Oh I actually liked a bunch of things in that area! Especially Southwest of Philadelphia, because I was driving north from Maryland. I remember there are some areas that are hilly and literally just have a tower on top for viewing!

I would definitely go further southwest than Valley Forge. I feel like eastern Pennsylvania can be super pretty but Valley Forge ain’t it for me.

Gettysburg is actually a cool little town and area to look around. I’m not a history buff (I literally didn’t look) but I found the Gettysburg area so pleasant I went back multiple times.

Same with Harrisburg, which had a really cool vibe (the bridges are so cool!). I would go there to have lunch because Appalachian Brewing Company has excellent craft soda!

I also recommend stopping by Amish markets but you might already be familiar with those.

If you want to go toward the Baltimore area I can be more specific there too. Andy Nelson’s barbecue in Cockeysville has amazing food (I loved and miss the cornbread especially).

Annapolis is just about two hours south of Philadelphia too, and it is a really pretty city.

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary or any number of trailheads for the Appalachian Trail.

Bombay Hook Wildlife Refuge, DE

Jersey Shore

Cape May County Zoo

Luray Caverns, VA is 4 hours, but very cool and there are a ton of other great caves along the same highway for about an hours. We went to 6 on a long weekend.

And Philly is one of the top museum cities in the world. Stuff like the Mutter Museum of crazy medical stuff is very one of a kind!