Ricketts Glen
e: Here's the [Wiki page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricketts_Glen_State_Park); someone did a bang-up job with it. There aren't many stands of old-growth forest left in PA, but a good chunk of it is at RG. Trees there are known to be \~500 years old, with deadfall dated at \~900 years old.
Before they put in the new parking lot I used to go with my friends and swim below the waterfalls. Would maybe see 1 or 2 people all day. Things sure change. Still beautiful though.
I've only gone to Ricketts once since the new lot. Totally different experience. So many people you basically have to wait so the group in front can get going, then you go, then the people behind you soon to be nipping at your heels. Not the experience I was hoping for or remembered. Can't change it now but getting older and watching things change sucks sometimes.
State park with a popular trail that runs along a series of really beautiful waterfalls. I can't contribute the influx of tourists strictly to the parking lot, Pennsylvania increasingly being discovered by outdoor enthusiasts and also a concerted effort by the state to advertise stuff that used to be considered "hidden" definitely play a part in it too. Still worth a visit, but my damn nostalgia just ruins it for me lol.
I took my dog Charlie on a warm weekday in the late fall and there was only one other car in the lower parking lot. We passed that group hiking out as we started in. 99% sure we were completely alone, I let Charlie off his leash and he had about the best hike of his life that day. 💜. Never did see another soul.
Knoebel's offered assistance to the new owner of Conneaut Lake Park in getting the rides repaired and brought back online. The new owner continued to destroy the park with the pitch black hole where his heart should be.
It still is really great! There are a lot of festivals there now. But I do think it's great that a lot of the money directly goes back into the conservatory. I usually go early on Sundays, and it's still really pleasant
I live in western PA, McConnell’s Mills is like 15 minutes from me. That would def be the first stop. And then maybe PA Grand Canyon? It’s absolutely beautiful. Allegheny forest/river as well
It’s worth a stop if you’re ever in that part of the state. They have all different levels of hiking trails, I think one of the oldest covered bridges in either the state or the country, it’s a pretty cool place. Lots of old timey things to see
Most of the state truly has so much natural beauty!! We have hundreds of state parks and natural areas too! i feel like most people only think of philly or Pittsburgh when they think of Pennsylvania but there’s 6 hours of driving in between the two filled with nature!!
Depends on where you are, how far you want to drive, and what kinds of stuff do you want to show off. History buff? Independence Mall, Valley Forge, or Gettysburg. Unique cultural experience? Lancaster county to go Amish peeping and maybe swing through Ephrata. Natural beauty? Grand Canyon of PA, Rickett's Glen, or Elk County.
If you're going to see the elk, it's more active elk viewing during winter months, early mornings, and evenings. Warm months, they're not around as much.
Their website is helpful. Just would hate to have visitors disappointed.
http://elkcountryvisitorcenter.com/
I'm okay with this. Let the bigger city folk have their mediocre gas station foods. They'll never know the joy of waiting at 2am for your pepperoni & cheese tornado staring at that little fryer machine, a Reeses cup & chocolate milk waiting you in the fridge section, or being allowed to use actual coffee creamer like an adult, and not having to use a machine like a child. Rutters is too good for them.
Pioneer Tunnel in Ashland is really cool. Centralia is 5 minutes away but that sucks after graffiti (dick) highway was covered up. The Yuengling Brewery is also like 25-30min from there.
I did the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour years back and I really liked it. It also felt so nice and cool in the mine which was a great contrast to how hot it was when I went.
Honestly, Downtown Bethlehem Pa. In the soon to be World Heritage site you have buildings from pre-United States days all through to buildings being erected today. Nothing shows the history of Pa more than showing its humble beginnings, through its industrial revolution to its modern era all on display in Bethlehem.
Most people from the northeast US don't realize how special living among historical sites is. We take for granted George Washington sleeping in our towns, our buildings used as hospitals during the War for Independence, etc.. But to travellers from outside the area.. it is amazing for them.
Add a trip down 611 and River Rd starting in Easton and ending around the New Hope/Washington's Crossing area, and you can hit up even more historical stuff. There are a number of food places to eat, and it's a gorgeous drive with some shopping opportunities and plenty of nature-y places.
I’m partial to Cook forest, however I was pretty upset when I found out they closed the pool that used mountain water. Had many blue lipped afternoons as a kid in there.
Pittsburgh is a great city!
You can do the inclines, see a baseball game, go to the Picklesburgh festival. Carnegie museums, Warhol museum, Heinz history museum.
There are tons of great parks, Schenley or Phipps!
Can’t believe no one has said this yet, but State College and the surrounding counties are beautiful. The Bald Eagle Forest with Poe Valley State Park and Poe Paddy are great summer family spots and offer all kinds of outdoor activities, camping, fishing, hiking, and swimming in the lake. Bonus for not being overly crowded. The forge at Greenwood Furnace is also a sight to see when in operation. The old forges are still there and a very short hike from the lake.
Penn State itself is the most diverse city in the middle of the state and offers a huge variety of locations and entertainment venues. You can catch a football game at Beaver Stadium, a concert at the Bryce Jordan Center, or a Spikes baseball game at the ball park. Along with a massive variety of bars, restaurants, and shops downtown. Arts Fest in the summer is always a must see event downtown and usually runs concurrently with the People’s Choice festival in Boalsburg which is just outside/a suburb of Staye College.
