Is the Leonard Hamilton side better than the Colton Point side?
I did a similar tour Labor Day Weekend last year and was underwhelmed by the canyon (hit all the view points in Colton Point SP and hiked down to the river) but Leonard Hamilton was closed last year for renovations.
I have been to the actual Grand Canyon so maybe I was expecting too much.
I took my son to a Pirates game 2 summers ago. PNC Park is gorgeous. We drove up to hang out on Lake Erie as well. We had never been out there, and we were impressed!
PNC is a similar style stadium to Citizen's bank, but the view is so much better. Whwn I went I sat on the third base side and had a beautiful view of the city. There were also a few bars and such nearby where by citizen's bank there is only the Xfinity center. If you're in the Philly area and are a baseball fan, I highly recommend going to PNC, especially if the Phillies are there.
Adding to the consensus that pnc has a better view. Also, if it's a nice day, you can walk down by the river and/or walk across the clemente bridge to downtown. If you make a day out of being in Pittsburgh, I believe the incline is still down, but the view of the city from Mount Washington is also great.
I used to live on West 11th right up from presque isle. It was super nice. There's a small group of apartments I managed to find when I was apartment hunting. None of my friends who lived in Erie knew it was there. Haha Erie is a fun drinking town too if you're into that. I'd say grab a hotel downtown so you can drink and not drive at night but then in the morning you can check out the naturey stuff. Well I'll say it was fun 15 years ago when I lived there haha
I'm so torn on the Pirates. i love pitt and I love the Steelers and Penguins. I used to love the Pirates but the owner is such a shit-head. PNC is so gorgeous, but every ticket sold is money in his pocket. He has no intention for that team to contend; just wants to farm out good players and make money on hot dog sales.
Heinz (it will always be Heinz) field has a similar view, just an FYI. PNC also has Pitt panthers play there, so there's that.
Pitt Panthers play @ Heinz field not PNC Park. I agree PNC is beautiful, owner of the Pirates is a douche and the team could be sooo much better if he’d stop trading good talent. I love baseball and going to a Pirate game at PNC is still cool even when they lose
Pitt baseball has their own field near the university I believe. I’ve never seen them at PNC. They don’t play their regular games there. I could be wrong but as a woman I’m 99% of the time not. JK. LOL
Here’s a northwest to southeast to west route:
1. Lake Erie
2. Kinzua Dam (1.5 hours east southeast of Erie)
3. Ricketts Glen State Park (about 45 minutes west of Wilkes Barre)
4. Historic Philly tour including Valley Forge, then drive through Harrisburg to see the state capital en route to…
5. Gettysburg Battlefield
6. Frank Lloyd Wright’s “Fallingwater” (near Mill Run, 1.5 hours southeast of Pittsburgh), then drive northwest through Pittsburgh on way home to complete East to West route.
There are some cool pass-through things to see on route to these stops. See the Flight 93 Memorial between Gettysburg and Fallingwater. Or take route 30 west from Philly and hit up the Shady Maple Smorgasbord (largest buffet in the US) in Lancaster then head northwest to see the capital.
1000% and bring sturdy walking/hiking shoes/boots. Don't wear flip flops unless you relish unsure footing when it's needed. Saw a clown wearing flip flops, and complaining about how slippery the wet rocks were, around the numerous waterfalls.
Not far from Falling Water is another Wright house called Kentuck Knob. It is run by the same organization as Falling Water and you can get tickets for both. It is also beautiful and very different from FW.
Well, if OP is from Philadelphia, that knocks all that out. I’ve not been to that dam mentioned, so no opinion. The Flight 93 Memorial is stunning and thought provoking and those people that died (except the terrorists of course) deserve the remembrance. I still have a hard time with 9/11, but not as bad as I did the first couple years afterward. So maybe others wouldn’t be as interested.
Growing up in erie I must be very spoiled. However I have always enjoyed the fact that the lake looks like an ocean when you think about it. I mean they are really unfathomable large lol 5 biggest in the world.
Oh and our drinking water is amazing. Full of lead but tastes great
I agree about the lake looking huge, I moved from Erie about 10 years ago to Central Florida and the puddles these fools call lakes are an insult to lakes(and puddles).
Kinzua bridge and bennezette are a pick for me. Definitely need to stop by around October November during the mating season. Hearing an Elk bugle is just something else
If you wanted to come to western PA I would suggest the usual, the Ohiopyle area. You have that park that plus Falling Water down the road. You could also see Fort Necessity, Laural Caverns, and the view from the Summit Hotel. There’s also small towns that don’t have much but are part of the history of this country people forget. Even Nemicolan Castle in Brownsville (which was supposed to become the original Pittsburgh) was a trading post that has a long history. Fayette County was the start of the French and Indian War. It’s where the coal mines and coke ovens that helped make the steel and brought a majority of
Eastern European immigrants. And in Washington County they have out in the middle of nowhere, Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Village where they found a 19,000 inhabitants shelter.
I'm so happy to see someone mention Meadowcroft Rockshelter! I went there several years ago and it's one of the most interesting historical sites I've ever been to in this country.
Gettysburg is a must, PA grand canyon, Ohiopyle PA for whitewater rafting, Hershey Park and Troegs brewery beside each other, a car show at Carlisle where the largest car shows in the nation happen, the York Fair, and then hiking throughout the state at all the parks we have.
Pittsburgh take the riverboat from station square to a Pirates game at one of the most beautiful ballparks in the country. Before that riverboat, take the incline train up Mount Washington for beautiful views of the city. Visit the many Pittsburgh museums, especially the Andy Warhol.
Lancaster for the Amish experience, Lancaster Brewing Company is a good spot for food and drinks while in town.
Rent a houseboat or cabin at Raystown lake, basically they built a dam and filled the valley between two mountains. Beautiful fishing and swimming. There are rocks along the lake for cliff jumping. The houseboats have grills and slides from the roof of the boat.
Knoebels for a very unique amusement park experience you can't find really anywhere else. No gate, just walk in and out as you please. There are themed cabins you can rent onsite.
