Pennsylvania offers endless attractions for visitors. It can be extremely difficult for a traveler to make a tour itinerary for a Pennsylvania vacation. When there are numerous options to choose from, most people will find it hard to pick and choose. That is exactly why many people prefer to have a long vacation. No matter whether you are a history buff, nature lover, adventure seeker, or an avid shopper, this wonderful state in the USA offers more than what you expect. Here are the best places to visit on a Pennsylvania vacation:
Poconos
Are you looking for a relaxing and refreshing getaway with your loved ones? Do you want to perform some adventure activities that offer you an adrenaline rush? Look no farther than Poconos or Pocono Mountains. With a two-hour drive from New York City, you can reach this incredibly appealing mountain range. Offering a secluded, romantic ambiance, Poconos makes your Pennsylvania vacation highly rewarding and fulfilling. The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is a popular destination where you can get engaged in many different activities. The Appalachian Trail offers an exciting hiking experience. Your Pennsylvania vacation becomes more entertaining and meaningful with a trip to Poconos. If you want to have a natural escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, don’t look beyond Pocono Mountain Range.
If you love adventure, you can visit the Big Boulder Ski Area and Pocono Raceway. It offers excellent opportunities for hiking, whitewater rafting, snow tubing, biking, and snowmobiling. You can also find kid-friendly water parks and adventure courses in this area. The warm weather makes your wilderness pursuits delightful. Exalted forest-covered peaks and the amazingly beautiful valleys create a magical ambiance for the visitors. Located in northeastern Pennsylvania, Poconos is home to many state parks featuring streams, lakes, waterfalls, and forests. When you are in this area, you can hunt, swim, ride horses, hike, and camp.
Major attractions in Poconos include:
– Adventure Parks
– Water Parks
-Golf Courses
– Asa Packer Mansion Museum
– Raceway
– Whitewater Rafting
– Lehigh Gorge State Park
– Farmers Markets
– Claws N’ Paws Wild Animal Park
Philadelphia
The unmatched historical significance of Philadelphia plays a vital role in making this city a popular tourist destination. Also known as the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia is home to the famous Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed by the founding fathers of America. The Liberty Hall is another famous attraction in this area. This amazing city offers something for visitors of all ages. The cultural and artsy scene of Philadelphia is extremely rich and vibrant. Many people visit the Rodin Museum, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, and Philadelphia Museum of Art. If you are traveling with kids, you can take them to the famous Please Touch Museum and Philadelphia Zoo.
When you visit Philadelphia as a part of your Pennsylvania vacation, you should never miss out on the opportunity of indulging in an original Philly cheesesteak. It is the right way to take your taste buds on an unforgettable culinary adventure. Don’t forget to stroll through the Reading Terminal Market and explore the numerous choices offered by the admirable Rittenhouse Square. Philadelphia also offers a thriving nightlife scene and a bumping nightlife. Other major attractions in Philadelphia include:
– Liberty Bell Pavilion
– Independence National Historical Park
– Eastern State Penitentiary
– Barnes Foundation
– The Franklin Institute Science Museum
– Fairmount Park
– City Hall
– Society Hill Historic District
Hershey
Hershey is often known as The Sweetest Place on Earth. A magical ambiance is what you can expect in this small town. If you are planning for a Pennsylvania vacation, you must add Hershey to your tour itinerary. The Chocolate World is a well-known museum that offers a hands-on insight into the history of renowned chocolates. You can taste many samples at will. The smell of chocolates always lingers in the air. The Hershey Park is home to numerous chocolate-themed attractions, including more than 70 amusement rides. It is one of the most sought-after family tourist destinations in Pennsylvania.
Spreading across 23 acres, the Hershey Gardens is full of beautiful plants and flowers. A trolley tour lets you explore the town comfortably. If you want to have a more laid-back Pennsylvania vacation, you can certainly choose ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park. Several official venues in Hershey offer the best live entertainment concerts. The Falconry allows you to interact with falcons and hawks. You can also enjoy free-flight demonstrations and hunting displays of these birds. If you are planning for a perfect family getaway, Hershey is one of the top choices available. You can go back home with some sweet chocolate-filled memories. Other popular attractions in Hershey include:
– Antique Automobile Club of America
– Story Museum
– Hersheypark Stadium
– Hershey Theatre
– Giant Center
Gettysburg
If you are a history buff, you need to find time to visit Gettysburg while enjoying a Pennsylvania vacation. Spreading across 6000 acres, the National Military Park takes you back to the Civil War era with several reenactments and presentations. Don’t forget to step onto the incredibly popular Gettysburg Battlefield. Other historical attractions in this area include Gettysburg National Cemetery, Shriver House Museum, Eisenhower National Historic Site, and Jennie Wade House Museum. A ghost tour lets you have a glimpse of the mysterious past of Gettysburg. The antique stores available offer interesting pieces of war memorabilia. You can buy one of them to take home as a souvenir.
Lining the streets of downtown, shops and boutiques fulfill your shopping needs perfectly. You can visit one of the beautiful restaurants to enjoy a memorable dining experience. Gettysburg is a foodie hotspot with unique restaurants that serve Civil War-era dishes. You can come across a wide range of upscale, casual, and farm-to-table dining options in Gettysburg. Wineries, distilleries, and breweries in Adams County offer a myriad of local brews and spirits. You can also explore the countryside to enjoy the stunning beauty of farmlands and the rolling hills. Other popular attractions in Gettysburg include:
– Little Round Top
– Sachs Covered Bridge
– Round Barn
– Dobbin House
– Christmas Festival
Erie
Erie makes a perfect summer vacation spot in Pennsylvania. It is also an ideal choice if you are on the lookout for a quiet fall weekend. The shores in this area are unbelievably beautiful. It is the fourth largest city in terms of population. Erie makes your Pennsylvania vacation immensely enjoyable with countless outdoor activities. At Presque Isle State Park, you can hike, bike, fish, dive, and do many other outdoor activities. This park spreads across 3200 acres with quaint marinas, exotic beaches, and exciting trails. It is hard to find a better spot than this park for enjoying an inspiring sunset picnic. If you want to learn about Lake Erie’s history, you can visit the Erie Maritime Museum. The Waldameer Park is highly renowned for water fun activities. With a perfect blend of a water park and amusement park, it keeps you entertained for hours.
