Pennsylvania offers remarkable diversity, from historic Philadelphia and vibrant Pittsburgh to peaceful Lancaster County and dramatic Fallingwater. The state blends urban energy with natural beauty across destinations like Gettysburg, Hershey, and Pine Creek Gorge.
Keep reading as we explore the best places to visit in Pennsylvania that will transform your understanding of the Keystone State.
List of Contents
- 1. Philadelphia: Where America Began
- 2. Pittsburgh: Steel City Renaissance
- 3. Lancaster County: Amish Country Simplicity
- 4. Gettysburg: Hallowed Ground
- 5. Hershey: Sweetest Place on Earth
- 6. Jim Thorpe: Switzerland of America
- 7. New Hope: Artists' Haven
- 8. Bushkill Falls: Niagara of Pennsylvania
- 9. Pine Creek Gorge: Pennsylvania Grand Canyon
- 10. Fallingwater: Architecture in Harmony
- 11. Presque Isle: Great Lakes Beach
- Your Pennsylvania Adventure Awaits
1. Philadelphia: Where America Began
Philadelphia pulses with history on every corner. Independence Hall still echoes with revolutionary voices, while the Liberty Bell stands as America's most enduring symbol.
The city moves beyond its colonial past with ease. Reading Terminal Market serves authentic cheesesteaks—locals prefer Pat's or Geno's, but the real gems hide in smaller shops throughout South Philly.
Walking these cobblestone streets at dusk, when gas lamps flicker to life in Old City, you feel the weight of decisions that shaped a nation.
Quick Facts:
- Peak season: April-October
- How to get there: Philadelphia International Airport, Amtrak
- Entrance fees: From $5 for historic sites
- Suggested stay: 3-4 days
- Key spots: Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, Reading Terminal Market, Art Museum
2. Pittsburgh: Steel City Renaissance
Pittsburgh surprises visitors who expect only industrial remnants. The city rebuilt itself into a technology hub while preserving its blue-collar soul.
Three rivers converge here, creating dramatic bridges and skyline views from Mount Washington. The Strip District buzzes with local markets every Saturday morning—arrive early for the best pierogies and fresh produce.
I watched the sunrise paint the Allegheny River gold from Point State Park one September morning. That's when Pittsburgh's transformation becomes clear: old strength, new purpose.
Quick Facts:
- Peak season: May-September
- How to get there: Pittsburgh International Airport, I-76/I-79
- Entrance fees: From $10 for attractions
- Suggested stay: 2-3 days
- Key spots: Strip District, Mount Washington, Heinz Field, Carnegie Museums
3. Lancaster County: Amish Country Simplicity
Lancaster County moves at horse-and-buggy pace through rolling farmland where time seems suspended. Amish families still work the fields with traditional methods passed down through generations.
The farmers markets here serve food grown within miles of your table. Try shoofly pie at Bird-in-Hand—locals know it's best when the molasses still glistens.
Driving these back roads on a misty morning, watching steam rise from fresh-plowed fields, you understand why some choose simplicity over speed.
Quick Facts:
- Peak season: April-October
- How to get there: US-30 from Philadelphia
- Entrance fees: From $8 for farm tours
- Suggested stay: 1-2 days
- Key spots: Bird-in-Hand, Intercourse, Strasburg Railroad, Amish farms
4. Gettysburg: Hallowed Ground
Gettysburg National Military Park preserves 6,000 acres where America's bloodiest battle unfolded over three July days in 1863. The battlefield spreads across rolling hills and open fields that witnessed unprecedented carnage.
Walking Pickett's Charge route across that mile of open ground, you grasp the courage—or desperation—required for such an assault. The silence here carries weight.
Visit at dawn when mist clings to Cemetery Ridge. The park opens early, and those quiet moments before crowds arrive let history speak without interruption.
Quick Facts:
- Peak season: May-September
- How to get there: US-15 from Baltimore/Harrisburg
- Entrance fees: From $15 for museum
- Suggested stay: 1-2 days
- Key spots: Cemetery Ridge, Devil's Den, Little Round Top, Visitor Center
5. Hershey: Sweetest Place on Earth
Hershey built an entire town around chocolate, complete with street lamps shaped like Hershey's Kisses and avenues named Chocolate and Cocoa. The aroma of chocolate actually drifts through downtown on certain days.
Hersheypark thrills families with more than 70 rides, while the chocolate factory tour reveals how cocoa beans become candy bars. The gardens bloom spectacularly each spring—Milton Hershey's wife Catherine loved roses, and her passion lives on in 23 themed gardens.
Quick Facts:
- Peak season: June-August
- How to get there: US-322 from Harrisburg
- Entrance fees: From $45 for Hersheypark
- Suggested stay: 1-2 days
- Key spots: Hersheypark, Chocolate World, Hershey Gardens, Factory Tour
6. Jim Thorpe: Switzerland of America
Jim Thorpe nestles in the Pocono Mountains like a Victorian postcard come to life. This former coal town reinvented itself as an outdoor adventure base while preserving its 19th-century architecture.
