Your guide to Pennsylvania
Top destinations in Pennsylvania
Gettysburg
Battlefields and military history abound in the town Gettysburg, located in the hills of Pennsylvania. But you’ll also find a city with a thriving cultural scene.
Lancaster
In the heart of Amish country, one of the oldest cities in the US is known for its farm stands, world-class food scene and welcoming red-brick neighbourhoods.
Philadelphia
Whether you come for the historic landmarks, the iconic cheesesteaks or to cheer on your favourite sports team, you’re guaranteed to fall in love with the ‘City of Brotherly Love’.
Pittsburgh
This former industrial powerhouse has transformed into one of America’s most fascinating cities, with must-see museums, world-class comfort food and a sports culture like nowhere else.
Pennsylvania: fast facts
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Currency | United States dollar ($) |
| Time zone | Philadelphia - UTC−5 (EST) and UTC−4 (EDT) |
| High season | May – October |
| Low season | January – March |
Pennsylvania highlights
Brush up on history
Pennsylvania is home to some of the country’s most famous historic monuments, from the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall to the National Constitution Center. But go beyond Philadelphia to find battlegrounds like Valley Forge National Historical Park and Gettysburg National Military Park. And explore traces of colonial history in Bethlehem’s Main Street and Moravian Church Settlements.
Visit the farmland
Outside Pennsylvania’s big cities, you’ll find a patchwork of rural farmland in Lancaster County, home to thriving Amish and Mennonite communities. Admire the area’s whitewashed farms and horse-drawn buggies, and stop by roadside stalls for fresh produce, baked goods and homemade root beer. While supporting local businesses is encouraged, avoid taking photographs of the Amish without their consent.
Catch a sporting event
Watching a game with the locals is one of the most fun things to do in Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh and Philadelphia are both home to some of professional sports’ most storied franchises, from the Steelers (American football) to the 76ers (basketball) to the Flyers (ice hockey). Love sports films? Run up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, made famous by the movie ‘Rocky.’
Things to do in Pennsylvania
Top attractions
Philadelphia’s Independence Hall is where the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were signed — tours include the Assembly Room where it all happened. And at Gettysburg National Military Park, join a ranger-led walk through the Civil War battlefield’s key sites. Love architecture? Head to the Laurel Highlands to visit UNESCO-listed Fallingwater, a home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Beaches
Pennsylvania offers some fun beaches around its lakes and reservoirs. Presque Isle State Park along Lake Erie has 13 beaches, including sandy stretches and surf spots. Families enjoy Foster Joseph Sayers Dam beach in Bald Eagle State Park with its playground and snack bar. Looking for a day of activities? Kayak, paddle board and water ski at Beltzville State Park’s beach.
Nature
From majestic waterfalls to scenic hiking trails, Pennsylvania doesn’t lack natural beauty. Head to Ricketts Glen State Park, known for its waterfalls, or spend a day at Ohiopyle State Park, which has natural waterslides. For wildlife, Hills Creek State Park is a great place to spot ospreys, loons and waterfowl. Visiting in winter? Hit the ski resorts in the Pocono Mountains.
Cuisine
No trip here is complete without biting into an authentic Philly cheesesteak. Expect long lines outside Pat’s King of Steaks in Philadelphia, where the sandwich was invented in 1930. It’s not all hoagie restaurants in Pennsylvania, though. Stop by an Amish food stand in Lancaster County for tasty treats like brown butter and molasses ‘shoofly pie’ and sourdough ‘friendship bread’.
Culture and museums
You could spend an entire trip just visiting the many monuments and museums in Pennsylvania. Discover some of the nation’s most iconic sites in Philadelphia’s Historic District’s Independence National Historical Park. And explore everything from natural history to science and art at Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Museums. If you have a sweet tooth, learn about America’s favourite chocolate at The Hershey Story Museum.
Nightlife
You’ll find some of the best nightlife in Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia’s Fishtown, where converted warehouses are packed with live music venues, speakeasies and trendy bars. In Pittsburgh, Lawrenceville blends divey taverns with offbeat comedy nights. And in State College, the downtown strip packs in student-friendly pubs, late-night pizza joints and bars hosting live bands most nights of the week.
