Pennsylvania - Pennsylvania Travel Guide 2025
Pennsylvania Wilds (PW)
2024-11-28 12:42:17
Rugged, majestic, pristine — this spectacular stretch of wilderness is where the wild things roam: elk in the fields, bald eagles in the treetops, and trout in the cold streams. Gaze up at the night sky. The constellations are crystal clear here, where it’s so dark you can see the stardust of the Milky Way in the International Dark Sky Park. Take your pick from incredible adventures any way you want them: by foot, raft, horseback, mountain bike, horse-drawn wagon, or hang glider.
Strolling Through Wellsboro
Enjoy this historic small town surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Cozy up in the Victorian bed-and-breakfast La Belle Auberge, enjoy a massage at the on-site spa, and then stroll the gas lantern-lit boulevard of downtown. Find breakfast sandwiches, pancakes, and made-to-order omelets at Harland’s Family Style Restaurant, as well as craft beer, cocktails, and seasonal pub fare at The Roost. Shop for delicious chocolate pretzel bark at Highland Chocolates, kids’ games and graphic novels at Pop’s Culture Shoppe, and fashions at the family-owned Dunham’s Department Store. Get a dose of culture with art exhibits at Gmeiner Art & Cultural Center and live music at Deane Center for the Performing Arts.
Close Excursions
Colton Point State Park, Wellsboro
Minutes from downtown Wellsboro, see Pine Creek Gorge, also known as the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon.
World of Little League Museum, South Williamsport
Sports lovers won’t want to miss this comprehensive museum about Little League Baseball and Softball.
Pajama Factory, Williamsport
More than 100 artists, small businesses, and community organizations call this creative hub home.
Hiawatha Paddlewheel Riverboat, Williamsport
From May to October, hop on an old-fashioned paddlewheel boat to ride the scenic Susquehanna River.
Picturesque Parks of Potter County
Escape to one of Potter County’s many scenic state parks.
A haven for stargazers, Cherry Springs State Park in Coudersport is known for its exceptionally dark skies and breathtaking views of the Milky Way. Bring your telescope (and red-filter flashlight) to its Night Sky Public Viewing Area, and check the calendar for overnight star parties. At Lyman Run State Park in Galeton, enjoy the scenic lake, ideal for fishing, boating, and swimming. Then choose from 6 miles of trails for hiking and wildlife watching. For longer hikes (and backpacking), Patterson State Park connects to the 85-mile Susquehannock Trail System that traverses through the Pennsylvania Wilds. Stay the night at the rustic, first-come-first-serve campground. Denton Hill State Park in Ulysses is a popular location for cross-country skiing, as the trails link to the groomed 29-mile Denton Hill Cross-Country Ski Trail System; and in warmer months, enjoy hiking with scenic countryside views.
See Elk in the Wild
Aptly named, Elk State Forest is home to the largest free-roaming elk herd in northeastern United States. Keep an eye out for wildlife along Elk Scenic Drive, and pull over in Benezette at the Winslow Hill Elk Viewing Area, famed for its frequent elk sightings, especially during fall mating season. Learn more about these majestic creatures at Elk Country Visitor Center, where interactive exhibits and a 4-D theater feature educational experiences.
Want to stay among the creatures? Reserve a cozy cabin at Antler Shed Cabins or bring your RV to the waterfront Riverview Campsites.
Quaint Brockway
Get away to the picturesque town of Brockway, intersected by Little Toby Creek, and stay in a Victorian Queen Anne-style mansion dating to 1889 at The Maple Shade Mansion Bed & Breakfast. Pedal your bike or hike along the gravel-packed Clarion-Little Toby Trail, which follows the former Ridgway and Clearfield branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Just off the trail, you’ll come to Little Toby Swinging Bridge, which passes over the creek. If you’re traveling with kids, let them loose on the playground or pool at Taylor Memorial Park, and then stop for a gourmet pizza at Paesano Pizza.
Day Trips & More
Doolittle Station, DuBois
Dine in authentic rail cars, then explore the animatronic dinosaur museum.
Cook Forest Sawmill Center for the Arts, Cooksburg
Explore the summer craft market and watch live productions at the Sawmill Theatre.
Forest Ridge Cabins and Campgrounds, Marienville
Make a night of it at this spot with pet-friendly cabins, private hot tubs, and a heated swimming pool.
Explore Smethport
Take in the grandeur of this historic mountain village as you follow a self-guided walking tour of Smethport Mansion District, showcasing more than 30 properties. Explore the displays of the McKean County Historical Society, housed in the original jailhouse (considered one of Pennsylvania’s most haunted places). Enjoy coffee, tea, and breakfast wraps at The Hubber Cafe, then stroll along Marvin Creek at the peaceful Hamlin Lake Park or get a thrill watching motorsports at McKean County Raceway.
SIDE TRIP: Punxsutawney
Home to the world-famous prognosticating groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, this quirky town will host the annual Groundhog Day ceremony on Feb. 2, 2025 at Gobbler’s Knob, with festivities and entertainment at Barclay Square. Learn the backstory of this event at The Gobbler’s Knob Visitor Center. While you’re in “The Weather Capital of the World,” explore the exhibits at the Punxsutawney Weather Discovery Center.
More History in Bradford
Cherish true American craftsmanship when you learn about the history of Zippo lighters and Case knives at the Zippo/Case Museum & Flagship Store. Or explore the lives of legendary opera, classical, and jazz musicians at the Marilyn Horne Museum and Exhibit Center.
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