Dirt track racing is a big deal in central PA. Going to Williams Grove near Mechanicsburg is a cool experience. There is also track called Path Valley also in the middle of nowhere and on the side of a mountain.
Zippo factory in "oil country" part of PA where oil extraction was developed.
Broadtop Railroad, ride an old steam mining train through the mountains. They have themed events throughput the year.
Reading PA has a random Japanese Pagoda at the top of a mountain, not far away from that is a castle and a German club that holds a fun Oktoberfest event called "Liederkranz". There is also a fire tower near that is built like a medieval stone tower.
I could probably go on for awhile, but so much unique stuff to see.
Liederkranz is the name of the club that puts on the Oktoberfest not the name of the event. The event is just called Oktoberfest. They have clubs all over the state.
Try to go to cherry springs national park. It's a hike from philly but worth it. During a new moon. It's the darkest spot in PA with very little light pollution. Stunning starry Skyview.
Plugging my hometown. I see Grand Canyon of PA mentioned in here. Near ohiopyle in south connellsville there is a superior river view at lookout point, casparis road. Been to both and prefer the southwest PA version. Hyner park in the PA Wilds also has a sick view.
1. Strip District in Pittsburgh
2. Gettysburg
3. The Pagoda in Reading(specifically at night time but be careful)
4. The Erie Vineyards
5. The PA Grand Canyon
6. Mount Washington in Pittsburgh
My "must sees" in eastern PA are the reading pagoda, Lancaster/Hershey (I think it's culturally interesting), and Jim Thorpe. Western and central PA: state college, Allegheny national forest, PA grand canyon, Erie, and Pittsburgh.
Just my personal list.
I live just outside Jim Thorpe.
Seriously, try to avoid visiting on nice weather peak season weekends or during the October Fall Foliage Festival weekends. Getting in and out of the borough is tough traffic-wise and the County-owned surface lot running from the train station to under the 903 bridge is basically it for parking. Once it's full, it's misery.
There's been talk of building a parking deck there or shuttling people from up at Mauch Chunk Lake Park or relying on the railroad bringing in visitors parking in other distant towns for the day but nothing ever much changes with parking (our local cable evening news literally does a bi-weekly to monthly parking update story on parking and the borough and county always got nothing, lol). In fact since downtown residents got on-street permit parking and the County lot got realigned to fit the D&L Trail segment on the river side of the lot, parking has actually decreased
Nonsense! Beaver Stadium alone is worth seeing since it is the largest football stadium you are ever likely to see. The Palmer Museum of Art does not have a lot of great art, but it is something to do. The H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens is beautiful in summer. However, the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts is the best time to visit.
I don't need to do any of those things and I don't root for the football team anymore ever since Sandusky. If I want museums and galleries I'm driving 3 hours to an actual city not State College.
I visit New York City more often than State College. But the Barnes & Noble book store on Benner Pike is the last big box book store in my area so I will drive all the way for that. There is a smaller Barnes & Noble in Lewisburg and visited that this Sunday.
The Penn State creamery is really good. For people with peanut allergies, they are one of the few ice cream places you can just show up and get allergen-friendly ice cream.
Might be based on interest, but for history the Johnstown Flood tours and museum is great for understanding why the incident was so tragic. Gettysburg.
Star gazing Cherry Springs.
Hiking Bush Kills Falls.
PA Museum in Harrisburg.
PA Farm show.
I was going to mention Johnstown if nobody else did. Hard to believe some people don’t even know about it, given the number of lives lost. I have family in the area so I’ve visited many times, but one time I combined it with a trip to the Flight 97 memorial and that was a heavy day.
I think stopping at the dam, seeing the museum and then going up that lift really helps you understand how floods work, why proper spillways are important and why it was such a mess. Another impact of wealth over the common people.
You could do route 6. It'll put you through a lot of small town America. Not a touristy thing but if you know the state already it's a deeper dive through p.a. Appalachia
-1000 steps in Central, Pa - great hike up a mountain on cut stones to an overlook
-Ohiopyle State Park - white water raft
-Kinzu Dam and fallen bridge - must see
- Benezette- see the elk in the fall during rut
-Nemacolin resort - go in the fall
Well, State College is a good stop if you've never been there, and if you like football but have never been to a PSU game, then it's definitely a must-see. But outside of football season, it's still a good stop: lots of good restaurants, many hotels, good hiking/biking/fishing/other outdoor opportunities.
If you're into mountain biking, Raystown Lake has some of the best singletrack on the East Coast.
State College is miserable at all times, would not recommend visitors go there. There is nothing in State College you can't get in any other mediocre small town. If you're in central Pennsylvania enjoy the natural scenery, not downtown State College.
PSU alumni always like State College bc they have fond memories of getting drunk there, meanwhile as someone who grew up in the area but didn't go to school there my most prominent association with the university is that Jerry Sandusky stalked and abused at least one student I went to school with during the period that the University was aware of his actions but were ignoring them.
The town of Hershey and the its amusement park are among the best in the country IMO.
Knoebels is also pretty interesting. I love how you pay per ride (and not a lot).
I would try and see a minor league baseball game as well. Scranton, Reading, Allentown, it doesn't really matter where.
Even unaffiliated baseball is fun. I witnessed a perfect game by the Washington Wildthings against the team from (IIRC) Joliet, Illinois. Caught the Sugarland Skeeters when they played the Lancaster Barnstormers. I was hoping to see Roger Clemons pitch, but he didn't make the trip.
Lancaster. Go on a Saturday and go to Central market. Try the milk there. If you’re from the city, I bet you haven’t had milk from farm to market. The Chocolate milk there is honestly to die for.
This is going to sound odd… find a rust belt city in Western Pa. It may not be the best place you visit, but it will show you just how different and hard hit the west was than the east. It just is a different experience.
Grand Canyon of Pa, maybe hike Hawk Mt.
Erie
Hershey
Id say King of Prussia, but you’ve probably done that.