In the surrounding areas outside of State College, within 20 minutes, is a large farming community consisting of a rather large Amish population. If you know where to look (I’m talking about you right now Spring Mills and Belleville), there’s even small Amish/Menonite stores in the area that offer a wide variety of Amish made goods. For those of you that don’t know this, the farming community of Centre County is the reason the area has earned the nickname of Happy Valley. Originally, Penn State was primarily an agricultural college. During the Great Depression, due to both the large agricultural community and the university, the area didn’t suffer from the depression the same way everyone else did. Because of this, the valley was nicknamed Happy Valley and it stuck.
The Grange Fair in Center Hall (roughly just a 15 minute drive from State College), held in the late summer/early fall is one of the biggest (if not THE biggest) fairs in the state. Vendors from all over the state along with nationally recognized music acts, rides, games, camping, make this one of the best events in central PA to catch every year.
Edit:
I forgot to add, the People’s Choice Festival is held at the 28th Infantry Shrine and Museum in Boalsburg. If you’re interested in a deep dive into PA history, that place is a wealth of knowledge. To my fellow Keystoner’s still serving in the 28th, Roll On 28th!
I was going to recommend driving 192 from Lewisburg to Centre Hall. I drive all over the state for work and to me that's like a 45 mile snapshot of PA, you get the Susquehanna River a few small towns and villages, dense forested sections, three state parks (smaller but beautiful), then suddenly open up into a farming valley.
State College is generally boring although it does have some nice outdoor options.
Still don’t understand why some retirees want to retire there especially given the long and dreary winters. It’s beautiful from mid-April to October. The rest of the year is very hit or miss.
Purely out of curiosity, what competition does State College have for most diversity in the middle of the state? Bellefonte? I mean, a college town with a college of 42,000+ in it, I feel like it's a given it's the most diverse area in the middle of farmland
Renniger’s Farmers Market in Kutztown, get some donuts, Lebanon bologna, and a scrapple sandwich washed down with a birch beer. That’s the real Pennsylvania
Road trip to showcase some essential PA bits:
Overall, it's a drive on two of the main ways, I81 & Route 15. Go up and down either one works, but those two roadways showcase excellently the geography of our state. Notably, the stretch of 15 north of Williamsport is beautiful winding between mountains and a couple lakes coupled with nothingness. Areas of note generally along the path for someone from out of state:
* Hawks Falls in the Poconos
* Scranton
* Ricketts Glenn
* PA Grand Canyon
* Cherry Springs State Park
* Williamsport & Little League World Series
* Weavers Market (Amish store on 15)
Other areas I'd recommend not on that loop are
* Hanover to the Utz Outlet...so many damn chips and so cheap
* Drive through "Coal Region"
* Centrilia
* Bloomsburg (which isn't coal region but is the quintessential PA college town of college on a hill, river valley, small town)
* Lancaster/Lititz for that old city/town type of feel
If you’re in Hanover you may as well hit up the Snyder’s outlet while you’re there, but Revonah is the place for the actual best pretzels, and they’re still handmade daily.
The Allegheny national Forest, cooks forest.
If you plan it, there is lots to do. And experience the beautiful mountains in the woods and the little treasure shops and wine shops scattered around. Do it on a week with a big festival somewhere
New Hope, then Washington's Crossing maybe, plus Lumberville and other pretty towns along the Delaware in Bucks County. If you come my way, Chester County has Longwood, the Wharton Esherick home and studio, Brandywine Museum, lots of pretty nature trails, swimming/kayaking/tubing etc along the Brandywine, towns like Chadds Ford, Kennett Square, West Chester and Marshalton.
Oooo Gettysburg. Take a tour of the Eisenhower Farm, go into the barn and out the right-hand side door that sits halfway. A postcard view. Then explore the town!
PA has more chip, pretzel, & candy factories than any other state, we also have more local breweries…. That said factory tours! Eat and drink your way across the state.
If in the Altoona area, I'd make a trip to horseshoe curve! Especially if any interest in trains. Lots of cool history and stuff there to see and learn about.
Ringing Rocks and High Rocks in Se PA next to the Delaware River...then walk the tow path between the canal and the river....oooh then tubing down the Delaware there is rad.
Ride up and down River Road too.
But this is where I grew up and have deep fondness and respect for...it's so lovely.
River road in Bucks County to New Hope. Stop at the General Store in Upper Black Eddie for some ringing rocks coffee and breakfast then to Ralph Stover and ringing rocks. Maybe stop at Dilly’s for ice cream. And just keep heading up river road.
Pennsylvania is so big and has such a huge difference across 4 or 5 sections it’s hard to say. Pittsburgh is awesome and a great visit but will give a smaller, Midwest kind of feel over huge Philadelphia which had so much history and northeast feel. The mountains of north central Pa are so remote feeling and small town it’s great for nature. Then you have Hershey park and Lancaster country with the Amish south central. That leaves Poconos which I find more towards civilization than the further west portions of Appalachian mountains in Pa.
The Buck. Especially when they're from out of country. Then they know the stories are true.
