All of the places on this list are actually townships, boroughs, or cities.). Cool downtown Lilitz. But, Im partial to Beaver, the county seat of Beaver County. Climb the steps of the historic Bowman's Hill Tower for an incredible 14-mile view of the countryside. You can break up museum visits with lunch at one of the local eateries downtown then take a drive to find some of the antique stores and covered bridges in the area. There are lots of lodging options and B&Bs to compliment your historical visit to Gettysburg like the James Gettys Hotel and the elegant Federal Pointe Inn. A: Ridgway is one of the coolest small towns in Pennsylvania due to its fun annual festivals and proximity to the Allegheny National Forest. If youve got extra time, take a break with a freshly baked pastry at the Lagerhaus Bakery. They also offer multiple campgrounds as well as wonderful B&bs. For beginners or solo travelers, there are even guided tours with informative guides who grew up hiking throughout the area. Just outside of town, youll find great attractions like the Pine Creek Rail Trail, the Tioga Central Railroad, Highland Chocolates, and a ton of great outdoor activities. The Federal Pointe Inn is a historic and beautiful place to stay. DuBois is located in Clearfield County and has a lot of neat spots to offer both in town and nearby. If you are looking for somewhere to stay, there are some nice options on VRBO and Booking.com. Milford. But for those without a boat, there is plenty to see, do, and learn in this town of about 7,000 residents. Just beyond is Chiques Rock, a dramatic outcropping known nationally by rock-climbers and also by geologists impressed with the story this formation tells. Locals and tourists alike love this lively town with so many activities to choose from. Stop by for a tour and a lesson on pretzel twisting. It is the site where the Battle of Gettysburg took place and where Abraham Lincoln gave his inspiring Gettysburg Address speech. And, if you see a spirit, it might not be your imaginationrumor has it that this theater is haunted by the venue's former manager, "Fred the Ghost.". Published: May. One highlight of the town is the Bucks County Playhouse, which is self-dubbed Americas Most Famous Playhouse. They have been putting on fantastic shows since the 1930s and many future stars have graced its stage including Dick Van Dike, Liza Minnelli, John Lithgow, and Alan Alda. Stroudsburg is located in the Poconos Mountains on the southern end of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Doylestown is best known for being home to the grand 20th-century Fonthill Castle, which is a mix of 20th-century Gothic, Medieval, and Byzantine architecture. This small college town is easily walkable to see many of the shops, art galleries, and entertainment venues. By subscribing I agree to the terms and privacy policy. Known as the "Coolest Small Town in America," Lititz is a quaint and enchanting hamlet situated in Lancaster County. Just outside of Milford is the Raymondskill Falls, a well-groomed walking trail that leads to gushing waterfalls. "logo": "https://www.tripstodiscover.com/wp-content/themes/sage/public/images/logo.svg" You forgot Berwick and the Christmas Boulevard that runs a mile along Market Street every year for the last 74 (Yes, 74 years!). The view of the Armstrong County Courthouse at the end of the road is especially impressive. Written by Anietra Hamper and Joni Sweet Updated Feb 15, 2023. Most notably, there is the Grey Towers National Historical Site, an ancestral home once occupied by James Pinchot, one of the countrys most recognized conservationists. Afterward, you can take a break in the tranquil Lititz Springs Park. Beyond the historical sites in Gettysburg, you can visit the surrounding rural community to stop by farmers markets and apple orchards. There are so many exciting ways to explore Pennsylvania, from the outdoors to museums to quiet drives through the mountains, and tucked in-between are small towns that are worthy of visiting. Once known as Mauch Chunk, the town was renamed after early 20th-century athlete Jim Thorpe. This charming community features a quaint downtown with many spots to eat. Near the city, there are several great VRBOs and hotels on Booking.com to pick from. Danville home of geisinger medical center. Strasburg was an important stagecoach stop and trading center in the 1700 and 1800s, so there are still elements from those eras that define the small-town existence. Personal favorite stops of mine include Winkler Gallery and Hockman Candy. I enjoyed the little History lesson & the mini virtual adventure! It is a reminder of their heritage when the town was first established by Moravians, who wanted a region that was accepting of all religions. Last updated on March 18, 2022. Located just outside of the city limits, this site features a ton of different attractions including animatronic dinosaurs, a caboose motel, a brewery, fine dining, and more. Pennsylvania is a state rich in history with incredible nature, busy big cities, and friendly small towns. The Old Jail Museum and the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway are also popular local spots to check out. The