Valley Forge will be the place to be November 9 – 12, 2008, when librarians from across the Commonwealth gather for the PaLA Annual Conference at the Scanticon Conference Center.  Pack your bags and come prepared for education and entertainment.  The 2008 Conference Committee is busy selecting cutting-edge programs for your continuing education, but free-time activities are plentiful.

Shopping

The Court and The Plaza at King of Prussia provide 140 up-scale shopping opportunities right in the neighborhood, including Bloomingdales, Macy’s, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Lord  & Taylor.  Intrepid bargain hunters will be delighted to discover the new Philadelphia Premium Outlets at Limerick -- just twenty minutes away.  You name the retailer; they’ve got the outlet!  If funky small town shops are more to your taste, you might want to explore nearby Phoenixville, Wayne, and West Chester.

The Great Outdoors

If you feel the need to stretch your legs and breathe some unfiltered air, Valley Forge National Historic Park is right across the street with plentiful trails and beautiful vistas.

From Valley Forge, you can also explore the Schuylkill River Trail – 11.5 miles into Philadelphia – a scenic place to relax and unwind. A little farther afield, Longwood Gardens will be at the height of its Chrysanthemum Festival with fabulous flowers and fall foliage.  

Note well – if power walking isn’t your cup of tea, the sprints between meetings have been eliminated for the 2008 Conference.  All meeting rooms and the exhibits will be located in the Scanticon building!    

Dining

There’s no shortage of restaurants in the area – with choices to accommodate every pocketbook.  Right in King of Prussia your choices include The Melting Pot, The Cheesecake Factory, Maggianos Little Italy, and the California Pizza Kitchen.  If you’re looking for a big splurge, Creeds, Morton’s, Sullivan’s, and California Café could be just the ticket.  Delicious delis, exotic ethnics, and bodacious brew pubs are scattered throughout the area.

Theater Arts

If you’re dying to catch a movie while you’re in town, fear not there are plenty of theaters nearby.  In addition to 16 theaters, the Regal Cinema in King of Prussia features an IMAX Theater.  While the Regal Marketplace in Oaks has 24 screens.  The Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville is a non-profit movie theater that features foreign and independent films and concerts.  For horror film buffs, the 1903 theater was featured in The Blob (1957) starring Steve McQueen.

Dine Outs and Tours

It should go without saying that the Local Information and Tours Committee is busy eating out and planning exciting tours for your free-time pleasure.  The area has lots to offer, and we’re planning to offer the best-of-the-best during the 2008 PaLA Conference!  So come and enjoy!

Submitted by Jeanne Clancy Watkins, Chair, Local Information and Tours