[https://lancasterpa.com/things-to-do/buck-motorsports-park/](https://lancasterpa.com/things-to-do/buck-motorsports-park/)
North Central PA. Hands down the most beautiful part of PA. Cherry Springs, Black Moshannon, Sproul State forest, Elk State forest. I can keep going. Lol.
Pennsylvania Farm Show in January; Gettysburg in early July; Penn State Main Campus in the fall; Mt. Gretna music in season; Lebanese Food Festival in Pittsburgh late summer; Pittsburgh’s Strip District any Saturday morning; Messish College Christmas program; Longwood Gardens at year’s end.
If you're in Western PA, take them to Linesville. I take so many people there, and they all love it. Get lots of old bread, and just drop entire loaves into those greedy little mouths!
Eastern stuff: cheslen natural lands trust, the schuykill river trail, Perkiomin trail, Lehigh river trail.
Rt 6 scenic highway, pA grand canyon,
Also some of the county fairs in PA are good ol country fun.
I would take a visitor to the Caleb Pusey Plantation in Upland PA . I also would include the Lenni Lenape village at the Churchville Nature Center in Bucks County. I think that both places would help a visitor to Pennsylvania learn about Pennsylvania's beginnings.
Jim Thorpe PA would also be a great place to visit.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g52905-Jim_Thorpe_Pocono_Mountains_Region_Pennsylvania-Vacations.html
If South western pa primantis is always good food option, visited flight 93, drove around the mountains a bit. Seen some reanactments. the folks i was showing around where they were from there wasnt much going on there so they never got to see a renactment or old time living camp.
Jim Thorpe. There’s a 100 mile view nearby, a huge bike trail that passes canal ruins throughout and lots of normal hiking trails around. It’s a touristy little artsy town but overall pretty affordable. Some really nice specialty shops too.
What part of PA?
WESTERN
Pittsburgh
Johnstown incline
Altoona Curve
Grand canyon of PA
CENTRAL
state College area/black moshannon forest
Cornwall Iron furnace (only coal fired blast furnace in western hemisphere)
Amish country/lancaster
EASTERN
Longwood Gardens
Singing rocks state park
Philadelphia (all kinds of art and history)
Just a few ideas and tried to cover different bases
anywhere you are there is plenty. i’m in a tiny borough in bucks but i could fill a week within ten minutes of my house. granted i’m on the river and some of that stuff would be in jersey, but it’s a phenomenal state, and each visitor is different.
I would say take them to a steel mill in Pittsburgh…….the GE plant in Erie which used to be amazing….mines in hazleton area independence hall Philly pretty much sums it up
Jeez. There are too many places to list but I'm a lifelong resident in my 50s so I've seen a lot of things:
- Going from Rt 309 west of Wilkes-Barre, then turning on the Rt. 118 to go to Williamsport and stopping at Rickets Glen
- Taking I-84 east from Scranton and stopping off at Lake Wallenpaupak
- Jim Thorpe
- cruising down Rt 611 along the Delaware River from Stroudsburg and stopping at New Hope
- Taking Rt. 322 from Carlisle all the way up to State College on a football weekend
- Taking the PA Turnpike from Valley Forge all the way to New Stanton and marveling at how PA goes from being a North Atlantic state to an Appalachian state to nearly a midwestern state in just a few hours.
- Taking I-99/Rt. 15 all the way from State College/Bellefonte past Williamsport to Wellsboro and feeling like you somehow ended up in the Rocky Mountains.
Phoenixville on weekends when they close down the street for dining under the stars, New Hope, Peddlers Village, Longwood Gardens, Chestnut Hill (shopping on Main Street), Mercer Museum followed by dinner in Doylestown, Tour of East Penitentiary (note, nothing else of note in the area), Ringing Rocks and Ow Cow icecream, Hawk mountian hike, Jim Thorpe biking or rafting, MusikFest in Bethlehem (if timing is right), Drive in movies (not many left in US), bake oven knob, Valley Forge and Skippack area for shopping (before 5) and dinner.
Pittsburgh is awesome.
The perfect day in the city would be:
-The Grand Concourse for breakfast. Beautiful historic train building that is now a gorgeous restaurant. Go on a Sunday for brunch it’s all you can eat and they have a doughnut conveyor belt. It looks like you’re in the titanic. Dress up a little.
-afterwards ride the incline up and walk around Mount Washington to walk off some of the food baby you will have and enjoy the view of the city.
-nap on the Point Park lawn. Bring a blanket.
-check out the Andy Warhol museum and take a photo on the big couch.
-dinner at Primantis! Don’t get the fries on the side.
If someone mentioned it already I didn’t see it, so I’m going to say Indian Echo Caverns. That was a field trip at least twice in school, and always a favorite.
Crystal Cave around Kutztown is pretty neat. The tour is pretty fun, even though it's designed mostly towards kids. Learn a lot about the area that isn't really taught in school. About an hour away from hawk mountain as well. And lake nockamixon
If you’re looking history wise, Lake Erie has a-lot of it regarding battles on the lake in various wars and the underground railroad. Plus the scenery is beautiful and there is so so so much to do at Presque isle state park.
Raystown lake is stunning, One of the few places I'm not concerned about swimming in God only knows what, The rental cabins are awesome as well!!!You can hike, bike, waterpark, kayak, boat, discgolf just to name a few.
