Blake Walsh

20 Best Things to Do in Collegeville, PA

  • Published 2023/04/18

Collegeville, Pennsylvania, is a lovely borough in Montgomery County that sits on Perkiomen Creek.

It’s also one of the suburbs in Philadelphia.

Incorporated in 1896, Collegeville has since then experienced rapid growth.

The borough of Collegeville provides its residents with many businesses.

Students also go to the Ursinus College campus.

Collegeville is home to some of the most thrilling extreme sports, including skydiving and rock climbing.

The area is also a treasure trove of unique shops where every visitor can find something they’re bound to love or remember.

You need to take a stroll through its historic downtown to find many of the community’s interesting spots.

The township also has several outdoor activities for people who enjoy biking, hiking, or walking through nature.

This small but well-known suburb in Philadelphia hosts a top-notch car show which attracts thousands of visitors each year.

Here’s a breakdown of some of the best things to do in Collegeville, PA, if you’re thinking about vacationing here:

See Classic Films at the Movie Tavern

Exterior of the Movie Tavern

Rosemarie Mosteller / Shutterstock.com

Movie Tavern is where movies, food, and drinks are combined in one unique place.

Located downtown on Market Street, Collegeville, this place allows you to pair delicious drinks with the latest movie releases with a push of a button.

All seats here are extra comfortable and have pivoting tables with a cup holder and a button for summoning service.

Welcome sign of the Movie Tavern

Rosemarie Mosteller / Shutterstock.com

They have excellent sound systems and a bar that comes with your ticket and service to your seat.

Parking around this cinema might be difficult due to its proximity to other shopping areas.

That aside, Movie Tavern offers quite a fun film viewing experience that everyone is sure to enjoy.

Hang Out at Waterworks Park

Located right in the middle of Trappe and Collegeville, Waterworks Park is a 17-acre park that’s perfect for families with small children.

There’s plenty to do at Waterworks Park, thanks to its baseball and soccer fields, walkways, concessions, and even a picnic pavilion.

Waterworks Park is a local park perfect for an afternoon stroll or a weekend jog.

There’s a lovely little river running through the park, and you can picnic next to it.

You can also walk or run along shaded pathways if you need to stay cool on your exercise break.

Water Works Park is where many important events are held throughout the years.

This is also where the Trappe Community Day festival takes place every year.

Go Hiking or Biking through the Perkiomen Trail

Bikes parked along Perkiomen Trail

cozyta / Shutterstock.com

The Perkiomen Trail is a multi-use trail for hikers, bikers, and horseback riders that stretches 19 miles along the banks of Perkiomen Creek.

It also passes by Valley Forge National Historical Park, so it’s become a favorite among local riders looking to get back to nature.

It runs primarily on gravel but has some paved segments as well.

The Perkiomen Trail offers its riders a plethora of ways to enjoy the beautiful outdoors of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

The paved Perkiomen Trail

Dough4872, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

It goes through Oaks in the southernmost county of Montgomery County.

It hits Arcola, Collegeville, Yerkes, Graterford, Rahn, and the others before ending up in Schwenksville, which lies almost at its north.

The unique partnership between the Montgomery County Lands Trust and the Natural Lands Trust helped establish the Perkiomen Trail.

They established these two non-profit organizations to ensure that green space would remain a priority in Montgomery County.

In total, they have worked together to raise over $7 million for this cause.

Commune with Nature at Evansburg Point Park

Evansburg State Park is settled in the romantic and cozy Skippack Township, where you can feel at one with nature.

Here in south-central Montgomery County, you can find natural tranquility and beauty directly between Norristown and Collegeville.

Skippack Creek winds its way through the park while creating the green space that serves as this area’s main attraction.

You’ll feel enclosed within the forested ridges and valleys.

However, you’re still a very short distance away from civilization.

Ever since the first European settlers arrived in the area, Water has played a vital role in all facets of life.

For centuries, residents have used the Skippack River as an ideal source of power to run not only farms but mills.

That’s why many structures and houses exist in this park, indicative of early American life.

It also reflects the crucial role of waterway resources like rivers and streams.

Visitors can walk through trails made up of old fields, cropland, meadows, and even mature woodlands.

Various activities await at the park, including picnicking, taking in the great outdoors on open play fields, or playing golf at one of the many courses available at Evansburg Point Park.

See the Artwork at the Philip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art

The Philip and Muriel Berman Museum Of Art is a space where art lovers can connect with the brilliance of various artists, from past and present.

You can also find inspiration to spark your inner muse.

The museum’s collection complements its time-honored values by providing an interactive learning experience that transcends the boundaries between objects, exhibitions, and community art-making.

This is to help each visitor learn more about the world around them.

The Berman is a renowned teaching museum that aims to provide academic institutions with tools for engagement and learning opportunities.

Likewise, the museum offers ways of expanding its audience by reaching out to a diverse group of academics from other cultural spaces.

Just head to the campus of Ursinus College, and you’ll find the Philip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art.

You need to drive 25 miles outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to get here.

