.
We enjoyed visiting the Nature Center, which is a small room with 5 different fish aquariums and a small touch tank, which is nice for the kids. We were just a few minutes too late to partake in the borrow a bike program, but it's a great program that allows you to take a bike for free and ride the trails around the park. We visited the beach area, which has a convenient bath house and lots of space to stretch out along the sand.
There's sightseeing to enjoy- lighthouses, wildlife, and gorgeous water views. We definitely recommended climbing the observation tower to take in the sights. For a fun activity, count the number of stairs as you climb to the top! How many stairs did you count?
There's also an area to drive out on the beach for vehicles that are approved to do so, kayaks, and a military museum.
Definitely worth the trip in the summer or the off season.
ME Globel — Google review
We really enjoyed Hanlopen State Park with it's campgrounds and the beach as it was not crowded. Water was still on a cooler side. You can visit also Fort Miles historic place. This is such a great place for adults with children. The dogs are welcomed. Communal bathrooms are OK. You can purchase right at the campground's little store the necessities including fire wood. It was fun!
Olga Sokolova — Google review
Excellent biking. Both finished trails, limited single track, very easy. Nice WW II museum. One of the towers was open to the public and was able to climate. Very nice fishing pier, with an osprey nest. Beautiful scenery, excellent history, and nature with awesome bird watching opportunities here.
Jan Genemans — Google review
Great park with kind staff. Spots are close together but have enough space. They have a picnic table as well as a grill. Many or all have an electrical hookup. The bathrooms are all handicap accessible. There were 4 showers in our area that were not only handicap accessible but also didn't require quarters. The park is beautiful.
Kristin Kosmides — Google review
By far one of the best campgrounds in the country- we travel tent camping a lot. Very clean, quiet during quiet hours, private showers, bathhouses are always clean, and the campground is within an amazing state park. Unfortunately the place is booked up a year in advance all of the time by out of staters so even us locals are never able to enjoy our own state park. Hopefully the state park adopts a more reasonable reservation system like 45 days in advance. It is our favorite campground and we haven’t been able to go in over three years because of this issue. So, book extremely early while crossing your fingers.
Rick Bailey — Google review
Nice beach. Gets VERY crowded in the summer - you need to get here early for a decent spot and/or some peace and quiet. Just be aware there are multiple beach entry points. The beach at the end of the road (“The Point” parking lot) is for people who park their trucks on the sand… we didn’t realize that at first. The better beach is the first one you come across that has the big parking lot and the pavilion/snack bar. I recommend checking out the rest of the park as well. There’s trails and some historical sites. $10/day for out-of-staters, $5/day for Delaware residents.
Nikki C — Google review
What a beautiful park. The lady at the front was so kind and informative. The signage, the park, the bathroom, the beach was all so great. We got to see horseshoe crabs, played the disc golf course and just overall loved everything about this park.
I would love to see more state parks like this across the US! They are doing something right here. Thanks so much!!
Chelsee beck — Google review
My absolute favorite beach.. Wonderful facilities throughout the park and the really lovely campground with warm showers and electricity. Fabulous history tour throughout the park with beautiful watchtowers and abandoned the barracks from the world war two. Free bike rental available until three p m. Gorgeous bike trails throughout the park
Anna Belaschenko — Google review
We came to see the old Fort stuff and did not disappoint. It was cold, rainy, and foggy so we were limited on the views. No doubt it's a great place to visit in the summer.
Kristy Breseman — Google review
Beautiful beaches at this park. Only $10 to get in. Got very busy in the afternoons but the morning we were able to find parking and enjoy our space. Bathrooms available as well. A little walk to the beach but not too bad
Shannon Fultz — Google review
Cape Henlopen has an excellent beach with trails and camping near. They have ramps for the pier and ramp to go down onto the beach. It's a good experience for a quieter day of sun and ocean waves. I find these State Park beaches are popular in high season, but they settle down nicely after 2 pm in summer. Then, all day they're easy-going after the beginning of September.
I saw designated areas for dogs, and I promised our teen son we'll have a day with his little dogs. My husband and I spent a day there October 1st and it was busy but not crowded. The views of the lighthouse, the ocean, and sand dunes behind us made the day. This State Park and beach rates high in my book for having an accessible beach for disabled, plenty of parking, dog friendly sections, and being quieter without boardwalk noise, or street traffic.
Rachael DK — Google review
The Gordon pond hike was nice and relaxing. It was fairly flat and scenic. Recommended as a family hike for all ages.
Terry Bernstein — Google review
There's no need to pay during the off season but this park is stunning. The bay, the ocean, the piers, the display military equipment. My son loves tanks and this place was a blast for him! The hawk look out. The trails. This place is so much fun to explore. The towers are amazing as well! You can even see new jersey in some areas!
MERCEDES WOMACK — Google review
We love to go camping at this place! The staff is very friendly and helpful. The campground is clean and well ordered and the beach is very nice, especially if you go after Labor Day like we like to do to avoid the crowds. We enjoy the free bikes from the bike barn.(you can borrow them for two hours and ride around on the trails. For a large family it’s great not to have to haul bikes around with you.) I there’s a nice tower you can climb up and get great views from.
Aircraft & artifacts reflecting history of Dover Air Force base in a restored WW II hangar.
We were so fortunate that we got an opportunity to visit this beautiful place. Loved to see all the planes. They had two planes open for visitors where we could see the inside of the planes. This was the first time I entered a military aircraft. It was indeed an awesome experience!!!!
Smita Prabhu — Google review
Took the kids here for a fun day trip. We were not disappointed! It was a fantastic museum with great exhibits, and friendly staff. The majority of the staff members are Air Force and Navy veterans that are very knowledgeable on the aircraft and supporting equipment. You may request for a tour guide at no cost also. We loved this museum and highly recommend you take stop by for a visit. Additionally, there are free to use wheelchairs and motorized mobility scooters. We are planning a future revisit for sure.
FiveBoro Prez — Google review
This place is amazing. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. There is so much to see and learn about that we take for granted every day, but you can learn easily here. It's free, but you can give a donation ( cash) . There's so much to say about it; definitely come see, bring a donation, buy something in the small shop, and take lots of pictures!!!!!
Jean Young — Google review
This place is great. Recommend a tour from one of the retired guys. The cost is donations only (my kind of price - free)! Inside museum and outdoor airplane graveyard. Several planes that you can go in. Lots of history and one of a kinds. I am not a big Airplane guy, but it was very interesting. I do like history and how things work. I had three teenagers and they also enjoyed it. Visited on a Friday, but don't think it gets too busy any day of the week.
Rich Johnson — Google review
What a great and historical gem. The staff on site are very knowledgeable and nice. The C-5 flies over us everyday and to walk in one you realize how big it really is. I love WW2 history and they have a nice display.....well done! I plan on going back soon as the first time we were there close to closing and I want to really take it all in
Edward Kindel — Google review
Absolutely loved this place. My girlfriend is 20 year retired Air Force herself. So it was cool to go see it with her. Then she was ab to take me on the actual base also. That was awesome to. They have guides that tell you about all the stuff there and they are very knowledgeable. They even have the old flight tower you can go up and hear the chatter from the planes coming and going.
Bernie Gardula — Google review
This museum rivals any other aircraft museum in the world. Having visited the Smithsonian Udvar Hazy center earlier this year, that should help understand the gravity of my statement.
The quantity of aircraft not only on display, but also able to enter and explore is astounding. Some of these aircraft can’t be found anywhere else in the world.
The real show stopper is the C-47 that dropped the 101st Airborne on D-Day and Market Garden. Again, not only on display but also available to enter and check out with your own hands. Astounding. The aircraft is complete with battle damage from D-Day as confirmed by the former crew chief when he visited years ago.
I have never felt history like this place. Having just recently watched Band of Brothers also made this exhibit hit hard.
I also have to brag on the staff. The museum was hosting two special events the day we visited which had the small crew of volunteers spread thin. The museum operations manager (Michael) saw that my family wasn’t able to see some areas because of the events and offered to personally take us into the control tower and the C-47…and he did it with a smile.
Being located within an active Air Force base is a huge plus. The chance to see active aircraft flying is very high. We were lucky enough to see a C-17 doing touch and goes right next to the parking lot.
Lastly, the gift shop. They could do like other places and gouge visitors, but they don’t. Everything is very reasonable. Even the snacks/drinks.
Make the drive from DC or Philly to see this museum. You won’t regret it.
Steve Frey — Google review
Really cool place! You can walk through the airplanes and witness history. You can land a plane on the flight simulator!
Kevin Loftus — Google review
My wife and I had a blast looking at everything in this Museum. There was an Air Force veteran hanging out when we got there. He offered to give us a tour. It was great. He spent two hours walking us around and giving us good history lesson on everything in the museum. The tour of the C5 Galaxy is the best part of it.
Josep T — Google review
First timer here. Loved the experience! Free entry, plenty of parking, lovely veteran volunteers. There were three to four planes open for a tour inside. There is a hanger where there are a few exhibits but most of the actual planes are outside.
Ajimon Thomas — Google review
Lots of planes here some rare ones that you don't find in other museums. I suppose it's because they are predominantly cargo planes as that's what's mostly been based at dover. They have some ww2 aircraft inside that are nicely setup. They also have the only C5 available to tour.
vance watson — Google review
Great Veterans running this great Gem to learn from the men that experienced it personally...the kids will absolutely love it and all the planes and gift shop and plenty of parking . Don't forget to take the kids up to the control tower... awesome.. admission is free and no wait or tickets required but tips or donations are appreciated as they work really hard to ensure your family has a great experience. Ask questions as they are very smart and knowledgeable
fred Scannapieco — Google review
Highly recommend! This museum is free-of-charge, but is large, well- maintained, and is staffed by retired veteran's. They were knowledgeable and friendly. We were able to board several of the air-crafts. For reference, we are a family of 4 with two teen boys, but saw some littles enjoying themselves, as well. Our boys loved the flight simulator. We have paid to visit far less interesting places and were happy to give a donation.
A Smith — Google review
Spent Father's Day visiting this museum via a Harley Davidson 50 States stop. I was just amazed at how well this museum is laid out and well documented with exhibits, stories, and airplanes you can walk in. Volunteers were amazing. Very relaxing atmosphere with no long lines or loud talking as you view the exhibits. Hall of Honor was very reverent and a must-see and experience. Job well done!
Jimmie Jennings III — Google review
Really cool vintage aircraft on display and incredibly friendly veterans to help guide you through. It’s primarily a cargo plane hub so not many fighter jets on display but you’re able to go in and out of many of the old cargo planes. Air Force Two on display too.
Doug — Google review
Almost all planes are well maintained very nice people there always informative and friendly
Jose Perez — Google review
This is a wonderful experience for children and adults as well who love planes. We visited this FREE museum at the Dover AFB on August 13, 2023 where you will find full size Military Aircrafts including the Air Force One Plane and so many others. Wonderful Veterans give you a full tour in detail. We were able to go inside of many if the planes at the museum but visit early in the summer as it gets hot fast inside. They even have a control tower you can climb and view. The gift shop had some neat artifacts for purchase as well. Highly, highly reccommended.
Bally's Dover Casino Resort offers comfortable rooms with complimentary Wi-Fi in a lively casino hotel. Guests can indulge in dining, entertainment, and leisure facilities including a pool and spa. The resort provides an exceptional holiday experience with a wide range of games and entertainment options. Virtual tours are available to help guests navigate the expansive property. Additionally, the resort features various dining options for guests to enjoy during their stay.
My husband and I stayed one night in Bally's hotel. Very clean and a lot of amenities. Enjoyed the casino floor which was full of new and interesting slit machines. Plenty if venues to eat and relax. We had dinner at the Sugar Factory. Service was excellent. Quite a novelty.
Pat Lucas — Google review
This
The casino itself was what you would typically expect. Slots, table games. Atmosphere was nice. Facility was clean. Staff was pleasant.
This review is about the Toppers Spa.
Visited the spa with a friend and had the most terrible experience we’ve ever had while doing a spa and self care day.
We booked a morning appointment and arrived 30 mins early to check in.
We were guided to a waiting area while we waited for the nail technicians to come get us.
When we were finally greeted by the technicians, they were both very polite and pleasant throughout the entire process.
Once we got back into the spa area, my friend who is disabled had a difficult time getting into the doorway and chair because the facility is NOT handicapped accessible.
That was not the worst part. We informed the nail technicians that we had gel nail polish on our feet which required removal.
Typically a filing tool is used or foil with acetone to remove the old polish. Our technicians told us they were NOT allowed to use any special equipment or foil. What?! This meant they had to soak our feet for an entire hour!!! And MANUALLY scrape off the gel. It took forever. We ended up being there almost 2.5 hours.
That is unacceptable for a simple spa pedicure. Part of the treatment we received some time of clay and warm compress that was placed on our feet but it was messy and a bit too sticky for me.