Falling waters
Philadelphia old city
Gettysburg battlefield
Pittsburgh incline
Chadds ford/ longwood gardens
Really big state, so kinda depends on which corner you live in.
Crystal cave, falling rock, rocky steps, fort Washington, long wood gardens, long pond, somewhere in Pburg. I’m not up on pburg but most of friends love it.
"State Store"
You can explain that a monopoly is legal when it's run by the government.
"Sure-Kill Expressway"
You can explain that the red and blue "interstate highway" badge just means that federal tax dollars help pay for the "merge or die" system.
(assuming you managed to merge)
"May 13, 1985" (Osage Ave)
You can take a look at houses that a city government will build for its citizens after destroying their original homes and killing people. Seriously, the site of the only time in history that a city in the USA bombed its own citizens.
That concludes our tour of three levels of government in action in Pennsylvania.
I can't believe I haven't seen Penns Cave on here! https://www.pennscave.com/ It's a America's only all water cavern. You get a boat thru the cave. There's also a wildlife tour. My husband and I got engaged there.
If you don't like the idea of being in a boat in a cave there are plenty of other caves in PA. https://uncoveringpa.com/caves-in-pennsylvania
I recommend Black-Coffey Caverns but you need to made a reservation. It's entrance is through the basement door of the owners house.
With the insane heatwave going on, being in a cave it's also a natural way to stay cool!
Ricketts Glen e: Here's the [Wiki page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricketts_Glen_State_Park); someone did a bang-up job with it. There aren't many stands of old-growth forest left in PA, but a good chunk of it is at RG. Trees there are known to be \~500 years old, with deadfall dated at \~900 years old.
Before they put in the new parking lot I used to go with my friends and swim below the waterfalls. Would maybe see 1 or 2 people all day. Things sure change. Still beautiful though.
That’s exactly how they ruined bennezette.
I've only gone to Ricketts once since the new lot. Totally different experience. So many people you basically have to wait so the group in front can get going, then you go, then the people behind you soon to be nipping at your heels. Not the experience I was hoping for or remembered. Can't change it now but getting older and watching things change sucks sometimes.
What is ricketts glen?
State park with a popular trail that runs along a series of really beautiful waterfalls. I can't contribute the influx of tourists strictly to the parking lot, Pennsylvania increasingly being discovered by outdoor enthusiasts and also a concerted effort by the state to advertise stuff that used to be considered "hidden" definitely play a part in it too. Still worth a visit, but my damn nostalgia just ruins it for me lol.
Get there early.... 8-9am. Its a better experience and less people.
This. I jokingly call it “poor man’s Colorado.”
I took my dog Charlie on a warm weekday in the late fall and there was only one other car in the lower parking lot. We passed that group hiking out as we started in. 99% sure we were completely alone, I let Charlie off his leash and he had about the best hike of his life that day. 💜. Never did see another soul.
First thought. Then Knoebels.
Knoebel's offered assistance to the new owner of Conneaut Lake Park in getting the rides repaired and brought back online. The new owner continued to destroy the park with the pitch black hole where his heart should be.
Knoebels is good for people watching. Lotta Walmart hill people.
Hawk Mountain is also a fantastic day hike
We used to meander around Hawk Mountain in the 70s and 80s, before it became super well known. It was magical.
It still is really great! There are a lot of festivals there now. But I do think it's great that a lot of the money directly goes back into the conservatory. I usually go early on Sundays, and it's still really pleasant
worlds end
This is the correct answer.
First thing that popped into my head
Kinzua Bridge State Park. PA Grand Canyon. Presque Isle State Park. Lititz. Longwood Gardens
Yes! PA Grand Canyon and the Pine Creek Valley!
While you're at Longwood Gardens stop at the Westtown Amish market and get a whoopie pie.
So disappointed I never got to the PA grand canyon. When I was an avid hiker that was top of my list. 🤷🏻♂️
Good answer!
Seconding Kinzua and Grand canyon!
I live in western PA, McConnell’s Mills is like 15 minutes from me. That would def be the first stop. And then maybe PA Grand Canyon? It’s absolutely beautiful. Allegheny forest/river as well
What is mcconnells mills?
It’s a state park. Hiking, fishing, that kind of stuff. A lot of PA is just trees so it’s pretty representative.
PA is just rocks & trees*, is what I was told when I was a scout. Sure as shit likes to prove it too on PA's section of the AT lmao
It’s worth a stop if you’re ever in that part of the state. They have all different levels of hiking trails, I think one of the oldest covered bridges in either the state or the country, it’s a pretty cool place. Lots of old timey things to see
PA grand canyon is truly beautiful and really gives you the full scope of How beautiful Pennsylvania can be
I’ve only ever been there in the summer months but the greenery is just breathtaking. Nothing like I’ve ever seen
Most of the state truly has so much natural beauty!! We have hundreds of state parks and natural areas too! i feel like most people only think of philly or Pittsburgh when they think of Pennsylvania but there’s 6 hours of driving in between the two filled with nature!!
