Top Attractions to Cover for Your Next Vacation in Pennsylvania!

Pennsylvania is home to several unique destinations, making it one of the must-visit places in America. From high-ranking medical facilities to welcoming environments, Pennsylvania is a beguiling host for visitors. In addition, Pennsylvania offers essential commodities and caters with the best accommodating options making your vacation luxurious and memorable.

The state is known for its crucial role in making America culturally rich and traditionally developed. Tourists can find several historical landmarks in their visit to Pennsylvania; from Liberty Bell to Valley Forge battle sites, it is filled with many attractions. There are several things to do in Pennsylvania if you are planning your vacation in the late spring. 

12 Must-Visit Places and Things to do in Pennsylvania

1. Independence National Park and the Liberty Bell
2. Hershey Park
3. Gettysburg National Military Park
4. Presque Isle State Park
5. Philadelphia Museum of Art
6. Fallingwater
7. Reading Terminal Market
8. Phipps Conservatory
9. Eastern State Penitentiary
10. Pennsylvania State Capitol
11. Andy Warhol Museum
12. Strasburg

Pennsylvania reflects unique Amish culture making it even more attractive for travelers. If you are hunting for a memorable and peaceful weekend and want to stay away from the hassle of your mundane life, visit Pennsylvania in May or June. But it is advised to avoid visiting there in winters as the temperature tends to go to its lowest and you might not be able to explore the best parts. Below mentioned are some of the destinations that you might not want to miss out on when in Pennsylvania:

1. Independence National Park and the Liberty Bell

• If you are a history lover, you will love this national treasure exhibited by Pennsylvania.
• Independence Hall is the main attraction and is capable enough to give goosebumps if you believe in patriotism. 
• The place is famous as the spot where the actual Constitution was drafted, and the place is surrounded by exhibits reflecting the proud history of America.

Best time to visit:

• The best time to visit the Independence national park is during the summer season, and the place experiences many tourists every summer.
• Liberty Bell is at its best during summer, and it is suggested to visit the center before 9 AM.

Option to reach:

The Independence National Park and the Liberty Bell is located at 526 Market Street. If you take public transportation, it can be easily accessed.

Average travel cost:

Visiting Independence National Park and the Liberty Bell requires no entry fee, and you can enjoy the 30-minute guide tour while you take a stroll in the center.

Weather info:

Summer offers a great time to explore the ecstasy of national parks and liberty centers. So, if you are planning your vacation to Pennsylvania and visiting the Independence National Park and the Liberty Bell, then plan your itinerary in the summer.

2. Hershey Park

• If you take your kids with you to Pennsylvania, add HersheyPark to your bucket list, as there are lots of activities and many things to do in Pennsylvania for kids. 
• The park has expanded over the years and provides a wide range of activities to get indulged in no matter your age group.
• Kids like this place because of the water rides, carousel, train, kiddie rides, and bumper car rides provided while maintaining the essential safety measures.

Best time to visit:

• You can visit HersheyPark any time you want, but March to November serves as an ideal time if you want to explore the park to the fullest.
• Considerably, weekdays are least crowded compared to weekends, so keep in mind the favorable day if you want no hassle.

Option to reach:

You can take the direct bus service of The Coaster Bus, operating from New York City to HersheyPark.

Average travel cost:

The average travel cost to spend while your weekend at Hershey is around $1500-1550 if you are traveling alone, $2500-2800 per couple, and if you are traveling with family, then consider spending $5000 for a family of 4.

Weather info:

Hershey experiences a considerable amount of precipitation in August, and winters at Hershey go as low as 22 with some inches of snow accumulation.

3. Gettysburg National Military Park

• Gettysburg National Military Park is the battlefield where the Civil War of 1863 took place, and around 51,000 sacrificed their lives in the battle.
• The park has several monuments and markers that increase the gracious look of the park.
• The place is a great attraction for people who like history and want to explore the bravery of America. 

Best time to visit:

• The best time to see the valor reflection of Gettysburg is between September and November or between March and May.
• Time period of June to August is considered as the peak season, so avoid these months to skip any exaggerated price elevation.

Option to reach

Gettysburg National Military Park remains open even in the pandemic situation, so if you want to reach the place, take the local transport, which is easily accessible.

Average travel cost

The average travel cost is considerably around $1850-1900 per person for seven days, $3400-3440 for couples, and $6400 if you visit your family.

Weather info

The town experiences cooler temperatures in the daytime, making it easy for travelers to explore the beauty of this place. 

4. Presque Isle State Park

• Presque Isle State Park is the best choice if you want to enjoy your weekend in a peaceful and hassle-free spot.
• The place is a great attraction for water sports lovers as you can indulge in several water activities, including surfing, swimming, jet-skiing, etc.
• You can enjoy the scenic views by reaching the top of the observation tower. 