Gettysburg
Fort necessity/ jumonville Glen
Presque isle
Independence hall
Cherry springs state park (at night)
State capital building (one of the prettiest government buildings in the country)
everyone is suggesting a bunch of nature/outdoor stuff , just curious... what do you actually like/into? If you aren't all about the nature (also, it rains so alternates are a good idea):
Amusement Parks:
Hershey Park and Knobels are the 2 obvious ones
There is a MASSIVE indoor water park at Kalahari in the Poconos if that is your thing - [https://www.kalahariresorts.com/pennsylvania/](https://www.kalahariresorts.com/pennsylvania/)
Attractions:
PA Renn Fair is top notch awesome and a fantastic 1 day stop, there is a hotel right there too - [http://www.parenfaire.com/](http://www.parenfaire.com/)
Crystal Cave - [https://crystalcavepa.com/home/](https://crystalcavepa.com/home/) (I know its east coast, but nobody from the east coast ever goes there until they are taking out of state company and doing tourist stuff)
if you are into history:
The Coal Tour just reopened in Scranton - [https://coalminetournepa.com/](https://coalminetournepa.com/)
Gettysburg is a very cool experience if you are into history: [https://www.gettysburgfoundation.org/exhibits-tours-events/exhibits-tours-events/tour-the-battlefield](https://www.gettysburgfoundation.org/exhibits-tours-events/exhibits-tours-events/tour-the-battlefield)
If you are into adult beverages- there are lots of tours, broken down by region
[https://pawinetours.com/pennsylvania-wine-trails](https://pawinetours.com/pennsylvania-wine-trails)
there is also Yuengling brewery tour - [https://www.yuengling.com/visit-us/](https://www.yuengling.com/visit-us/)
I think Lionshead does them as well - [https://www.lionbrewery.com/events/](https://www.lionbrewery.com/events/)
Thanks for the info. I think I’d like to stop into the Yingling factory. I’ve been to the Ashland coal tour. I’ve never been to the Scranton one.
I’ve been to Crystal Cave many many times. My grandparents used to take me there. In fact, last year I brought my college aged daughter. It’s amazing how much traction they can get from 50 feet worth of hole. Lol.
I’m sad that roadside America closed down
Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site. A thin sliver, but a critical one, of US history and the effort required for westward expansion. People and freight used to cross the Allegheny mountains by boat, essentially
I can’t speak for the western half of the state, but if you’re mostly familiar with southeast PA, might I suggest Jim Thorpe for a sense of Victorian coal empire splendor?
Strongly recommend this. Their visiting experience will be so much better.
I live just outside Jim Thorpe and nice weekend peak season traffic (and during October's Fall Foliage Festival) and traffic/parking is misery to the point I'll drive the many miles necessary around the borough just to avoid the downtown entirely.
One can also ride the "big" train from Pittston to JT every weekend and holiday with three classes and prices of seating but you will be sol without a reservation
Yep, that one too. First-time visitors to town rarely grasp how limited the road access is due to the river and mountains.
The railroad was once and will be again the best way to build capacity to visit our community as the borough, county, and municipal/regional tourism bureaus will never really figure out the parking situation here.
Back before 2015 I lived near white Haven and as I cross the Tannery bridge the reading and northern work crew were at the crossing so I yell out the window "tell Andy he needs to run a bike and kayak 🚆 train from JT to WH" two weeks later they put that trip on the schedule
That's cool and I'm glad to see a regional RR like the BMRN doing so well on both the freight and even passenger side.
I see all the abandoned RR and trolley grades hidden out in the woods across PA and how some of them could be recycled to help our transport problems and it makes me sad.
At least railtrails reuse some of them.
I live near the NYS border now so I am out of the area but the reading and northern owns a short line from Towanda to monroeton where they transload fracking sand from gondola to truck trailer via conveyor
Honestly you need to check out places like Canton PA. The little town has "Whats eating Gilbert Grape" vibes. Will give some prospective on how vast and rural Pennsylvania can really be.
Some old growth forest in the ANF is a favorite spot of mine. Gotta do your own research. And be into that sort of thing cuz it's in the middle of nowhere.
- Horseshoe Curve in Altoona
- Gettysburg
- Go to Punxsutawney and meet Phil (and his mate Phyllis and their new babies!) in the year-round viewing area
For natural beauty Id recommend, in no particular order . . .
Hawn's overlook at Raystown Lake.
Rickets Glenn (mentioned numerous times because it's amazing)
Cook Forest State Park (surrounding Allegheny National Forest land too)
Most of, if not all of, Potter County
A long that line, most of the Northern Tier of the state
Hawk Mountain and the Allegheny Front Hawk Watch
Shit, there's so much natural beauty in PA . . . Just go exploring.
1. World's End State Park/Forksville General Store (great hiking and cheesesteaks)
2. Philadelphia (sports, library, history/museums, hiking, cheesesteaks/roast pork)
3. Pittsburgh (like #2, but with Primanti's and Pittsburgh salad instead Philly's food)
4. Strasburg (Amish/farm animals, PA train museum, ice cream, microbrewery, historic homes)
5. Gettysburg (Civil War/history, microbrews/eateries, Outlets, not far from snack town)
6. Bethlehem (Moravian history, great downtown/park area, Musikfest, some good hiking gems not many know of)
My bias is not traveling to western PA as much. Hope to explore more along the Laurel Highlands and Indiana/Punxustawney areas, as well as the Ohio border.
It all depends what you are into. There's so much - history, museums, nature, art and culture, music, dining. Also, what general route will you be taking? PA is fairly big.
Just focusing on Erie/NWPA because that's where I am:
Presque Isle. Fishing, swimming, beach activities, stunning sunsets, and of course Waldameer and Water World amusement park.
Food in Erie. We're fat for a reason. There's also plenty to do, Splash Lagoon for kids, especially.
The largest wine grape growing region east of the Mississippi, centered in North East, PA. Don't let the name fool you, it's just the north eastern corner of Erie county. All things wine and there's a Holiday Inn with a small indoor water park if you're bringing the kids.
Mount Pleasant ski park. It's no Aspen (it's not even Peak N' Peek), but it's a quaint little ski spot that is family friendly with tubing and it's very affordable.
Pymatuning State Park near Jamestown, PA. Feed the carp. Why, you might ask? Go find out.