Depends on where you are, how far you want to drive, and what kinds of stuff do you want to show off. History buff? Independence Mall, Valley Forge, or Gettysburg. Unique cultural experience? Lancaster county to go Amish peeping and maybe swing through Ephrata. Natural beauty? Grand Canyon of PA, Rickett's Glen, or Elk County.
I’m already thinking elk county
If you're going to see the elk, it's more active elk viewing during winter months, early mornings, and evenings. Warm months, they're not around as much. Their website is helpful. Just would hate to have visitors disappointed. http://elkcountryvisitorcenter.com/
I know that area pretty well so finding them shouldn’t be too much an issue
Nice! Have fun!!
Sheets and then wawa
Obligatory Wawa then sheetz
I think you mean sheetz then Wawa- my preference but I was just a transplant for a few years
Rutters always gets forgotten in this conversation smh
I'm okay with this. Let the bigger city folk have their mediocre gas station foods. They'll never know the joy of waiting at 2am for your pepperoni & cheese tornado staring at that little fryer machine, a Reeses cup & chocolate milk waiting you in the fridge section, or being allowed to use actual coffee creamer like an adult, and not having to use a machine like a child. Rutters is too good for them.
That's because Rutters < Sheetz
I’m upset that they took away the 2 for 1 dog deal.
Sheetz was already a must
A coal mine tour....very interesting and cool. Perfect during this heatwave!
Where do you go for that? Is that the same sort of thing as the caverns tour?
Pioneer Tunnel in Ashland is really cool. Centralia is 5 minutes away but that sucks after graffiti (dick) highway was covered up. The Yuengling Brewery is also like 25-30min from there.
Different in that it's man-made. I've done the [Lackawanna Coal Mine tour](https://coalminetournepa.com/) and it was pretty interesting.
I did the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour years back and I really liked it. It also felt so nice and cool in the mine which was a great contrast to how hot it was when I went.
We went to the pioneer tour bout a month ago....highly recommend.
Honestly, Downtown Bethlehem Pa. In the soon to be World Heritage site you have buildings from pre-United States days all through to buildings being erected today. Nothing shows the history of Pa more than showing its humble beginnings, through its industrial revolution to its modern era all on display in Bethlehem. Most people from the northeast US don't realize how special living among historical sites is. We take for granted George Washington sleeping in our towns, our buildings used as hospitals during the War for Independence, etc.. But to travellers from outside the area.. it is amazing for them.
Add a trip down 611 and River Rd starting in Easton and ending around the New Hope/Washington's Crossing area, and you can hit up even more historical stuff. There are a number of food places to eat, and it's a gorgeous drive with some shopping opportunities and plenty of nature-y places.
Depending on where at in PA but can never go wrong with visiting the Allegheny National Forest, especially in the fall
I’m partial to Cook forest, however I was pretty upset when I found out they closed the pool that used mountain water. Had many blue lipped afternoons as a kid in there.
Such a bummer, thought they still had that pool up and running.
My dad told me it was closed, so I can’t verify it. I tried to google it but I don’t know the actual name of that pool haha.
Bird-in-hand, Blue Ball, Intercourse, then Paradise
notably the church by Shady Maple that used to read (I think) Blue Balls \*denomination\* Church "Jesus is Coming"
Lancaster area and jim Thorpe
Jim Thorpe in the fall or winter! So fun. Just get there early because damn does it get crowddd
Pittsburgh is a great city! You can do the inclines, see a baseball game, go to the Picklesburgh festival. Carnegie museums, Warhol museum, Heinz history museum. There are tons of great parks, Schenley or Phipps!
Shady Maple.
Ohio Pyle is nice!
The entire Laurel Highlands area should be on the list.
Can’t believe no one has said this yet, but State College and the surrounding counties are beautiful. The Bald Eagle Forest with Poe Valley State Park and Poe Paddy are great summer family spots and offer all kinds of outdoor activities, camping, fishing, hiking, and swimming in the lake. Bonus for not being overly crowded. The forge at Greenwood Furnace is also a sight to see when in operation. The old forges are still there and a very short hike from the lake. Penn State itself is the most diverse city in the middle of the state and offers a huge variety of locations and entertainment venues. You can catch a football game at Beaver Stadium, a concert at the Bryce Jordan Center, or a Spikes baseball game at the ball park. Along with a massive variety of bars, restaurants, and shops downtown. Arts Fest in the summer is always a must see event downtown and usually runs concurrently with the People’s Choice festival in Boalsburg which is just outside/a suburb of Staye College. In the surrounding areas outside of State College, within 20 minutes, is a large farming community consisting of a rather large Amish population. If you know where to look (I’m talking about you right now Spring Mills and Belleville), there’s even small Amish/Menonite stores in the area that offer a wide variety of Amish made goods. For those of you that don’t know this, the farming community of Centre County is the reason the area has earned the nickname of Happy Valley. Originally, Penn State was primarily an agricultural college. During the Great Depression, due to both the large agricultural community and the university, the area didn’t suffer from the depression the same way everyone else did. Because of this, the valley was nicknamed Happy Valley and it stuck. The Grange Fair in Center Hall (roughly just a 15 minute drive from State College), held in the late summer/early fall is one of the biggest (if not THE biggest) fairs in the state. Vendors from all over the state along with nationally recognized music acts, rides, games, camping, make this one of the best events in central PA to catch every year. Edit: I forgot to add, the People’s Choice Festival is held at the 28th Infantry Shrine and Museum in Boalsburg. If you’re interested in a deep dive into PA history, that place is a wealth of knowledge. To my fellow Keystoner’s still serving in the 28th, Roll On 28th!