The technicians were very nice but they did not have the tools they needed to perform the service. It’s like going to a restaurant and they have no plates or silverware. We will never go back.
Toppers was the worst pedicure experience we’ve ever had and we get pedicures at least once a month. We wanted to try something different and it was the absolute worst experience.
K Perry — Google review
I want to start by saying that the staff in the hotel and casino were very kind and friendly. More concern for the rooms. We stayed in a double room for an overnight while we traveled long distances. The room was very affordable, and because of the name, we wanted to stay for cleanliness. It was clean but completely outdated. The dresser was full of scratches and peeling. The rug felt like it needed a good scrubbing and possibly removed. The mattresses would shift completely when you sat on them. Not enough pillows (understand that's a preference thing). It was the most uncomfortable bed on our journey. The pool was closed- stated until mid-June 2023. Casino was nice, and their restaurant Candy Factory had plates that were massive. Wouldn't sleep here again until the rooms had an update.
Cara T — Google review
Update....
We came back the next night there were table and chairs and they had cleaned the floor. So fantastic start to taking care of concerns.
This review is in regards to Fire and Ice lounge. I live locally and would visit the lounge every weekend for live music and loved it. Covid hit. They have been closed down for 3 years. It has recently been revamped by the looks of it and reooened. They have removed the chairs. There is now a $10 cover. I don't mind the cover but when you come there and you're paying a cover you should have a seat. And the other issue is the dance floor I don't know what it's been cleaned with but it's considerably sticky and hard to dance on. Actually dancing on the carpet at our table was easier. If the floor issue isn't resolved I won't be coming back because I go there to dance.
Del B — Google review
Spent the night at the hotel... Had a nice room.. plenty of new machines, lots of table games... The only downfall especially if your staying overnight is that they only have one restaurant and no room service during the week... I feel you should at bare minimum have 2 or 3.. Also you can't get a cup of coffee before 8am and you have to go on the casino floor and flag down a waitress. The little store is gone out of the lobby so No newspaper... But we had a lovely visit just the same..
William Finley — Google review
The room was okay. The food is overpriced and mediocre at best at all 3 restaurants. Went to Best Odds (formerly Sweet Perks) at 8am which is when it was to be open only to be told by the staff person in an extremely rude tone "I'm not open yet. Shooting for 8:30. I got stuff to do." Rolled her eyes, turned her back to us and went back to sweeping the floor. Never had an experience like that when it was Dover Downs. Bally's had really taken this establishment down hill. Miss the store in the lobby for quick items. Need to allow check in at anytime as long as room is ready. Sad to see one of my favorite places getting ruined like this.
Kendra — Google review
The hotel rooms are decent but the water pressure in the shower is horrible. The gym has limited hours and is pretty lame, including only cardio machines and dumbbells up to 50 pounds, plus the pool is out of order. The ballroom is nice, decent spot for a business conference. Central location with lots of nearby restaurants and shopping.
Michael O'Reilly — Google review
Had to stay here for a business trip and my expectations were low, but I was surprised how nice and clean the rooms were and how nice the hotel was in general. My view wasn't great - a parking lot, but there are lots of rooms with views of the race track which is really nice. Also all of the restaurants were closed due to a gas and electric issue, but it wasn't exclusive to the hotel, it was town-wide and not their fault. I would definitely stay here again.
Darin Schemanski — Google review
Pretty clean, and the casino was not packed. It was a pretty nice morning with my 87 year old mom, celebrating her birthday earlier this week. We didn't win, but she still had fun. We will be back!
Brian Potvin — Google review
Nice low to medium star quality place to stay. I’ve stayed in the updated rooms and dated rooms. I suggest they pick up the speed on completing the rest of the renovations. Many slots and table games. Restaurants are ok and they seem to need additional support. But if you know what your getting into you will have a lot of fun! Good luck!!!
Aaron Sr — Google review
Not enough kiosks for rewards cards. Lines over a half hour. Soda machines empty. Sugar factory food was just horrible. Fries were definitely old and reheated. Bread was stale. Otherwise a good selection of machines and had a good time gambling. Just gotta get lucky and find a machine that doesn’t have 20+ non-paying spins in a row. Can easily blow through $100 in minutes with a minimum net.
Brad R — Google review
Nice little Casino in Dover, note gaming isnt 24/7 during the week, only weekends which was a disappointment. Rooms were well kept, few staff working were very friendly.
John White — Google review
This was a quick overnight for us. The customer service was awesome. The older gentlemen was super helpful. The men at concierge were also very helpful. Front desk staff were nice.
My biggest issue was the $50.00 fee to check in early. That is completely ridiculous. We have stayed at very nice hotels, and resorts around the world and never experienced this. Vegas does not do this, Atlantic City does not do this. I travel for work often and never once have I had to pay to check in early. If our room is ready when we arrive, they let us in. Period. This place has a prorated early check in fee. Madness.
The rooms are really dated and the bath towels are small but it served our needs. The bed and pillows were comfy. Two mini bottles of water were in the frisge. That size was a bit odd to me. I have not seen that anywhere.
The steak place was so so. I had the surf and turf. The steak was salty and so was the lobster. My husband's 16oz was meh. The Mac and cheese was ok. The creamed spinach was good. The thick cut bacon was good but it had way too much fat on it. Like half of it was fat so we did not have much of it to enjoy. The crabcake was good, the lollipop lamb chop was good, the French onion soup was fabulous. It was my favorite dish of the night! Our waiter was awesome.
Drinks at Sugar factory were good. You can never go wrong there. Customer service was great!
We had a good time playing slots and the table games. If we are in the area again, we will likely stay here but I doubt we will make a trip specifically to visit.
Aundie 73 — Google review
Decided to visit for Christmas Eve this way and was pleasantly pleased. I had not been to this location in almost 10 years and was surprised at how well the property has been kept up.
Rooms:
Very well maintained and cleaned to perfection. The only negative is the quality of the mattress and bedding.
Restaurants:
Good customer service and quick even with it being a major holiday. Everyone was so pleasant. New additions of restaurants offer good choices
Casino:
As a gambler I was pleased with the casino game selections. They have all of the current hot games as well as some of the older games left for those of us who enjoy them. Overall great stay and will return
Remi Martin — Google review
Finally a smoke free casino! Went on a Tuesday early afternoon, lots of open machines, won a few $. Most restaurants are not open on Mondays & Tuesdays. Clean bathrooms and you can adjust the sound on most of their slots. We enjoyed ourselves and the low-key vibe of the casino.
Brenda Zenoka — Google review
One of my favorite casinos. Clean rooms with a classic feel and large bathrooms. Love the casino as they still have the old
School traditional slot games. The staff from the casino, hotel and bar were all friendly and helpful.
Jennifer Blackwell — Google review
The rooms are super cozy, and the atmosphere at the slots is professional and clean. I always have a good time. Sugar factory restaurant was amazing and the drinks were so delicious.
takiyah Turner-barney — Google review
Couldn't check in til 4. Dover used to check you in if there were rooms available. Now you have to stand in long lines. No more buffet, and casino doesn't open til 8. The bathroom floor was very sticky. Longo was the bright spot. Excellent food and service. Sweet perks, my sister ordered a Latte, was told couldn't make it because they had no milk. Come on, 12 in the afternoon.
robert carpenter — Google review
The rooms are nice enough for a hotel of it's class. Early morning / late night dining options are non-existent. And room service is also non-existent throughout the week. The price is decent for what you get at least Monday through Thursday though.
Straylight May — Google review
I live 30 minutes away and visit the Casino occasionally. First time staying at the hotel. Had no problems and a wonderful time. Although it would be good if they could give me inside info on winning in the casino:). Everything was good to great and we will do this again. Trackside room was really cool if you are a NASCAR fan, although this was not a race weekend.
Jeff Blouse — Google review
The rooms are a bit dated, their offerings inside the casino offer essentially nothing besides gambling. What makes it a resort if there's nothing to do lol. I requested to checkout early because the neighbors next to my room were loud, the shower had hair all inside it, and on top of that there was nothing to enjoy besides slot machines. I requested to checkout early because I was not happy and received the run around from front desk staff for over 3 hours before just giving up and leaving.
Kyle Gavin — Google review
No handicap parking so it was a difficult walk. No place to eat in building. Workers didn't know much hotel wasn't half full but wanted to charge me an additional $25
for a noon check, 1 additional hour. Even in Vegas I was never changed an amount for 1 hour. Will not stay there again.
Bob Moss — Google review
My husband and I stayed at this hotel for two nights in March 2024 while looking at property in Delaware. We enjoy casinos and decided to stay here as it is centrally located to our other destinations. We found the staff at registration unfriendly and unhelpful. We arrived about 40 minutes ahead of check-in time and were told that it was too early but that we could check-in if we wanted to pay a fee for early check-in. I understand this policy and most hotels and resorts enforce such a rule. We arrived 40 minutes early, not 2 or 3 or more hours early. They made no offer to hold our luggage which meant if we wanted to go into their casino we had to return to our car with our luggage. They have a policy of no backpacks or luggage in the casino. Again, this is understandable but their customer service is seriously lacking and unfriendly. We have visited and stayed at casinos around the world but would probably not bother to visit this one again. Not hospitable.
R S — Google review
We have been going to Dover casino for over 20 years. We always loved it there until it was taken over by Ballys. So much has changed. Here are a few: no free drink stations. You have to pay for bottles in a vending machine. Really? How cheap can you get? No buffet. In fact, no restaurant lunch service until after 2:00 during the week. Slot machines are more expensive here then the same machines in other casinos. Casino and restrooms are not nearly as clean as they used to be. Where are the perks for playing there? I used to get free play money and table vouchers. Nothing now except 5 or 10 dollars. The staff is not friendly. They seem to be miserable doing their jobs. This USED to be our favorite casino. Luckily, there are others to visit.
Lynnette Snyder — Google review
Machines rigged up bad to take your money..stay away . Im never going back there again. Have better luck in Harrington Casino...Bally Casino has really gone down . Not even free drinks anymore. Lied bout my free play to get me there. That place not it no more. Sucks!
Patricia Fulmore — Google review
My husband and I decided that we needed a little vacation. So we checked into Billy's for a mid week getaway. We had a great time. They had a nice breakfast spot that serves breakfast until 1. The downside was that not all of their restaurants were open mid week, and their hot tub and pool were not open. But it's located in Dover and there are many places to dine. While I don't gamble, my husband does. It was a great little vaca.
Dianna Johnson Atkins — Google review
Recommended destination for decent gambling and hotel rooms. Deluxe king room was clean and spacious. No microwave but did have a mini fridge. Local access to everything within a couple of miles. Walking distance to fast food if you don’t want to blow your wad on in house dining. Huge variety of slots. Some table games. Robo roulette and craps. NON SMOKING! Small section of smoking slots outside. Free outdoor parking with valet on the weekends.
John Toth — Google review
I did not stay at the hotel. I can only speak on experience with the hotel staff for a birthday celebration that I attended on last Friday. They were pleasant and accommodating. The bar staff, Ashley and Becky, were very generous with the drinks. We all got some laughs in and I like that they weren't just all business and no fun. Who I am assuming to be the event manager (?) went above and beyond to have her staff search for some crackers. I'm so sorry I forgot your name but THANK YOU, again! The food was good. The bathroom was clean. It was a bit of a walk to the ballroom but the place is HUGE. I do look forward to visiting again and staying on the property.
The Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library is a picturesque estate with period rooms showcasing historic decorative arts. It boasts a 60-acre botanical garden that offers breathtaking views of colorful flora. Visitors can park for free on the premises and take a shuttle to explore the garden if they prefer not to walk. The main building houses a museum featuring numerous exquisitely crafted wall decorations and historical pieces that visitors can photograph but not videotape during guided tours.
Beautiful. Parking is free and big space. There’s shuttle provided if you don’t feel like walking through the garden. I walked and it was amazing view we went there when the flowers are all blue and colorful. Loved it. There was museum or the main building which comprises of tons of nicely crafted wall decorations and historical pieces. They let you take pictures but not videos as to not disturb guided tour. We bought the ticket at the counter close by the visitor center entrance and spent a good afternoon there. The lady there is super duper nice, provide good assistance, welcoming and friendly. I would recommend for a visit.
Nik Norzapina Binti Seman — Google review
What a delightful place to visit! I suggest taking the thirty minute guided tram tour through the property in order to have a better idea of all that Winterthur offers. I didn’t have the opportunity to tour the home as it was a last minute trip and so no reservations were available, but will return another day. The grounds were absolutely beautiful and gave my husband and I a workout as we walked through the various gardens. My favorite was the whimsical Enchanted Woods. Visited the museum and the Jacqueline Kennedy exhibit. You can bring a picnic lunch or dine at the on-property cafe. Overall a wonderful place to spend the afternoon and prices were reasonable ($22) Adults, ($20) Seniors and Students, ($8) children (under 2) free. We were told that during the spring season, various flowers and bushes are in full bloom. Will be back!
