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Giraffes, a Civil War general's grave and a 19th-century courthouse dome all sit within a few miles in Norristown, the county seat of Montgomery County, about 20 miles northwest of Philadelphia on the Schuylkill River. The borough grew up in the 1700s around river mills and later became an industrial and legal center, and its hilltop streets still hold rows of Victorian brick homes and stone churches.
The white-columned Montgomery County Courthouse anchors the old business district along Main and Swede streets, and the Historical Society of Montgomery County keeps archives and exhibits on the region's past. Selma Mansion, an 18th-century stone house linked to the Porter family, is being restored by local volunteers, and General Winfield Scott Hancock rests in Montgomery Cemetery at the edge of town.
Families come for Elmwood Park Zoo and the farm fields and creek trails of Norristown Farm Park. The Schuylkill River Trail passes the riverfront on its way to Philadelphia, and Valley Forge National Historical Park is just across the river, an easy short drive.
A mid-sized zoo founded in 1924 with jaguars, bison, bald eagles, sloths and a popular giraffe feeding deck where visitors can hand lettuce to the herd. A treetop ropes course and zipline add adventure for older kids. Buy giraffe feeding tickets early on busy days, as they can sell out.
A 690-acre park built around a working farm, with fields, barns, woods and Stony Creek winding through. Paved and dirt trails suit walking, running and cycling, and the creek is stocked with trout. The visitor center has farm exhibits, and the park sits right on the edge of town.
A small park on the Schuylkill River where the long-distance Schuylkill River Trail passes through town. Benches look across to Bridgeport and Barbadoes Island, and the paved trail runs south toward Conshohocken and Philadelphia or north toward Valley Forge. It makes a handy start for a riverside bike ride.
A large Georgian stone mansion from the late 1700s that belonged to the Porter family, whose members included a Revolutionary War officer and a Pennsylvania governor. A volunteer preservation group is restoring the house and its grounds and opens it for tours and events. Check their schedule for open days.
A 19th-century cemetery on the edge of Norristown where Union General Winfield Scott Hancock, a hero of Gettysburg, is buried in a granite tomb. Several other Civil War officers lie nearby, and the hillside plots overlook the Schuylkill valley. Visit quietly during daylight hours and respect the active grounds.
The county courthouse on Swede Street dates from the 1850s and was enlarged in the early 1900s with its distinctive white dome and columned facade. It still serves as the seat of county courts, so the interior is a working building with security checks. Admire the exterior and the plaza in front.
One of the oldest county historical societies in Pennsylvania, with a research library, genealogy records and rotating exhibits on local industry, the Revolution and everyday life. Its collection of maps and photographs helps family historians trace roots in the area. Call ahead to book research time.
A large historic district covering the old core of the borough, with blocks of Victorian row houses, stone churches and grand homes along streets such as Marshall, Swede and DeKalb. A self-guided walk shows off brickwork, porches and church spires. Pair it with lunch at one of the many Latin American eateries on Main Street.
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Pennsylvania, United States
Pennsylvania, United States
Pennsylvania, United States
Pennsylvania, United States
Pennsylvania, United States
Pennsylvania, United States
Pennsylvania, United States
Pennsylvania, United States
Photo: Montgomery County Planning Commission, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Photo: Montgomery County Planning Commission, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Photo: Montgomery County Planning Commission, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Photo: Smallbones, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Smallbones, Wikimedia Commons, CC0