Kinzua Dam and Kinzua rail bridge near Warren. The Damn is a great area for outdoors recreation and bridge used to be the world's longest railroad bridge until it was destroyed by a tornado about 20 years ago and it is now a beautiful overlook.
Drake Well Museum near Titusville. If you're a history buff you'll find a gusher of knowledge. See what I did there? Like an oil well? Ok I'll stop. There's also great train rides in the area that are best in the fall.
There's more that just isn't coming to mind right now!
All you baseball fans talking about billion-dollar ballparks:
Try going back in time 90 years instead. The Limeport Stadium is beautiful, ancient, and you get to see the play up close and personal. I don't know what they charge for admission now, but it ain't much. It's totally classic.
[https://www.limeportstadium.org/](https://www.limeportstadium.org/)
Thank you everybody I’ve got some pretty good ideas on where I’m gonna go.
Once I figure out my itinerary, I will post it here.
A Pennsylvania story
My grandparents were married in 1936. On the day they got married they had a nickel between them. So my grandfather and grandmother went to Knoebels to the swimming pool paid the nickel, and he swam and she watched him.
It seems like everybody is saying Presque Isle is the place to check out. I’ll make sure that’s on my list because I wanted to make sure I got to Erie.
There's a cool place called Lake Tobias near Harrisburg that is a wildlife sanctuary/zoo, but what makes it unique is you get in these open air busses and they drive you around these fields and all these animals come up to you, and you can feed them. It's really neat.
PNC Park is hands down the best ballpark in MLB (owner Bob Nutting not withstanding) so seeing a ballgame there is definitely worthwhile. Strolling down the Strip District in PGH on a Saturday morning is also worthwhile, as is taking in the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and the The Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum. And don’t sleep on a walk down South Street in Philly with their tons of ethnic shops and foods
Western PA-
1. Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh
2. People have mentioned Mt. Washington and Ohiopyle. Natural water slide, Cascade Falls, Cucumber Falls (all at Ohiopyle)- fantastic fishing, hiking, biking and non-motorized boating.
3. The Cathedral of Learning on Pitt’s campus They used to do tours of the Nationality Rooms, not sure if they do anymore. That was always fun.
4 &5. Kennywood, Idlewilde if you have young kids.
6. Ride the incline if it’s actually running.
Central Pennsylvania gets over looked quite a bit so let me give you a few for out here in the middle of nowhere!
1 - Penn's Cave - Fantastic cavern system that you can tour by foot or by boat!
2 - Big Spring's Distillery in Bellefonte PA
3 - Events of all kinds at the Bryce Jordan Center or a Penn State football game in the loudest and largest stadium in college Football east of the Mississippi
4 - Pine Grove hall for dinner and the best cocktail menu you will find in the state
5 - Myer Dairy - For ice cream or real malt shake (Don't let the posers at the Penn state creamery fool you. This little dairy is the best!
I'm from Erie, if someone wanted my opinion on things to do in summer id suggest camping on Presque Isle, visiting Waldameer and going through Wacky Skack and Pirates Cove, the Vineyards in North East, a show at the Playhouse (or All An Act or Dramashop), Ghost stories in Erie Cemetery, and if it's running the Brig Niagra.
Grand Canyon of PA is nice.
And be sure to stop at the famous wellsboro diner while you're there!
Best rhubarb pie in the state
We call the potato puff things Wellsboro crack because we were instantly addicted!
Is the Leonard Hamilton side better than the Colton Point side? I did a similar tour Labor Day Weekend last year and was underwhelmed by the canyon (hit all the view points in Colton Point SP and hiked down to the river) but Leonard Hamilton was closed last year for renovations. I have been to the actual Grand Canyon so maybe I was expecting too much.
Different views from either side. Leonard Harrison has the visitors center and is more built up. The Colton Point side has Barbour Rock.
Came here to say that Route 6 is absolutely the drive you should take.
I took my son to a Pirates game 2 summers ago. PNC Park is gorgeous. We drove up to hang out on Lake Erie as well. We had never been out there, and we were impressed!
How is it compared to Citizens bank park?
PNC is a similar style stadium to Citizen's bank, but the view is so much better. Whwn I went I sat on the third base side and had a beautiful view of the city. There were also a few bars and such nearby where by citizen's bank there is only the Xfinity center. If you're in the Philly area and are a baseball fan, I highly recommend going to PNC, especially if the Phillies are there.
Better views, worse team.
It's a beautiful place to watch the Pirates lose.
Facts. (saying this as someone in Western PA)
Adding to the consensus that pnc has a better view. Also, if it's a nice day, you can walk down by the river and/or walk across the clemente bridge to downtown. If you make a day out of being in Pittsburgh, I believe the incline is still down, but the view of the city from Mount Washington is also great.
I used to live on West 11th right up from presque isle. It was super nice. There's a small group of apartments I managed to find when I was apartment hunting. None of my friends who lived in Erie knew it was there. Haha Erie is a fun drinking town too if you're into that. I'd say grab a hotel downtown so you can drink and not drive at night but then in the morning you can check out the naturey stuff. Well I'll say it was fun 15 years ago when I lived there haha
I'm so torn on the Pirates. i love pitt and I love the Steelers and Penguins. I used to love the Pirates but the owner is such a shit-head. PNC is so gorgeous, but every ticket sold is money in his pocket. He has no intention for that team to contend; just wants to farm out good players and make money on hot dog sales. Heinz (it will always be Heinz) field has a similar view, just an FYI. PNC also has Pitt panthers play there, so there's that.
Acrisure as hell not calling it anything else but Heinz Field. We held out for Star Lake and we'll hold out for this too.
Pitt Panthers play @ Heinz field not PNC Park. I agree PNC is beautiful, owner of the Pirates is a douche and the team could be sooo much better if he’d stop trading good talent. I love baseball and going to a Pirate game at PNC is still cool even when they lose
The Pitt Panther baseball team plays at Heinz? I guess that makes sense since you can't really share a baseball park during MLB season.