town prides itself as the Home of the Groundhog, so be sure to start your themed visit at Gobbler's Knob, and take the half-mile trail through the famous grounds and site. 12 November 2022 View Pennsylvania is a beautiful state, home to picturesque scenery, more than 120 state parks and a rich selection of towns, cities and attractions. There is also dining, shopping, miniature golf, boating, and fishing to be had near the towns main attraction. It also has many hiking trails and recreational sites perfect for a trip that combines culture with adventure. Start your visit at Grey Towers, which is a National Historic Site and former home of Gifford Pinchot, a previous Pennsylvania governor and the first director of the United States Forest Service. Today, its a charming town that features a neat downtown area and several fun things to do including the Zippo/Case Museum and the Penn-Brad Oil Museum. M22 is . You can learn more about the culture of coal miners and the harsh conditions they faced during the workday at the Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum, just a one-minute drive from the coal mine tour. Doylestown was only familiar from your post about the castle. Lititz. 1. Love Bloomsburg. There are also hiking, biking, and walking trails, and great wildlife-viewing opportunities in nearby Hills Creek State Park and Leonard Harrison State Park. There is also a birds eye view of the town at the Knob, a bluff that overlooks the entirety of Milford. Franklin is also home to The Dibeience Music Museum and the beautiful Barrow-Civic Theater. spent lot of time with their kids. Yes, wonderful place to go for the reenactments also. On the site of the towns French and Indian War-era fort, you can visit the Fort Bedford Museum to learn more about the fascinating history of the area. This is partly because the streetscapes have remained intact since the 19th century when it had a bustling lumber and iron industry and elegant iron masters homes dotted the landscape. Pennsylvania roads will lead you through beautiful forests, lakes, waterfalls and small towns known for welcoming any visitor who comes by, no matter how long the pit stop. Pick up some fresh produce at the Lancaster Central Market at Penn Square. You should definitely go sightseeing in the Colonial Industrial Quarter, as well. This strip features many great small stores, restaurants, and even a historic movie theater. Benezette is located in Elk County and is the best place in Pennsylvania to visit PAs famous elk herd. A number of the Molly Maguires conspirators were held at the county jail, which is now a museum. With so many rivers, like the Delaware and the Youghiogheny flowing through Pennsylvania, outdoor water recreation is second-to-none when it comes to white water rafting and kayaking in the rapids. In fact, the fabulous Elk Country Visitor Center is located just outside of town. Jim Cheney is the creator of UncoveringPA.com. Set on the foothills of the Pocono Mountains, many who visit often compare Jim Thorpe to the small towns that you can find in Switzerland, so be sure to bring your camera! Benezette is the perfect place to see Pennsylvania's famous elk herd. If you visit Stroudsburg in the winter, you can plan a day at one of the region's top ski resorts. Located right off of PA 52, you can't miss it. There is also great mountain biking at Jakes Rocks. Discover why Lititz is one of the best small town getaways in Pennsylvania. If you want to see the real Punxsutawney, stop by Phil's Burrow on Mahoning Street, where you can see Phil and his wife Phyllis through the viewing windows facing the street. Warren is located in northwestern PA and is largely surrounded by the Allegheny National Forest, as well as Allegany State Park in New York. It also hosts the United States oldest operating movie house called the Newtown Theatre, playing many of the latest hits as well as classic films for free! Pine barn inn is quaint Wellsboro is a charming small town in Pennsylvanias Tioga County. In Warrens downtown, youll find some great shops and restaurants to enjoy during your visit. Once an important stagecoach stop and trading center in 1700, this town is home to one of the largest outlet malls in the state and features an array of quaint boutique shops along its charming streets. Live Now | Online Holy Mass/ "the Pilgrim's Mass" - 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 09, 2023 - 9:30am. Take a tour inside the Asa Packer Mansion Museum to see how the wealthy lived in the region in the 1800s. After visiting the visitor center, take the centers driving tour, which takes you past several viewing areas where seeing elk is quite common, though not guaranteed since they are wild animals. From Gettysburg to Erie, check out our guide to 10 of the most alluring places to visit in the state. The Inn at Jim Thorpe is a historic hotel thats a perfect choice for spending the night. Our research is editorially independent but we Tucked within Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains is the town of Milford with a mix of architecture and conservation points of interest. Shoppers can hit some of the boutique and antique stores that sell unique artwork and Civil