K Surace — Google review
Such a gorgeous, relaxing garden and museum. Everyone who works there has been incredibly friendly, and the garden tram is fantastic! The museum is stunning, and all of the guides are very knowledgeable. One of our favorite parts is the children’s fairy garden - my daughter spends hours playing there.
Sarah Olson — Google review
Beautiful property! Great variety of flora to enjoy. Tom Stack gave us our tram tour of the gardens. It was informative and enjoyable. You step back in time during the house tour. The guides are knowledgeable answering any question asked. The galleries are filled with interesting exhibits. I can hardly wait to get back! Best day trip ever!
Vi Moore — Google review
Winterthur is a day long visit and requires a lot of walking stairs and hills. You should be fit for it or do it over two days. If you drive there and have people who cannot walk a lot drive to the visitor center and drop them off. From there they can take the shuttle to the house. Parking lot is a bit far and is a bit of a challenging walk for people who can’t walk far and steadily to get to the visitor center where you must go first to check in whether or not you have tickets. Best way is buy general admission get there about 10:30 for the self guided house tour and a gallery tour on the upper floors of the house. Take the shuttle from the house to the cafe and Eat lunch take the shuttle back to the house and do the more to explore tour and the closer look tour. These enhance your visit and you get to see floors not available for general admission. If you want to tour the grounds then this is a two day tour. The guides are conservationist students and knowledgeable docents and well versed in the many artifacts kept in this house. This house only exists now as a repository for the collections of Henry DuPont. This is a terrific way to explore American collections of furniture and art and crafts. Well worth the price, do consider being a member if you have a family going and are buying the general admission tour the more to explore tour and the closer look tour. I strongly recommend both the More to Explore and Closer Look tours for the most rewarding visit.
J H — Google review
This was a wonderful place! It was beautiful inall it's fall glory. The tram driver was extremely knowledgeable and very friendly. The food was a bit expensive, but you are allowed to bring your own food to eat on the grounds. It is a lot of walking, so dress for it. There are museums that are very interesting.
Carla Saylor — Google review
If I lived closer, I guarantee you that I would buy a year pass!! This was my first visit here as I was enjoying a two week road trip last May. My husband and I went, expecting to maybe spend a couple hours and then stayed all day! We road the tram- lovely gentlemen gave us a great tour. We took the house tour- friendly hosts in each room to explain and answer questions...beautiful and interesting! We walked the galleries, Dupont was such an amazing collector, so much to see! BUT, my favorite. The gardens!! In May the azaleas were in bloom. I have never in my life seen so many, paths crossed other paths through Azalea Woods. Spectacular. These gardens were also designed so that something new was blooming every three weeks. Wow, this is a must experience!
Katie Temeyer — Google review
We've had the pleasure of touring several estates and this was one of the best experiences yet. I highly recommend it.
The grounds are beautiful and could be an attraction in and of themselves. Be sure to spend time in the Enchanted Woods!
The self-guided house tour is the least informative of all the tours available, but still provided a wealth of information due to the educated and friendly docents.
Du Pont was an avid collector so every room on the tour is not only lovely, but every item has a history - even the floors, fireplaces, and wallpaper!
In addition to the house and grounds, you should also look at the gallery, the soup tureens, and the cottage. You can spend a full day here!
I could go on and on, but suffice it to say this is worth your time. Please do yourself a favor and visit!
Free parking. Free tram. Restrooms scattered throughout. Self-guided tour is very informative. Other tours available, but plan ahead. Tickets can be purchased online or onsite.
Jennifer Nolen — Google review
Beautiful museum with a lot of people working that are knowledgeable about the history of the house, garden and it’s collections. The people are very friendly and the place is beautifully kept. Buy a ticket and it’s valid for two days. First day, walk around and enjoy everything, next day I suggest a picnic! My favorite spot is under the cherry tree. Also has a very beautiful gift shop with deals after the holidays.
Catalina Nemmi — Google review
Spectacular house and grounds. The size of the house is quite impressive and it is well maintained. You only walk through the fourth and fifth floors on the self guided tour but what you see is splendid. It is a collection of furniture that the du Pont owner collected during his life with the intent of turning it into a museum. There are staff in each room that are friendly and knowledgeable. There are a ton of paths to walk around in the property and there is also a museum with exhibits that rotate. Even the gift shop is impressive.
Jozef Watson — Google review
Small museum, but very knowledgeable guides in each room, they would talk to your for hours if they could. The gardens are beautiful and spacious. Great place for walks and picnics!
Shiann Wilson — Google review
A beautiful house filled with antiques and history — a “must see” when in the Brandywine Valley! The tour guides are very knowledgeable, the house is especially resplendent during their “Yuletide” season. The tram tour of the gardens is great and you’ll get a lot of history and information, I recommend doing that first before touring the house. You can spend hours wandering around the beautiful gardens though.
Linda Flegal — Google review
Amazing! We did not expect to spend almost the whole day here, so much to see! It is very beautiful. I hope the New Enchanted Woods gets bigger.
Heaven Bagley — Google review
Such a gorgeous, relaxing garden and museum !
Am from Bali and trying to see another museum in USA 🇺🇸 and yeayy this museum and garden so amazing 🤩
The people are very friendly and the place is beautifully kept. First day, walk around and enjoy everything, next day I suggest a picnic!
Conny Sw — Google review
We love coming to won’t see the mansion and gardens. However Covid killed the Manson tour. Yo they offer small private tours throughout the house at an extra cost. We rode the tram for the gardens tour and it was great! The team guide gave us a great deal of information. You can spend a lot of time walking around the different gardens. The quarry garden is cool and there are benches everywhere to enjoy everything. They even have a kids fairy garden with little houses and a giant birds nest the kids can walk in. There is a 250+ giant sycamore tree and tree whose beaches hit the ground that you can sit under on a bench.
Elsa Yeager — Google review
Talk about taking a step into history. This place is amazing. The grounds are gorgeous, even in winter and the buildings are so intriguing. If you love nature and also looking at some amazing architecture, this is your place. The staff here is very knowledgeable and they make it very easy to explore. Ton of parking. Take the tram ride for some great insights.
Don Brovero — Google review
The museum and house are very interesting and worthwhile. There are different exhibits in the museum, some of which rotate theoughout the year. The house was decorated for Christmas this time of year which was great to see. Also, the gift shop has a large variety of gifts and items.
The gardens and trails are expansive and beautiful.
You will need a day pass, or season pass, to see the museum, house, trails, gardens, and gift shop.
Evan R. — Google review
This can be an outdoor or indoor visit. If walking is an issue there is a bus to take you around the grounds and to the house. If you need to you can drop guests off at the entrance building then park your car. The grounds are lovely but it's also worth keeping an eye on special exhibits.
Lucy B — Google review
Around Christmas time it’s magical everywhere because of the decorations and festive feelings thus most of the museums look different and you can’t give ordinary reviews. I came to visit Winterhur Museum, Garden and Library on a rainy day and unfortunately I couldn’t walk around the property which is huge, so I used transfer bus that is provided free of charge. Right now the castle has exhibition dedicated to African-American designer Ann Lowe, her work presented in the gallery. It’s really a lot to see if you want to spend 2-3 hours here. This place is not so crowded as Longwood gardens (especially now Christmas time) so you can enjoy yourself wondering around.
Olga Kozlova — Google review
A must see if you are in the region particularly in Spring when the plethora of flora are on spectacular display. There are over half a million daffodils to relish and plentiful sweet viburnum, quince, Sargent Cherry, rhododendron and azalea to me a few.
Mac Gardner — Google review
Love this place so much! I make a habit of stopping by at least once or twice a month, if just to enjoy the nature scenery. Even disregarding the wonderful self-paced tour of the building, the grounds are well-kept and beautiful all-year round (all photos are from late October 2023, so imagine all this but in the middle of spring ; the worth of the paths and trails speaks for itself.)
Staff are knowledgeable and friendly, facilities are well maintained, the exhibits are compelling (my favorite one so far is the Ann Lowe exhibit,) and combine that with the Museums for All system (of which Winterthur is a part of,) coming here is giving yourself access to among the best museums/nature walks in the Delmarva area. Heavily suggest stopping by!
Longwood Gardens boasts an extensive assortment of lively blooming gardens, a greenhouse and water fountain displays in addition to classes for students. Its breathtaking views are stunning all year long. Visitors can opt for a yearly membership after experiencing the beauty of this place firsthand. A one-time entry fee can be applied towards the annual subscription, which provides access to exceptional live music performances at their outdoor restaurant seating area.
Wow, what an amazing experience! We went courtesy of tickets from a friend and ended up getting the annual membership for 5 since we enjoyed it so much and wanted to share the experience with family and friends. Everything was beautiful even during their winter season. We're looking forward to seeing the fountains in action and everything in full bloom when the weather gets nicer. For this time of the year, it was very busy but didn't feel crowded due to size of their grounds. Very rich with history and amenities galore! Lots of food and adult and child beverage choices as well. Very easy to navigate paths and trails for all ages. Excellent signage and maps to navigate your way. The staff were all very friendly and helpful! Highly recommended!
Danny Christacopulos — Google review
The most exited place I've ever been this year. This Botanical garden with incredible flowers and plants were amazing experience. So many varieties of trees 🌳. So man flowers that I have never seen before. Fountain ⛲️ show also was incredible, lots of good emotions and memories from it. So if you like nature, flowers and plants come and visit. You better come here in the morning 🌄 so not to get burn under the sun. Bring hat and sun's cream to protect yourself. Lots of pictures 📸 from here will be our good memories
Husrav Mahmudov — Google review
My sister surprised me with a visit here a couple weeks ago and the entire area is beautiful. We walked around and visited everything in about 2 hours and then saw the early fountain show which was very cool. The late one is supposed to be much better but we couldn’t stay. They have a very nice dining area that we walked through but didn’t eat at and they also had live music playing when we went. A gorgeous place to visit if you like plants and the outdoors.
Jessica Todt — Google review
Wow. Simply amazing...
Not sure there is much more I can say that others haven't. There is a reason this place has so many reviews and a rating this high. This is the best botanical garden I have ever been to and I've seen a lot. The conservatory by itself is amazing let alone the other features of the place including the old trees, the various fountains, the treehouses, the train and the historical building on site. I don't think one day is enough to truly experience this place and if I lived closer I would have a membership in a heartbeat. I'm truly impressed by this place and cannot recommend it enough.
Stop reading reviews and go see it, it's spectacular.
Jozef Watson — Google review
Went for the Christmas lights and it did not disappoint. The trees were beautifully decorated and there was even a fountain show that was both colored and synced to music. It was very cold, but they were selling hot chocolate that was actually really good, which warmed me up nicely. Also make sure to check out the gift shop, as it was full of not only unique plants but beautiful Christmas ornaments, candies, clothing, and decorations.
All of that was cool, but by far the best part of the place is the Conservatory. It is a massive, stunning building on both the outside and inside. It looked like a rainforest inside, and with the addition of the lights, it felt almost surreal. They also had a 10,000-pipe organ, which is one of the biggest in the world, playing itself and adding to the ambiance. You can walk behind it and see many of the pipes, some of which are almost as tall as the building itself. It’s pretty awesome.
Oliver K — Google review
Beautiful display, colorful flowers, the weather was perfect. First time visiting and it was a great experience. Everyone is so friendly and helpful. What makes it more unique is we also watched the solar eclipse there. ♥️ We stayed around for 4 hours and saw almost everything. It was also great to know the history of the garden and the buildings.
B G — Google review
Beautiful every season of the year. You will not be disappointed. Initially we did a quick trip to visit not necessarily planning to return. However, we enjoyed it so much that we decided to get a year membership. Appreciated that our one time entrance fee that day could be used towards our yearly membership. Quality musician performances are an added bonus when relaxing for a bite to eat and drink at their outdoor restaurant seating.
patty hedges — Google review
What a beautiful place! Yes, there's construction going on in one area but it doesn't distract from the whole gardens. Definitely bring your walking shoes and a folding chair. You will walk a lot but it's so worth it. Your chair is for when you sit and watch the fountain show, which is a definite must do.
The Idea Garden is beautiful and so were the dahlias that were in bloom. Beauty is everywhere and the benches are placed to sit, rest your feet, and enjoy it all.
We hit every area and enjoyed it all. My favorite was the Fountain show and different Lights show that are around the property. My only issue was not enough trash cans. We didn't want to miss anything so we picked up drinks and a snack and kept walking around. Then we were carrying our empty containers for quite a bit before we found a trash can to dispose of it properly.
All in all..... a terrific day with beautiful night time shows to end it. Definitely a must see. If close enough, become a member!
