The Downingtown center point is around the area of Downingtown Amtrak and 3 miles west of Surgery Center of Chester County.
Downingtown's natural beauty shines any time of year, and each season possesses its own appeal. Every spring, the town hosts a youth Fishing Derby in the East Branch of the Brandywine Creek, stocked with trout from the Kerr Park fish hatchery. It's a fun event for fishing enthusiasts that's worth the trip.
The Farmer's Market unites the community, held on Log Cabin Field at Kerr Park on Saturdays from May through December. Food and craft vendors set up next to the historic Downingtown Log Cabin, which has become a de facto symbol of the town. It is the oldest known dwelling in the county. Over 300 years old, the log cabin was once owned by the town's namesake Downing family.
Be sure to return to Kerr Park after the Farmer's market to tour the log cabin – but mark your calendar and book your hotel accordingly. The log cabin is only open on the first Sunday of the month in May through October, from 1 to 4 p.m. Special tours can be coordinated through the Downingtown Borough Office by request.
The summer months are really the high time to visit Downingtown, with the Fine Arts Festival taking place May 26-27, followed by the Chester County Mac and Cheese cook-off, a 5-K, and St. Joseph's Community Festival all held in June. Summertime is also the best time for swimming at Marsh Creek Park. Lloyd Park also offers a refreshing dip for your canine friends. This unique dog park incorporates a creek for your beloved hounds to cool off, too.
For hotel discounts in the Downingtown, PA area, AAA members and military personnel should check out the Courtyard Philadelphia Coatesville/Exton. This hotel is located only five miles from Downingtown town center, a modern retreat after a day exploring the historic region. Upon arrival, guests are greeted with a stylish lobby designed to accommodate many individuals yet impart a sense of privacy with dividing walls and creative seating areas.
Guests may settle into intimate banquettes, find a stool at the lounge and indulge in a cocktail, or watch the news on the big flat-screen television. The outdoor seating area with fire pit is a popular spot from spring through fall. Other popular amenities include the indoor pool and the fitness center, each helping guests stay in shape during their travels.
The Embassy Suites Philadelphia-Valley Forge lies only 14 miles from Downingtown. This four-star hotel resort outshines others in its category with the complimentary amenities that its guests enjoy, such as free breakfast and an evening cocktail reception in its soaring lobby. The breakfast isn't just a cursory affair. A chef, resplendent in white hat and uniform, will make your omelet to order if you so desire. The pool is excellent, and the fitness center can accommodate many people at one time with its selection of machines and weight training equipment.
The facilities are standard and unremarkable but well-kept, and the hotel offers ample meeting space, plus event and wedding planning services. Guest suites are spacious and well-laid out, including a generous seating area with desk, couch, and wet bar, perfect for in-room entertaining. Getting around is a breeze thanks to Embassy Suites' complimentary shuttle. This shuttle can take you to Valley Forge National Historic Park if you'd like to check out the historic Revolutionary War site, or anywhere else you need to go within a 5-mile radius of the hotel.
Hampton Inn Downingtown/Exton is a great value hotel that is close to both Downingtown and the Philadelphia airport. This hotel has recently been renovated to a contemporary classic style. Hampton Inn seems to have devoted fans around the country who return again and again, and with this property, it's not hard to see why. Guests enjoy the perfect balance of value, reliable quality, and service at this hotel.
The beds here are comfortable and the rooms are clean. Free toiletries and use of the in-room hair dryer help harried guests to get ready, even if they forgot a few supplies. The rooms feature free Wi-Fi and flat-screen televisions, plus cable programming and video game consoles that are favorites with kids. The best amenities at the Hampton Inn Downingtown/Exton lie beyond the rooms, including the seasonal outdoor pool and the fitness center. The lobby also stocks tea and coffee for guests that need a refreshing boost of caffeine. Free newspapers, a 24-hour business center, and dry cleaning and laundry service appeal to business travelers on the go.
Downingtown, PA served as a supply hub during the American Revolution on the Philadelphia & Lancaster Highway, and later a key stop on the stagecoach route between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The Industrial Revolution brought railroads to the area, and with them, more change. All this history left its mark on the countryside. Though the area is revered for its natural beauty, a hike along the Struble Trail will take you past the old mill buildings straight into downtown Downingtown, PA.
Take a drive out to the Mill at Anselma to experience the wonder of a working mill. While you are there, buy some stone-ground corn or flour to take home and savor your memories of the experience. Seek out Hall's Covered Bridge, one of the few remaining of its kind in the region. Book passage on the scenic 90-minute rail rides through Chester Creek Valley, and the whole of the region's natural and man-made beauty will unfold before you.
From past to present, Downingtown, PA has made its mark on all who have visited. Plan your trip to Downingtown for a great escape into a historic and beautiful countryside.