Summer’s pages are quickly turning toward fall. Fear not, however, because there’s still time to get outside and make long lasting memories. The following bucket list for Pennsylvanians promises to take you on an adventure that will, at times, take your breath away, allow you to relax, and help you reclaim some of those magical childhood days.
- Stop by the Kinzua Bridge.
Flickr/Random Retail The masterpiece of Kinzua State Park, the Kinzua Bridge stands 302 feet above the ground, providing spectacular panoramic views of the park below. Walk to the end of the bridge for an even more unique view as you stand atop the glass floor before heading back to the ground and exploring the state park.
- Picnic by a waterfall.
Flickr/Ben Yanis Pennsylvania has no shortage of simply breathtaking waterfalls, like Glen Onoko Falls in Jim Thorpe (pictured above). Pack a lunch, head to Glen Onoko Falls, and enjoy a relaxing picnic near the falls. After your picnic, hike around the park.
- Head out on an epic road trip.
Flickr/Karen Rice Forget the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Roll down the windows and head out on an epic road trip along Route 6. The 400 mile road stretches across 11 counties in Pennsylvania and passes some pretty amazing sites, including Kinzua Bridge, Cherry Springs State Park, Splash Lagoon Water Park, Grey Towers, and the town of Warren, to name just a handful.
- Walk on the wild side at a zoo.
Flickr/Dana Pico Some of the world’s most beautiful animals reside at the zoos across Pennsylvania. (The Philadelphia Zoo is pictured above.) Let the summer sun wash over you as you stroll through your local zoo, learning about its residents, and indulging in a few treats (ice cream, anyone?) along the way.
- Go horseback riding.
Flickr/Jim, the Photographer Pennsylvania’s sprawling land means a landscape dotted with farms and other perfect spots for horseback riding. Find a farm near you – like Rolling Hills Ranch in Bridgeville – that offers horseback riding and feel the breeze float through your hair as you enjoy a summer’s ride.
- Watch a movie under the stars.
Flickr/LeHigh Valley, PA Magic happens at the drive-in. Maybe it’s the ambiance of lying under the stars, eating all those favorite goodies from childhood, and watching a double feature. Pennsylvania is home to numerous drive-ins, all with pretty decent prices compared to the traditional movie theater, including Becky’s Drive-In, Shankweiler’s, and Haars Drive-In.
- Take in Nightscape at Longwood Gardens.
Flickr/mwms1916 Longwood Gardens transforms into a magical adventure as it presents Nightscape now through October 29. Stroll through the gardens once darkness has fallen and watch in wonder as lights dance, music plays, and color explodes in a masterpiece. Advanced reservations are recommended.
- Soak up the sun on the beach at Presque Isle.
Flickr/Keith Ewing Pack your sunscreen and head to Presque Isle where sandy beaches, blue skies, and endless water await. Choose the beach on which to romp depending on your mood. The guarded beaches may be busier while those that aren’t guarded may be a bit quieter.
- Spend the day at a state park.
Flickr/Doug Kerr From the small Point State Park in Pittsburgh to sprawling Ricketts Glen State Park in Benton, Pennsylvania has 121 state parks that welcome visitors to explore nature, to hike, to swim, and, in some cases, even to camp.
- Keep cool at a pretty unique water park.
Facebook/Dutch Springs Let the cool water wash over you as you play on the slides and other attractions at Dutch Springs in Bethlehem. If you’re a little more of a daredevil, go scuba diving or snorkeling, under the guidance of professionals, in the designated area of the park.
- Go stargazing at Cherry Springs State Park.
Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli Forget everything except the night sky above you at Cherry Springs State Park, which promises an unobstructed view of the stars high above. Both casual stargazers and professional astronomers flock to Cherry Springs State Park because of the perfect view (no city lights or country lights, for that matter) of the sky it provides.
- Zip down a natural water slide.
Flickr/Jon Dawson Zip down the natural water slide at Ohiopyle State Park in the western part of the state. The popular water slide – which can be a bit rough – will take you rushing through the chilly water on a pretty wild water adventure.
- Visit the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania.
Flickr/cotterpin Unparalleled views await at Pine Creek Gorge, most famously known as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, where you can get a bird’s eye view from one of the overlooks at Leonard Harrison State Park or Colton Point State Park.
- Become a kid again at Hershey Park.
