Pennsylvania Attractions Guide

Philadelphia

The birthplace of American independence is one of the country's most history-rich cities.

• Liberty Bell — The cracked icon of American freedom, displayed free of charge at the Liberty Bell Center in Independence National Historical Park.
• Independence Hall — Where both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated and signed; guided tours run daily.
• Philadelphia Museum of Art — Home to world-class collections, and famous for the "Rocky Steps" leading up to its entrance.
• Reading Terminal Market — One of America's great public food markets, with over 80 vendors serving everything from Pennsylvania Dutch pretzels to roast pork sandwiches.

Pittsburgh

The Steel City has reinvented itself as a hub of arts, green spaces, and riverside life.

• Andy Warhol Museum — The largest museum in the U.S. dedicated to a single artist, holding the most extensive collection of the Pittsburgh-born pop art icon's work.
• Duquesne Incline — A 19th-century cable car that climbs Mount Washington for the classic postcard view of downtown Pittsburgh and its three rivers.
• Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens — A Victorian glasshouse in Schenley Park filled with tropical plants, orchids, and seasonal flower shows.

Gettysburg

The site of the Civil War's most famous battle is one of America's most visited historic landscapes.

• Gettysburg National Military Park — Over 6,000 acres of battlefields, monuments, and the famous Cyclorama painting, with a superb visitor center museum.
• Gettysburg National Cemetery — The final resting place of over 3,500 Union soldiers and the site where Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address.

Hershey

"The Sweetest Place on Earth" is a company town built around chocolate — and genuinely fun for all ages.

• Hersheypark — A full-scale amusement park with 70+ rides including 15 roller coasters, plus a water park (The Boardwalk) in summer.
• Hershey's Chocolate World — Free chocolate-making tour ride, plus tastings, a 4D chocolate mystery show, and the world's largest Hershey's store.

Poconos

The Pocono Mountains are Pennsylvania's classic weekend-escape region: waterfalls, gorges, and small resort towns.

• Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area — 70,000 acres of forested ridges, river access, and hiking trails along the Delaware River (shared with New Jersey).
• Bushkill Falls — Nicknamed the "Niagara of Pennsylvania," a series of eight waterfalls connected by boardwalks and hiking trails through a scenic gorge.

Practical Tips

• Best season: Late spring through early fall (May–October) for the Poconos and Gettysburg; Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are great year-round, with festive Christmas markets in December.
• Getting around: Philadelphia is very walkable in the historic center and has the SEPTA subway/trolley system. For Gettysburg, Hershey, and the Poconos, a car is essential.
• Booking ahead: Hersheypark tickets are cheaper online in advance; Gettysburg battlefield guided tours (licensed guides ride in your car) book up on summer weekends.
• Combine regions: Philadelphia + Hershey + Gettysburg form a natural 3–4 day loop; Pittsburgh pairs well with a longer drive west.
• Food tip: Don't leave Philadelphia without a proper cheesesteak debate — locals swear by Pat's vs. Geno's, but Reading Terminal Market's options are arguably better.

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