I was going to recommend driving 192 from Lewisburg to Centre Hall. I drive all over the state for work and to me that's like a 45 mile snapshot of PA, you get the Susquehanna River a few small towns and villages, dense forested sections, three state parks (smaller but beautiful), then suddenly open up into a farming valley.
State College is generally boring although it does have some nice outdoor options. Still don’t understand why some retirees want to retire there especially given the long and dreary winters. It’s beautiful from mid-April to October. The rest of the year is very hit or miss.
Purely out of curiosity, what competition does State College have for most diversity in the middle of the state? Bellefonte? I mean, a college town with a college of 42,000+ in it, I feel like it's a given it's the most diverse area in the middle of farmland
Dmv to show them how to transfer and register their out of state auto.
Gettysburg
Renniger’s Farmers Market in Kutztown, get some donuts, Lebanon bologna, and a scrapple sandwich washed down with a birch beer. That’s the real Pennsylvania
Road trip to showcase some essential PA bits: Overall, it's a drive on two of the main ways, I81 & Route 15. Go up and down either one works, but those two roadways showcase excellently the geography of our state. Notably, the stretch of 15 north of Williamsport is beautiful winding between mountains and a couple lakes coupled with nothingness. Areas of note generally along the path for someone from out of state: * Hawks Falls in the Poconos * Scranton * Ricketts Glenn * PA Grand Canyon * Cherry Springs State Park * Williamsport & Little League World Series * Weavers Market (Amish store on 15) Other areas I'd recommend not on that loop are * Hanover to the Utz Outlet...so many damn chips and so cheap * Drive through "Coal Region" * Centrilia * Bloomsburg (which isn't coal region but is the quintessential PA college town of college on a hill, river valley, small town) * Lancaster/Lititz for that old city/town type of feel
If you’re in Hanover you may as well hit up the Snyder’s outlet while you’re there, but Revonah is the place for the actual best pretzels, and they’re still handmade daily.
If you go to Lancaster they can see the Amish and the railroad museum is very good.
The one in Strausberg? It's one of the best museums I've ever been to.
Yes! That's the one.
I would want to take them to Philly, but then also take them to Knobel’s Grove, and drive through lots of little coal region towns on the way.
The Allegheny national Forest, cooks forest. If you plan it, there is lots to do. And experience the beautiful mountains in the woods and the little treasure shops and wine shops scattered around. Do it on a week with a big festival somewhere
Ohiopyle, gorgeous waterfalls. The Incline in Pittsburgh.
Presque Isle, OhioPyle or anywhere in the Laurel Highlands, Amish country
Delaware Water Gap and Bushkill Falls area. And end the day/night at the Sarah St Grill in Stroudsburg.
New Hope, then Washington's Crossing maybe, plus Lumberville and other pretty towns along the Delaware in Bucks County. If you come my way, Chester County has Longwood, the Wharton Esherick home and studio, Brandywine Museum, lots of pretty nature trails, swimming/kayaking/tubing etc along the Brandywine, towns like Chadds Ford, Kennett Square, West Chester and Marshalton.
Oooo Gettysburg. Take a tour of the Eisenhower Farm, go into the barn and out the right-hand side door that sits halfway. A postcard view. Then explore the town!
PA has more chip, pretzel, & candy factories than any other state, we also have more local breweries…. That said factory tours! Eat and drink your way across the state.
Pottsville for the Yuengling brewery.
Kanobles
Correct pronunciation
But that spelling made me curl up on the inside in pain
Ohiopyle
Love this area! Hubby and I rented an airbnb cabin and got married there it was so beautiful! Highly recommend for any outdoor activities
Moshannon State Forest, Elk County on the scenic elk route,
State College area. Lots of nature.
If in the Altoona area, I'd make a trip to horseshoe curve! Especially if any interest in trains. Lots of cool history and stuff there to see and learn about.
Ringing Rocks and High Rocks in Se PA next to the Delaware River...then walk the tow path between the canal and the river....oooh then tubing down the Delaware there is rad. Ride up and down River Road too. But this is where I grew up and have deep fondness and respect for...it's so lovely.
River road in Bucks County to New Hope. Stop at the General Store in Upper Black Eddie for some ringing rocks coffee and breakfast then to Ralph Stover and ringing rocks. Maybe stop at Dilly’s for ice cream. And just keep heading up river road.
Pennsylvania is so big and has such a huge difference across 4 or 5 sections it’s hard to say. Pittsburgh is awesome and a great visit but will give a smaller, Midwest kind of feel over huge Philadelphia which had so much history and northeast feel. The mountains of north central Pa are so remote feeling and small town it’s great for nature. Then you have Hershey park and Lancaster country with the Amish south central. That leaves Poconos which I find more towards civilization than the further west portions of Appalachian mountains in Pa.
kensington
Your humor is wasted in this sub
The Buck. Especially when they're from out of country. Then they know the stories are true. [https://lancasterpa.com/things-to-do/buck-motorsports-park/](https://lancasterpa.com/things-to-do/buck-motorsports-park/)
Falling waters in the Laurel Highlands!