Best time to visit

• If you have planned exciting things to do in Pennsylvania, then summer can be your best bet. 
• Also, if you wish to see snow, visit during the winter season as the park and lake are covered with sparkling white ice and snow, making your vacation even more beautiful.

Option to reach

Presque Isle Park is accessible by using PA 832 north and can be reached by boat. Roads connecting within the park are around 13 miles when measured lengthwise.

Average travel cost

The admission fee is zero to enter the park, so you can enjoy the sprawling beauty of the lake without spending any penny on it. 

Weather info

The chances of rainfall are 78% in July through September, so make sure if you want to avoid any precipitation and humidity, avoid these months.

5. Philadelphia Museum of Art

• The Philadelphia Museum is home to America's best of art and culture and is one of the must-visit places.
• The most exciting fact for action movie lovers is that the museum's front steps can be seen in the ‘Rocky’ movie series.
• The museum is endowed with a diverse range of art, including the featured work by Rembrandt, Matisse, Monet, Picasso, Renoir, and Manet.
• Also, one can witness the American textile and fashion culture, including the beauty of outdoor sculpture gardens.

Best time to visit:

Late spring and early fall can be excellent times of the year to plan your visit to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

If you wish to enjoy your excursion without paying any fee, consider visiting the museum on a Sunday. The place remains between 10 am to 5 pm, so you might want to begin early to end early!

Option to reach:

From Philadelphia downtown, the Philadelphia Museum of Art is around a three hours ride away. So, to enjoy a comfortable trip, it would be suggested to take local transportation or cover the distance using your vehicle.

Average travel cost:

The budget and expenses of visiting the Philadelphia Museum of Art depending on which day you are paying a visit. Typically, the short trip to the Philadelphia Museum of Art can cost you around $35-175.

Weather info:

If you plan your vacation to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, it is advisable to avoid peak winter and rainy seasons.

6. Fallingwater

Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Fallingwater is a very famous building known for its organic charm in architecture.

The main attraction of this place is Kauffman, the former resident family's home collections.

The property is adorned by the beauty of grandeur and intricate sculptures inside-out, including the impressive pieces of Mexican folk art, iron Buddha head, an Austrian-Bohemian Madonna, and the sculpture of Hindu fertility goddess Parvati.

From folk craft to designer chairs like the famous work of Picasso and Diego Rivera, everything is done, including the eclectic collection to furnish the home. 

Best time to visit:

The best time to visit Fallingwater is anytime! But if you still want to be cautious of extravagant expenses, consider choosing between spring or early summertime to pay a visit.

Option to reach:

The roads around Fallingwater are underdeveloped, and you might face some inconvenience if you are new to the place. You can hire a local transport after bargaining the travel price as per your suitability to cover the distance until Fallingwater.

Average travel cost:

Keeping aside the travel expenses, touring in and around Fallingwater can cost you up to $50.

Weather info:

January of Fallingwater is considered the coldest month, and June experiences high temperatures ranging between 85-95 degrees Fahrenheit.

7. Reading Terminal Market

Opened in 1893, Reading Terminal Market is a Philadelphia institution and known as a tourist attraction.

Close to the railway hub, there used to be an open-air market where farmers and fishermen used to sell goods before opening the market.

Tourists find this place an excellent place to get in touch with Philadelphia's local goods and items. The bud-smacking delicacies are a must-have in any of the restaurants at the Reading Terminal Market.

To keep the theme alive, visitors can find cookbooks, unique kitchen materials, and other favorite foods to make tourists enjoy their vacation.

Best time to visit:

May, June, September, and October can be your best bet if you want to experience the local life of Pennsylvania in its Reading Terminal Market. 

The market is open every day, but if you are visiting just for the Pennsylvania Dutch vendors, they officially stay closed on Sundays.

Option to reach:

You can take the public transportation, high-speed line from New Jersey, bus, rental cars, or your vehicle to reach your destination- the Reading Terminal Market.

Average travel cost:

There is no specific travel cost estimated for the travelers visiting the Reading Terminal Market. But, it is no harm to keep extra cash in your pocket to purchase something that might entice you on your way!

Weather info:

Visiting the Reading Terminal Market is advised around the late summer or early spring to avoid unnecessary heat and chilling winds freezing your hand. 

8. Phipps Conservatory

Facilitating over 15 acres, the Phipps Conservatory is one of the greenest buildings considered worldwide. 

The conservatory has 23 gardens, including around 14 glasshouse rooms sprawling in the botanical garden. The conservatory house is a commendable collection of rare-to-find bonsai trees and orchids.

Desert Room featuring cacti and Tropical Forest Conservatory are some of the many permanent environments included in the glasshouse.