Joanna Buma-Sterpetti — Google review
Listen if you are into plants, beautiful design, water display, open space and nature. I will even go further even if you are not an outdoor person, do yourself a favor, go to Longwood Gardens you will not regret your visit. Great food as well. The landscape design was splendid, breathtakingly beautiful.
Josh Alt — Google review
We always love coming to Longwood Gardens. We have been there for the Christmas lights and plan to go back this winter but we were recently there in the summer. This is a wonderful place to visit no matter what age. It is definitely a lot of walking and completely worth it. It is handicap accessible. I can't say enough about how beautifully kept Longwood Gardens is and how much love and time goes into every area. The staff members are very knowledgeable and inspiring. They even go the distance and offer to take pictures of you and your family and tell you what is the best angle and place to stand. You can tell that they really like working there. The tree houses are neat especially if you have younger children. The conservatory is breathtaking. There are so many beautiful plants that we wouldn't have ever seen in person. They are currently building an expansion! I can't wait to see it finished.
Christina Smith — Google review
Visited Sept 1, 2023- Gorgeous place! The grounds are impeccable- and the variety of plants and flowers is innumerable. We stayed for the evening light/fountain show which was a fun nighttime presentation. Bring a camp chair for the show! I will definitely return as there’s so much that changes from season to season.
Jennifer Valerio — Google review
Since moving away, It's been years since I have been here. When i left PA, they were starting some major renovation, I have been keeping up with the progress online and on U-tube. It was really nice to see it finally to see it in person. We went on Monday morning when it first opened and it was busy. The gardens are still beautifully done. I can't wait for the renovation to be completed.
Karen Smith — Google review
Longwood Gardens is a popular spot for many, and for good reason! My wife and I are wedding photographers and we shoot engagements at Longwood often. There is no shortage of fantastic photo spots here, especially as they continue to build onto the gardens and continue to improve the grounds. Not only is it a great location for photos, but it's an excellent family destination or for a fun date day/night. There's a cafe, a sit-down restaurant, and they often hold shows, concerts, and other events for entertainment. The staff are all very friendly and helpful, and there's always more to see! 10/10!
Jack DeMaio — Google review
I have come here many times and I always enjoy the experience. The gardens are beautiful with so much to see. They have wheel chairs that you can request for free. We got a good workout pushing around our friend. There are a few options for eating but you can bring something to eat in a bag.
Mia Vignola — Google review
First time seeing the Holiday Lights at Longwood Gardens. We weren't disappointed. Our entry time was at 9PM, which only gave us 2 hours to check it out. We had enough time to see the displays, but wish we had at least one more hour. Next year we'll buy our tickets earlier and spend more time.
Very impressive light displays. The Conservatory was amazing with the various Christmas tree themes and fragrances from the flowers.
popsomali — Google review
Loved this place! Went at Christmas time to celebrate two birthdays in our group. Definitely worth the trip. Really beautiful and festive! Would love to back in the spring/summer to see everything in bloom!
Rebecca McNellis — Google review
Beautiful as always. Can't wait for the new area to open later this year. In law's really enjoyed themselves walking around and seeing the spring blooms. A must see if you are in Chester county. Highly recommend going during Christmas time as well!
Chloë Mannings — Google review
Amazing Amazing!!! 2 hours in NOT enough! Please leave ample time for you to explore this amazing massive 1,100 acre garden. Just so amazing. So absolutely well kept i want to return everyday! Also month to month it looks so beautiful and different. So amazing and so worth it.
Sofie Neverov — Google review
We had a wonderful visit! You could spend an entire day exploring the grounds or choose shorter loops. We stayed a little over 4 hours. Most of the walking was very easy and can accommodate a stroller easily. We enjoyed a great lunch in the cafe (although pretty pricey), had great interactions with staff, and loved exploring the interior and exterior options! I felt like a large amount of time had shade available which is appreciated.
Michelle Franzetti — Google review
Beautiful garden grounds with an absolutely astonishing collection of flowers, trees, bushes, cacti. Hard to choose a favorite part - everything is just amazing! You definitely don't want to miss the blooming flower beds in the spring & the conservatory with its green wall! Visiting Longwood Gardens is my most memorable visit of all botanical gardens & arboretums.
Reservations are required & limited during spring blooms. Make sure to book your visit in advance not to be turned away. Entrance fees aren't very cheap (comparable to many other arboretums & botanical gardens) but here it's very well worth it!!!
There's a nice beer garden area adjacent to a cafe - great for taking a break between roaming the grounds for hours at a time. The cafe is pricey & I can't vouch for the food taste & quality. They have a few craft beers on tap in the beer garden + canned beer & bottled wine in the cafe. There's also a few soda machines.
The one little thing I wish they improved was more trash bins in the park. I didn't see a single trash can for over an hour, while walking through the right half of the park.
Daniel Shostak — Google review
Fantastic time here with coworkers, family, and friends. The water show they have is not only mesmerizing but it's scenic in ways you so choose by changing where you are watching. Whether you're right up close to the jets, near the pathway formed with trees parallel to each other, by the botanical garden or near the benches outside the gallery/museum entrance - you're sure to enjoy the view. There's also a super cute orange and white cat around the garden sometimes!
Ash J. — Google review
Its simply another world to see. A world of trees and plants. Took me 4.30 hours to finish the most parts of it, from the fountain to the meadow, walked about 5 miles. Do some research before visit, bring enough food and drinks, hat, sunglasses etc. I guarantee it will be a memorable tour of your life. Couldn’t believe my eyes that man could build something like this.
I saw people from all over the world, people of all religion, people of all ages at the same place enjoying the mesmerizing views of Longwood garden.
Kazi Z Azam — Google review
Beautiful place for a day trip. The flowers and foliage are ever-changing so it's a different experience at different times of the year. They have beautiful fountains which put on shows throughout the day and after dark they have an amazing fountain light show to end the day.
B “BookElf” F — Google review
This was my first time visiting and it was so amazing! It was so peaceful. The flowers and plants were so beautiful and well taken care of! We walked around for over two hours, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes. I am definitely looking forward to going back, especially around Christmas time to see the lights! It's a great place to take family photos, wedding photos etc. If you love flowers and plants, it's a must that you visit soon!!
Demita Hill — Google review
Great grounds beautiful setup. I'm a nature bum so I appreciate the trees, flowers, and all the smells that comes with it. I'd recommend this place to anyone! Lots to see, so make sure to put some comfortable shoes on. You will be doing a lot of walking.
Rob Lofton — Google review
What a lovely way to spend the afternoon, the theme this year was retro. I have to admit I enjoyed the fire and ice display even more last year. With that said.. My time spent appreciating the beautiful grounds, architecture wonders and attention to detail was outstanding. The gardens were packed with people which is nice to see so many of us all appreciating the lights and the plants. The cafe was a mad house. We were all packed in there like sardines. The cream of mushroom soup is tasty, and the battered french fries so good. The orchid room, and the Elm trees are definitely amongst my favorites. Always clean bathrooms available. Definitely worth the trip to experience what the winter season has to offer.
Exit Zero — Google review
I was here last night (12/19). Longwood is visually stunning! We were bundled up for the cold weather, so we were able to walk all around this huge property. This is a great place to bring children. They are in absolute awe when viewing the incredible lights! Almost all the paths are paved, so folks in wheelchairs can also enjoy the experience. The staff is ALL pleasant and extremely helpful and accommodating. We had a wonderful experience!
Carol Loeffler — Google review
Longwood Gardens shines as a must-visit holiday spectacle, especially for Christmas. With its expansive grounds featuring dazzling indoor and outdoor light displays, it's a feast for the eyes. The variety of plants, stunning gardens, impressive fountains, and friendly staff make every visit memorable. Christmas at Longwood is unique, showcasing specially decorated rooms, this year with a captivating 50s theme. Though tickets are a bit pricey and need to be bought in advance, the magical experience is absolutely worth it. Perfect for families looking to create unforgettable holiday memories.
Steve A — Google review
We caught the spring bloom at its peak. Including the blue poppies and the century agave that’s about to bloom for the first time in 20 years. We had to dodge raindrops, so the café tent and the conservatory were great places to stay dry. The docents seem to magically appear anytime you had a question and are so knowledgeable. The entire facility is wheelchair friendly. There are a couple of paths that had steps, and we had to go a little further to find the wheelchair path, but it all worked.
As someone who has regular access to the Biltmore Estate, we found Longwood Gardens even more amazing and as an aside, more affordable.
Jennie Grimes — Google review
My heart is so happy!!! God truly is amazing! He created the flowers and the plants of all different sizes and colors for us to enjoy and the display of them here, was absolutely breathtaking. The knowledge and the passion each one of the staff members have made this an even more memorable experience . Can't wait to come back with my mom! I needed this, thank you so much!
Karen Cuevas — Google review
Amazing botanical gardens. Went during the off season, still fantastic! I can’t wait to go back when everything is in bloom. Great staff, everyone was so friendly and helpful. Great displays inside and out, also a major plus was this was the nicest port a potty I’d ever been inside! As a lover of plants and botanical gardens this was on my bucket list for a while and very happy I went. Also super good food on site, my mom who is gluten free was also able to find a good lunch which is so nice.
Mari Rose — Google review
10 STARS!!! Absolutely amazing and beautiful. An experience that you see and even smell with the wonderful flower scents. I hope heaven looks something like this... and I only saw 1 building! Arranging another longer family trip.
This casino & harness racing track also has restaurants, nightlife & shopping.
Super fun ! I played $15 dollars and right away I made $275. I went by myself on some depressive mood , and I got home super happy! Environment is very inviting.
Keiry K Polanco — Google review
I just enjoyed a restaurant for a Phillycheese steak sandwich 🥪 that I been wanting to enjoy for a long time now. It was fantastic. I always enjoy a good meal, thank 👏 you harris, if you place is rocking, ill come and knocking! Wonderful place, wonderful food...... VERY GOOD FOOD.
David Norheim — Google review
DO NOT SUPPORT!!! My brother and I came here to have some fun and grab a bite to eat. We were playing in high limit and cashed out however unlike most casinos any free play you transfer stays on the machine even if you pull your card out. We came immediately back and another player had sat down and used the free play. Not only did he admit it he was quite rude about it. At first security was more than happy to help us promising action Shane not only was it wrong but they did not tolerate this type of behavior especially because it was on camera and there were no questions. Then to upper level managers got involved and everything changed we were told it was our fault and no action will be taken. I understand claiming abandoned stop play however if it was reversed we would have been kicked out and banned for life and police would be involved this is what we were told. I am not a high roller here I very rarely if ever come here however I am at three other casinos I encourage everyone to never come and support that kind of behavior what is wrong is wrong and shouldn't matter if you have money or not. Supporting that type of behavior leads to broken societies where cash out weights character. If it is wrong for one is wrong for all. The other two security guards apologized profusely saying they really wish they could do something. I thank them both and told them that I respected their character however I have no respect for their bosses and will not put a single dollar into any slot and I suggest you do the same.
Scott Rosenberg — Google review
Decent casino, multiple floors. I wish they had more multiple machine and maybe more security. You have people sitting and not spending/ gambling, occupying seats for the slot machines.
Fran Mallol — Google review
It was a nice atmosphere. The smoking really wasn't that bad, and I went on a Friday night. The staff was really nice, so it was a nice night out with no issues. I would definitely go there again. It was more of a setting for the older folks, but it didn't bother me. Kind of made it that more enjoyable to be there.
Jessica Porter — Google review
Nice casino to watch ⌚️ horse 🐎 races lots of slot machines. The place needs a good cleaning. Nothing is worse then sitting in a restaurant 🍴 looking through dirty windows - it's an appetite killer to see junk on the inside of the windows. The food is so so the drinks are good. The outside sitting area is nice. The views from the garage are amazing. It's good if you like to watch harness racing. I will add pictures later
Kayosan Tully — Google review
The race track opens next month. That will probably help the casino a lot!!
Luke Chou — Google review
My husband and I decided to visit Harrah's in Chester, Sunday, April 3. We wanted to have lunch there and do a little gambling. Lunch was tasty and we had a very nice server who went out of her way to accommodate our requests. The slots were extremely cold and we quickly lost a lot more money than expected. We were there for only two hours and don't plan to return anytime soon. They do have a large number of interesting machines and the casino was packed so some people must be having better luck than we did.
Anne Cutler — Google review
Slots didn't pay like you might think. Sad that a walk into the restroom only to find a crack pipe laying on the wall urinal.. made the trip and time spent feeling not very safe
Popi Chulo — Google review
Great atmosphere, excellent variety of slots, almost every machine I played provided a positive experience being that I either won a couple hundred or broke even. My only complaint is that it was my first time visiting and unfortunately I couldn't get a player rewards card during the hours I was in the casino so I missed out on some promos. All in all, excellent time and I Highly recommend checking it out, I'll definitely go back.
