https://philadelphia.wiki/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Valley_GreenValley Green - Revision history2026-06-05T02:13:59ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.42.3https://philadelphia.wiki/index.php?title=Valley_Green&diff=5905&oldid=prevGritty: Humanization pass: prose rewrite for readability2026-04-24T01:41:23Z<p>Humanization pass: prose rewrite for readability</p>
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<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Infobox Park<br />
| name = Valley Green<br />
| image =<br />
| image_caption = Valley Green Inn along Wissahickon Creek<br />
| type = Park area / Historic inn<br />
| location = Wissahickon Valley Park<br />
| coordinates = 40.0580,-75.2180<br />
| area = Part of Wissahickon Valley Park<br />
| established = Inn: 1850; Park area: 1868<br />
| operated_by = Philadelphia Parks & Recreation / Private (inn)<br />
| features = Historic inn, creek views, Forbidden Drive access, duck feeding<br />
| hours = Park: dawn to dusk; Inn: check hours<br />
| transit = SEPTA bus; Regional Rail to Chestnut Hill<br />
| website = https://www.valleygreeninn.com<br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''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.<ref name="valleygreen">{{cite web |url=https://www.valleygreeninn.com |title=Valley Green Inn |publisher=Valley Green Inn |access-date=December 30, 2025}}</ref><br />
<br />
Valley Green is where generations of Philadelphians have come to feed the ducks, walk the trails, and escape the city.<br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
<br />
=== The Inn ===<br />
<br />
'''Valley Green Inn''' dates to '''1850''':<br />
* Built as hotel and tavern<br />
* Served visitors to Wissahickon Valley<br />
* Pre-dates park acquisition<br />
* Continuously operated since opening<br />
* Philadelphia's last remaining Wissahickon tavern<br />
<br />
=== Park Acquisition ===<br />
<br />
* '''1868:''' Wissahickon Valley became part of Fairmount Park<br />
* Valley Green retained as concession<br />
* Became heart of Wissahickon recreation<br />
* Traditions continued<br />
<br />
=== Generations of Visitors ===<br />
<br />
Valley Green traditions include:<br />
* Feeding the ducks (generations of families)<br />
* Sunday drives (before cars banned)<br />
* Sunday walks (current tradition)<br />
* Holiday gatherings<br />
<br />
== Features ==<br />
<br />
=== Valley Green Inn ===<br />
<br />
'''Historic tavern and restaurant:'''<br />
* 1850 stone building<br />
* Restaurant and bar<br />
* Outdoor seating (seasonal)<br />
* Traditional American fare<br />
* Sunday brunch tradition<br />
<br />
=== The Creek ===<br />
<br />
'''Wissahickon Creek''' at Valley Green:<br />
* Scenic creek bend<br />
* Stone bridge<br />
* Ducks and geese<br />
* Wading (unofficial)<br />
* Photography spot<br />
<br />
=== Forbidden Drive Access ===<br />
<br />
Valley Green is on [[Forbidden Drive]]:<br />
* Central location on the trail<br />
* Walk in either direction<br />
* Rest stop for hikers and cyclists<br />
* Trailhead for side trails<br />
<br />
=== Duck Feeding ===<br />
<br />
'''Beloved tradition:'''<br />
* Ducks and geese congregate<br />
* Bring appropriate food (no bread—harmful to birds)<br />
* Generations of families<br />
* Children's favorite activity<br />
<br />
=== Restrooms ===<br />
<br />
* Public restrooms available<br />
* One of few facilities in Wissahickon<br />
<br />
== Using Valley Green ==<br />
<br />
=== Walking and Hiking ===<br />
<br />
* Starting point for Forbidden Drive walks<br />
* Access to side trails<br />
* Various loop options<br />
* Central rest stop<br />
<br />
=== Dining ===<br />
<br />
* Lunch or dinner at the inn<br />
* Outdoor seating in season<br />
* Casual atmosphere<br />
* Reservations recommended for dinner<br />
<br />
=== Photography ===<br />
<br />
* Scenic creek views<br />
* Historic inn building<br />
* Wildlife<br />
* Fall foliage<br />
<br />
=== Wildlife Watching ===<br />
<br />
* Ducks and geese<br />
* Herons<br />
* Turtles<br />
* Fish in creek<br />
<br />
== Visiting ==<br />
<br />
=== Hours ===<br />
<br />
'''Park Area:'''<br />
* Dawn to dusk<br />
<br />
'''Valley Green Inn:'''<br />
* Check website for current hours<br />
* Closed some Mondays<br />
* Reservations recommended<br />
<br />
=== Getting There ===<br />
<br />
'''Location:''' Valley Green Road, Wissahickon Valley Park<br />
<br />
'''By Public Transit:'''<br />
* SEPTA Regional Rail to Chestnut Hill East or West, then walk<br />
* SEPTA Bus 27 to Springfield Avenue, then walk<br />
<br />
'''By Car:'''<br />
* Parking lot at Valley Green (fills early on weekends)<br />
* Enter from Springfield Avenue<br />
* Arrive early—parking is limited<br />
<br />
=== Tips ===<br />
<br />
* '''Parking fills by 9 AM on nice weekends'''—arrive early or walk in<br />
* The inn can be crowded—reservations help<br />
* Bring birdseed, not bread, for ducks<br />
* The nearby trails are less crowded than the main area<br />
* Winter is magical (and parking is available)<br />
<br />
== Duck Feeding Note ==<br />
<br />
'''Please don't feed bread:'''<br />
* Bread is harmful to waterfowl<br />
* Causes "angel wing" deformity<br />
* Pollutes water<br />
* Better options: corn, oats, duck feed<br />
* Bring appropriate food or none<br />
<br />
== Nearby ==<br />
<br />
* '''[[Wissahickon Valley Park]]''' — Surrounding park<br />
* '''[[Forbidden Drive]]''' — The trail<br />
* '''[[Chestnut Hill]]''' — Nearby neighborhood<br />
* '''[[Mount Airy]]''' — Nearby neighborhood<br />
* '''[[Andorra Natural Area]]''' — Northwest section of park<br />
<br />
== See Also ==<br />
<br />
* [[Wissahickon Valley Park]]<br />
* [[Forbidden Drive]]<br />
* [[Wissahickon Creek]]<br />
* [[Chestnut Hill]]<br />
* [[Fairmount Park]]<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
== External Links ==<br />
<br />
* [https://www.valleygreeninn.com Valley Green Inn]<br />
* [https://www.fow.org Friends of the Wissahickon]<br />
<br />
{{#seo:<br />
|title=Valley Green Philadelphia - Historic Wissahickon Inn & Creek Destination<br />
|description=Guide to Valley Green in Wissahickon Valley Park. Historic 1850 inn, Forbidden Drive access, duck feeding tradition, and scenic Wissahickon Creek views.<br />
|keywords=Valley Green Philadelphia, Valley Green Inn, Wissahickon Valley Park, Forbidden Drive, Wissahickon Creek, Philadelphia nature, duck feeding Philadelphia<br />
|type=Article<br />
}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Parks]]<br />
[[Category:Wissahickon]]<br />
[[Category:Fairmount Park]]<br />
[[Category:Historic Sites]]<br />
[[Category:Restaurants]]</div>Gritty