Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway, a family vacation, a road trip, or a longer exploration of the Keystone State, choosing where to go can be challenging. This guide highlights ten places that can give travelers a well-rounded introduction to Pennsylvania.
If you’re comparing Pennsylvania with destinations in neighboring states, you may also enjoy exploring the best places to visit in New England, particularly if your itinerary extends into the northeastern United States.
1. Philadelphia
Philadelphia is one of the most important destinations in Pennsylvania for travelers interested in American history, architecture, food, museums, and city experiences. As one of the country’s oldest major cities, Philadelphia combines historic attractions with lively neighborhoods and a large selection of cultural activities.
Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell are among the city’s best-known attractions. Visitors can also explore historic streets, museums, public squares, markets, and neighborhoods that reveal different sides of Philadelphia’s past and present.
The city’s food scene is another reason to spend more than a single day here. From the famous cheesesteak to Italian Market specialties and restaurants throughout Center City, Philadelphia offers plenty of opportunities to build a trip around food and culture.
For travelers interested in urban destinations across the country, our guide to the most visited places in America can provide additional ideas for future trips.
2. Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh sits where the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio rivers meet, creating a distinctive city landscape surrounded by hills. Its combination of bridges, river views, neighborhoods, museums, sports venues, and cultural attractions makes it one of Pennsylvania’s most interesting city destinations.
Visitors can explore Point State Park, take in views from Mount Washington, visit museums, or spend time in neighborhoods known for restaurants and local attractions. The city’s history is also closely connected to America’s industrial development.
Pittsburgh works particularly well for travelers who want a city break with access to outdoor scenery. It can also serve as a starting point for exploring western Pennsylvania.
3. Gettysburg
Gettysburg is one of Pennsylvania’s most significant destinations for American Civil War history. The town and surrounding battlefield offer visitors an opportunity to explore historic landscapes, monuments, museums, and locations connected with the Battle of Gettysburg and Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.
Gettysburg National Military Park covers a large area, so visitors should allow enough time to explore beyond the town center. A battlefield tour can help travelers understand how the landscape influenced the events of July 1863.
The destination is particularly appealing to history enthusiasts, families, photographers, and travelers interested in historic Pennsylvania towns.
Gettysburg can also be combined with a broader regional itinerary. Travelers planning trips around the northeastern United States may want to compare it with unique places to visit in Northern Michigan or other historic and scenic destinations.
4. Hershey
Hershey is an easy choice for families and travelers with an interest in chocolate, entertainment, and amusement parks. The town is strongly associated with the Hershey chocolate brand and has developed into a destination with attractions for visitors of different ages.
Hersheypark is the area’s major attraction, offering rides and entertainment, while Hershey’s Chocolate World provides chocolate-focused experiences. Hershey Gardens and other local attractions can also be included in a longer stay.
Because many attractions are family-oriented, Hershey works particularly well for a weekend trip. During warmer months, visitors can combine amusement-park activities with outdoor sightseeing in central Pennsylvania.
5. Pocono Mountains
The Pocono Mountains are one of Pennsylvania’s most recognizable outdoor destinations. The region is known for wooded mountains, lakes, waterfalls, hiking trails, scenic drives, and four-season recreation.
Summer visitors can enjoy hiking, boating, fishing, and other outdoor activities, while winter brings opportunities for skiing and snow-based recreation. Fall is especially attractive for travelers who want to see Pennsylvania’s changing foliage.
The Poconos also offer resorts, cabins, restaurants, and family attractions, making the region suitable for both active vacations and relaxing weekend escapes.
If you’re planning a wider northeastern road trip, you can also explore places to visit near Ohio in summer for additional regional travel ideas.
6. Lancaster
Lancaster provides a different experience from Pennsylvania’s major cities and historic battlefields. The area is widely associated with Pennsylvania Dutch culture, farmland, traditional markets, local crafts, and rural landscapes.
Visitors can explore Lancaster’s downtown, browse markets, sample regional food, and take scenic drives through the surrounding countryside. The region is also popular with families because of its attractions, theaters, museums, and nearby entertainment destinations.
Lancaster is particularly appealing for travelers who want to slow down and experience a combination of culture, food, countryside, and small-town atmosphere.
7. Fallingwater
Fallingwater is one of Pennsylvania’s most recognizable architectural landmarks. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the house is closely integrated with its natural surroundings, making it an important destination for architecture enthusiasts and travelers interested in design.
The property’s setting above a waterfall is one of its defining visual features. Visitors can learn about the building’s design, construction, relationship with the surrounding landscape, and significance in modern architecture.
Fallingwater is located in the Laurel Highlands, a region that also provides opportunities for hiking, scenic drives, outdoor recreation, and exploring small communities.
8. Erie and Presque Isle State Park
Erie provides a different side of Pennsylvania, with access to Lake Erie and the outdoor attractions of Presque Isle State Park. The peninsula offers beaches, trails, water activities, scenic views, and opportunities to experience one of the state’s most distinctive natural environments.