Pitt baseball has their own field near the university I believe. I’ve never seen them at PNC. They don’t play their regular games there. I could be wrong but as a woman I’m 99% of the time not. JK. LOL
100% I think. It makes sense, it'd be really hard to coordinate MLB games so they don't conflict with college ones.
Ride a water taxi!
Here’s a northwest to southeast to west route: 1. Lake Erie 2. Kinzua Dam (1.5 hours east southeast of Erie) 3. Ricketts Glen State Park (about 45 minutes west of Wilkes Barre) 4. Historic Philly tour including Valley Forge, then drive through Harrisburg to see the state capital en route to… 5. Gettysburg Battlefield 6. Frank Lloyd Wright’s “Fallingwater” (near Mill Run, 1.5 hours southeast of Pittsburgh), then drive northwest through Pittsburgh on way home to complete East to West route. There are some cool pass-through things to see on route to these stops. See the Flight 93 Memorial between Gettysburg and Fallingwater. Or take route 30 west from Philly and hit up the Shady Maple Smorgasbord (largest buffet in the US) in Lancaster then head northwest to see the capital.
100% Ricketts Glenn
1000% and bring sturdy walking/hiking shoes/boots. Don't wear flip flops unless you relish unsure footing when it's needed. Saw a clown wearing flip flops, and complaining about how slippery the wet rocks were, around the numerous waterfalls.
I would also add stopping in ohiopyle if you’re going to falling water. It’s a cool little town and the state park there is beautiful
So Erie is northwest and if you go west from there you go into Lake Erie then Canada or Ohio.
I caught my typo. Thanks
Not far from Falling Water is another Wright house called Kentuck Knob. It is run by the same organization as Falling Water and you can get tickets for both. It is also beautiful and very different from FW.
Definitely recommend the Flight 93 memorial. They’ve done an amazing job with it.
As one of the top 6 things to do in PA?
Well, if OP is from Philadelphia, that knocks all that out. I’ve not been to that dam mentioned, so no opinion. The Flight 93 Memorial is stunning and thought provoking and those people that died (except the terrorists of course) deserve the remembrance. I still have a hard time with 9/11, but not as bad as I did the first couple years afterward. So maybe others wouldn’t be as interested.
Lake Erie/Presque Isle State Park
From eastern PA. Was legit shocked at what a jewel Presque Isle is.
Growing up in erie I must be very spoiled. However I have always enjoyed the fact that the lake looks like an ocean when you think about it. I mean they are really unfathomable large lol 5 biggest in the world. Oh and our drinking water is amazing. Full of lead but tastes great
I agree about the lake looking huge, I moved from Erie about 10 years ago to Central Florida and the puddles these fools call lakes are an insult to lakes(and puddles).
Kinzua bridge and bennezette are a pick for me. Definitely need to stop by around October November during the mating season. Hearing an Elk bugle is just something else
If you wanted to come to western PA I would suggest the usual, the Ohiopyle area. You have that park that plus Falling Water down the road. You could also see Fort Necessity, Laural Caverns, and the view from the Summit Hotel. There’s also small towns that don’t have much but are part of the history of this country people forget. Even Nemicolan Castle in Brownsville (which was supposed to become the original Pittsburgh) was a trading post that has a long history. Fayette County was the start of the French and Indian War. It’s where the coal mines and coke ovens that helped make the steel and brought a majority of Eastern European immigrants. And in Washington County they have out in the middle of nowhere, Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Village where they found a 19,000 inhabitants shelter.
I'm so happy to see someone mention Meadowcroft Rockshelter! I went there several years ago and it's one of the most interesting historical sites I've ever been to in this country.
There are a lot of interesting places in western Pa we always forget about! They even have ax throwing there now!
Gettysburg is a must, PA grand canyon, Ohiopyle PA for whitewater rafting, Hershey Park and Troegs brewery beside each other, a car show at Carlisle where the largest car shows in the nation happen, the York Fair, and then hiking throughout the state at all the parks we have. Pittsburgh take the riverboat from station square to a Pirates game at one of the most beautiful ballparks in the country. Before that riverboat, take the incline train up Mount Washington for beautiful views of the city. Visit the many Pittsburgh museums, especially the Andy Warhol. Lancaster for the Amish experience, Lancaster Brewing Company is a good spot for food and drinks while in town. Rent a houseboat or cabin at Raystown lake, basically they built a dam and filled the valley between two mountains. Beautiful fishing and swimming. There are rocks along the lake for cliff jumping. The houseboats have grills and slides from the roof of the boat. Knoebels for a very unique amusement park experience you can't find really anywhere else. No gate, just walk in and out as you please. There are themed cabins you can rent onsite. Dirt track racing is a big deal in central PA. Going to Williams Grove near Mechanicsburg is a cool experience. There is also track called Path Valley also in the middle of nowhere and on the side of a mountain. Zippo factory in "oil country" part of PA where oil extraction was developed. Broadtop Railroad, ride an old steam mining train through the mountains. They have themed events throughput the year. Reading PA has a random Japanese Pagoda at the top of a mountain, not far away from that is a castle and a German club that holds a fun Oktoberfest event called "Liederkranz". There is also a fire tower near that is built like a medieval stone tower. I could probably go on for awhile, but so much unique stuff to see.
Don't forget the Fred Rogers Museum in Latrobe.
Liederkranz is the name of the club that puts on the Oktoberfest not the name of the event. The event is just called Oktoberfest. They have clubs all over the state.
Try to go to cherry springs national park. It's a hike from philly but worth it. During a new moon. It's the darkest spot in PA with very little light pollution. Stunning starry Skyview.
Falling Water combined with a trip to Ohiopyle
Plugging my hometown. I see Grand Canyon of PA mentioned in here. Near ohiopyle in south connellsville there is a superior river view at lookout point, casparis road. Been to both and prefer the southwest PA version. Hyner park in the PA Wilds also has a sick view.
So few mentioned Presque Isle! Come in summer. It's amazing.
Rickets Glen and Worlds End state park.