The Lehigh River runs clear and cold through town, perfect for white-water rafting. Mountain bikers tackle switchback trails that climb through dense forests above the valley.
Local tip: Park near the train station and walk everywhere. The entire historic district fits within six blocks, and every building tells a story of coal baron wealth and immigrant determination.
Quick Facts:
- Peak season: May-October
- How to get there: US-209 from I-80
- Entrance fees: From $12 for train rides
- Suggested stay: 1-2 days
- Key spots: Historic downtown, Lehigh River, Switchback Trail, Old Jail Museum
7. New Hope: Artists' Haven
New Hope hugs the Delaware River where artists and writers have gathered for decades. The town's creative energy flows through galleries, theaters, and cafes that stay open late into warm summer evenings.
The Delaware Canal towpath stretches 60 miles, perfect for cycling or peaceful walks. Antique shops line every street—locals know the best finds appear on weekday mornings before tour buses arrive.
I spent one autumn afternoon sketching barges on the canal while leaves drifted past like nature's confetti. That's when New Hope's bohemian spirit becomes clear: creativity thrives in peaceful places.
Quick Facts:
- Peak season: April-October
- How to get there: US-202 from Philadelphia
- Entrance fees: From $8 for canal boat rides
- Suggested stay: 1-2 days
- Key spots: Delaware Canal, Main Street galleries, Bucks County Playhouse, Antique shops
8. Bushkill Falls: Niagara of Pennsylvania
Bushkill Falls drops 100 feet through a hemlock forest that stays cool even during summer heat waves. Eight trails lead to different viewpoints, from easy 15-minute walks to challenging 2-mile hikes.
The main falls creates a natural amphitheater where water crashes onto rocks worn smooth by centuries of flow. Photographers love the morning light that filters through the canopy around 10 AM.
Wear sturdy shoes—the trails can be slippery, especially near the falls where mist creates natural air conditioning that drops temperatures by 10 degrees.
Quick Facts:
- Peak season: May-October
- How to get there: US-209 in Pocono Mountains
- Entrance fees: From $15 for adults
- Suggested stay: Half day
- Key spots: Main Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Laurel Glen Trail, Hemlock forest
9. Pine Creek Gorge: Pennsylvania Grand Canyon
Pine Creek Gorge cuts 1,000 feet deep through north-central Pennsylvania, creating dramatic vistas that rival western canyons. The Pine Creek Rail Trail follows 62 miles of converted railroad bed through the gorge bottom.
Leonard Harrison State Park offers the best overlooks, especially at sunset when golden light illuminates the far rim. Turkey vultures ride thermals that rise from the gorge depths, and black bears occasionally wander the rim trails.
Pack layers—temperatures at the bottom can be 20 degrees cooler than the rim, and weather changes quickly in this mountain terrain.
Quick Facts:
- Peak season: May-October
- How to get there: US-6 to Wellsboro
- Entrance fees: Free for state parks
- Suggested stay: 1-2 days
- Key spots: Leonard Harrison State Park, Pine Creek Trail, Colton Point, Wellsboro
10. Fallingwater: Architecture in Harmony
Frank Lloyd Wright designed Fallingwater to float above Bear Run waterfall, creating architecture that seems to grow from the landscape itself. Water flows beneath the living room, while massive stone fireplaces anchor the structure to bedrock.
Tours book months ahead, but the experience justifies the planning. Wright integrated every detail—from built-in furniture to carefully framed forest views—into one coherent vision.
Standing on the main terrace while water cascades beneath your feet, you understand Wright's genius: he didn't build beside nature, he built with it.
Quick Facts:
- Peak season: April-November
- How to get there: PA-381 from I-76
- Entrance fees: From $30 for house tours
- Suggested stay: Half day
- Key spots: Main house, guest house, Bear Run trail, Visitor center
11. Presque Isle: Great Lakes Beach
Presque Isle stretches 7 miles into Lake Erie, creating Pennsylvania's only sandy beaches and lagoons that shelter migrating birds. This narrow peninsula feels more like an ocean coast than an inland lake.
Swimming here rivals any Atlantic beach—Lake Erie warms to comfortable temperatures by July and stays pleasant through September. Lighthouse tours offer panoramic views across water that stretches to the horizon.
Local secret: Sunset Beach on the lake side provides the most spectacular sunsets, while the bay side stays calmer for families with young children.
Quick Facts:
- Peak season: June-September
- How to get there: PA-832 from Erie
- Entrance fees: Free
- Suggested stay: 1 day
- Key spots: Sunset Beach, Presque Isle Lighthouse, Lagoons, Beach trails
Your Pennsylvania Adventure Awaits
Pennsylvania rewards travelers who look beyond expectations. History lives in Philadelphia's cobblestones and Gettysburg's fields. Nature creates drama at Bushkill Falls and Pine Creek Gorge. Art flourishes in New Hope and Fallingwater.
Each destination offers something different, yet all share Pennsylvania's distinctive character: authentic, unpretentious, and genuinely welcoming.
Pack comfortable shoes and an open mind. The best places to visit in Pennsylvania reveal themselves slowly, like good stories told by patient friends. Your adventure starts when you choose which story to experience first.
