Pottstown was founded in 1752 as Pottsgrove in honor of its founder John Potts.
It wasn’t until 1815 that this place was incorporated as the borough of Pottstown.
This charming borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, is situated along the Schuylkill River, boasting waterfront views and exciting adventures.
In addition, it has a surprising number of attractions, including historical sites, entertainment options, scenic parks, art exhibits, and a charming downtown.
Do you want to explore this beautiful destination?
These are the best things to do in Pottstown, Pennsylvania.
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Located on West King Street, Pottsgrove Manor is a historic home built in 1752 in charming, elegant Georgian architecture with period interiors.
It was the home of John Potts, a skilled ironmaster and the founder of Pottstown.
The two-story building sits on four acres and is today owned and operated by the County of Montgomery as an 18th-century historic house museum.
To dig deeper into the Potts family and the borough’s history, check out its exhibits, guided tours, public programs, workshops, and lectures.
A gift shop on Pottsgrove Manor houses a good selection of books, toys, and other items.
Check out the Steel River Playhouse to discover the local talent scene and experience first-rate entertainment.
The performance art theater yearly produces over 90 performances, including plays, musicals, and concerts.
Located along East High Street, they host thousands of people as audiences, artists, students, volunteers, and donors throughout the region.
They also offer educational and performance opportunities for everyone through auditions, lessons, classes, workshops, training, and other programs.
Walking inside the Steel River Playhouse, you’ll see a lobby with a box office, a performance area, and concession stands offering food and drinks.
The Pottstown Memorial Park is a 78-acre multi-use park, the leading destination in Pottstown, featuring a fantastic array of amenities.
These include large athletic fields, a skateboard park, Trilogy Park BMX Track, and the Fountain of Youth Spray Park, perfect for kids to beat the summer heat.
There are also picnic tables, a rental pavilion, and creek-side trails where you can jog, run, or walk and enjoy nature’s views and outdoorsy scent.
You can even bring your little ones to the playground and your four-legged friends to the bark park at this community space.
Moreover, Manatawny Creek, which runs through the park, is also a good fishing spot.
Whether you want to spend a relaxing afternoon alone, bond with your family, or play a game with friends, there’s always something to do at Memorial Park.
The Pottstown Memorial Park is along West King Street, opposite the historic Pottsgrove Manor.
Established in 2005, ArtFusion 19464 is a community art center that’s a must-visit, especially for anyone interested in art.
Visitors can view stunning special educational and rotating exhibits that showcase the talents of local and national artists.
Their works feature different styles such as impressionism, realism, two-dimensional and three-dimensional art, and art in various mediums.
The best thing about this place is that all shows are open to the public for free, and you can purchase the artworks that impress you the most.
Located on Beech Street, ArtFusion 19464 also offers art classes and workshops for aspiring artists of all ages and experience levels.
PowWow on Manatawny Creek is an annual Pottstown event celebrating Native American culture and rich ancestral heritage.
It is held in May at Pottstown Riverfront Park and hosted by the Reflections of Turtle Island, an Inter-tribal community in the borough.
The celebration features dancing, singing, and other performances, where you can watch performers in their colorful costumes.
PowWow on Manatawny Creek welcomes everyone of all ages, so bring your camping chairs or blankets and enjoy with your family, friends, and the community.
You can join inter-tribal dances or check out the food, arts and crafts, jewelry, clothing, and other items vendors sell.
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Pottstown Riverfront Park is a 60-acre public park with charming views of the Schuylkill River.
The park includes pavilions, picnic tables, benches, an outdoor amphitheater, and trails for walking and biking.
As its name suggests, the park boasts a scenic riverfront that offers visitors the opportunity for kayaking and canoeing trips.
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Kayak and canoe rentals are also available onsite at Take It Outdoors Adventures.
In addition, the park features the Little Free Library station, so you can enjoy reading free books while connecting with nature.
Pottstown Riverfront Park is on College Drive.
If you have a soft spot for animals, you will love the Annual Pottstown Pet Fair, one of Pennsylvania’s biggest free pet fairs.
The pet festival is a fun day for animal rescues and the community, including pet-care businesses, animal welfare organizations, and pet owners.
The event features great food, live music, presentations, children’s activities, food trucks, pet-oriented vendors, veterinarians, clinics, and the blessing of the animals.
The adorable thing about the fair is that you might find a forever friend among the unadopted animals there!
Bring your family, friends, and pets to Memorial Park on West King Street and enjoy a fun-filled day at Annual Pottstown Pet Fair.
Splitting Edge Axe Throwing is an exciting attraction with three locations, and the one in Pottstown is situated along East High Street.
This place is ideal for a thrilling entertainment experience or simple stress relief.
They have excellent, trained instructors who will assist you in throwing axes safely.
You can bring your booze and food and enjoy throwing axes with your family and friends or date in a laid-back atmosphere.
Splitting Edge Axe Throwing is also an excellent venue for birthday parties, fundraisers, meetings, team-building activities, and leagues.
Check out Carousel at Pottstown, an attraction that delights the young and young at heart.
Built in 1905, the historic carousel was renovated to bring back its former glory after almost 20 years of efforts made by volunteers and the Pottstown Historical Society.