War artifacts. Lititz Shops along the Main Street in Litiz are a destination for tourist visiting Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, via Amy Lutz / Shutterstock.com The quaint town of Lititz, located in Lancaster County, entices tourists with its historical legacy, small-town appeal, and a strong sense of community. The Poconos were once a popular honeymoon destination, so there are many unique spots near Stroudsburg that can be booked on Booking.com and VRBO. While its big cities of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia bustle with life, countless small towns in Pennsylvania can be found . The town is filled with antique stores, art galleries, restaurants, and multiple bed and breakfasts. This is a great chance to pick up holiday gifts, delicious treats, and to simply enjoy the beauty of Christmas in PA. Outside of December, there are other great spots to visit in town including the incredible Rusty Rail Brewing Company, Hassenplug Covered Bridge (the oldest covered bridge in the state), and the Mifflinburg Buggy Museum. And all this is near Lancaster and Columbia, two other places with a remarkable inventory of historic buildings and interesting businesses and restaurants. Eagles Mere is surrounded by Loyalsock State Forest and is only a short drive from the popular Worlds End State Park. The town of Milford is also in the Pocono Mountains. This was great! In addition to the caboose bed and breakfast at Doolittle Station, there are great spots to stay that you can find on VRBO and Booking.com. Skip to content Home About Pick a StateMenu Toggle Menu ItemMenu Toggle Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Menu ItemMenu Toggle Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana A short distance upstream, youll find the converted Match Factory complex that features, among other spots, Big Spring Spirits and the American Philatelic Society. Easton's Centre Square in the heart of downtown is a long-standing attraction. Sitting in a valley, there isnt a more beautiful place in the fall. Flickr/Jon Dawson. That was nice to read all about places to visit. Scattered throughout the area are also many delicious local restaurants. A delightful destination particularly in fall with its spectacular foliage, Johnstown is set among the Allegheny region of Pennsylvania. Still visit there often. 15 Best Small Towns to Visit in Pennsylvania, 15 Best Things to Do in Springfield (IL) in 2023 (By a Local), 15 Best Oregon Wine, Spirits and Food Tours. The right-of-way is now the Lehigh Switchback Railroad Trail. Do you have a favorite small town in Pennsylvania that is or isnt on this list? Bellefonte. Milford is another great small town in Pennsylvania that has a lot to offer visitors. Its captivating downtown region is home to a lot of ancient edifices, shops, and eating places. This year's "all ages" Seattle Pride Parade included something you don't often see in public: adult men on bicycles . Nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts can add a visit to Milford to their itinerary, as this enchanting town is tucked within Pennsylvanias beautiful Pocono Mountains. There are also water parks, botanical gardens, sports arenas, live performances, waterfront restaurants, and two picturesque lighthouses to visit. Johnstown has a strong arts scene, so you will enjoy visiting the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, one of five such galleries in southwestern Pennsylvania. Walk down the center of town, where you will notice Victorian-style architecture and oversized boulevards. Also in town, there is fantastic shopping and dining in the downtown area, great local art at the Michener Museum, and a neat Civil War museum. Oftentimes a trip to Pennsylvania is associated with its two most populated and well-known cities: Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. A bit outside of town, youll find several great breweries, Curtin Village at Eagle Ironworks, and Penns Cave. A popular home base for exploring Pennsylvanias own Grand Canyon, Wellsboro is a charming small town in Tioga County. One of the most noticeable and picturesque landmarks in Doylestown is the elegant Mercer Museum and Fonthill Castle. If you have children, the best thing to do is to buy a bag of gems and hide it in the fields for a fun day of education and hands-on learning. Hop aboard a historic train on the New Hope Railroad, which offers seasonal themed excursions, including a trick-or-treat ride near Halloween. There are also a variety of antique shops and family-owned restaurants to spend your time in. Benezette - Population: 207. Newtown is a small town renowned for its vast array of recreational and cultural activities. Sadly, there are no solid maps for his area, but there are many great loops and hikes that you can do here. To qualify for this list, I only looked at small towns in PA with a population under 10,000 (per the 2010 census, the last official numbers available at the time of publication). The town has also converted the Hoover Mason Trestle into a 1,650-foot elevated park, where you can walk next to the towering blast furnaces used to produce iron and learn about the laborers who ran the plant.