Also, there are many exhibitions in the Phipps Conservatory, held every year to showcase the adorable beauty of seasonal flowers. 

Best time to visit:

The best time to visit the Phipps Conservatory is on Mondays and Tuesdays of late spring, late summer, or early fall.

Option to reach:

Just a few miles away from Pittsburg downtown, Phipps Conservatory can be reached using local transportation, which is easily accessible.

Average travel cost:

$15 is the estimated ticket price to enter the Phipps Conservatory; other than that, expenses would depend on the luxury of your trip.

Weather info:

There is a high chance of experiencing precipitation if you visit the place in and around September. It is suggested to visit during the early fall to avoid any weather inconveniences.

9. Eastern State Penitentiary

• Former American Prison of America, Eastern State Penitentiary is a stone building capable of giving goosebumps to the tourists with its architectural reforms.
• For travel photography lovers, this place is a fantastic spot to go with your camera. The ceilings and long corridors at this place make it a traditional spot for visitors.
• The cell housed infamous inmates like Al Capone and Willie Sutton, which was lavishly furnished, at that time, to imprison Capone.
• One can take assistance from tour guides to get a better understanding and in-depth interaction with the place.

Best time to visit:

Autumn is the best time to visit Eastern State Penitentiary with your family and loved ones. During this time, the place experiences a lesser crowd, and the charges also tend to go down.

Option to reach:

One can easily access the customized directions given on Google Maps. Also, one can access to Eastern State Penitentiary using the Trolley Works, Big Bus, the Phlash, etc.

Average travel cost:

Taking a tour at Eastern State Penitentiary can cost you around $12-$20.

Weather info:

To avoid any extra humidity on your skin, avoid visiting in late August. Also, winter at Eastern State Penitentiary is very chilling, and you cannot enjoy the gist of the place during the winter season.

10. Pennsylvania State Capitol 

The state capital Complex in Harrisburg covers around 45 acres, and houses and the government building are the best tourist attractions.

The capitol building is an attractive building of Vermont granite whose entrance gate is guarded by a pair of bronze doors. The building is a grand dome that the Rome Cathedral of St. Peter inspires. 

The visits to the Capitol Building can be scheduled in advance; visitors can make a reservation in advance. It is located on the complex grounds. It also includes the natural history planetarium, historical exhibits museum, a collection of the artifacts, and throughout the complex of historical buildings and the government building and many statues and memorials.

Best time to visit: The best suitable time to explore Pennsylvania State Capitol is in mid-June to late September for warm-weather activities. 

Option to reach: visit there by your own vehicle, or you can get there by taking public transportation.

Average travel cost: you have to spend $151 per day on vacation in Philadelphia

Weather info: June to September is considered warm weather and December to February as cold there. 

11. Andy Warhol Museum

The Andy Warhol Museum is located in the Pittsburgh; this museum offers an insightful view of the life of a great American Pop artist. You will see most of his famous work on display, including the Tomato Soup Cans and the Elvis portraits.

In addition to his art are displays related to his life from his early age through to the end of his life. 

Best time to visit: The best suitable time to visit Andy Warhol Museum is in a day anytime for only 2 hours, but if you only have a little time that is 1 hour or less than that, then you can scold some rooms.

Option to reach: You can easily reach there by your own vehicle; if you reach there by your vehicle, then you can easily park your car in the parking lot. The Museum parking is located one block north of the museum.

Average travel cost: The average travel cost is around $6 to get there. 

Weather Info: Hot Jazz and Andy Warhol museum at Rainy Weather, rainy weather is best to visit there. 

12. Strasburg

This small town is known for its Amish culture and railroad history. To explore this place, you can take a ride on the Strasburg Rail Road, which takes 45 minutes of scenic travel abroad on the county's oldest steam train.  

The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania displays historic railroad artifacts with more than 100 power rails and cars from the mid 19th and 20th C. 

Strasburg Is also known as the National Toy Train Museum, which has huge displays of model train collections from the 1800s till today.  

In keeping with the town's love for the train, Traintown USA features a 17000 square feet model of the train with animated figures and 22 other trains. Visitors can also stock up on their own models to get the hobby started up at the store. 

Best time to visit: The best suitable time to visit there is in the months of May to August and December 

Option to reach:  The visitor can reach star bug by train, bus, car, and flight. 

Average travel cost: A trip to Strasbourg for two individuals for one week charges around on average €1,548, which is $1,810.  

Weather info: The weather in May, August, and December will be pleasant temperatures, and you will see the festive cheer, respectively. July is considered the hottest month in Strasbourg, with the temperature being around 20°C. 

There are several things to do in Pennsylvania that you never want to miss out on. So do not waste any other minute to stall your travel plans and visit Pennsylvania as soon as possible to enjoy the best possible vacation.