Chris Elville — Google review
I love this place. The staff are super friendly and the environment is very clean. Even though you lose your money here, since it’s a Casino, it’s still a great joy!
Remember… casinos don’t make money on winners!
Tyler Bouttavong — Google review
I love Harrah’s (as you can tell by my other reviews) but this location does not have a hotel and when you order drinks, they only arrive 1 out of ten times. I recommend making the drive down to Harrah’s Atlantic City. You will have a much better experience, in my opinion.
Mary Jay — Google review
I take my grandfather here sometimes when he wants to get out. He doesn’t get a chance to do fun things much any more but the casino is always very clean, all the games usually on and working, and a laid back atmosphere (we go at like 1030am). He enjoys playing the slots and it’s a good memory I will keep of him.
Bob — Google review
Fun and casual casino with, friendly and happy staff attending your wants. Numerous up-to-date gaming machines live race track, and long-play winnings are frequent.
Bill Keck — Google review
They were not busy today and had better luck this time with the slots. I love how you can donate your winnings to charity. It also does different charities. Last time it was for domestic abuse and this time to the seniors in Chester! I think that's awesome.
Kristen Yannuzzi — Google review
I visited the casino on Dec.30 and the only reason I would visit again is because of Mr Blackard (security). He was kind, friendly and attentive of my needs. I really am appreciative of his willingness to help, listen and assist me during my visit. He desires recognition by all means.
. Lastly, the amenities were truly lacking, ex: no floor attendants were available to even serve beverages, no cafe was open to purchase food items , and the vending machines were not working . It seems that this casino is not accommodating to people, especially when you drive over 90 miles to visit I’m 🙏🏾 things will improve!!!
Shirley Rankin — Google review
Had a good time, hadn't been there in years. Everything was closed upon arrival & they recently removed some of the games I like & they're under construction, but ALL & ALL it was a fun 😊
Vee Evans — Google review
Area surrounding is a little 👀 but horse track is good !
Danielle D — Google review
Lots of security and helpful staff didn't have to wait long for a beverage Quiet Not a lot of chaos Some entertaining characters Overall good experience
Danielle Donnelly — Google review
Seven stars is a bait and switch scam. I had 200k tier credits and mgmt took away my seven stars status because I gained a majority of my tier credits betting sports.
‘You can’t have these chicken fingers unless you lose a million a year.’
Sleep well, execs. There is a greater power waiting to judge you.
John — Google review
I’ve been to a few casinos and this is without a doubt the worst casino I have been to. The slot I was playing on broke and it took over 20 minutes to get someone to help despite the place being essentially empty. They removed my player card and lost me a tier credit while being rude and not apologizing for anything. No drink comps as well at the casino bars, which is essentially unheard of in Pennsylvania. Many of the slot and video poker machines had buttons that don’t work. Save yourself the trouble and go to DelPark.
Grace Johnson — Google review
Used to love going here. Hadn't been there in a long time. Very disappointed. The smoke was horrible. It smelled terrible. People were smoking at NO smoking machines and not one employee said a thing. So many machines are old and don't work well. Everyone was complaining that the machines do not pay out anything. So many buttons on the slots were unreadable. I will be going elsewhere next time.
Independence Hall is a historic building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed. The hall is located in Independence Historical Park and is open to the public every day of the year.
4.5
(9110)
520 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA
I'll never travel to Philadelphia without this trip planner again
The Liberty Bell is an iconic American historical landmark, originally cast in Great Britain but recast in Philadelphia to adorn the State House. It became a symbol of liberty and hope for advocates throughout the 19th century, ringing to call the Pennsylvania Assembly to meetings. The bell's famous crack remains to this day, and it has been adopted by many others as their symbol.
We got there fairly early as soon as they opened and so the wait was very brief.
The entrance is free and there are no timed tickets etc necessary.
There is security and scanners- so plan for the wait. No food and drink allowed - so plan for the coffee to be done as well. :)
The exhibit is wonderful- the Bell quite spectacular. The Park Rangers are all very pleasant and engaging. The backdrop of the Bell against the tower in the Independence Hall is quite stunning and humbling.
Highly recommend this stop. Also the exhibit on the display in the center was very good as well.
Veena Choudary — Google review
So much history is tucked away in this historic town. Visitors can feel the fabric of American society being woven as they navigate through the relics of time. Paid tickets into the independence hall and the liberty bell not required after 5pm.
Albert Obi — Google review
Must do if you go to Philadelphia. We went early on a weekday morning soon after it opened and experienced really no wait other than getting our pictures with the bell. Some decent historical information to see before you get to the bell. Without a large crowd, it really doesn’t take much time to check this out at all. No tickets or admission fee required. Just walk up and go in.
Sam Turner — Google review
If you're in Philadelphia, make sure to visit this place. Depends on the time and day you visit, it could be crowded, but the line moves quickly. Before reaching the Bell, it's a good idea to read some intriguing historical information. The surrounding area is also quite nice.
H H — Google review
This is nice place lots of history, the Liberty Bell star of show. The wait was about 15 minutes and they made sure to move the line very quickly this was an amazing experience to see not just “Is Liberty Bell”. But the history of the Bell and what it means just as Americans, But to others from the other parts of the world. It is something for everyone to see and take how lucky you are to live in the United States.
MI Concepts — Google review
Had an amazing time here. So much to learn about our history.
You do not need a reservation. You are subject to inspection before entering the building.
There are many postings outside the building to give you more history on the site.
Take the entire family. Read what a posted don’t just take pics.
T Hall — Google review
Wow the best thing ever! You enter through security which you have to take of your (sweater,bag/purse,mobile phones and any belongings in your pockets) and once you walk in there is a sort of exhibit that you can walk through . Then the liberty bell is great!!!
Matthew 4810 — Google review
It's been a very long time since I've been to the Liberty Bell, certainly prior to 2003 when they built the new building. The new exhibit was stunning - the layout was easy to follow, there was so much to read and learn, and they had a good mix of audio/visual to plain reading. Such an important part of our nation's history!
Ashlina Chin — Google review
Pros:
Historical significance
Educational exhibits
Interactive displays
Clean and well-maintained facilities
Convenient location
Cons:
Can be crowded, especially on weekends
Lines can be long, especially during peak times
Overall, I would highly recommend the Liberty Bell to anyone interested in American history. The bell itself is a powerful symbol of freedom and democracy, and the exhibits and displays do a great job of explaining its history and significance. The interactive displays are also a lot of fun, and they help to make learning about history more engaging.
krutartha shah — Google review
Great FREE experience. No ticket required. The line moves really fast and there’s a ton of interesting information about the bell and how it was used initially and as a symbol by other groups fighting for freedom. Highly recommend.
Jd Carr — Google review
Very fun to see this historic artifact. Really like that you can see it very well from outside the building. We were there after hours so still being able to see the bell 🔔 so we’ll lit was a nice surprise!
Chris Rosenquist — Google review
Very cool place to go check out if you're in the area. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and very friendly. Very educational and cool at the same time!! There is an upstairs where you can have a bite to eat and it has a great view. The bathrooms were very clean and family friendly.
Luv Jones — Google review
The amount of history enveloped in this, Liberty Bell is unfathomable.
This place is busy at all times of the day, so you can expect at least a 15 minute wait. To see the bell itself, there are no tickets required. Simply join the line and go through security before you are able to see it.
The exhibit is pretty nice, and it is incredible to see the bell itself.
I highly recommend going across the street to the visitor center for even more exhibits and videos.
Gourmand — Google review
06/20/23 - short line, not particularly busy, weather was perfect.
I love the preservation of history! It was equally viewable all the way around. Plenty to read and look at while standing in line to see the bell itself! Make the time, I was in and out in less than 30 minutes. There was not much of a line at all. Total time in and out was less than an hour.
Shell Rae Doty — Google review
Awesome and historic part of town. The line was crazy to get in to the Liberty Bell, so we were content to see it through the window. The grounds are free of charge so that was easy to do.
Bill Delperdange — Google review
The entire Historic District should be explored on foot only. The building in which the Liberty Bell is showcased is nice with a lawn and the experience starts with a history and significance of this great bell and how it was a symbol for liberty and freedom not just for Americans, but for many global situations.
The entire trip at Liberty Bell would take about 40 minutes to an hour, culminating with a few moments at the Bell itself.
Your trip to Philadelphia is not complete without this.
Oofrish V Contractor — Google review
Visit the iconic symbol of freedom at no cost. Independence Mall is home to the renowned Liberty Bell. You can view the bell's back without waiting in line. Note: Expect airport-style security for tours around Independence Mall.
sean Yufa — Google review
Free and such a fun visit! Great to get there right at 9 am when opening if you can and head to the back for the bell itself with beautiful view out of independence hall. Especially lovely this time of year with the tulips in the background!
Alexandra U — Google review
So, we went on a Wednesday & it looks like the schools do their field trips on Wednesdays too, just like NYC. The line was really long. You can see the bell from the outside windows, but you can't see the crack. You can get tickets (free) but it doesn't look like that will help with the line to get in. There is a lot of information to read all around so there is a lot to learn. The grounds are beautiful and full of interesting information to read at every turn
Liseli P. — Google review
Excellent FREE piece of American History to explore. They have lots of plaques inside the visitors center describing how the bell was made, when it rang, where its traveled to, how the crack was formed, and more. Across the street from Independence Hall, close to George Washington’s old home, and right next to the Visitors Center, there’s lots to do in this little area!
Samy Morgan — Google review
Our visit to Philadelphia was in January and winter. The weather was expected to be cold and the museum offered a nice place to warm up for our adventure to visit the historical artifact. Staff was friendly, you do go through security so be prepared to accommodate the security team. It was a nice display of history and easy access for all. Free Admission.
Tiffany Smith — Google review
I always get mixed feelings when I view stuff like this. I appreciate the fact that they are preserving history, but I don't feel that it's being done respectfully. There's way too much emphasis on the slavery part of it all. From pictures to videos. Constantly pushing the narrative of that's who we are. Consistently showcasing people of color in a negative and destitute state, rather than showing our accomplishments and triumphs, regardless of the attacks that are still presented on us today.
I am disappointed in the lack of representation of my people and the whitewashing of history. Downplaying the vicious role that was and is still being orchestrated today by those who created the battle for justice.
Shani Stanley — Google review
This requires tickets. You can purchase the day you are there or even while standing in front of building. We were there in off season though so availability may differ in summer months. It’s about 45 minutes and you see 2 rooms. Standing only and 4 steps. If you love History, you will enjoy.
Christina Hernandez — Google review
This is a free and very well kept historical site featuring the Liberty Bell. They host many educational videos to teach the history of the country, the area and of course the world famous Liberty Bell. The self tours are free and quick, but there is much history to see in the surrounding areas as well.
Kyle — Google review
It’s cool to see but underwhelming. Thankfully it’s free, so points there!! It’s cool the view of independence hall right in the back but you really don’t spend more than like 5 minutes here. I attached the picture of the bell, that’s basically it y’all. Also they had high security here but the people working there were knowledgeable on Philadelphia history.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is a world-renowned art museum located atop Benjamin Franklin Parkway. With renowned exhibits like the Creative Africa and re-imagined South Asian Galleries, the museum is constantly updated with new and exciting exhibitions. The Rodin Museum, which celebrates Auguste Rodins career, is also accessible with admission to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
The artwork was spectacular I looked at just about every piece of art The collection was huge I stayed there for about an hour just taking pictures and viewing artwork if you're into art I will most definitely recommend that you go there now while they have their exhibition up. My favorite section was the section that had the medieval weapons and armor I even posted many pictures of what they had my favorite was the great sword it was cool
Tyriece Glenn — Google review
This was a fantastic museum with ongoing great exhibitions. I loved 'Matisse in the 1930s' and 'Macho men' exhibitions so much. Its permanent collections are huge. I couldn't even see half of it even though I've went this museums 2 days in a row ad spent 6 hours each day.
I love impressionism so this place was like heaven. This museum also has great American Art collection which made me surprised.
There was huge collection of glass art so if you love glass art this place is must go.
Overall, this museum was one of the greatest museum in the US I've ever been to and I am planning to go back soon so I could see all of its collection.
Admission ticket is awesome because you could use 2 days in a row with paying only 1 ticket and you could go to Rodin museum for free as long as you shows the ticket from Philadelphia Museum of Art. What an awesome deal for visitors!
AMY MUNNS — Google review
Great place to sip a drink and enjoy the art. You can spend hours and hours here. This is an amazing place to visit In Philly if you are interested in art and history.
They have an impressive collection of arts and artifacts from different countries and time in history. Remarkably well preserved paintings, rooms to show lifestyle, and cultural artifacts: engraved rugs, and sculptures.
There was live music, you can get some light snacks or drink. They also have cafe and gift stores. They do have parking lot for visitors. I recommend buying tickets online, on first Friday of the month I think you can visit it at little cheaper than regular days.
