Pennsylvania is one of the largest states in the mid-Atlantic region. It is filled with both large cities and small towns. Pennsylvania has a little bit of everything to offer.
We have been lucky to spend quite a bit of time exploring in Pennsylvania and we hope to be able to visit again sometime soon!
If you live in Pennsylvania or are planning a trip here are 50+ ideas of things to do in Pennsylvania.
50+ Things to do in Pennsylvania
1. Knoebels
Knoebels Amusement Resort is America’s largest free admission amusement park. The park opened July 4, 1926.
Read about our trip to Knoebels here.
2. Hershey Chocolate World
Hershey’s Chocolate World in Hershey Pennsylvania is a great place to go and experience all things chocolate.
Enjoy a free tour of how chocolate is made as well as other fun and interactive chocolate experiences.
Click here for details about our trip to Hershey Chocolate World.
3. Bushkill Falls
Bushkill Falls is also known as the Niagara of Pennsylvania. Located in the Pocono Mountains Bushkill Falls Park includes a series of eight cascading waterfalls and is one of Pennsylvania’s most popular outdoor destinations.
Read about our visit to Bushkill Falls.
4. United States Mint
The United States mint in Philadelphia offers free self-guided tours that take about 45 minutes.
5. Hersheypark
Hersheypark is an amusement park in Hershey, PA. Experience the thrill of roller coasters along with some delicious chocolate treats.
Read about our trip to Hersheypark.
6. Turkey Hill Experience
Located in Lancaster county the Turkey Hill Experience is a great place to learn about how ice cream is made and enjoy ice cream samples.
Read about our visit to the Turkey Hill Experience.
7. ZooAmerica
ZooAmerica is a zoo located in Hershey, PA. The zoo covers 11 acres and home to 200 individual animals.
Admission to the zoo is included with your Hersheypark tickets, but can also be purchased separately.
8. The Poconos
The Pocono Mountains is made up of forested peaks, lakes and valleys. On the Eastern edge is the Delaware water Gap.
The area is dotted with resorts and activities. It’s a great place to plan a getaway year-round.
Read about our weekend in the Poconos.
9. Gettysburg National Military Park
The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the civil war, today you can visit the Gettysburg National Military Park to learn more about American History and the things that happened here.
The museum and visitor center are free to enter but the museum experience does have a fee.
Self-guided auto tours of the battlefield are free. Just purchase the auto tour on amazon and you are good to go.
Here are a few tips for your visit to Gettysburg.
10. Scranton
If you are a fan of “The Office” tv series then Scranton is probably on your bucket list. While “The Office” was filmed in California there are several references to Scranton sprinkled throughout the show.
Here is our “The Office” tour of Scranton.
11. The Liberty Bell
The Liberty Bell in downtown Philadelphia is free to visit. The line to see the bell can get long. The Liberty Bell is part of Independence National Historic Park.
12. Eat a Philly Cheesesteak
Geno’s and Pat’s King of Steaks are the two famous places to get a cheesesteak in Philly.
Situated across the street from each other these two cheesesteak
Checkout this guide for How to Order a Philly Cheesesteak.
13. Run the Rocky Stairs
The 72 stone steps before the entrance of the Philadelphia Museum of Art have become known as the “Rocky Steps” as a result of the scene from the film Rocky.
At the Bottom of the stairs you can snap a photo with a statue of Rocky.
14. The Crayola Experience
The Crayola Experience in Easton, PA is a kid-friendly interactive museum.
Read about our visit to The Crayola Experience with our Toddlers.
15. Find a Covered Bridge
At one point in time it is estimated that Pennsylvania was home to over 1,500 bridges. Today there are only about 200 covered bridges left to enjoy.
16. Eat at Village Farmer and Bakery
The Village Farmer and Bakery is a Farmers market perfect to get fresh fruits and vegetables as well as baked goods.
Read about our Experience at the Village Farmer and Bakery.
17. Visit an Amish Farm
In Pennsylvania Dutch Country take a tour of a running Amish Farmhouse.
18. Explore an Amish Market
Visit one of the many Amish Markets or Dutch markets throughout the state and enjoy delicious food and handmade goods.
19. Independence Hall
Independence Hall in Philadelphia can be explored by tour only. Tickets for Independence Hall are free if picked up same day. Advance reservation tickets have a $1.00 handling fee per ticket.
20. Betsy Ross House
Visit and explore the Betsy Ross House, the birthplace of the American Flag. Enjoy a tour of the house as well as interactive historical programs.
21. Visit Valley Forge
Valley Forge National Historic Park is the site of the 1777-78 winter encampment of the Continental Army.
Visiting this park is free as is the auto tour available by calling the number given at the Visitor Center.
Read about our trip to Valley Forge.
22. B. Free Franklin Post Office & Museum
This working post office was our country’s first post office. Enjoy the museum and mail get a Benjamin Franklin signature stamped on your letters mailed from here.
23. Try a Burger at Taste of the 50’s Diner
Enjoy a throwback diner serving shakes, sundaes and American main dishes amid 1950’s decor.
Read about our visit here.
24. Penn’s Cave and Wildlife Park
Penn’s Cave is America’s only All water Cavern and Wildlife Park. Enjoy an all-water limestone cavern tour given entirely by boat.
25. Allentown Rose Gardens
This rose garden has paved walking paths, 3 pavilions and an exercise trail.
26. Fonthill Concrete Castle
Fonthill was built between 1908-1912 and was the home of Henry Chapman Mercer.