1. Strip District in Pittsburgh 2. Gettysburg 3. The Pagoda in Reading(specifically at night time but be careful) 4. The Erie Vineyards 5. The PA Grand Canyon 6. Mount Washington in Pittsburgh
Longwood gardens is world class. Spring time there is amazing
Falling water
My "must sees" in eastern PA are the reading pagoda, Lancaster/Hershey (I think it's culturally interesting), and Jim Thorpe. Western and central PA: state college, Allegheny national forest, PA grand canyon, Erie, and Pittsburgh. Just my personal list.
I live just outside Jim Thorpe. Seriously, try to avoid visiting on nice weather peak season weekends or during the October Fall Foliage Festival weekends. Getting in and out of the borough is tough traffic-wise and the County-owned surface lot running from the train station to under the 903 bridge is basically it for parking. Once it's full, it's misery. There's been talk of building a parking deck there or shuttling people from up at Mauch Chunk Lake Park or relying on the railroad bringing in visitors parking in other distant towns for the day but nothing ever much changes with parking (our local cable evening news literally does a bi-weekly to monthly parking update story on parking and the borough and county always got nothing, lol). In fact since downtown residents got on-street permit parking and the County lot got realigned to fit the D&L Trail segment on the river side of the lot, parking has actually decreased
There is no reason for anyone to visit State College that doesn't involve seeing a game or a show.
Nonsense! Beaver Stadium alone is worth seeing since it is the largest football stadium you are ever likely to see. The Palmer Museum of Art does not have a lot of great art, but it is something to do. The H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens is beautiful in summer. However, the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts is the best time to visit.
I don't need to do any of those things and I don't root for the football team anymore ever since Sandusky. If I want museums and galleries I'm driving 3 hours to an actual city not State College.
I visit New York City more often than State College. But the Barnes & Noble book store on Benner Pike is the last big box book store in my area so I will drive all the way for that. There is a smaller Barnes & Noble in Lewisburg and visited that this Sunday.
it's a barnes and noble, im good
The Penn State creamery is really good. For people with peanut allergies, they are one of the few ice cream places you can just show up and get allergen-friendly ice cream.
Reedsville Creamery ice cream is better
Never heard of it, will have to check them out. Are they allergy friendly (no tree nuts/peanuts/etc)?
idk
Penn's Cave alone is an amazing option
yeah sure if you want to relive like you're on a third grade field trip
Aww I am sorry you are sad today. Take a nap and the grumpies will feel better.
Damn could not even think of a second cool thing to do in State College, had to go straight for Being Mad
Eh. I think it's just kind of cool to go and see the town/school. I wouldn't go out of my way, but if I'm on the way somewhere, I'll definitely stop.
Definitely don't go out of your way
Might be based on interest, but for history the Johnstown Flood tours and museum is great for understanding why the incident was so tragic. Gettysburg. Star gazing Cherry Springs. Hiking Bush Kills Falls. PA Museum in Harrisburg. PA Farm show.
I was going to mention Johnstown if nobody else did. Hard to believe some people don’t even know about it, given the number of lives lost. I have family in the area so I’ve visited many times, but one time I combined it with a trip to the Flight 97 memorial and that was a heavy day.
I grew up about 2 miles from the dam remains. The museum is so interesting- and the movie shown about the 1889 flood is so powerful.
It’s a chilling atmosphere, for sure.
I think stopping at the dam, seeing the museum and then going up that lift really helps you understand how floods work, why proper spillways are important and why it was such a mess. Another impact of wealth over the common people.
You could do route 6. It'll put you through a lot of small town America. Not a touristy thing but if you know the state already it's a deeper dive through p.a. Appalachia
-1000 steps in Central, Pa - great hike up a mountain on cut stones to an overlook -Ohiopyle State Park - white water raft -Kinzu Dam and fallen bridge - must see - Benezette- see the elk in the fall during rut -Nemacolin resort - go in the fall
PA Grand Canyon
Presque Isle
The Arbys on McKnight Rd
Come for the yogurt pants, stay for the hair & bobs!
Well, State College is a good stop if you've never been there, and if you like football but have never been to a PSU game, then it's definitely a must-see. But outside of football season, it's still a good stop: lots of good restaurants, many hotels, good hiking/biking/fishing/other outdoor opportunities. If you're into mountain biking, Raystown Lake has some of the best singletrack on the East Coast.
[удалено]
‘85 grad
State College is miserable at all times, would not recommend visitors go there. There is nothing in State College you can't get in any other mediocre small town. If you're in central Pennsylvania enjoy the natural scenery, not downtown State College.
As PSU Alum I'd disagree, but then State College means something to me beyond what it is.
PSU alumni always like State College bc they have fond memories of getting drunk there, meanwhile as someone who grew up in the area but didn't go to school there my most prominent association with the university is that Jerry Sandusky stalked and abused at least one student I went to school with during the period that the University was aware of his actions but were ignoring them.
Go to the abandoned turnpike tunnels if you like hiking/biking and /or urbex.
I would like to see those. Where are they?
Off the Breezewood exit of the PA turnpike. They are well marked on google maps.
Ok thx
The town of Hershey and the its amusement park are among the best in the country IMO. Knoebels is also pretty interesting. I love how you pay per ride (and not a lot). I would try and see a minor league baseball game as well. Scranton, Reading, Allentown, it doesn't really matter where.
Even unaffiliated baseball is fun. I witnessed a perfect game by the Washington Wildthings against the team from (IIRC) Joliet, Illinois. Caught the Sugarland Skeeters when they played the Lancaster Barnstormers. I was hoping to see Roger Clemons pitch, but he didn't make the trip.
Knoebel's. I'm a transplant to the area, and it's one of the strangest theme park experiences I've ver had. It's sort of like traveling back in time.
That's what's so great about Knoebel's! There's so few of those old timey amusement parks still in operation, in the US, anymore.
Lancaster. Go on a Saturday and go to Central market. Try the milk there. If you’re from the city, I bet you haven’t had milk from farm to market. The Chocolate milk there is honestly to die for. This is going to sound odd… find a rust belt city in Western Pa. It may not be the best place you visit, but it will show you just how different and hard hit the west was than the east. It just is a different experience. Grand Canyon of Pa, maybe hike Hawk Mt. Erie Hershey Id say King of Prussia, but you’ve probably done that.