Facebook/Michael Gray What’s an outdoor adventure without a trip to an old-fashioned amusement park like Pennsylvania’s famous Hershey Park? Get out there and visit one of your local amusement parks. Climb aboard the rides you loved as a child and eat your favorite foods to round out this outdoor bucket list.
Go ahead. Try out some of the fun things on the ultimate outdoor bucket list for Pennsylvanians. Or, maybe you’d just like to go camping. Click here to discover 10 epic camping resorts in Pennsylvania.
Flickr/Random Retail
The masterpiece of Kinzua State Park, the Kinzua Bridge stands 302 feet above the ground, providing spectacular panoramic views of the park below. Walk to the end of the bridge for an even more unique view as you stand atop the glass floor before heading back to the ground and exploring the state park.
Flickr/Ben Yanis
Pennsylvania has no shortage of simply breathtaking waterfalls, like Glen Onoko Falls in Jim Thorpe (pictured above). Pack a lunch, head to Glen Onoko Falls, and enjoy a relaxing picnic near the falls. After your picnic, hike around the park.
Flickr/Karen Rice
Forget the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Roll down the windows and head out on an epic road trip along Route 6. The 400 mile road stretches across 11 counties in Pennsylvania and passes some pretty amazing sites, including Kinzua Bridge, Cherry Springs State Park, Splash Lagoon Water Park, Grey Towers, and the town of Warren, to name just a handful.
Flickr/Dana Pico
Some of the world’s most beautiful animals reside at the zoos across Pennsylvania. (The Philadelphia Zoo is pictured above.) Let the summer sun wash over you as you stroll through your local zoo, learning about its residents, and indulging in a few treats (ice cream, anyone?) along the way.
Flickr/Jim, the Photographer
Pennsylvania’s sprawling land means a landscape dotted with farms and other perfect spots for horseback riding. Find a farm near you – like Rolling Hills Ranch in Bridgeville – that offers horseback riding and feel the breeze float through your hair as you enjoy a summer’s ride.
Flickr/LeHigh Valley, PA
Magic happens at the drive-in. Maybe it’s the ambiance of lying under the stars, eating all those favorite goodies from childhood, and watching a double feature. Pennsylvania is home to numerous drive-ins, all with pretty decent prices compared to the traditional movie theater, including Becky’s Drive-In, Shankweiler’s, and Haars Drive-In.
Flickr/mwms1916
Longwood Gardens transforms into a magical adventure as it presents Nightscape now through October 29. Stroll through the gardens once darkness has fallen and watch in wonder as lights dance, music plays, and color explodes in a masterpiece. Advanced reservations are recommended.
Flickr/Keith Ewing
Pack your sunscreen and head to Presque Isle where sandy beaches, blue skies, and endless water await. Choose the beach on which to romp depending on your mood. The guarded beaches may be busier while those that aren’t guarded may be a bit quieter.
Flickr/Doug Kerr
From the small Point State Park in Pittsburgh to sprawling Ricketts Glen State Park in Benton, Pennsylvania has 121 state parks that welcome visitors to explore nature, to hike, to swim, and, in some cases, even to camp.
Facebook/Dutch Springs
Let the cool water wash over you as you play on the slides and other attractions at Dutch Springs in Bethlehem. If you’re a little more of a daredevil, go scuba diving or snorkeling, under the guidance of professionals, in the designated area of the park.
Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli
Forget everything except the night sky above you at Cherry Springs State Park, which promises an unobstructed view of the stars high above. Both casual stargazers and professional astronomers flock to Cherry Springs State Park because of the perfect view (no city lights or country lights, for that matter) of the sky it provides.
Flickr/Jon Dawson
Zip down the natural water slide at Ohiopyle State Park in the western part of the state. The popular water slide – which can be a bit rough – will take you rushing through the chilly water on a pretty wild water adventure.
Flickr/cotterpin
Unparalleled views await at Pine Creek Gorge, most famously known as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, where you can get a bird’s eye view from one of the overlooks at Leonard Harrison State Park or Colton Point State Park.
Facebook/Michael Gray
What’s an outdoor adventure without a trip to an old-fashioned amusement park like Pennsylvania’s famous Hershey Park? Get out there and visit one of your local amusement parks. Climb aboard the rides you loved as a child and eat your favorite foods to round out this outdoor bucket list.
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