Find the best time to visit Pennsylvania
Weather in Pennsylvania through the year
March – May: Mild temperatures and spring blooms make this the perfect season for visiting the Philadelphia Flower Show or hiking in the Pocono Mountains. Layer up and carry a light raincoat for occasional showers.
June – August: Warm, humid days call for boating and fishing on the Delaware River. Afternoon thunderstorms can pop up, so plan for museum days if the weather turns.
September – November: Look forward to cool, crisp days and vibrant autumnal foliage around Laurel Highlands and Ohiopyle State Park. Rainfall increases, making waterproofs a must.
December – February: Winters are cold, with snowy conditions and the chance of ice storms. Bundle up for festive events like Bethlehem’s ‘Christkindlmarkt’ (Christmas market).
Events in Pennsylvania
Mummers Parade (January): A New Year’s Day tradition for more than a century, this eccentric street parade features sequinned costumes, string bands and satirical skits winding through South Philadelphia.
Groundhog Day (February): Thousands gather at Gobbler’s Knob to see if groundhog Punxsutawney Phil predicts six more weeks of winter. Expect fireworks, folk music and a festive predawn countdown led by Phil’s tuxedoed handlers.
Musikfest (August): This 10-day music festival transforms the historic steel town of Bethlehem into a giant stage, with hundreds of free performances spanning indie rock to brass bands.
Bloomsburg Fair (September): Held annually since 1855, this sprawling county fair in Bloomsburg is known for its blue-ribbon baking, live music, carnival rides and food stalls.
Know before you go
Budget
The ‘Keystone State’ offers plenty of ways to visit on a budget, making an affordable visit to Pennsylvania very doable. Expect to pay around 20 US dollars ($) for a meal in a simple restaurant and less than $5 for a coffee. If you need to catch a taxi, a short ride will generally cost less than $10.
Health and safety
Pennsylvania summers can be hot and humid. Stay hydrated and take breaks in shaded areas when exploring outdoors. Mosquitoes and ticks are common in wooded and rural regions, so use repellent and check for ticks after hiking. In winter, icy pavements and roads can cause slip hazards. Wear proper footwear and drive carefully in snowy areas, using snow tyres if needed.
Free things to do
Antique engines and firefighting gear at the Fireman’s Hall Museum tell the story of Philadelphia’s first responders. In Harrisburg, the Riverfront Park is a go-to spot for Susquehanna River views and access to the Capital Area Greenbelt. For a day in the great outdoors, hike the trails in McConnells Mill State Park, home to waterfalls and a historic water-powered mill.
Family friendly
Hersheypark delivers chocolate-themed fun for all ages, with thrill-packed rollercoasters and water rides. On the shores of Lake Erie, Presque Isle State Park offers sandy beaches, bike trails and kid-friendly lagoons for paddling. The Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia lets younger children learn through play, with hands-on exhibits housed in a grand Beaux Arts–style building.
Getting around Pennsylvania
Public transport
Buses: Greyhound and Megabus run long-distance routes between cities such as Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Harrisburg. Local and regional transit agencies, including SEPTA in the southeast and Pittsburgh’s Regional Transit, provide bus connections throughout metro areas and surrounding suburbs.
Trains: Amtrak’s Keystone and Pennsylvanian lines link Philadelphia with Harrisburg, Pittsburgh and New York City. Within their metro areas, SEPTA handles regional rail around Philadelphia, while Pittsburgh’s light rail connects its neighbourhoods and downtown.
Boats: While there’s no statewide ferry system, river cruises operate seasonally in cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, offering scenic views along the Delaware, Allegheny and Monongahela rivers.
Domestic flights
Philadelphia International and Pittsburgh International are Pennsylvania’s major airports, offering frequent domestic flights to cities across the US. Smaller airports like Harrisburg, Lehigh Valley and Erie also provide regional services, mostly to East Coast hubs like New York, Boston and Washington, D.C.
Driving and car hire
Driving in Pennsylvania is generally safe and easy, with major interstates I-76, I-80 and I-95 connecting cities like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Harrisburg. If you’re on a slower pace, scenic byways wind through the Pocono Mountains and Lancaster’s Amish Country. In winter, snow and ice can affect road conditions, especially in the central and northern parts of the state.