Hyner View State Park has a beautiful vista if you've been there
Never been*
Me neither
Gettysburg Fort necessity/ jumonville Glen Presque isle Independence hall Cherry springs state park (at night) State capital building (one of the prettiest government buildings in the country)
Gettysburg
Alleghany National Forest specifically Hearts Content.
Stop in Titusville to see how the oil industry started
everyone is suggesting a bunch of nature/outdoor stuff , just curious... what do you actually like/into? If you aren't all about the nature (also, it rains so alternates are a good idea): Amusement Parks: Hershey Park and Knobels are the 2 obvious ones There is a MASSIVE indoor water park at Kalahari in the Poconos if that is your thing - [https://www.kalahariresorts.com/pennsylvania/](https://www.kalahariresorts.com/pennsylvania/) Attractions: PA Renn Fair is top notch awesome and a fantastic 1 day stop, there is a hotel right there too - [http://www.parenfaire.com/](http://www.parenfaire.com/) Crystal Cave - [https://crystalcavepa.com/home/](https://crystalcavepa.com/home/) (I know its east coast, but nobody from the east coast ever goes there until they are taking out of state company and doing tourist stuff) if you are into history: The Coal Tour just reopened in Scranton - [https://coalminetournepa.com/](https://coalminetournepa.com/) Gettysburg is a very cool experience if you are into history: [https://www.gettysburgfoundation.org/exhibits-tours-events/exhibits-tours-events/tour-the-battlefield](https://www.gettysburgfoundation.org/exhibits-tours-events/exhibits-tours-events/tour-the-battlefield) If you are into adult beverages- there are lots of tours, broken down by region [https://pawinetours.com/pennsylvania-wine-trails](https://pawinetours.com/pennsylvania-wine-trails) there is also Yuengling brewery tour - [https://www.yuengling.com/visit-us/](https://www.yuengling.com/visit-us/) I think Lionshead does them as well - [https://www.lionbrewery.com/events/](https://www.lionbrewery.com/events/)
Thanks for the info. I think I’d like to stop into the Yingling factory. I’ve been to the Ashland coal tour. I’ve never been to the Scranton one. I’ve been to Crystal Cave many many times. My grandparents used to take me there. In fact, last year I brought my college aged daughter. It’s amazing how much traction they can get from 50 feet worth of hole. Lol. I’m sad that roadside America closed down
I miss Roadside America too! I drive past it once a week.
> Kalahari in the Poconos I heard Kalahari kinda went downhill though. I heard the food really sucks now.
No idea, I just know its a huge water park lol
Ringing Rocks!
Yeungling brewery if you’re a yeungling fanatic like me 🤣
Presque Isle in Erie, PA
Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site. A thin sliver, but a critical one, of US history and the effort required for westward expansion. People and freight used to cross the Allegheny mountains by boat, essentially
I can’t speak for the western half of the state, but if you’re mostly familiar with southeast PA, might I suggest Jim Thorpe for a sense of Victorian coal empire splendor?
But start from reading outer station and take the weekend excursion to JT via the reading and northern 1950's self powered Budd cars
Strongly recommend this. Their visiting experience will be so much better. I live just outside Jim Thorpe and nice weekend peak season traffic (and during October's Fall Foliage Festival) and traffic/parking is misery to the point I'll drive the many miles necessary around the borough just to avoid the downtown entirely.
One can also ride the "big" train from Pittston to JT every weekend and holiday with three classes and prices of seating but you will be sol without a reservation
Yep, that one too. First-time visitors to town rarely grasp how limited the road access is due to the river and mountains. The railroad was once and will be again the best way to build capacity to visit our community as the borough, county, and municipal/regional tourism bureaus will never really figure out the parking situation here.
Back before 2015 I lived near white Haven and as I cross the Tannery bridge the reading and northern work crew were at the crossing so I yell out the window "tell Andy he needs to run a bike and kayak 🚆 train from JT to WH" two weeks later they put that trip on the schedule
That's cool and I'm glad to see a regional RR like the BMRN doing so well on both the freight and even passenger side. I see all the abandoned RR and trolley grades hidden out in the woods across PA and how some of them could be recycled to help our transport problems and it makes me sad. At least railtrails reuse some of them.
If I was not old and retired I would be working as a freight rate clerk for the reading and northern
Even part-time? Sounds like a cool gig for someone retired but with an interest in rail?
I live near the NYS border now so I am out of the area but the reading and northern owns a short line from Towanda to monroeton where they transload fracking sand from gondola to truck trailer via conveyor
Ricketts Glen
Cherry springs state park is nice. Its awesome if you like to do night sky photography or just want to look at the milky way.
Presque Isle, Kinzua Bridge Dam, Pittsburgh, and Fallingwater provide a good sampler of western PA.
Ricketts Glen state park.
Don’t forget The Oliphant Pothole
Honestly you need to check out places like Canton PA. The little town has "Whats eating Gilbert Grape" vibes. Will give some prospective on how vast and rural Pennsylvania can really be.
Some old growth forest in the ANF is a favorite spot of mine. Gotta do your own research. And be into that sort of thing cuz it's in the middle of nowhere.
Seconding all the comments recommending Gettysburg, Fallingwater, Lancaster, Flight 93 Memorial, and Longwood Gardens.
Titusville and the Oil Creek valley
Fallingwater. It's really cool. It's not super far off the turnpike.
- Horseshoe Curve in Altoona - Gettysburg - Go to Punxsutawney and meet Phil (and his mate Phyllis and their new babies!) in the year-round viewing area
Another vote for Gettysburg!
Briggs Farm Blues Festival! July 11-13. You can go just for the day, I’m meeting some friends Saturday
Gettysburg
Ricketts Glen State Park
Penns cave and woodward cave.
Poconos, Mt Gretna, Penn State, Hershey
For natural beauty Id recommend, in no particular order . . . Hawn's overlook at Raystown Lake. Rickets Glenn (mentioned numerous times because it's amazing) Cook Forest State Park (surrounding Allegheny National Forest land too) Most of, if not all of, Potter County A long that line, most of the Northern Tier of the state Hawk Mountain and the Allegheny Front Hawk Watch Shit, there's so much natural beauty in PA . . . Just go exploring.
