Pennsylvania is one of the oldest and most historic states in the country; what’s more than that, it holds some of the most unique and fun attractions. In case you aren’t sure whether you’ve hit on everything essential or not, you can use this as a list of must-do things within the state. Have you done everything on the ultimate bucket list for Pennsylvania?
- Independence Hall, Philadelphia
Norman Maddeaux/ Flickr Lets begin our bucket list with some essential Philadelphian locations: it is, after all, the largest city in the state by far. Philadelphia has some of the richest history in the entire country, that you can visit at Independence Hall or the Liberty Bell in Philly.
- The Mütter Museum, Philadelphia
John Donges/ Flickr The medical collection of oddities here will keep you pondering long after your visit.
- Magic Gardens, Philadelphia
Jennifer Boyer/ Flickr You won’t believe the incredibly extensive mosaics in the Magic Gardens on the South Side of Philly.
- Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia
See-ming Lee/ Flickr The Eastern State Penitentiary is a huge historic institution that was the first modern prison in the world. It is also known for being incredibly haunted and for housing infamous inmates like Al Capone.
- Philadelphia Art Museum
steve eng/ Flickr One of the greatest art museums in the entire country can be found in Philadelphia; at the base of the steps you will see the famous Rocky statue, and inside you will see endless more famous artworks.
- Fallingwater, Mill Run
Wikimedia Commons Moving on from Philadelphia: Frank Lloyd Wright’s house that he built for the Kaufmann family draws in many tourists each year. It appears to levitate above a waterfall.
- Bushkill Falls
Jason/ Flickr Known as the Niagara Falls of Pennsylvania, Bushkill Falls is a breathtaking natural wonder.
- Gettsyburg Battlefield
Nicholas Raymond/ Flickr Gettysburg was the bloodiest battle of the Civil War and also the site of President Lincoln’s famous Gettysburg Address.
- Bethlehem Steel Stacks
Alan Stakey/ Flickr Pennsylvania steel was once famous for its utilization for buildings across the entire nation; mainly manufactured in Bethlehem and Pittsburgh, today these sites have memorials of the mills. The Steel Stacks in Bethlehem have been refurbished into an amazing, modern, beautiful entertainment complex replete with entertainment, restaurants, nightlife, and a nearby casino. Definitely worth a visit.
- Shankweiler’s Drive In, Orefield
Shankweiler’s Drive In/ Facebook The country’s first drive-in movie theater can be found in Orefield. It is a retro-feeling, fun, low-key activity that screams “Pennsylvania!”
- Haines Shoe House, Hallam
Beck Gusler/ Fickr Have you ever heard the rhyme about the little old lady who lives in a shoe? She must have been from Pennsylvania, because I don’t know where else you can find a shoe house.
- Pennsylvania’s Lady Liberty, Dauphin
Kurt Komoda/ Flickr Yes, only here do we have a miniature Statue of Liberty replica that stands in the middle of the Susquehanna River. Try to glimpse it as you pass near Dauphin on the highway.
- Columcille Megalith Park, Bangor
Nicholas A. Tonelli/ Flickr This is a hidden treasure within the state that’s well worth the visit: the peaceful, meditative park hidden in the forest near Bangor.
- Pine Creek Gorge
Jaime Dillen-Seibel The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania beckons with its marvelous vistas.
- Kecksburg UFO
T Sea/ Flickr A mysterious unidentified object fell from the sky in Kecksburg one day, and ever since it has been legend that aliens landed. Today, the memory is commemorated by a statue in the size and shape of the alleged UFO.
- Presque Isle Park, Erie
Ken Lund/ Flickr No one can call themselves a true Pennsylvanian unless they’ve visited the longest coastline in the state, found along Lake Erie on one of eleven beaches.
- Ricketts Glen State Park
Nicholas A. Tonelli/ Flickr Pennsylvania has many state parks— over 100—but Ricketts Glen is perhaps one of the most beautiful and popular.
- Lancaster County
Kim Davies/ Flickr Pennsylvania has a higher Amish population than anywhere else in the country, and the heart of Amish country is in Lancaster County. A visit here is vital to understanding the heart of PA.
- The Duquesne Incline, Pittsburgh
Zach Frailey/ Flickr A view like this one doesn’t come every day. Pittsburgh’s unique mountainous location and coal-mining history lends it to this sort of attraction; everyone must take the incline upon a first visit to the second largest city in Pennsylvania.
- Carnegie Natural History Museum, Pittsburgh
ctj71081/ Flickr One of the largest collections of dinosaur bones in the country lies interred on display in the Carnegie Museum. What’s even better is that when you purchase admission to this museum, you also gain access to the adjacent art museum.