Explore the Providence Town Center

Exterior of Red Robin restaurant at Providence Town Center

Rosemarie Mosteller / Shutterstock.com

Providence Town Center is like a vacation for your senses.

It offers an abundance of top retailers that can help you get a head-start on your holiday shopping.

Likewise, it’s home to plenty of restaurants where you can grab a bite.

It features the likes of Movie Tavern, Wegmans, Best Buy, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Michaels as anchor tenants.

Those who prefer the outdoors can enjoy fresh air and exercise at the LA Fitness gym or have a picnic at their favorite pet store PetSmart.

Exterior of Sweet and Sassy salon at Providence Town Center

Rosemarie Mosteller / Shutterstock.com

Brandolini Companies, Inc. developed the shopping center.

You’ll find this lifestyle center just walking from Upper Providence Township, Montgomery County.

Exterior of Elevation Burger at Providence Town Center

Rosemarie Mosteller / Shutterstock.com

Go Kayaking and Picnicking at Hoy Park

Known for its functionality and serenity, Hoy Park lies on the confluence of Skippack Creek and Perkiomen Creek.

Harry and Alice Hoy donated the property to the Lower Providence Township, who commissioned a park in their honor.

Dedicated in 2003, the park is a testament to the couple’s generosity.

You’ll find a lovely dock with a view of a creek running alongside it.

It offers a variety of recreational activities such as fishing, kayaking, and canoeing off the newly put-in pier.

You can take in its great ambiance while admiring the reflection of trees on both sides of its banks.

There are some BBQ grills as well for incredible outdoor picnicking.

You can also use this park as a starting or ending point before or after your hike in Evansburg State Park.

Ride a Horse at the Red Buffalo Ranch

The Red Buffalo Ranch has operated since 1998, which makes this equestrian facility a terrific trail riding destination for many.

Regardless of age or experience level, they provide a safe and fun environment for all their riders.

This equestrian facility provides trail horses that offer a unique experience for novice riders.

The Red Buffalo Ranch is located a few miles from Evansburg State Park.

There are more than 15 miles of hiking trails in Evansburg that the Red Buffalo Ranch can freely use.

You need to book reservations for unique and adventurous hourly guided trail rides at the Red Buffalo Ranch.

The ranch also has a lunch ride where the staff prepares a delicious, healthy lunch for you during your ride.

From mid-June to late August, the Red Buffalo Ranch provides exceptional summer camps led by experienced staff members.

Pick up Your Next Book at Towne Book Center and Wine Bar

Towne Book Center and Wine Bar is a fantastic bookstore where you’ll find the perfect gift to give anyone, even yourself.

They have an extensive collection of children’s graphic novels and middle reader titles, not to mention a large selection of books other bookstore owners dream about having.

Perhaps their most defining characteristic is their exclusive line of weird, unorthodox items.

They’ve got something for everyone.

The gift section always has something unique, constantly updating its inventory with different items.

One of the things customers love most about this unique store is that the staff is extra helpful when it comes down to finding certain books in stock.

You’ll find this lovely unique book store on Plaza Drive.

Warm Up on a Cold Day at Zoup!

Store sign of Zoup!

Rosemarie Mosteller / Shutterstock.com

Zoup! serves up a variety of award-winning soups that are sure to fill you up and delight your taste buds in the most remarkable ways.

You’ll always be able to find 12 different varieties of soup at Zoup!

Every day, the restaurant offers new selections for their guests to sample as well as returning favorites.

Specials include vegetarian, low-fat, spicy, gluten-free, and dairy-free options.

In addition to these delicious offerings, they also provide customers with a distinctive line of salads and homemade bread baked on the premises.

The sandwich options here are limited only to bread, but they all taste pretty good.

You can get half soup plus half a sandwich at an affordable price.

Soak up the Scenery at Lower Perkiomen League – Palmer Park

Located in Lower Perkiomen Little League, Palmer Park is a lovely park that sits on Creamery Road, Collegeville, Pennsylvania.

There are many things to do outdoors in Palmer Park, including hiking the nature trail along a winding path through the lower side with more townships.

There is something for everyone, from nature trails and baseball fields to sundials made out of bricks and more.

Palmer Park contains not one but two expansive sets of tennis courts that are always open for play.

Palmer Park is lovely, not only because of the greenery but also because of the quality of the landscaping.

Visit Kuster Mill

Exterior of Kuster Mill

Smallbones, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

In Evansburg State Park, you’ll find a hidden gem, the Kuster Mill.

Also known as Custer’s Fulling Mill and Skippack Creek Farm, the Kuster Mill occupies eight acres.

Built in 1702, the complex comprises three main buildings and one other structure.

These structures include the original mill, stone house, mill race, and Dutch bank barn.

Kuster Mill was declared a historic site in 1971 for its relevance to the surrounding community.

Hike Moran Trail for the Fall Foliage

If you want an exciting and fresh new trail to hike in the Montgomery County area, look no further than the Moran Trail.

Located in Montgomeryville, Moran Trail is easily accessible for hikers of all backgrounds and skill levels.

Since it’s right next to the incredible Evansburg State Park, Morante Trail attracts a wide variety of people.