Dewansh Rastogi — Google review
Really beautiful and gorgeous building. One of the most beautiful exterior areas of any American museum. The ‘Rocky stairs’ and the jet fountain outside are stunning. Walking outside and seeing the skyline of Philadelphia is also spectacular. Inside, there is a beautiful collection on Impressionist art, however, I found the rest of the museum lacked the same quality. But a great collection nonetheless. Some good Picasso, Monet, and Van Gough.
DF MIX — Google review
I have been to The Philadelphia Museum of Art twice, but I have not yet been inside. On my most recent visit, it occurred to me that on my next visit, I'm going to make it a priority to go inside. I cannot comment on the interior of the museum; the exterior is lovely. If you are facing the museum, do not expect the Rocky Statue to be at the top of the steps. It is to the right of the steps on the street level in its own section. Everything about the exterior of the museum is exhilarating, from all of the people climbing the steps and shadowboxing, to the ornate statues, to the beautiful view of the city down Benjamin Franklin, to the endless photo and video opportunities. Even the walk down Benjamin Franklin is beautiful. Don't skip a visit to the Museum when visiting Philadelphia.
Bryan Stoops — Google review
You’re absolutely right, and I apologize for the error. Vincent van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” is indeed not housed in the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Let me correct the review:
“The Philadelphia Museum of Art is a remarkable institution, renowned for its extensive and varied collection. This vast museum offers a comprehensive exploration of artistic achievements spanning across different eras and cultures. Visitors can easily spend several hours admiring works from Renaissance masters, significant pieces of American art, and a notable collection of Asian art. Additionally, the museum is famed for its ‘Rocky Steps’ and the iconic statue of Rocky Balboa, adding a unique pop culture element to its classical art prestige. Whether you’re an art aficionado or a casual visitor, the Philadelphia Museum of Art promises a rich and educational experience.
Adam Webb — Google review
Love this place. Size is perfect. Not to big, not too small, just right. It's manageable to spend a lovely day and still have time to enjoy the area or spend extra time contemplating a few of the marvelous pieces. They have something for everyone from most eras and most media. I'm a fan of European paintings and some sculpture. Come Friday night and enjoy live music as well. They're open till 8:45pm. Bathrooms on every floor. I'll definitely be back!
Tax Professional — Google review
Very cool space. Visited with my son who has recently moved to Philly and we agreed you could go back again and again. We got there toward the end of a long day but thoroughly enjoyed what we were able to see before closing. Views at dusk we're lovely and we found the Rocky statue as we left. Great day!
Julie HaasScully — Google review
Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of my favorite attractive places to go with the family. I'd take the kids to check out some rooms there and the history, I like that they have a cafe area in the ground level area. You can eat and drink whatever you like there. You can take pictures there as you wish. Also, I wish they open until 7 pm because 5 is early to be closed. I don't think I've any cons to mention. I highly recommend for family trips.
Ibrahim — Google review
I took my husband on a date at the Museum of Art on Friday night and we had a great time. On Friday, between 5pm and 8:45pm, the admission is free (donations are welcome). The atmosphere was perfect: a live band was playing jazz music and we grabbed a drink by the steps. The museum has a huge variety of paintings and pieces of art. Artists like Picasso, Duchamp, Matisse, Renoir, Man Ray, Monet, Manet mostly find a spot on the first floor. But don’t be shy, ask the staff about specific painting and they’ll be happy to help you navigate the museum’s map.
Elisa Lombardi — Google review
Absolutely stunning museum. It’s got everything. I can’t say enough good things about this museum. The building itself is an architectural wonder and a must see you when you come to Philadelphia. Tip you can go to the side or the back of the building to get in and avoid the lines. Also make sure you buy the city pass. It will get you into almost every museum in town as well as the hop on hop off bus you’ll save a ton of money.
Greg Alford — Google review
This is one of my favorite art museums I have visited. My boyfriend and I have very different tastes and preferences and we both found many works of art that were breathtaking and spoke to our interests. The galleries are well organized and museum personnel were friendly. This is a wonderful museum to explore across styles and artistic mediums.
Stephanie Gemmell — Google review
Quite possibly the best art museum I have visited! Our group visited for a Friday "pay what you wish" evening and loved every bit of the 3 hours we spent there. We spent much of our time in the European galleries and loved the inclusion of architectural elements in the exhibits.
Our one point of disappointment is that there was an event happening with loud, modern music playing and children participating in a "trick-or-treat" scavenger hunt through the museum. While we were happy to see a unique way to invite families with young children into the museum, we thought it would have been prudent to teach the children to conduct themselves quietly in a museum rather than interacting loudly.
An Informed Tourist — Google review
This museum was beautiful. There was so much to look at that we didn't have enough time to explore everything. I would recommend setting aside an entire day or a couple days to visit the museum thoroughly. I give the museum itself and their collection 5 stars. It is worth the visit. The Rocky Balboa statue is also located here so that was a fun to see as well.
Most of the staff was very friendly but some were not. We were asked by a staff member to check our umbrella at coat check while we were already almost through an exhibit but other people were walking around with the same type of umbrella and weren't asked to do so. Another staff member asked us to step away from a painting that was covered with glass and explained that we needed to stay 18 inches away but he didn't say anything to the next few people who walked up to the same painting and stood where we had been. I understand the requests however staff should be consistent and polite, and apply the requests to all visitors.
LaLady Valdez — Google review
Huge museum with sooo many must see pieces!
Note- the entrance at the top of the "Rocky Steps" is closed. You have to use the North/East entrances.
The printed map they provide has indicators of specific works that are renowned, so on my quick visit I made a point to see those. A huge variety of art and artifacts (American, European, Asian, Modern, etc). Helpful and friendly staff, clean restrooms, overall very respectful visitors. Highly recommend visiting this museum.
Angela A. — Google review
I am not the type of person to really like Art Museums but this was pretty cool!
It had many different exhibits through the different eras. Kids are free and adults cost $25.
It was a pretty cool museum with cool exhibitions. Unfortunately I didn't have enough time for the special ones like Matisse. But, the permanent ones were still pretty cool. It had a lot of great American Art collection.
Friendly and accommodating staff. Definitely try to have a lot of time empty to explore the entire place.
Rais Ikhsan (The Foodie Asyraf) — Google review
Beautiful experience! Went here with my family, and there as so much to see. Also, I found out that a normal ticket gets you two consecutive days!! (Yes, Monday and Thursday are together since Tuesdays and Wednesdays are not open). Amazing prices of art work everywhere, and there's something for everyone. There is some sections like the armor, and some east Asian sections that are temporarily closed, but that didn't hinder the visit. Didn't try the shops yet but everything looks very nice!
Beep Boop — Google review
Attended for Friday evening happy hour. Wonderful ambiance and upscale experience. Professional jazz singer and musician. Mixed cocktails packed a punch and white & red wine was available. Impressionist exhibit featuring rare Monet paintings is a must-see
Nickolas Turk — Google review
You can spend an entire day here, if you enjoy art and history!! If you are just browsing, you can go much faster, but if you like to stop and read quite a bit or just stare at pieces you like, you will want to ration out lots of time for this giant, gorgeous museum. We spent probably 5 hours and could have spent longer, but it was enough to spend time on what we wanted to see and quickly walk through the parts we were not as interested in - and we were tired by then.
Most of the items at the three gift shops we visited at the art museum were WAY overpriced, but there were sales on some of the items in the one downstairs which were more reasonable. But in general, ridiculous pricing, in my view. I'm not sure, but perhaps the museum might make more sales by lowering the cost.
The museum ticket is also fairly expensive ($30 for adults) so try to make good use of it by setting aside enough time. When you buy the ticket, you also get a free ticket to the Rodin Museum, if you go the same day or the next day. You probably don't need more than 20-30 minutes for the Rodin Museum unless you really love statues of hands and naked people, but it is also a nice place to walk through anyways, if you have some time.
Micah Kyler — Google review
Took a day trip here to check out the museum and surrounding area. The art inside and outside was amazing. The amount of statues and plaques outside on the grounds was incredible. Very detailed and historic. The grounds and buildings themselves were a sight to see. We posed near the Rocky statue and ran up the same steps he ran up in the movie. Once inside we were amazed at how grand and spectacular the displays were. One of the nicest and well laid out museums we’ve ever seen. There was a lot of areas that couldn’t be filmed so we put away our phones and just enjoyed the experience. They have a nice gift shop. There is a decent amount of paid parking and eateries in the area. We pretty much spent the whole day here.
Fast Food — Google review
An unforgettable experience! Purchasing our tickets online beforehand made getting in effortless. There is so much to see and do in this place that it would take multiple trips to see it all. We ate lunch at the cafe and everything was nice. There was a Korean art exhibit as well as many others. This was my first time going to an art museum. You know you hit the jackpot when you literally get lost inside of all the art. I will never forget it. We will be back!
Nicholas Bautz — Google review
Really nice art museum with big variety of pieces to view. It is amazing how close you can get to most pieces and view them up close. Organization of the collections is good easy to navigate your way around the building. It was nice they had free paper maps for use. Parking was easy in the underground parking garage on the property. Enter early in the day to make sure it isnt full. If using the parking garage, make sure to get your parking ticket validated in the museum as it will lower the fee by 19 dollars. Eating and beverage options inside are good with several options. There is a small beverage cafe, a sit down restaurant and a cafeteria style large cafe that include made to order options in addition to pre-made selections. While there if the weather is nice, take some time to walk the grounds and park on the north side where you can view the Schuylkill River and the house along boat row. If you are lucky there may be a growing team or two on the river for a workout. Buy tickets online as there are entry time limits and getting tickets early will allow you to get the time you want.
Todd E — Google review
$30 is expensive for entry.
The organization of the museum is jumbled and lacked flow. The American art was scattered throughout, and while there was a Pollock, two Warhols, and several other great American artists, the lack of flow made it hard to appreciate. There is a great collection of circa 1900 art.
I thought the Picasso and Matisse collections were quite good. There are better impressionist exhibits elsewhere - I thought the lack of some key impressionist artists was surprising considering that's what a lot of reviews highlighted? Much of the museum was under construction. The high school kids present were not well instructed in museum behavior.
Brent Miller — Google review
Great way to spend the day. There is parking in the back and a small lot out front. The main entrance is not accessible.
Nice range of exhibits that change out. The east Asian art and the shelter in place exhibit were definitely must sees.
Camisha D — Google review
I had bought my ticket in advance and I visited on a weekday, so I didn't have to wait at all.
Unfortunately I did not have enough time to explore as much as I wanted, but this museum was breathtakingly good. Not only did they have an amazing collection, they also presented it in a very well-thought setting. Each hall had its own theme related to what was inside. I enjoyed this museum more than the MET and LACMA.
Plus, their shops are not ridiculously overpriced like some other art museums.
Pegah Alipoormolabashi — Google review
Such a cultural historic building and area that it’s easy to just enjoy it from the outside and miss out on what’s inside! Highly recommend touring the building than taking a jog of the “Rocky” steps to get that incredible view and be part of cinema history. A must see in Philly!
Robert Jones — Google review
It is a must visit if you’re in Philadelphia! Absolutely stunning, amazing, and awesome. The staff at the entrance and ticket sales are fantastic and friendly. I will say budget for at least four hours to really enjoy it. My favorite was the gallery. Please let me know what is your favorite. Thank you
Edward Abraham — Google review
You need at least 2-3 hours to appreciate all the beautiful art in this museum. Although it is mostly know for being the "Rocky" steps, don't skip this museum if you are an art lover.
We enjoyed the highlight guided tour. It was free with admission. There are various tours you can take. Check with the front desk for times.
Take the time to see the large rooms with the cloister, the asian section and find the dog kennel it is truly unique.
Margarita Ibbott (DownshiftingPRO) — Google review
One of the most beautiful museums I've ever been to! I'm really intrigued by how some of the displays are built into the ceilings of each room. There is an investment and permanency and that design that is unusual. The parking is expensive, even with validation. Plan to spend an entire day here if you want to see everything in detail! I was there for 4 hours with a lunch break and I only got to see two floors. You need to make reservations. I recommend being the first ones there; It was so peaceful to be on the floors by myself.
Diana Hsu — Google review
4.8
(20382)
•
4.5
(7449)
2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
Eastern State Penitentiary, a national landmark in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was designed to reform rather than punish criminals and is famous for its wheel-like design. Today, visitors can explore exhibits on topics like prisons today and Al Capones cell. The prison also features tours of the cells of some of America's most infamous criminals.
