Pennsylvania, located in the northeastern United States, is a fantastic (and rather easy) state to visit. With good transportation links between New York City and other major cities on the East Coast, it’s a state worth visiting while traveling around the United States. Not only that but there are so many great things to do in Pennsylvania spread all over the state.
You might easily spend weeks exploring Pennsylvania, but most of us do not have that luxury. However, even on a shorter trip, you may visit some of Pennsylvania’s best attractions.
To help you make the most of your visit to Pennsylvania, here are some must-see attractions. Have a great time in the United States.
1. Laurel Highlands
The Laurel Highlands, located in southwest Pennsylvania, is a stunning destination. Easily accessible from Pittsburgh in a few hours by vehicle, visiting is one of the top things to do in Pennsylvania if you’re on a longer road trip along the East Coast.
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Now since the territory is relatively large, there are numerous places to explore. For example, we greatly loved going to Stewarton Falls. It’s just on the outskirts of Ohiopyle State Park and convenient to visit. A visit here now takes about 15 minutes, unless you’re hiking along one of the park’s paths.
After that, see Fallingwater, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Yes, the tours can be expensive, but they are worth it, especially if you’re interested in his architecture and the structure itself.
Alternatively, you might visit Frank Lloyd Wright’s Kentuck Knob, a nearby historic mansion. Visits take about 60 minutes and are quite manageable if you’re already driving throughout Pennsylvania.
Finally, make sure to visit the Laurel Caverns, which are quite spectacular. They are Pennsylvania’s largest cave system and well worth a visit to explore within.
2. Philadelphia
Philadelphia is one of Pennsylvania’s best tourist destinations. It’s a city rich in history that is well worth a few days’ visit.
When you’re here, make sure to visit Independence National Historic Park. In reality, it is one of the most historically significant sites in the United States, where the Declaration of Independence was signed. It is also the exact location where the Constitution was drafted.
After arriving, you can go on a tour of the historic Independence and Congress Halls. Not only that, but you’ll be able to visit Franklin Court, Old City Hall, and other sites where the modern United States was born.
3. Valley Forge National Historical Park
Valley Forge National Historical Park, located on the outskirts of Philadelphia, is very convenient to visit while in the city. Once here, you can visit George Washington’s winter headquarters and the National Memorial Arch.
Furthermore, you can easily follow the Mount Misery Trail, which takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours to finish. It’s around 3 miles long and a great place to go for a walk while you’re visiting the park.
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Nearby, there is also the Wharton Esherick Museum. Wharton Esherick, an artist, constructed this lovely small museum. It’s utterly kitsch and well worth a 30-minute visit.
4. Hershey Park
Hershey Park, located not far from Harrisburg, is without a doubt one of the nicest things to do in Pennsylvania if you love chocolate like I do! A visit to Hershey Park, known for its delicious candy and chocolates, is a whole-day trip that is so much fun.
Once inside, you’ll be able to explore several different areas and enjoy some of Pennsylvania’s top rides. We adore Skyrush. It’s a massive rollercoaster that will leave you screaming in no time. After all, it stands more than 200 feet tall.
The Great Bear Rollercoaster is also a lot of fun. Just make sure to arrange your trip in advance so you can take as many rides as possible.
5. Gettysburg
Gettysburg is an essential stop on any tour of Pennsylvania’s historic sites. You see, it’s one of the top things to do in Pennsylvania for learning about the Civil War of 1863.
You can easily spend the entire morning at Gettysburg National Military Park, visiting sites such as Culp’s Hill, Spangler’s Spring, and the neighboring State of Pennsylvania Monument.
Even from a global perspective, we enjoyed the museum and the surrounding park. It does an excellent job of detailing the details of the Civil War. It’s well worth doing. Also, keep an eye out for the Sachs-covered bridge in Gettysburg. It’s nearly 100 feet long and you can even walk across it.
6. Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is another fantastic place to visit in Pennsylvania. Furthermore, Pittsburgh is easily accessible as you travel west to Ohio.
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When you arrive, make sure to visit the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. You could easily spend an entire afternoon here, as well as exploring the rest of Schenley Park.
Following that, visit the Fort Pitt Museum in Pittsburgh’s city center. It’s an excellent chance to learn more about this 1700s British fort that still stands. Visits will take around an hour and are easy to visit while in the downtown area.
Don’t forget to visit the Andy Warhol Museum. Here, you may see several of Warhol’s installations and explore the various rooms to learn more about his life. It is wonderful, and one of the best sites in the world for Andy Warhol fans.
7. Pine Creek Gorge
Pine Creek Gorge, located in Pennsylvania’s heartland, is a must-see destination for anybody traveling through the state. Pine Creek Gorge, nicknamed the “Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania,” is located in Tioga State Forest.
If you want a lengthier hike, use the Pine Creek Rail Trail, which follows the old train path. It’s a terrific way to explore the surrounding area of Pine Creek Gorge and is lovely.
Looking for a bite to eat? Visit Wheary’s Pine Creek Inn for its pickle fries. They are extremely good.