It draws those looking to escape hectic urban life and take the time to visit nature.

Although the trail itself is only half a mile long, it offers a breathtaking hike through an idyllic forest with excellent views of the creek nearby.

The walkway spans rich woodlands and open fields, which provide plenty of opportunities to soak in views of fall foliage.

You can access the land from either Evansburg State Park or the adjacent Grange Avenue.

Hit a Hole-in-One at Worcester Golf Club

Opened in 1997, the Worcester Golf Course is one of the most inviting and friendly places to play a round of golf in the Valley Forge area.

David S. Cavanaugh, a renowned golf course architect, designed the course.

David has worked to promote family unity with his challenging layout that both novices and experienced players alike can enjoy.

Situated just a brief drive to the northwest of Philadelphia, the nine-hole Worcester Golf Club features grass tees and warm-up areas on its practice green.

Covering a distance of 3,047 yards from the longest tees, this course has been rated a par 35.

Players looking to take things to the next level won’t have to look any further as they offer golf lessons from a fully qualified LPGE professional.

Bring Your Kids to Collegeville Community Park

Collegeville Community Park is an enormous play area and is a kidtopia for your little ones.

This wondrous playground features all sorts of fun activities for the kiddies, including rock climbing, seesaws, slides, a water fountain, and more.

For sports enthusiasts, there’s also a basketball court, soccer play yard, and several structures geared towards youngsters that encourage imaginative thinking.

There are plenty of tables within the pavilion where parents can sit down.

Take a break and feel closer to your kids while supervising them from afar.

This playground is fenced, which makes it easy for parents to keep track of their kids at all times.

Collegeville Community Park also has a gazebo with electrical outlets, a baseball field, street hockey with nets, and leave-a-book take-a-book.

The park is located very close to downtown Collegeville.

Savor Draft Beer at Troubles End Brewing

Troubles End Brewing is your ideal stop for a local beer adventure.

This brewpub features about 28 on-tap beers and a wide selection of cocktails and wines.

From lagers and ales to unique home flavors, you’ve got a variety of beer options to choose from.

And if you’re not a fan of getting tipsy or drunk, the pub also offers non-alcoholic beverages.

To help you get into a festive mood, live music serenades you.

Troubles End Brewing is on West Third Avenue Suite.

Learn about the Wine Making Process at Evansburg Vineyards

When it comes to elegant wine-making, Evansburg Vineyards secures one of the top spots in all of Collegeville.

This winery comes with an acre of vineyard brimming with 890 Chardonel vines.

This varietal not only adds to the flavor of the site’s wine products but also helps boost eco-friendly harvest.

Though the winery is fairly new—opened only in 2021, it has proven its worth as an attraction worth stopping by.

Come over for a batch of wines to taste, while you take in the beautiful scenery of the vineyard.

You can also sign up for a special tour of the establishment and learn about its wine-making procedures.

If you’re thrilled to visit, Evansburg Vineyards is on Germantown Pike.

Wander the Meadows and Prairies at Hunsberger Woods

Collegeville may be famous for its skydiving opportunities and classic car show, but it doesn’t lack in several natural recreation areas.

Hunsberger Woods is proof of this.

This 27-acre area offers a variety of habitats, including ponds, creeks, and woodlands.

But before becoming a natural space, the area was once owned by the Hunsberger family up until 1996.

Since then, the area has been a preserved site.

Many wildlife and plant species call these woods home, so keep an eye out for them when you visit.

Get ready for a nature trek along Hunsberger Woods on East Ninth Avenue.

Go on a Scenic Hike along Skippack Creek Loop Trail

Hiking at Collegeville is never complete when you don’t do it along Skippack Creek Loop Trail.

This public trail is open all throughout the year and is a scenic spot every season.

Spanning over 7 miles, it makes for a challenging hike with its elevation changes and boardwalks.

Many come by with their horses, too, so if you’re into horseback riding, you’ve got a place at this route.

The best time to traverse this path is during springtime when all the flowers are in bloom.

You can come by with your pet as well.

Skippack Creek Loop Trail is within Evansburg State Park.

Enjoy Live Music at UP! Music Fest

At Collegeville, there are plenty of opportunities to listen to good music.

And at UP! Music Fest, you are in for an outdoor treat.

This family-friendly festival features local acts and bands within the calm and picturesque setting of Collegeville’s natural areas.

Expect a beer garden and a huge collection of food trucks to keep your belly full while you party on the lawn.

That’s not even the best part!

The best part about the festival is that it’s free for everyone attending.

UP! Music Fest takes place every June within Anderson Farm Park on Hopwood Road.

Final Thoughts

Unleash your zeal for life in Collegeville, Pennsylvania.

This small borough offers a plethora of places to visit, like quaint coffee shops, intriguing thrift stores, and historical attractions.

Go on an unforgettable adventure in this charming suburb.

With art, culture, and tradition all together in one place, you get an experience beyond compare.

Use this guide when planning your itinerary, so you don’t miss Collegeville’s top spots and landmarks.

Book your trip today!

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