Small-group van tour · 48 N 12th St, Philadelphia
A guide drives a small group from central Philadelphia to Valley Forge and walks you through the winter of 1777-78, from the rebuilt soldier huts to Washington's Headquarters. Pick it if you have no car, or simply want the story told by someone who loves it.
What you pay for here is the day: the drive out and back, and a guide for 4 hours 30 minutes. Valley Forge National Historical Park is free. The National Park Service asks for no entrance pass, and the Visitor Center, the film and the 10-mile Encampment Tour cost nothing. The listing includes round-trip transport from 48 N 12th St, a tour guide and a donation to the park. Food, drinks and the tip are on you.
The guide starts on the road. On the ride out, the listing says, you hear about the early years of the war and how the army ended up here. On 19 December 1777 more than 12,000 soldiers and about 400 women and children marched into Valley Forge. They built more than 1,500 log huts, and on 19 June 1778 they marched out as a trained army, drilled by Baron von Steuben. At the park the itinerary takes in the Visitor Center and its artifacts, the recreated huts, the National Memorial Arch, Washington Memorial Chapel and the Washington's Headquarters area by the Schuylkill River, where the house and its surrounding area are closed for restoration until 2027, so expect the guide to plan around it. There was no battle here. Disease killed nearly 2,000 people, mostly from influenza, typhus, typhoid and dysentery, and two-thirds of the deaths came in March, April and May, when supplies were already improving.
The listing has 5.0 stars from 64 reviews, with 5.0 for the guide and for value. Guests name Tom, Jason and James, and one liked the small van. The tour runs rain or shine, and it cancels free up to 24 hours before.
Meet the guide on 12th Street in Center City and climb into the van.
About 20 miles west, with the early years of the war and the road to Valley Forge on the way.
Objects and artifacts from the encampment, and the big picture of the camp.
The recreated soldiers' huts, and how more than 1,500 of them made the camp the fourth largest city in the colonies.
The granite arch raised to Washington and his army, on the open meadows.
The story of the stone house where Washington and his household lived and worked, closed with its surroundings for restoration until 2027, then back to the city.
★★★★★Our tour guide, Tom, was fantastic! His passion for and knowledge of history and the Revolutionary War, in particular, made the tour amazing. He brought it all to life, fielded every question, and told us so many interesting stories/aspects of Valley Forge and Washington and his men.
★★★★★Excellent tour guide Jason. Friendly, knowledgeable, and definitely likes the subject matter. I liked the small van, too.
★★★★★Jason was very knowledgeable and personable. The pace was good for our group of mostly 60+ participants - not rushed but efficient from site to site.
★★★★★The guide was excellent. We received a thorough tour of the site and explanation of the history. We weren't rushed,and time was enough to review everything.
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No. Valley Forge National Historical Park is free. The National Park Service asks for no entrance pass, and the Visitor Center, the film and the 10-mile Encampment Tour cost nothing. This tour adds the transport, the guide and a donation to the park.
4 hours 30 minutes from 48 N 12th St and back, with about 20 miles each way.
Yes. The listing says it runs rain or shine. If your plans change, you can cancel free up to 24 hours before.
The listing names the Visitor Center, the recreated soldier huts, the National Memorial Arch, Washington Memorial Chapel and Washington's Headquarters, with optional stops such as the General Wayne statue. The house and its surrounding area are closed for restoration until 2027, so the guide plans the day around the rest of the park.
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A guide and the van from Philadelphia to the rebuilt soldier huts and the monuments, back in 4 hours 30 minutes.
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