I loved visiting Eastern State Penitentiary. I absolutely love that they've left it as is because it feels like an urban explore, but legal. historical and haunted. the vibes here are heavy but it makes you want to stay and explore more. incredible spots all around to take pictures and explore at your own place.
we parked in a pay by plate parking lot a few blocks away!
lor — Google review
Came for a history lesson and educational tour while visiting Philadelphia. Arrived right at opening during the week and there was not any line at all. Purchased the Daytime Self-Guided tour as you receive a audio headset that gives you prerecorded info for each area. As you go from one area to another, you'll see signs which tell you the audio clip to play on the headset. This allowed you to tour the facilities at whatever pace you wanted in whatever order you preferred. It also had many extra audio clips that weren't part of the main tour, but you could listen to you if you wanted. The paper map also gives the locations of the various areas the audio clips reference. There was no time limit, so you could stay as long or as short as you wanted. I'd say the main tour lasted about 45 minutes.
As far as the tour overall, this was very interesting, educational, and somber all in one. They did a great job of preserving the penitentiary just as it was until the closing in 1971. There were also many interactive stops along the way and several artists exhibits throughout the facilities. It wasn't just about the penitentiary itself, but also the role the penitentiary system played in the 1800's - 1900's and even to current days. It also looks at different perspectives from punitive, restorative, or reformative justice. This was a nice tour full of interesting and educational facts.
LeWayne Ballard — Google review
This was our favorite tour while in Philadelphia. We were here during the day, which made it not as creepy to walk through as it would be at night. There was a very heavy feeling throughout the entire facility. We did not see or capture anything that would be considered paranormal, but there is definitely some energy that is felt. This was an amazing tour. Whether you are interested in the paranormal or just in history, this is a great place to visit!
Casandra Eagleman — Google review
Such an iconic place. Some parts are completely in ruins but somehow, it gives energy to this place where lies a strong history of convicted people. It has a great audio guide that provides you with details about the the penitentiary. Save, at least, 2,5 hours to enjoy the visit and the audio guides.
Iris Carvalho — Google review
Great experience!
Lots of history.
Some of the cells have been preserved and used for Art Installations. Hand sanitizing stations throughout walk. Didn't understand why some areas were closed off but are open at certain times of the year (cell block 12 for example) still had a really nice time reading and listening to the Steve Buscemi narration of audio guide. Would love to return for a night time visit!
Marcus (The MultiTapper) — Google review
My daughter (18yo)and I really enjoyed our visit. We spent several hours there. There is so much well presented information to take in. The building is fascinating but the education aspect is as good. We learned so much about the current state of the US and global penal systems. It was pretty shocking stuff. I am left with the insane comparison of the much higher annual cost of incarceration versus an Ivy League education. I think that all citizens should see this. They may develop greater sympathy for convicts and why they need education as well as a loss of their liberty.
Will Davey — Google review
Definitely recommend coming by for the walking tour, audio provided by Steve Buscemi. The tour takes you through the history of the prison, life of the guards and inmates, and discusses some topics like solitary confinement, US modern prison system and the need for reform. Worth the price and will definitely give you a new perspective.
Timothy Warlow Jr (Countdown Realty Team) — Google review
This place is really cool... and creepy. Most of the buildings are slowly falling apart but certain areas have been restored to provide visitors a glimpse of prison life when Eastern State was operational.
We walked here from our hotel by City Hall and purchased tickets at the gate. We chose the self guided tour where they provide headphones that have recorded information about different locations around the prison. The narrative is fascinating as you learn both the history of the prison and the history of incarceration in the US.
I'm definitely interested in returning for their Halloween festivities.
This is a must-visit attraction in Philadelphia.
M B — Google review
I've done so much reading up on this venue and finally had the opportunity to tour this place. I took my kids with me and they really enjoyed the experience to tour such an old facility. The audio tour was phenomenal and added to the experience. I really want to do the haunted tour they do in the fall. I'll be back again soon in the future to tour this great facility again. It's amazing that most of our prisons are structured off of the design of Eastern State Penitentiary.
Craig L (X-wing Destroyer) — Google review
Coming here is like an interactive museum, and it’s guided with an audio tour which is cool. Despite it being very fascinating and full of history, it felt solemn walking in an area where many were deprived of basic human needs, and seeing the different facts of this prison and the injustices that occurred. There are exhibits all around besides the actual prison which are very interesting and informative, and don’t forget Al Capone’s cell is here too! A must see exhibit is the Prison Today, which is interactive and based on the modern day US prison system. Overall, I really enjoyed coming here because it’s not only a great history lesson, but much needed eye opener.
Catherine D — Google review
Great experience. Even my 7 year old enjoyed it a lot. You take the tour on your own at your own pace. Handicap accessible. They provide you with audio recordings going through about 10-11 sections. The sounds and the story telling turns it up a notch. They sell water and snacks in there so you can actually snack as you walk around. Was it scary? I would say not at all but if you can put yourself and your all into what you are hearing and witnessing it can be.
Valerie Viengngeune — Google review
An atmospheric place where you understand that it is better not to go there in reality. Huge passages, small cells without windows, with a narrow gap in the ceiling, high walls surrounding the prison, death cells, abandoned deserted corridors, from which mystical cold blows. This is a very interesting historical place, I highly recommend visiting it. And yes, there is Al Capone's camera, with the music of those times and the setting. I recommend buying tickets in advance online with a discount coupon.
Nika Navi — Google review
I saw this while looking up things to do in Philadelphia and immediately added it to the to-do list during one of my upcoming trips.
I decided to go on an early Sunday afternoon. There is lots of street parking available in the immediate area...but its probably best to stick to the main streets (Fairmount and Corinthian Avenues...). Once you get into the side residential streets, the signs there mention "permit" which made me a bit nervous. I know some neighborhoods require residential permits to park on the streets and I didn't want to take the chance.
Admission prices were $21 for adults and $17 for childen. Children under 6 are free. (Online prices...not sure if was more at the ticket window)
After entering the front, you pick up your audio device. A small device with headphones that you can select various numbers marked throughout the penitentiary that will tell you a bit about that area or exhibit. I hope at some point, they would offer an app or online guide where you can use your own phone and earphones for this...the device provided is very dated and comes with wired over the head headphones which can get in the way if you are carrying items, a camera for example.
The penitentiary itself was great. While the audio device was cumbersome at times, the information provided throughout the self-tour was impressive. It is very well-paced and guides you through the main areas before letting you know the formal tour is over and your are free to explore. There are many smaller areas and exhibits throughout the penitentiary with wonderful little details about prison life at that time. A must for any history or architect buff.
One of the larger areas is the prison yard which leads into an indoor exhibit focusing on the impact of prison reform and overall effectiveness of the various prison philosophy. I like how they included something relevant to modern-times and its impact on today's society. It really stresse that we, as a nation, can do a lot better.
I usually get through museums pretty quick...reading the exhibits while taking lots of photos. This took me about 2 hours to get through most of the areas. There were certain areas I was less interesting in that I didn't read or listen to the entire description. So give yourself time if you plan to see everything...also wear comfortable shoes as there is quite a bit of walking.
There is a small gift shop toward the end of the tour with clothes, mugs, books...etc...what you'd expect to find in most gift shops.
There is also a bathroom trailer as you exit...very clean actually.
All staff I encountered were friendly and polite.
As for children...some older children may be interested in the history and stories of the prison...but there really isn't much "to-do" for younger children. The entire tour is on one level throughout the cell blocks, prison yard and other sub-areas...there arent any stairs except for one view from the upper cell block level.
The penitentiary is in walkable distance to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Rocky Statue and Steps and surrounding park. There are also some nice eating options along Fairmount Avenue which leads right into the park...not a bad idea to make a day trip to include the penitentiary, food stop and park.
Jason Persaud — Google review
This was a bucket list item and it was awesome! Sure, it's not as scary as it probably is at night during a ghost hunt, but it was still really cool. Lots of great history, and the audio tour was very information. The entire experience was fantastic.
Jon Harrison — Google review
One of the coolest places I've been to in a while. We did the hand on history where they take you to the places the regular tour doesn't take you and it was the best part. We eneded up going to the kitchen, chapel and hospital wings. Gary was our tour guide and he was the best. Answered all our questions and was so nice. Definitely a must see. Buy tickets in advance to save a few bucks.
Ashley Langone — Google review
The history is incredible. Be sure you are prepared for a SLOW crawl throughout the place if you plan on following the recorded tour. Very cool place though.
Vanessa B — Google review
If you love history and want a real life experience this is the place to go. I was in shock of just how they preserved this building but at the same time seeing the decay of the cells was great. I enjoyed the walk through audio tour. Also there was a section where local artist came in within one of the cell blocks. I would get there earlier to ensure you have enough time to see everything.
Danielle Howze — Google review
I think it's the best tourist experience I've done in years, it's immersive. I did the night time tour which dded to the experience without a doubt. I was limited by the 10pm close so only spent 2 hours but could've done 1-2 more working through the art installations and experiences they've included.
Great value for money and it's the one thing I'd tell anyone to do first as a must do activity in Philly.
King of Prussia Mall is a grand and sophisticated shopping center that boasts over 400 retailers, as well as food courts and restaurants. The indoor mall features natural lighting from skylights, making it an inviting environment for shoppers. There is a luxury section dedicated to high-end stores, and visitors can easily spend several hours exploring the vast space. The mall has a good mix of stores catering to various needs but lacks a Uniqlo store.
One of the largest mall in terms of space and no.of stores in US and laregest in the state. Lot of Branded stores and showrooms which attracts people from all age. Well maintained and organized parking, wash rooms and family rooms. Plenty of instruction/information board in each floor/building. Kids play area also there. Very big food court with lot of international cuisine options. Definitely worth visiting mall with family in the region.
Arun — Google review
I spoke with my wife before typing up this review and we agreed that yes while this mall is great and we thoroughly enjoyed our visit as a regular paycheck to paycheck family we felt less like patrons and more like sightseers. That is really the only real reason for the 3 star rating. It was quite a bit to high end for us. So I hope you enjoy the pictures of our mainly sightseeing trip to King of Prussia Mall and maybe they will help you make up your mind if you were planning a visit. Personally I do recommend a visit especially if you have never been because if nothing else exploring the mall with the family was very fun and a great way to spend the day.
Michael J. Metzger — Google review
The parking was easy to navigate with spacious spots and a feeling of safety. The mall has a fantastic aesthetic and such a wonderful variety of stores to browse and shop, at all price points. Having never been there before as rural countryfolk, one of the most fun things we encountered were the interactive mall maps. The food court was clean and the food delicious, with a fireplace, tv, and great seating. Chanel, Apple, Lego, you name it, they have it. Something for everyone!
Mags — Google review
The most amazing mall I’ve been to yet! Well the Mall of America was really nice too but the stores didn’t have clothes that were my taste at all. However, King of Prussia babay… lit 🔥 is an understatement!!! I went 3 days in a row and saw stores that I had missed each day. I’m sure there are more stores also that I still didn’t see! The high end designer stores were all packed in this place too! They didn’t leave any store worth shopping at out!
Lazarus Johnson (Lovely Lannie) — Google review
Beautiful mall, it’s huge! Many high end stores and places to eat. I came went on Mother’s Day with my mommy to have brunch and shop around!!! Can’t Walt to visit her again and come back here. It’s so pretty!!!
Magda P (Maggy) — Google review
Neat and large mall in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania — and near Philadelphia. They have many major clothing stores and some large anchor department/retail stores. I particularly enjoyed my visits to Uniqlo, Miniso, and H&M stores while here in the shopping mall. They also have capital one/Peet’s coffee inside. Plenty of parking spaces outside.
Han Stw — Google review
Neat, clean and massive mall in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania near Philadelphia. They have almost all major clothing stores, designer brand store and some large anchor department/retail stores. Plenty of parking spaces outside. Good options for food in food court or the many restaurants around the mall. I enjoyed walking around and checking out stores.
Varsha Dhavale — Google review
A grand mall carrying ample stores and varieties of items. Well maintained and catchy by all means. Area is huge to roam and shop. You can buy anything from here. Also an excellent place to eat and entertainment as well! I bought Korean pearls, Barbie Doll and garments from here.
Saroj Panchal — Google review
Huge mall. Plenty of stores, I like how they have luxury stores section on one side of the mall. Definitely takes a couple hours to walk around the entire mall. Had a good variety of stores present. I wish they had a uniqlo though. My favorite part was the capital One Café.
Dhara Bhayani — Google review
Had to visit such a big mall just to see how big it really is! I gotta say, I was a bit overwhelmed and got lost. It was interesting how the upscale stores were lumped together in the upper level and some of the more “regular folk” stores were in another area. Kinda funny but neat all the same. I only bought a few items from the local artists shop but I enjoyed walking around for sure.
Mel Noble — Google review
Is this the biggest mall in PA? It definitely feels like it. This mall is full of great stores and vendors. I was really happy I got to support SPERGO.
You can easily spend the whole day in here. The only thing they did not have (not even anywhere nearby) that I wish they did have, was a nail salon. The food court was pretty standard. There is a great hotel walking distance across the street. I will definitely be back!