It is now the second oldest operating Philadelphia Toboggan Company wooden carousel in America, bringing joy to the faces of the Pottstown community.
The restored carousel features charming new and antique hand-carved solid wood animals brought to life by many carvers, sanders, and painters.
If you want to sit and relax, there are benches surrounding the carousel where you can watch your kids having fun on the rides.
You can also enjoy some arcade games and pinballs, grab a bite to eat at the snack bar, and browse the gift shop for souvenir items like glasses, candy, ornaments, and T-shirts.
The Carousel at Pottstown is perfect for hosting a birthday party, wedding reception, and other special events.
If you’re looking for a great place to hang out with your best pals in the borough, flock to Sly Fox Brewing Company.
Its Pottstown brewery and tasting room opened in 2012 and is on Circle of Progress Drive.
They feature an interesting rotating menu of fresh beers and delightful fare, including sandwiches, brick oven wings, and brick oven pizza.
Try some of their beers on tap, like Helles Golden Lager, Softly Falling Darkness Oatmeal Stout, Hazy IPA, and gold medal winner Pikeland Pilsner.
Those interested in learning about brewing can get a behind-the-scenes look by taking tours offered here.
Sly Fox Brewing Company also offers outdoor seating and exudes a laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere.
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Situated along Prizer Road, Welkinweir is another excellent outdoor attraction and a respite from the hustle and bustle of life.
Spanning 224 acres, this place features a 55-acre arboretum, a historic estate house, and natural habitats such as woodlands, meadows, and wetlands.
Explore its beautiful gardens and natural open spaces to spot butterflies, grassland birds, wildlife, and rare and unusual flowers, trees, and plants.
Interestingly, Welkinweir’s history dates back to the early 18th century when the property was part of Reading Furnace and provided timber for manufacturing iron.
It is now a nonprofit arboretum, garden, mansion, and conservation area.
Situated on Fricks Lock Road, Fricks Locks Village is another must-visit historical attraction in the borough.
This historic village was once a family farm, housing businesses, and canal workers that were part of Schuylkill Navigation Company’s built canal system in the early 1800s.
Eventually, the borough’s economic status faltered with the railroad industry’s arrival until the area was abandoned and became a ghost town.
Historical buildings and ruins remain today, and restorations were done to the exterior of nine buildings.
Although the Fricks Locks Village is not generally open to the public, free tours that last about an hour are offered seasonally every other Saturday from May to October.
The borough of Pottstown is home to a section of the Schuylkill River Trail, which runs along the Schuylkill River.
This multi-use trail in Southeastern Pennsylvania spans nearly 130 miles when completed, but about 75 miles are currently finished.
This includes the 19-mile piece from Riverfront Park in Pottstown in Montgomery County to Reading in Berks County.
The trail is a popular destination for walking, hiking, jogging, and biking because it also offers scenic views of the river and its surrounding landscape.
If you want to enjoy the great outdoors, the Schuylkill River Trail is an attraction you don’t want to miss, especially if you also want to explore other places in Pennsylvania.
Go to the Pottstown Farm & Artisan Regional Market or the Pottstown FARM along East High Street for a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.
This open-air market features vendors selling fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables, specialty goods, and unique crafts.
Shop and try specialty foods and drinks, such as baked goods, delicious treats, freshly brewed hot coffee, and award-winning spirits.
Check out the fantastic artisan products, like hand-sewn crafts, trendy design tees, and handmade wooden home goods.
The market also has programs, such as the famous Two Bite Club, where kids can sample the new fruit, vegetable, or other farm product of the month from the vendors.
You can visit Pottstown FARM every other Saturday from May to October.
Downtown Pottstown is a charming district with many exciting things to offer locals and visitors alike.
High Street, for example, teems with antique stores, boutiques, and galleries you can shop and visit.
Likewise, an impressive lineup of casual and upscale restaurants operate there, serving various delicious cuisines from American to Asian.
You can also play billiards at High Street Billiards, read a book at the Pottstown Regional Public Library, or check out J.J. Ratigan Brewing Company’s scratch cooking and craft beer.
The River Steel Playhouse and Smith Family Plaza, a community gathering place, are also in Downtown Pottstown.
Whether you want to relax and soak up the local atmosphere or discover the treasures hiding in every corner of the streets, there’s always something fun to do downtown.
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For the ultimate shopping experience, head off to Philadelphia Premium Outlets along West Lightcap Road.
Spanning 549,000 square feet, this open-air mall is home to 135 outlet stores featuring the world’s leading designers and name brands.
You can find everything you need here: apparel, footwear, beauty and personal care items, books and magazines, electronics, home and garden, toys, and many more!
Aside from shopping selections, there are also multiple dining options within the mall to fuel up before or after shopping.
Shop til you drop with your family, friends, or significant other, and find the best deals at Philadelphia Premium Outlets!
Pottstown is a beautiful destination with a bevy of attractions to offer visitors.
From historical landmarks, a vibrant art scene, and cultural events to outdoor adventures and excellent shopping and dining, the borough has something for all.
So, plan your trip today and have a blast with the best things to do in Pottstown, Pennsylvania!
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