From 1976 to present Fonthill has turned into a professional museum with a full range of museum programs. Each year over 30,000 people visit the castle.
27. Fallingwater
Fallingwater is a home designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1935. The home is located in rural southwestern Pennsylvania.
The home is unique in that it is built over a waterfall. The home has been open to public tours since 1964 and each year over 180,000 people visit.
28. Cherry Springs State Park
Cherry Springs State Park is 82- acres in size and is known for its exceptionally dark skies. It is one of the best places on the eastern seaboard for stargazing.
29. “Grand Canyon” of Pennsylvania
Pine Creek Gorge sometimes called The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania is a 47-mile gorge with depths of almost 1500 feet.
30. Laurel Caverns
Laurel Caverns located 50 miles south of Pittsburgh is the largest cave in Pennsylvania. Because of the size of the cave, there are 3 different tours offered of various difficulty levels.
31. Strasburg
Strasburg is located in Lancaster County and known as the most historic town in PA Dutch country. Strasburg is also known for the Strasburg Rail Road and other Railroad attractions.
32. Johnstown Inclined Plane
The Johnstown Inclined Plane is an 896.5-foot funicular. The incline and its two stations connect Johnstown to Westmont.
A ride on the inclined plane is very affordable and a very unique experience.
33. Ringing Rocks Park
Ringing Rocks Park in Upper Black Eddy is 128 acres and is most known for its boulder field.
The boulders when struck, ring like a bell. So pack your hammer and head out to strike the boulders.
34. The Horseshoe Curve
The Horseshoe Curve is a three-track railroad curve on Norfolk Southern Railway’s Pittsburgh Line.
Horseshoe curve was one of the world’s most incredible engineering feats. At the horseshoe curve, you can watch over 50 trains that travel the curve daily.
35. Grey Towers
Grey Towers National Historic Site was the home to Gifford Pinchot the first chief of the US Forest Service.
Located in Milford the mansion and 102 acres is open to the public for both tours of the mansion and tours of the grounds.
37. Renfrew Museum and Park
The Renfrew Museum and Park located in Waynesboro is a beautiful area to explore. The park is free of charge and open year round. The museum does have a fee and seasonal operating hours.
The museum has events throughout the year. Last year we went to the A Day in the Life of the Royer Children event and loved it! I would recommend checking out the event. Admission and food are free.
Read about our day attending the A Day in the Life of the Royer Children event.
38. Ganoga Falls
Ganoga Falls is the largest of the many waterfalls in Ricketts Glen State Park. This is said to be one of the best waterfalls in the Mid-Atlantic states.
39. Martin Guitar Factory and Museum
Tour the Martin Guitar Factory for free in Nazareth. See how the guitars come to life through the hands of the craftspeople. Learn about the making of a guitar from old world tools to the modern-day state-of-the-art facility.
40. The Garden of Reflection
The Garden of Reflection is a local 9/11 memorial created to remember and honor all 2,973 killed on September 11, 2001.
42. Drive-in Theater
Going to a drive-in movie can be such a fun family activity. Pennsylvania has several drive-in theaters throughout the state, so find one close to you and enjoy a fun drive-in movie experience.
Last summer we went to the Cumberland drive-in movie theater a couple of times and loved it. Read about our experience here.
43. Franklin Institute
The Franklin Institute is a science museum in Philadelphia it is also home to the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial.
44. Eagles Game
The Philadelphia Eagles are an NFL football team based in Philadelphia. Their home stadium is the Lincoln Financial Field.
45. Love Statue
The iconic LOVE Statue is located in John F. Kennedy Plaza in Philadelphia.
46. Reading Terminal Market
Reading Terminal Market is one of America’s largest and oldest public markets. Opened in 1890 this market is a top spot for foodies.
47. Lakemont Park
Lakemont Park is an amusement park in Altoona. What makes this park unique is that it has the world’s oldest-surviving roller coaster, the Leap-The-Dips. The roller coaster has been added to the list of National Historic Landmarks.
48. Big Mac Museum
The Big Mac Museum Restaurant in North Huntingdon gives a unique look at the history of the Big Mac. Not only can you enjoy seeing the world’s tallest Big Mac statue you can also a classic big mac sandwich with a life-like bronze bust of Jim Delligatti.
49. Jimmy Stewart Museum
Fans of Jimmy Stewart will enjoy the Jimmy Stewart Museum in Indiana, PA.
50. Kinzua Bridge
Kinzua Bridge State Park is home of the reinvented Kinzua Viaduct. The Viaduct was once the longest and tallest railroad structure.
It was partially destroyed by a tornado in 2003. It was reopened as a pedestrian walkway in 2001.
51. Gobbler’s Knob
Gobbler’s Knob is one of the most popular landmarks in Punxsutawney. It is the location of the annual Groundhog Day celebration and where Punxsutawney Phil makes his prediction every February 2nd.
52. Carnegie Museums
There are four Carnegie Museums in Pittsburgh. The Carnegie Institute was founded in November 1895 and today is known as the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh.
The museums include:
- Carnegie Museum of Art
- Carnegie Museum of Natural History
- Carnegie Science Center
- The Andy Warhol Museum
53. Kennywood
Kennywood Park is a Pittsburgh amusement park founded in 1898. At Kennywood, you can experience roller coasters that date back to the 1920s as well as more modern rides.
You can also experience Thomas Town which is the second-largest permanent Thomas & Friends attraction in North America.
Free Printable Bucket List
Get A free Printable Pennsylvania Bucket List here!
You can purchase Blank Bucket Lists for all 50 States in the shop.
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