3 Best Shopping in Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania

Baldwin's Book Barn is a book lover's dream. This off-the-beaten-path bookstore in a converted barn has nooks and crannies filled with more than 300,000 used and rare books on almost every subject, along with historic maps and prints.

The Chapel Cabin Shop is staffed primarily by volunteers from the Washington Memorial Chapel parish on the grounds of the Valley Forge National Historical Park, who make the cakes, candies, and jams that are sold here. Proceeds help keep the privately owned chapel afloat. You can also find fine pewter, Colonial art, and souvenirs related to the American Revolution. The shop includes a tiny luncheonette—and outdoor picnic tables—where there are daily specials, such as Martha's 16-Bean Soup. There is also a used-book store directly behind the chapel.

The King of Prussia Mall, one of the nation's largest shopping complexes, is a tourist destination in itself. Comprising two main buildings—the Plaza and the Court—the mall contains more than 40 restaurants, 400 shops and boutiques, and seven major department stores, including Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom, and Neiman Marcus. Dining options include Morton's of Chicago, Legal Sea Foods, the Cheesecake Factory, and three food courts.