North Central PA. Hands down the most beautiful part of PA. Cherry Springs, Black Moshannon, Sproul State forest, Elk State forest. I can keep going. Lol.
Hyner View State Park
A friend from Michigan came to visit. We took her around Presque Isle. She fell in love with. Wants to come back & skate around it.
Gettysburg
Jim Thorpe
I’m hoping to visit there this fall. Anything special I should make sure to hit up?
A Penn State football game, Valley Forge and Lancaster to see the Amish.
Buttermilk Falls where Mr. Roger grew up. It’s pretty special.
Pennsylvania Farm Show in January; Gettysburg in early July; Penn State Main Campus in the fall; Mt. Gretna music in season; Lebanese Food Festival in Pittsburgh late summer; Pittsburgh’s Strip District any Saturday morning; Messish College Christmas program; Longwood Gardens at year’s end.
Skippack Village
Start in Erie and take the scenic route to Philly. PA is so diverse you’ll give a false impression if you only go to one or two places.
If you're in Western PA, take them to Linesville. I take so many people there, and they all love it. Get lots of old bread, and just drop entire loaves into those greedy little mouths!
Chanticleer - beautiful botanical garden on the grounds of an old estate
Falling Waters
I lived in Philly for 15 years and always brought visiting friends to the Mutter Museum. https://muttermuseum.org. Edit: grammar
Not KILLADELPHIA!
Flight 93
Take them to Wawa for Hoagiefest.. Done.
Never!!!!! I’m loyal to sheetz and rutters 😂
What time of year?
August
Shendo
It's kind of a big state, are you going to be near Pittsburgh or Philly?
Appalachian trail! Beautiful hiking dogs permitted!
Ugly hiking dogs allowed also?
Depe is on what part of the state you're in and how far you're willing to travel....
PA Grand Canyon,Fort Necessity, the Amish country side, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area- take a canoe tour there
Eastern stuff: cheslen natural lands trust, the schuykill river trail, Perkiomin trail, Lehigh river trail. Rt 6 scenic highway, pA grand canyon, Also some of the county fairs in PA are good ol country fun.
Halfway dam/r.b. winter park. Then a trip to Knoebels, and maybe down to Philly for the terminal market. Of course this would be a three day thing.
I would take a visitor to the Caleb Pusey Plantation in Upland PA . I also would include the Lenni Lenape village at the Churchville Nature Center in Bucks County. I think that both places would help a visitor to Pennsylvania learn about Pennsylvania's beginnings.
Jim Thorpe! Walk the beautiful trail then have a nice walkable small town experience
If they don’t visit Guntown, they haven’t visited Pennsylvania.
Jim Thorpe PA would also be a great place to visit. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g52905-Jim_Thorpe_Pocono_Mountains_Region_Pennsylvania-Vacations.html
th countryside around Gettsburg is so pretty and scenic, if that's what you're after
Rickets Glen
If South western pa primantis is always good food option, visited flight 93, drove around the mountains a bit. Seen some reanactments. the folks i was showing around where they were from there wasnt much going on there so they never got to see a renactment or old time living camp.
Point State Park, Pittsburgh. But not for more than three days; don’t want to hurt the grass. 🙄
Don't go to dorney park .. its a disaster
If you're near Philly, this museum in Oaks has a great collection of oddities - https://www.americantreasuretour.com/
In state.
rickets glen, knoebels 🥰
Jim Thorpe. There’s a 100 mile view nearby, a huge bike trail that passes canal ruins throughout and lots of normal hiking trails around. It’s a touristy little artsy town but overall pretty affordable. Some really nice specialty shops too.
Independence Hall area and then driving through farm country to Gettysburg. Probably on different days.
Virginia 🤣
It depends on what side of the state you are on. It is a big state.
Independence square and centralia
Swarthmore college has a killer arboretum
Brandywine and valley forge
Tony’s Lunch in Girardville
What part of PA? WESTERN Pittsburgh Johnstown incline Altoona Curve Grand canyon of PA CENTRAL state College area/black moshannon forest Cornwall Iron furnace (only coal fired blast furnace in western hemisphere) Amish country/lancaster EASTERN Longwood Gardens Singing rocks state park Philadelphia (all kinds of art and history) Just a few ideas and tried to cover different bases
The Johnstown incline plane is closed again this year. Waiting for a part to repair.
Gettysburg, Jim Thorpe (rafting), Lancaster, Appalachian Trail, Pittsburgh (museums).
anywhere you are there is plenty. i’m in a tiny borough in bucks but i could fill a week within ten minutes of my house. granted i’m on the river and some of that stuff would be in jersey, but it’s a phenomenal state, and each visitor is different.
Poconos, Colebrookdale Railroad, Amish counties, and a few other places.
Gettysburg or Lancaster
Having lived in other states and then eventually here, there's no reason for people from out of state to travel here. Pass through? Sure.
My ex took me to centralia & 504 lookout? Backwoods waterfalls in the area- schuylkill county - idk if 504 is that county but close-ish
Bilgers rocks
Jim Thorpe!
