Places to visits near Villanova, PA

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Jul 14th, 2019 | 07:59 PM

nalaland

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Places to visits near Villanova, PA

I will be at Villanova University next week with a 15-yr old. We will stay at a hotel near PHL airport. I have planned 1 day to the Hershey Factory Story and 1 day to Lancaster County for an Amish Farm tour. It seems I will have plenty of time left. Any suggestions where else to go? I don't do shopping much.

Thanks

Nala

Jul 14th, 2019 | 08:58 PM

kja

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Philadelphia is an easy public transportation trip away and, IMO, holds a wealth of options.

Jul 15th, 2019 | 03:45 AM

schmerl

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You could visit all the historic sites in center city Philadelphia. The Liberty Bell, Constitution Center, Betsy Ross House, etc. If you and your 15 year old are into art, the Philadelphia Art Museum is great.
Check out this site for a lot of information.: https://www.visitphilly.com/

Jul 15th, 2019 | 04:30 AM

J62

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The Hershey chocolate tour lasts all of 30min. You don't need a full day there. It's close to 2hr drive from PHL airport to Hershey and back, and you pass right through Lancaster County. I'd combine those 2 days into one and spend the rest of the time in Philadelphia itself.

Jul 15th, 2019 | 07:18 AM

sf7307

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Quote:

Originally Posted by J62

I was at Hershey’s Chocolate World last week - humoring my husband LOL. I wouldn’t go 10 minutes out of my way had I known what it was like. Disclosure - I was there when I was 10 when it was actually a tour of the actual factory — now it’s a giant store with some history of chocolate making thrown in (which is interesting enough). We were there on a weekend and it was phenomenally crowded - Disneyland-like.

I’d vote in favor of Philadelphia.

As for Lancaster, the Amish Village and the area is quite interesting (and beautiful countryside). We did the house and farm tour, not a horse and buggy tour.

Jul 15th, 2019 | 07:47 AM

J62

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Yup, gone are the days when you could walk above the factory floor on catwalks and smell the chocolate, and see the Hershey kisses getting deposited and wrapped, or the Hershey bars poured & wrapped in golden tickets. The real tour went by the wayside maybe 20 years ago. And the tour ends in a candy store where the "let you" buy chocolate.

Jul 15th, 2019 | 08:08 AM

sf7307

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Quote:

Originally Posted by J62

I remember being given a newly wrapped chocolate kiss! But that was (gag!)1961.

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Jul 15th, 2019 | 08:29 AM

k_marie

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Will your 15 year old be with you for these excursions? Or maybe s/he will be at Villanova and you will be exploring on your own? Do you have particular interests? Art? History? Gardens?

Valley Forge is less than 15 miles from Villanova.

https://www.nps.gov/vafo/index.htm

Jul 15th, 2019 | 03:28 PM

nalaland

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Thank you all for all great ideas. I will try to plan the Hershey and Amish Tour in one day. My daughter is attending Super Camp at Villanova Univ this week. I will check her out at the end of the camp and take the trip together. Thanks .. again

Jul 15th, 2019 | 03:30 PM

#10

nalaland

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What is IMO?

Jul 15th, 2019 | 03:36 PM

#11

nalaland

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adding Valley Forge to the list . Thanks

Jul 15th, 2019 | 03:37 PM

#12

nalaland

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Agreed about the "house and farm tour, not a horse and buggy tour. Thx

Jul 15th, 2019 | 03:38 PM

#13

nalaland

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Great idea about combining both Hershey and Amish Tours in 1 day. Thanks

Jul 15th, 2019 | 04:05 PM

#14

sf7307

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IMO means "in my opinion"

Jul 16th, 2019 | 11:55 AM

#15

gbelle1

Joined: Jan 2018

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Out near the Lancaster area is the Herr’s Snack Company which also offers factory tours. Family owned company. I haven’t gone on the tour, but from friends who have, they said its fun. Herr's Snack Factory Tours However, if you only have a short time in the Philadelphia area, there are lots of historical sites as schmerl mentioned.

Jul 17th, 2019 | 12:02 PM

#16

5alive

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Full truth, the reasons people go to Hershey now are for the amusement park. Not for the chocolate museum which was very short and not worth it by itself. We did visit the amusement park. It was good but not great, but it was something our kids requested as part of our vacation. Very typical type rides and food really.

I'd spend my time in Philadelphia with all the suggestions above.