Shannon Andrea — Google review
We had a great time celebrating my mother in-laws birthday. The atmosphere was great, the food was good. Spending time with family is priceless. It took a long time to get everyone's food to come out, but with a big party, it was expected. But all in all, we had a great time.
Lavan Bautista — Google review
The mall is really confusing to navigate. That’s really why I’m giving it 3 stars. Me & my mom were lost for 2 hours & the workers aren’t even able to instruct you. As we came to find out, where you end up in the mall depends on which staircase you take to go up or down. Very confusing & you’ll have to walk at least 30min to get to your desired “staircase.” It’s not even that it’s a tiring walk, it’s just inconvenient. The mall definitely needs maps inside. There is a lot to do inside though: massages, 2 food courts, most of any type of store you can think of, and there are sections for kids to play. They have starbucks & La Colombe in terms of cafes. Also, the pressed protein shake pictured here does not taste good at all.
Eman Soliman — Google review
Nice mall overall! It's quite large and has a lot of stores from clothing stores to game stores to high end ones. Great place for all ages, and there's a lot of good food options. A big popular place is the Cheesecake Factory! We enjoy going here, and just exploring around and getting lost!
David Nagel-Nunez — Google review
First time as someone from North Carolina visiting Philadelphia’s biggest mall, filled with many brands and stores to shop at! Exceptional decorative displays, interesting items to see from, amazing food choices, literally everything you can think of when it comes to your ideal mall! This is by far (in my opinion) the best experience I’ve had! I will strongly recommend visiting this place!
Carlos Lanza Jr — Google review
We took a road trip to see this mall. It was a nice scenic route car ride with no tolls, no traffic and about 2 hours from Baltimore. The mall is HUGE. If you really wanna see it; plan to stay overnight or make another trip back. High end to mainstream; you will find it here. The mall is clean and bright. The Macy’s was really nice; and if you are from Baltimore you know we have Sub Par Macy’s; I always have to leave Baltimore to find a really good Macy’s. This mall is nicer than most.
A M — Google review
Fabulous place to get fashion ideas and pieces for all budgets! Super clean and worthwhile visiting on a weekday ;0)
My husband equally loved it and had a very good experience! Wr also were super happy to still get to see the Christmas decorations, incl. Carousel 🎠 as the base to a huge tree!
Bettina Schaeffer — Google review
King of Prussia Mall in Pennsylvania is a shopping haven! With its vast selection of stores, from high-end brands to popular retailers, there's something for everyone. The spacious layout ensures a comfortable shopping experience, and the diverse dining options cater to various tastes. The staff is friendly, and the mall's cleanliness adds to its charm. Whether you're a fashion enthusiast, tech lover, or foodie, King of Prussia Mall delivers an exceptional shopping adventure. Highly recommended for a day of retail therapy!
Eden Amir — Google review
Came here for the first time with my boyfriend last month to go to the Apple Store for an in store pick up, and this Mall was honestly way more than what I expected it to be, it’s a very big mall, 3 stories high, there’s plenty of stores to shop at from designer stores to regular chain stores like bath and body works, Victoria secret and Auntie Anne’s etc…. The mall was very nice and clean there’s is plenty of food options to eat. You can literally spend hours in here just walking around. Wonderful mall as a whole, will definitely be back again!!
Valley Forge National Historical Park offers trolley and ranger-led walking tours through its miles of trails, providing visitors with a chance to witness a historic Revolutionary War site. The park boasts beautiful preservation of national history and is an ideal destination for day trips. Visitors can explore the park's various attractions, including the visitors center which showcases the area's rich history, enjoy picnics on blankets in shaded areas or rent bikes near visitor center parking lot to cycle around the park.
We visited Valley Forge from Philadelphia, it's about an hour's drive. It's a very significant historic place and is a must visit if you are in in the area. We had reserved the trolley tour. It is a 90 minute tour that took us to all the important spots. We got down at a couple of spots, one was to walk around the soldiers huts area. We were greeted by a ranger who explained about the area and the significance of the huts. The second place where we got down to walk around was at George Washington's head quarters, and the train station.
All along the tour, we had a guide explaining the history and importance of the various spots. It is a huge area of scenic meadows, trees and landscape used for soldiers encampment.
You can also do the tour by yourself using a map or with audio guidance. Walking tour and biking tours are other options. Bike rentals are available.
Final stop was the visitor center with a nice gift shop.
Vish Viswanath — Google review
Wow! Wow! Wow! It’s gnarly that 200+ years ago this valley was the scene of a very very important part of the country's history. Reading about what happened year and looking at pictures do not do this place justice because in real life the area is just so damn majestic. As a veteran it was really cool to experience this with my brother and doodle. Altogether we walked 3 miles in one of the shorter loops groomed for walkers. Make sure you listen to the audio that the park provides through a number you call into. Seeing the area and then listening to the context of what happened truly does make a difference.
James Durago — Google review
Great park! Lots of awesome history and beautiful sights. The audio car tour is well worth the price and the trails are well marked and well maintained. Rangers are super friendly and knowledgeable! The only bad part was some of the interpretive signs are really worn down and illegible.
Jacob Ahlstrand — Google review
I grew up with my father bringing me to historical places, so I grew into loving history. It was really cool to see the items they used and the winter camps they would stay in. My young daughter had a blast going into all the log cabins. They also have a really awesome gift shop with a little museum on the other side. They had trails you can walk, or bike, and they also have a rode you can drive and hit monuments and learn about our countries history.
Nancy DeJesús — Google review
During my visit to Valley Forge National Historical Park on Presidents' Day weekend, the experience was even more special thanks to the array of activities tailored for families. The park came alive with historical reenactments, guided tours, and educational programs that brought the rich history of the area to life in a very interactive and engaging way. It was a fantastic opportunity to learn more about America's past while enjoying the beauty and solemnity of the park with my family. The activities provided a unique and memorable way to connect with the history of the Continental Army and the revolutionary spirit. This visit was not just a walk through history; it was a vibrant celebration of our nation's heritage, making the experience truly unforgettable.
MaJ Dee — Google review
In many ways this location holds a place as one of the most important in American history. Over the winter of 1777-1778, the continental forces of the American revolution stayed here in terrible conditions as it prepared for what seemed to be an endless war. General Washington used this as his base for the foray across the Delaware to Trenton to engage the hessian forces stationed there. The park boasts a few dozen key areas that you can explore and monuments constructed to commemorate the rich history of that time.
Aside from that the park has a varied amount of biking and hiking trails for beginner to moderate trips. The 6.6 mile loop that covers the historical aspects is a pleasant walk in mild weather and further exploration can be done at no cost to the adventurer.
This should be the top of the list for those interested in the birth of a nation!
Ryan O'Shaughnessy — Google review
Such a beautiful park! It’s great for all sorts of activities— fishing, biking, walking, picnicking and hiking. Can’t forget all the history and monuments/cabins you can see, which is very interesting.
I like more of the nature/activity side of the park, so I’ve gone biking here on the paved areas and it’s always fun with all the hills and inclines, and more recently I’ve also been hiking and some of the trails are cool and offer a variety of nice nature sceneries and best of all, a good workout.
If you go hiking on the Mt. Joy trail, make sure to wear bug spray and a good pair of hiking boots/trail runners since it gets rocky. Almost all of the trails I’ve been on are usually well maintained, only one I’ll mention is that parts of the Grand Parade trail in the meadows were a bit overgrown so make sure you have your trail map and be weary of ticks! Overall, awesome experience every time and definitely one of my favorite parks in the area since you’ll always find something to do.
Catherine D — Google review
We naively thought we could just pop in here and then be on our way. The website just doesn't do it justice.
The grounds are immense and beautifully cared for. We saw many people there just walking, jogging, and riding their bikes.
Your first stop should be the visitor's center where you can learn about the history of Valley Forge and its significance. Restrooms and gift shops are also located there.
We elected to do the free auto tour. Again, we didn't allow for enough time because the area is huge and there really are a lot of places you'll want to stop.
My must-sees are the cabins, the arch, the train station and Washington's Quarters, and Washington's Chapel. At the very least.
Entry is free. Parking is free.
Jennifer Nolen — Google review
This is a great national historic park for a good stroll! The landscape is hilly, but there are no major steep areas that you would have to watch out for. Most of the pathways are paved, so it is a great place to visit for those who are wheelchair bound. Many of the walkways have trees on one side, so it allows for shade for part of the day. I would recommend a hat for visitors because some pathways have no coverage. The big archway is surrounded by cobblestone, so it's not as accessible as the rest of the park. Parking and entrance into the park are free.
Erika Dueñas — Google review
Beautiful preservation of one of our national history spots.. Great day trip to walk the park trail, take in the history at visitors center, relax on a blanket in the shade and enjoy a picnic lunch. Bike rentals available near visitor center parking lot.
patty hedges — Google review
Valley Forge National Historical Park is steeped in history.
Every time I visit Valley Forge Historical Park, I'm struck by the sense of peace and tranquility that permeates the air. It's as if the park itself is a living memorial to the courage and sacrifice of those who fought for our freedom.
This was where George Washington and his troops had spent a brutal winter during the Revolutionary War. As I wandered through the park, I imagined what it must have been like for them, and felt a deep sense of gratitude for their sacrifices. This park is truly a testament to the power of nature and the strength of the human spirit.
One of the most iconic features of Valley Forge National Historical Park is the Encampment Site, where George Washington and his Continental Army stayed. Visitors to the park can explore the reconstructed cabins where the soldiers slept, learn about the harsh conditions they endured, and gain a deeper understanding of the sacrifices that were made.
Valley Forge National Historical Park is more than just a tourist attraction - it's a national treasure that belongs to all of us. The park's beauty is not just in its rolling hills and peaceful forests, but in the stories that it tells and the lessons that it teaches. It's a place of remembrance, reflection, and inspiration.
Britt Around Town — Google review
It definitely exceeded my expectations! The visitor center has a lot of an interesting information regarding the history of the place as well as a small gift shop. There you can also purchase the affordable driving audio tour which is very educational. The park is also peaceful and quiet for a bike ride or long run.
Roddy Bernard — Google review
Valley Forge is HUGE and there's so much to see! My wife and I are photographers and have engagement session here often. It's a beautiful location for photos with tons of great options. The park is dog-friendly, great for picnics and family activities with large open fields. You can drive around the park to different spots, or use the miles and miles of walking trails. 10/10!
Jack DeMaio — Google review
I loved the walk around this national beauty that was always so close to home, and yet I never visited. I loved every second of the hike. If you have the time to walk around, I suggest it. You can drive through the park as well, but our founding fathers didn't have motorized vehicles, so you can take a stroll. (;
ScoutFox — Google review
Excellent Experience Always! It's So Peaceful, all you hears nature the birds the wind, the leaves.
And the rocks the pebbles from under my feet make noise. That's it this awesome day for this sun coming through the clouds! Hopefully today Brings more sunlight and hot weather on my travels today. Thank you so much. I appreciate everybody that just kept this place alive. Thank you so much! It's my Safe Place Really Anywhere in the World! Positive Vibes Only!
Sean Ferguson — Google review
Went on a rainy Saturday afternoon mid October. Fully manned, nice visitor center with exhibits, gift shop and movie. Did the 10 mile circle driving tour around the encampment with stops at the train station, Washington's headquarters and the church. Everything was very well maintained, fully annotated and staffed with rangers. Very impressed with all the history and the park. Surprisingly, everything, including parking, was free. On a sunny day, there are nice bike and hiking parts to use. Well worth the visit.
Virginia VanKeulen — Google review
My photos do not do this beautiful national park justice with its 3,500 acres of wide open meadows, woodlands, streams, trails, log cabins, a visitor's center, National Memorial Arch, several historical buildings to explore including Washington’s Headquarters and the Washington Memorial Chapel, and more to explore. Washington and his troops spent the winter at Valley Forge during 1777–78. Often when you visit you will see reenactment actors near the log cabins in character. There is close to 30 miles of exposed trails throughout the park to walk or ride a bike. There are additional hidden marked trails in the woods to challenge yourself and to hike Mount Misery and Mount Joy. Plenty of meadows to fly a kite and set up a picnic blanket. Also, several picnic tables near the Arch under several large oak trees. Restrooms are available. Able to fly drones over the "flying field" on North Valley Forge Road just as you enter the park. Plenty of parking options. Just taking a drive through is also nice. No park fee to enter.
Adriana Falco — Google review
Beautiful rolling hills and historical artifacts. Amazing views. Takes one back to 1770s Pennsylvania. We went during Thanksgiving week when few visitors were there. Highly recommend. There was plenty of free parking and restrooms.
Kelly Cambridgeport — Google review
4.8
(7770)
•
4.5
(1482)
1400 N Outer Line Dr, King of Prussia, PA 19406, USA