If you arrive in the fall, you can enjoy the wine harvest and taste some of the finest wines. Your Pennsylvania vacation becomes more fulfilling when you find some time to visit Erie. It is full of astonishing scenery and sights and stunningly beautiful natural landscape. Erie Zoo & Botanical Gardens provides excellent opportunities to get up close with more than 400 animals. The Botanic Garden is full of plants and beautiful flowers. What more you could ask on a Pennsylvania vacation? Other important attractions in Erie include:
– Port Erie Bicentennial Tower
– Port Erie Bicentennial Tower
– Erie Art Museum
– Lake Erie Arboretum
– Children’s Museum
– Millcreek Mall
– Asbury Woods
– Tom Ridge Environmental Center
Pittsburgh
Any Pennsylvania vacation itinerary must include Pittsburgh. This vibrant, edgy city enraptures you in many different ways. The contrasting industry vibe and cosmopolitan nature make Pittsburgh truly unique. This city is home to many reputed business headquarters. You can find numerous sightseeing opportunities in this area. You can take a bike or a boat to explore the scenic attractions. Sports enthusiasts can watch the professional performances of American Football giants like Penguins, Pirates, and Steelers. When you are in Pittsburgh, you have more than 90 districts and neighborhoods to explore. These districts offer a wide range of cultural attractions and food for visitors.
Pittsburg is a fast-evolving foodie destination. The restaurants offer everything you need, including Italian cuisine and Asian-Mexican fusion. The Andy Warhol Museum is a must-visit destination, where you can find enjoy a vast collection of works by Pop Art legends. Also, find some time for a ride on the Duquesne Incline to reach on top of Mount Washington. Several reputed universities, such as the University of Pittsburgh, instill revitalizing energy into the town. Known as Steel City, Pittsburgh is the most prominent hub of the steel industry as well as serving all of Pennsylvania Insulation Services. Some of the finest attractions in this city and nearby areas include:
– Phipps Conservatory
– Carnegie Museum of Natural History
– Cathedral of Learning
– Carnegie Science Center
– Duquesne Incline
– Strip District
– Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
– Frick Art and Historical Center
– Point State Park
– Carnegie Museum of Art
Lancaster
Lancaster is one of the most serene places in Pennsylvania. You can call it a Natural Paradise. Driving along the winding roads through the rolling hills and farmland makes your Pennsylvania vacation an unbelievable experience. Younger kids would love the amazing variety of rides available in the family-friendly theme park known as Dutch Wonderland. The Amish buggy rides are highly entertaining for people of all ages. The magnificent farmers market is one of the longest running markets in the USA. Many people take a brewery taproom tour to keep entertained. There are enough shopping destinations to satisfy avid shoppers.
You can come across several places to kayak, fish, swim, bike, and hike in Lancaster. When you visit this area, you can interact with a thriving Amish community and learn about their lifestyle. A self-guided tour through the famous dairy company, The Turkish Hill Experience offers unparalleled fun. You can milk a mechanical cow, sit inside a dairy truck, sample ice creams, and play with interactive exhibits. The Taste Lab lets you make your own special ice cream flavor. Lancaster offers many more attractions to make your Pennsylvania vacation exciting, including:
– Choo Choo Barn
– Wolf Sanctuary
– Long’s Park
– Central Market
– Dutch Apple Dinner Theater
– Lancaster Science Factory
– Field of Screams
– North Museum of Nature and Science
– Dutch Haven
– Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area
– Marionette Theatre
Harrisburg
Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania State. This charming city is surrounded by an inspiring hilly landscape. The urban culture of Harrisburg is truly inspiring. Located along the Susquehanna River, this city is home to many landmarks, including the State Museum of Pennsylvania and the Capitol Building. If you want to see the exhibits and artifacts that preserve the history of Pennsylvania and the Civil War, you can visit the State Museum. Are you a history buff? You can visit the National Civil War Museum to learn more about the important battles. It is a fact that Harrisburg adds a lot to your Pennsylvania vacation.
There are exciting opportunities available to kayak and bike in and around the Susquehanna River. The City Island Complex is a 63-acre park with unlimited options for entertainment and recreation. Being the centerpiece of Harrisburg, the Susquehanna River takes you to a new realm of relaxation with a riverboat cruise. Over all, Harrisburg has all the ingredients to make your Pennsylvania vacation a delightful experience. Other popular attractions in this area include:
– Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts
– Susquehanna Art Museum
– John Harris and Simon Cameron Mansion
– Wildwood Park
– Pennsylvania National Fire Museum
– Capital Area Greenbelt
Other popular places to visit on a Pennsylvania vacation include:
– Laurel Highlands
– Bethlehem
– Lititz
– Ligonier
– Lehigh Valley
– York
When you are on a Pennsylvania vacation, you must visit these places to experience a pure sense of fulfillment. This amazing state offers beautiful natural attractions, adrenaline-rushing adventure activities, unbelievable cultural attractions, and many more. The bottom line is that Pennsylvania is a dream tourist destination that offers an incredible experience for people of all ages.