- Carbon County Prison, Jim Thorpe
Wikimedia Commons The Carbon County Prison is famous for its haunted handprint; the mark left on the wall by a legendary Molly McGuire who was executed unfairly.
- Hershey’s Chocolate Factory, Hershey
Prayitno/ Flickr And finally, a trip to Hershey is essential in Pennsylvania. Not only a tour of the factory, but a trip to the amusement park is vital.
While we’ve covered many of the amazing things in Pennsylvania, we must have forgotten something. What would you add to this list? Share in the comments down below.
Norman Maddeaux/ Flickr
Lets begin our bucket list with some essential Philadelphian locations: it is, after all, the largest city in the state by far. Philadelphia has some of the richest history in the entire country, that you can visit at Independence Hall or the Liberty Bell in Philly.
John Donges/ Flickr
The medical collection of oddities here will keep you pondering long after your visit.
Jennifer Boyer/ Flickr
You won’t believe the incredibly extensive mosaics in the Magic Gardens on the South Side of Philly.
See-ming Lee/ Flickr
The Eastern State Penitentiary is a huge historic institution that was the first modern prison in the world. It is also known for being incredibly haunted and for housing infamous inmates like Al Capone.
steve eng/ Flickr
One of the greatest art museums in the entire country can be found in Philadelphia; at the base of the steps you will see the famous Rocky statue, and inside you will see endless more famous artworks.
Wikimedia Commons
Moving on from Philadelphia: Frank Lloyd Wright’s house that he built for the Kaufmann family draws in many tourists each year. It appears to levitate above a waterfall.
Jason/ Flickr
Known as the Niagara Falls of Pennsylvania, Bushkill Falls is a breathtaking natural wonder.
Nicholas Raymond/ Flickr
Gettysburg was the bloodiest battle of the Civil War and also the site of President Lincoln’s famous Gettysburg Address.
Alan Stakey/ Flickr
Pennsylvania steel was once famous for its utilization for buildings across the entire nation; mainly manufactured in Bethlehem and Pittsburgh, today these sites have memorials of the mills. The Steel Stacks in Bethlehem have been refurbished into an amazing, modern, beautiful entertainment complex replete with entertainment, restaurants, nightlife, and a nearby casino. Definitely worth a visit.
Shankweiler’s Drive In/ Facebook
The country’s first drive-in movie theater can be found in Orefield. It is a retro-feeling, fun, low-key activity that screams “Pennsylvania!”
Beck Gusler/ Fickr
Have you ever heard the rhyme about the little old lady who lives in a shoe? She must have been from Pennsylvania, because I don’t know where else you can find a shoe house.
Kurt Komoda/ Flickr
Yes, only here do we have a miniature Statue of Liberty replica that stands in the middle of the Susquehanna River. Try to glimpse it as you pass near Dauphin on the highway.
Nicholas A. Tonelli/ Flickr
This is a hidden treasure within the state that’s well worth the visit: the peaceful, meditative park hidden in the forest near Bangor.
Jaime Dillen-Seibel
The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania beckons with its marvelous vistas.
T Sea/ Flickr
A mysterious unidentified object fell from the sky in Kecksburg one day, and ever since it has been legend that aliens landed. Today, the memory is commemorated by a statue in the size and shape of the alleged UFO.
Ken Lund/ Flickr
No one can call themselves a true Pennsylvanian unless they’ve visited the longest coastline in the state, found along Lake Erie on one of eleven beaches.
Pennsylvania has many state parks— over 100—but Ricketts Glen is perhaps one of the most beautiful and popular.
Kim Davies/ Flickr
Pennsylvania has a higher Amish population than anywhere else in the country, and the heart of Amish country is in Lancaster County. A visit here is vital to understanding the heart of PA.
Zach Frailey/ Flickr
A view like this one doesn’t come every day. Pittsburgh’s unique mountainous location and coal-mining history lends it to this sort of attraction; everyone must take the incline upon a first visit to the second largest city in Pennsylvania.
ctj71081/ Flickr
One of the largest collections of dinosaur bones in the country lies interred on display in the Carnegie Museum. What’s even better is that when you purchase admission to this museum, you also gain access to the adjacent art museum.
The Carbon County Prison is famous for its haunted handprint; the mark left on the wall by a legendary Molly McGuire who was executed unfairly.
Prayitno/ Flickr
And finally, a trip to Hershey is essential in Pennsylvania. Not only a tour of the factory, but a trip to the amusement park is vital.
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