Valley Green
| Valley Green | |
|---|---|
| Type | Park area / Historic inn |
| Location | Wissahickon Valley Park |
| Coordinates | 40.0580,-75.2180 |
| Area | Part of Wissahickon Valley Park |
| Established | Inn: 1850; Park area: 1868 |
| Operated by | Philadelphia Parks & Recreation / Private (inn) |
| Features | Historic inn, creek views, Forbidden Drive access, duck feeding |
| Hours | Park: dawn to dusk; Inn: check hours |
| Transit | SEPTA bus; Regional Rail to Chestnut Hill |
| Website | Official Site |
Valley Green refers to both a beloved area within Wissahickon Valley Park and the historic Valley Green Inn that has served visitors since 1850. Located at a scenic bend in Wissahickon Creek along Forbidden Drive, Valley Green serves as the most popular destination in the Wissahickon, offering an idyllic combination of natural beauty, historic atmosphere, and refreshment.[1]
Valley Green is where generations of Philadelphians have come to feed the ducks, walk the trails, and escape the city.
History
[edit | edit source]The Inn
[edit | edit source]Valley Green Inn dates to 1850:
- Built as hotel and tavern
- Served visitors to Wissahickon Valley
- Pre-dates park acquisition
- Continuously operated since opening
- Philadelphia's last remaining Wissahickon tavern
Park Acquisition
[edit | edit source]- 1868: Wissahickon Valley became part of Fairmount Park
- Valley Green retained as concession
- Became heart of Wissahickon recreation
- Traditions continued
Generations of Visitors
[edit | edit source]Valley Green traditions include:
- Feeding the ducks (generations of families)
- Sunday drives (before cars banned)
- Sunday walks (current tradition)
- Holiday gatherings
Features
[edit | edit source]Valley Green Inn
[edit | edit source]Historic tavern and restaurant:
- 1850 stone building
- Restaurant and bar
- Outdoor seating (seasonal)
- Traditional American fare
- Sunday brunch tradition
The Creek
[edit | edit source]Wissahickon Creek at Valley Green:
- Scenic creek bend
- Stone bridge
- Ducks and geese
- Wading (unofficial)
- Photography spot
Forbidden Drive Access
[edit | edit source]Valley Green is on Forbidden Drive:
- Central location on the trail
- Walk in either direction
- Rest stop for hikers and cyclists
- Trailhead for side trails
Duck Feeding
[edit | edit source]Beloved tradition:
- Ducks and geese congregate
- Bring appropriate food (no bread—harmful to birds)
- Generations of families
- Children's favorite activity
Restrooms
[edit | edit source]- Public restrooms available
- One of few facilities in Wissahickon
Using Valley Green
[edit | edit source]Walking and Hiking
[edit | edit source]- Starting point for Forbidden Drive walks
- Access to side trails
- Various loop options
- Central rest stop
Dining
[edit | edit source]- Lunch or dinner at the inn
- Outdoor seating in season
- Casual atmosphere
- Reservations recommended for dinner
Photography
[edit | edit source]- Scenic creek views
- Historic inn building
- Wildlife
- Fall foliage
Wildlife Watching
[edit | edit source]- Ducks and geese
- Herons
- Turtles
- Fish in creek
Visiting
[edit | edit source]Hours
[edit | edit source]Park Area:
- Dawn to dusk
Valley Green Inn:
- Check website for current hours
- Closed some Mondays
- Reservations recommended
Getting There
[edit | edit source]Location: Valley Green Road, Wissahickon Valley Park
By Public Transit:
- SEPTA Regional Rail to Chestnut Hill East or West, then walk
- SEPTA Bus 27 to Springfield Avenue, then walk
By Car:
- Parking lot at Valley Green (fills early on weekends)
- Enter from Springfield Avenue
- Arrive early—parking is limited
Tips
[edit | edit source]- Parking fills by 9 AM on nice weekends—arrive early or walk in
- The inn can be crowded—reservations help
- Bring birdseed, not bread, for ducks
- The nearby trails are less crowded than the main area
- Winter is magical (and parking is available)
Duck Feeding Note
[edit | edit source]Please don't feed bread:
- Bread is harmful to waterfowl
- Causes "angel wing" deformity
- Pollutes water
- Better options: corn, oats, duck feed
- Bring appropriate food or none
Nearby
[edit | edit source]- Wissahickon Valley Park — Surrounding park
- Forbidden Drive — The trail
- Chestnut Hill — Nearby neighborhood
- Mount Airy — Nearby neighborhood
- Andorra Natural Area — Northwest section of park
See Also
[edit | edit source]References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ "Valley Green Inn". Valley Green Inn. Retrieved December 30, 2025