Presque Isle can be especially appealing during warmer months when visitors can spend time on the beaches, walk or cycle along trails, and enjoy views across Lake Erie.
Erie’s location also makes it a useful stop for travelers planning a larger Great Lakes road trip. If you’re considering additional northern destinations, take a look at places to visit in Toronto during winter for another Great Lakes travel idea.
9. Ricketts Glen State Park
Ricketts Glen State Park is one of Pennsylvania’s standout destinations for hikers and waterfall enthusiasts. The park is known for its Falls Trail, which passes numerous waterfalls through a heavily wooded landscape.
The terrain can be challenging in sections, so visitors should choose trails according to their experience and current conditions. Proper footwear, water, and adequate planning are particularly important when hiking waterfall trails.
The park is an excellent choice for travelers who want to experience Pennsylvania’s natural side rather than focusing on cities and historic attractions.
For more outdoor travel inspiration, you can also explore nature-focused places to visit in Karnataka and compare different landscapes around the world.
10. Valley Forge National Historical Park
Valley Forge National Historical Park combines history, open landscapes, walking trails, and outdoor recreation. The site is closely associated with the Continental Army’s winter encampment during the American Revolutionary War.
Visitors can explore historic structures, monuments, trails, and interpretive areas while learning about the Continental Army’s experience during the winter encampment.
Its location near Philadelphia makes Valley Forge especially convenient for travelers who want to combine major city attractions with a historic outdoor destination.
Other Pennsylvania Destinations Worth Considering
The ten destinations above provide a broad introduction to Pennsylvania, but they are far from the state’s only attractions. Depending on your interests, you may also want to explore smaller towns, state parks, museums, scenic areas, and seasonal destinations.
For travelers interested in seasonal trips, our guide to places to visit in West Virginia in fall offers another example of how autumn landscapes can shape a regional itinerary.
Travelers heading toward New York can also consider tourist places to visit in New York or places to visit in New York State with family.
For travelers looking beyond the Northeast, the site also features guides covering South and Central America and the best places to visit in Africa.
Best Time to Visit Pennsylvania
The best time to visit Pennsylvania depends heavily on what you want to do. Spring brings milder temperatures and blooming landscapes, while summer is convenient for outdoor recreation, family attractions, and lake destinations.
Fall is particularly attractive for travelers interested in foliage, scenic drives, and hiking. Winter changes the character of mountain destinations such as the Poconos and can be a good choice for snow sports and cozy resort stays.
If you’re planning a winter trip beyond Pennsylvania, you may also want to explore South Carolina places to visit in winter or winter destinations in Arizona.
How Many Days Do You Need in Pennsylvania?
A short weekend can cover one major destination, such as Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Hershey, or Gettysburg. A longer trip of five to seven days gives travelers more flexibility to combine cities, historic attractions, outdoor destinations, and scenic areas.
For example, a weeklong itinerary could combine Philadelphia with Valley Forge, Lancaster, Hershey, and Gettysburg. Another route could focus on Pittsburgh, Fallingwater, the Laurel Highlands, and outdoor destinations farther east.
Travelers who enjoy road trips can create even longer itineraries by connecting Pennsylvania with nearby states. Our guide to New England destinations can help extend a northeastern journey, while international travel ideas are available for those planning a completely different type of vacation.
Tips for Planning a Pennsylvania Trip
- Choose your region first: Pennsylvania is large enough that trying to cover the entire state during one short trip can lead to excessive driving.
- Match destinations to the season: Mountain areas can offer very different experiences in summer, fall, and winter.
- Allow extra time for historic sites: Gettysburg, Philadelphia, and Valley Forge contain more attractions than can easily be covered in a few hours.
- Check trail conditions: Outdoor destinations such as Ricketts Glen can become more challenging after rain or during colder weather.
- Consider weekday visits: Popular attractions may be less busy outside peak weekends and holiday periods.
- Build a regional itinerary: Grouping nearby destinations together can reduce driving and leave more time for sightseeing.
Final Thoughts
Pennsylvania is a versatile destination for travelers because its attractions extend well beyond a single type of vacation. Philadelphia and Gettysburg offer deep connections to American history, Pittsburgh provides a distinctive urban experience, Hershey appeals to families, and the Poconos, Fallingwater, Erie, and Ricketts Glen showcase the state’s natural beauty.
Whether you’re planning a quick weekend or a longer road trip, these ten destinations provide a strong starting point for discovering the Keystone State. Once you’ve explored the major attractions, Pennsylvania’s smaller towns, parks, historic sites, and scenic roads offer plenty of reasons to return.
If you’re continuing your travel research, you can also explore places to visit in the USA during summer, top places to visit in Napa Valley, or top places to visit in San Diego for ideas beyond Pennsylvania.
