While Pennsylvania is home to well-known tourist attractions such as Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, the state's varied regions provide a variety of less-known weekend escapes. Waterways are excellent for kayaking, woods are ideal for hiking, and the sky is wonderful for daytime hot air balloon flights and nighttime stargazing.
Pennsylvania's natural splendor allows you to experience the outdoors up close or from the comfort of a luxury resort's window. Your weekend vacation in Pennsylvania will be unforgettable, regardless of your preferred mode of exploration.
With this list of the finest weekend getaways in Pennsylvania, you can plan your next short vacation.
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1. The city of Pittsburgh
There are so many things to do in Pittsburgh that it's almost difficult to accomplish them all in a weekend. If you just have a few days, a creative tour like the Pittsburgh Art in Public Places Downtown Tour, 'Burgh Bits and Bites Food Tour, Architectural Walking Tour, River of Steel Heritage Tour, or Bike the Burgh Tour is a great way to see the city.
It's simple to plan a weekend in Pittsburgh around sports. You may watch an NFL game with the Pittsburgh Steelers, a baseball game with the Pittsburgh Pirates, or an ice hockey game with the Pittsburgh Penguins. When you're not at a game, the Heinz History Center-Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum and Engine House No. 25 both include collections of sports memorabilia.
Art lovers will be able to spend a weekend with distinctive pop culture. The Mattress Factory offers a one-of-a-kind art experience that will bring you in touch with your creative side, while the Andy Warhol Museum contains numerous originals from this famous American painter who was born in Pittsburgh. Watch how resident artists develop and install new contemporary artworks in front of the public.
Visit the Duquesne Incline, which takes you to the summit of Mount Washington via cable car, for the finest view of Pittsburgh. At dusk, when the city lights reflect off Pittsburgh's three rivers, it's the most beautiful time to visit.
2. The city of Philadelphia
To get the most of your weekend at America's birthplace, you'll need to prepare beforehand. If this is your first visit to Philadelphia, you should spend some time visiting the city's historic districts. The Independence National Historical Park, the Liberty Bell Center, the National Constitution Center, and the Betsy Ross House are all worth seeing. Elfreth's Alley is also well worth a visit. With brick pathways and buildings dating back between 1720 and 1830, it is America's oldest residential street.
The Philadelphia Zoo, America's first zoo, is a pleasant diversion from the city's historic surroundings. Zoo360, the world's first natural habitat system with mesh pathways that fully encircle you, is one of the zoo's distinctive animal viewing displays.
Without a question, the finest view of Philadelphia is from the One Liberty Observation Deck, which sits 57 stories above the city. The terrace is open 365 days a year, so you can easily incorporate it into your itinerary.
Pick up a Philadelphia CityPASS before you go to save money on attraction entrance and transit.
3. The Allegheny National Forest
Fill your weekend with outdoor activities in the Allegheny National Forest's Pennsylvania Wilds area. The forest's hiking paths vary in length from less than a mile to 201 miles. Cycling, ATV excursions, boating, fishing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, golf, horseback riding, and even skydiving are all possibilities in the forest.
You may spend days canoeing and kayaking on the Allegheny River. If you are unfamiliar with the river, guide services are available and highly recommended. Allegheny Outfitters provides watercraft rentals as well as guided adventure excursions led by local professionals. There are excursions for people of all ability levels.
Rent a cottage on the property or camp at one of the forest's 15 campsites. There is a picnic table and space for two cars at each campground. Reservations are simple with over 1,000 campsites available. Reserve a place at one of the five remote campsites that are only accessible by boat or hiking trails for a really unique camping experience.
4. Hershey
Hershey, Pennsylvania is known as the "sweetest spot on earth" for a reason. Because the city pays tribute to the chocolate empire at every turn, even down to the Hershey-Kiss-shaped street lights, you can satisfy your sweet need at every turn.
Hersheypark, which features over 70 rides and live entertainment, is one of the best things to do in Hershey. Summer is the ideal season to come since all of the attractions, including Hersheypark's Boardwalk, are open.
Hershey's Chocolate World, located next to Hersheypark, will keep you occupied for many hours as you learn about the history of Hershey's sweets via interactive displays and attractions. Take advantage of the free tours that conclude with chocolate sampling. As you stand with a larger-than-life Hershey's candy bar, be sure to grab a picture to take home.
If the weather permits, take a guided ride and tour around Chocolate Town, the USA on the Hershey Trolley Works. This is a pleasant trip conducted by amusing conductors who are well-versed in the rich history of this fascinating location.
The Spa at Hotel Hershey® is the highlight of Hershey, where you may rest with chocolate wraps and scrubs for many days. This is the perfect location for a romantic vacation or a solitary retreat.
5. Gettysburg
Gettysburg is famous for its Civil War battlefield tours and reenactments, but there are now more active ways to see the battlefields. You may take a guided tour of the town or pick up a map and go exploring on your own.
Pack your bike for a tour of the battlefield with GettysBike Tours, or take a bike ride around part of the 26-miles of roads in the Gettysburg National Military Park to get a taste of Pennsylvania's Dutch Country Roads. You may take a tour of the battlefield and Cemetery Ridge with a National Park Service Ranger for a more in-depth look at this piece of American history. Seasonally, the programs alter.
Take a midnight ghost tour with a visit at the Jennie Wade House, the house of the lone civilian fatality of the Battle of Gettysburg, for an unusual way to view the town. Enjoy the expanding culinary scene by eating lunch or supper at a restaurant that serves farm-to-table meals or period and historic food to fully immerse yourself in the destination's historic atmosphere.
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