Phoenixville

Phoenixville is a borough of 17,000 people (2019) in Chester County, Pennsylvania. It is part of the Philadelphia Metro Area. Phoenixville used to be a beaten-down mill town, but its downtown has been revitalized by 10 craft breweries and a distillery. It has more breweries per square foot than anywhere else in America.

Understand

Bridge Street between Main Street and Gay Street

Phoenixville is found 28 miles (45 km) northwest of Philadelphia, at the junction of French Creek with the Schuylkill River.

Get in

Phoenixville is at the intersection of three state highway routes: 23, 29, and 113.

Phoenixville is served by SEPTA's Route 99 bus, which connects with the Manayunk/Norristown Line Regional rail service at the Norristown Transportation Center, and the Route 139 bus, which connects the King of Prussia mall with Limerick.

See

• Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St, ☏ +1 610 917-1228. Non-profit, single screen historic theatre which presents art & independent film, children's programs and classic film. It was opened in 1903. In 1958, the theatre, along with some other parts of the borough, was featured in the motion picture The Blob. The Colonial runs special programs some weekends in July. 

Do

Winter along the Schuylkill Canal

• Since 2000, Phoenixville has celebrated its starring role in The Blob with the annual Blobfest. Festivities include a reenactment of the scene featuring the Colonial.
• Also since 2004, Phoenixville has celebrated the "rebirth" of the town by burning a large wooden phoenix. The bonfire at the Firebird Festival is used to harden clay birds crafted over the preceding weeks.
• Phoenixville is close to Valley Forge National Historical Park and the Perkiomen and Schuylkill River trails.
• A Whole Lot of LuLu, a twice-annual vintage and handmade market, is held here.

Sleep

• French Creek Inn, Rts 23 & 724, Phoenixville, ☏ +1 610 935-3838. Family-run establishment. Western gateway to Valley Forge and eastern gateway to Amish country. Beautifully decorated spacious rooms, all with private baths, cable TV, opening from central hall, all one floor. Very reasonable rates. Good value. 
• Hampton Inn & Suites - Valley Forge, 100 Cresson Blvd, Phoenixville, ☏ +1 610 676-0900. Hampton Inn and Suites - Valley Forge/Oaks offers 107 deluxe rooms and two-room suites with kitchens. Free Continental breakfast, local calls, high-speed internet, HBO business center, meeting rooms, heated outdoor pool and exercise room.