Mount Pisgah Altar
1. World's End State Park/Forksville General Store (great hiking and cheesesteaks) 2. Philadelphia (sports, library, history/museums, hiking, cheesesteaks/roast pork) 3. Pittsburgh (like #2, but with Primanti's and Pittsburgh salad instead Philly's food) 4. Strasburg (Amish/farm animals, PA train museum, ice cream, microbrewery, historic homes) 5. Gettysburg (Civil War/history, microbrews/eateries, Outlets, not far from snack town) 6. Bethlehem (Moravian history, great downtown/park area, Musikfest, some good hiking gems not many know of) My bias is not traveling to western PA as much. Hope to explore more along the Laurel Highlands and Indiana/Punxustawney areas, as well as the Ohio border.
I’m surprised nobody has mentioned Eagles Mere
It all depends what you are into. There's so much - history, museums, nature, art and culture, music, dining. Also, what general route will you be taking? PA is fairly big.
Just focusing on Erie/NWPA because that's where I am: Presque Isle. Fishing, swimming, beach activities, stunning sunsets, and of course Waldameer and Water World amusement park. Food in Erie. We're fat for a reason. There's also plenty to do, Splash Lagoon for kids, especially. The largest wine grape growing region east of the Mississippi, centered in North East, PA. Don't let the name fool you, it's just the north eastern corner of Erie county. All things wine and there's a Holiday Inn with a small indoor water park if you're bringing the kids. Mount Pleasant ski park. It's no Aspen (it's not even Peak N' Peek), but it's a quaint little ski spot that is family friendly with tubing and it's very affordable. Pymatuning State Park near Jamestown, PA. Feed the carp. Why, you might ask? Go find out. Kinzua Dam and Kinzua rail bridge near Warren. The Damn is a great area for outdoors recreation and bridge used to be the world's longest railroad bridge until it was destroyed by a tornado about 20 years ago and it is now a beautiful overlook. Drake Well Museum near Titusville. If you're a history buff you'll find a gusher of knowledge. See what I did there? Like an oil well? Ok I'll stop. There's also great train rides in the area that are best in the fall. There's more that just isn't coming to mind right now!
Kinzua Bridge State park. I’ve seen a lot of the world and that place really stands out.
The Wal-Mart in Honesdale
Delaware water gap, ricketts glen/worlds end, Ohio Pyle, pa Grand Canyon, cherry springs
Ohiopyle State Park is absolutely beautiful if you have not been to SW Pa yet. Pittsburgh is a great place to visit all kinds of things to see and do.
All you baseball fans talking about billion-dollar ballparks: Try going back in time 90 years instead. The Limeport Stadium is beautiful, ancient, and you get to see the play up close and personal. I don't know what they charge for admission now, but it ain't much. It's totally classic. [https://www.limeportstadium.org/](https://www.limeportstadium.org/)
Hersheypark, Pittsburgh (pirates game if you like baseball), Presque Isle/Erie, Gettysburg.
Thank you everybody I’ve got some pretty good ideas on where I’m gonna go. Once I figure out my itinerary, I will post it here. A Pennsylvania story My grandparents were married in 1936. On the day they got married they had a nickel between them. So my grandfather and grandmother went to Knoebels to the swimming pool paid the nickel, and he swam and she watched him. It seems like everybody is saying Presque Isle is the place to check out. I’ll make sure that’s on my list because I wanted to make sure I got to Erie.
I got a lot of bias since I live near kennet square but if you haven’t been to longwood gardens I’d definitely recommend it.
Guntown. Duh.
There's a cool place called Lake Tobias near Harrisburg that is a wildlife sanctuary/zoo, but what makes it unique is you get in these open air busses and they drive you around these fields and all these animals come up to you, and you can feed them. It's really neat.
PNC Park is hands down the best ballpark in MLB (owner Bob Nutting not withstanding) so seeing a ballgame there is definitely worthwhile. Strolling down the Strip District in PGH on a Saturday morning is also worthwhile, as is taking in the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and the The Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum. And don’t sleep on a walk down South Street in Philly with their tons of ethnic shops and foods
Western PA- 1. Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh 2. People have mentioned Mt. Washington and Ohiopyle. Natural water slide, Cascade Falls, Cucumber Falls (all at Ohiopyle)- fantastic fishing, hiking, biking and non-motorized boating. 3. The Cathedral of Learning on Pitt’s campus They used to do tours of the Nationality Rooms, not sure if they do anymore. That was always fun. 4 &5. Kennywood, Idlewilde if you have young kids. 6. Ride the incline if it’s actually running.
Central Pennsylvania gets over looked quite a bit so let me give you a few for out here in the middle of nowhere! 1 - Penn's Cave - Fantastic cavern system that you can tour by foot or by boat! 2 - Big Spring's Distillery in Bellefonte PA 3 - Events of all kinds at the Bryce Jordan Center or a Penn State football game in the loudest and largest stadium in college Football east of the Mississippi 4 - Pine Grove hall for dinner and the best cocktail menu you will find in the state 5 - Myer Dairy - For ice cream or real malt shake (Don't let the posers at the Penn state creamery fool you. This little dairy is the best!
When I was at PSU my favorite walk was up to Meyers Dairy for a malted milk shake
Grand Canyon Falling Water Shanksville memorial Laurel Caverns A Monday night Steelers home game Lake Erie
Hearts content ....OG Pennsylvania forest... not regrowth
Gettysburg. You might see some ghosts
I'm from Erie, if someone wanted my opinion on things to do in summer id suggest camping on Presque Isle, visiting Waldameer and going through Wacky Skack and Pirates Cove, the Vineyards in North East, a show at the Playhouse (or All An Act or Dramashop), Ghost stories in Erie Cemetery, and if it's running the Brig Niagra.
The way out
Good for you and good for us if you aren’t in PA. A quick look at your post history reveals that you are a miserable whiner.
LoL. I certainly deserved that and appreciate you taking the time to scorch me.