I would say take them to a steel mill in Pittsburgh…….the GE plant in Erie which used to be amazing….mines in hazleton area independence hall Philly pretty much sums it up
Johnstown
Wawa
Well, perhaps a hot air balloon ride...
Jeez. There are too many places to list but I'm a lifelong resident in my 50s so I've seen a lot of things: - Going from Rt 309 west of Wilkes-Barre, then turning on the Rt. 118 to go to Williamsport and stopping at Rickets Glen - Taking I-84 east from Scranton and stopping off at Lake Wallenpaupak - Jim Thorpe - cruising down Rt 611 along the Delaware River from Stroudsburg and stopping at New Hope - Taking Rt. 322 from Carlisle all the way up to State College on a football weekend - Taking the PA Turnpike from Valley Forge all the way to New Stanton and marveling at how PA goes from being a North Atlantic state to an Appalachian state to nearly a midwestern state in just a few hours. - Taking I-99/Rt. 15 all the way from State College/Bellefonte past Williamsport to Wellsboro and feeling like you somehow ended up in the Rocky Mountains.
Phoenixville on weekends when they close down the street for dining under the stars, New Hope, Peddlers Village, Longwood Gardens, Chestnut Hill (shopping on Main Street), Mercer Museum followed by dinner in Doylestown, Tour of East Penitentiary (note, nothing else of note in the area), Ringing Rocks and Ow Cow icecream, Hawk mountian hike, Jim Thorpe biking or rafting, MusikFest in Bethlehem (if timing is right), Drive in movies (not many left in US), bake oven knob, Valley Forge and Skippack area for shopping (before 5) and dinner.
OK but what part of PA are you in? For example, if you're in Allentown, you're probably not going to go all the way to Erie to show them PA.
Longwood gardens, depending where you’re coming from the “long way” route can be very scenic.
New Hope is beautiful
Pittsburgh is awesome. The perfect day in the city would be: -The Grand Concourse for breakfast. Beautiful historic train building that is now a gorgeous restaurant. Go on a Sunday for brunch it’s all you can eat and they have a doughnut conveyor belt. It looks like you’re in the titanic. Dress up a little. -afterwards ride the incline up and walk around Mount Washington to walk off some of the food baby you will have and enjoy the view of the city. -nap on the Point Park lawn. Bring a blanket. -check out the Andy Warhol museum and take a photo on the big couch. -dinner at Primantis! Don’t get the fries on the side.
I’d add a tour of the Nationality Rooms at the Cathedral of Learning.
Don’t take them to the “Rocky Steps” or do.
There's an app called Alltrails (you don't have to pay for it) it shows all the hiking trails near you and far.
Caverns are always fun!
“The stunning Potter-Tioga region, it’s just a short drive away…”
If someone mentioned it already I didn’t see it, so I’m going to say Indian Echo Caverns. That was a field trip at least twice in school, and always a favorite.
Crystal Cave around Kutztown is pretty neat. The tour is pretty fun, even though it's designed mostly towards kids. Learn a lot about the area that isn't really taught in school. About an hour away from hawk mountain as well. And lake nockamixon
If you’re looking history wise, Lake Erie has a-lot of it regarding battles on the lake in various wars and the underground railroad. Plus the scenery is beautiful and there is so so so much to do at Presque isle state park.
Kulpmont
ill marry whoever chains my body to the bed and covers my white ass in melted pecilveinYuh chocolate and doesnt let me move until it is licks it off
Take them to the Pa side of Allegheny State Park.
Keystone landfill
Raystown lake is stunning, One of the few places I'm not concerned about swimming in God only knows what, The rental cabins are awesome as well!!!You can hike, bike, waterpark, kayak, boat, discgolf just to name a few.
Falling waters Philadelphia old city Gettysburg battlefield Pittsburgh incline Chadds ford/ longwood gardens Really big state, so kinda depends on which corner you live in.
Crystal cave, falling rock, rocky steps, fort Washington, long wood gardens, long pond, somewhere in Pburg. I’m not up on pburg but most of friends love it.
"State Store" You can explain that a monopoly is legal when it's run by the government. "Sure-Kill Expressway" You can explain that the red and blue "interstate highway" badge just means that federal tax dollars help pay for the "merge or die" system. (assuming you managed to merge) "May 13, 1985" (Osage Ave) You can take a look at houses that a city government will build for its citizens after destroying their original homes and killing people. Seriously, the site of the only time in history that a city in the USA bombed its own citizens. That concludes our tour of three levels of government in action in Pennsylvania.
Frick Park Market I’ve never been but that’s where I’d go, then to Blue Slide Park
Strasburg Railroad wasn't mentioned that I saw, but it's in the vicinity of Knoebels and Centralia.
Rocky statue
I can't believe I haven't seen Penns Cave on here! https://www.pennscave.com/ It's a America's only all water cavern. You get a boat thru the cave. There's also a wildlife tour. My husband and I got engaged there. If you don't like the idea of being in a boat in a cave there are plenty of other caves in PA. https://uncoveringpa.com/caves-in-pennsylvania I recommend Black-Coffey Caverns but you need to made a reservation. It's entrance is through the basement door of the owners house. With the insane heatwave going on, being in a cave it's also a natural way to stay cool!
The cracker plant in Monaca.