Pennsylvania: This is the Best Small Town to Visit in the State

Author Anne Erickson

March 19th, 2023 9:09 AM

There’s something special and unique and the charm of a small town. Here in Pennsylvania, we have plenty of lovely small towns sprinkled throughout the state. One of my favorite things to do in the summer is drive around a discover a new favorite small town or village, especially on a sunny day.

TheCrazyTourist.com has put together a list of the best small towns in Pennsylvania to visit. They note that, “Pennsylvania is a state rich in history with incredible nature, busy big cities and friendly small towns.” They add that the state is not at a loss for small town, explaining, “From Pennsylvania Dutch Country to Lehigh Valley to the Poconos, there are so many towns to discover. All perfect for travelers who love to venture into unknown territory and see aspects of Pennsylvania that most of the world never gets a chance to.”

While they highlight a handful of exciting small areas throughout Pennsylvania, one stands above the rest, and it’s not too far from Philadelphia. Their pick for the best small town to visit in Pennsylvania is New Hope, which is less than an hour’s drive from Philly. Of New Hope, TheCrazyTourist.com states, “New Hope was once an industrial town but is now home to a thriving artist community with over 200 arts and crafts galleries to browse. There are also a variety of antique shops and family-owned restaurants to spend your time in. With its beautiful landscape and lively residents, it’s easy to understand why tourism is New Hope’s primary industry.” Find their full list of the best small towns to visit in the Keystone State here.

These Pennsylvania State Parks Will Take Your Breath Away

• Ohiopyle State Park

  https://pennsylvaniastateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/ohiopyle-state-park/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=PA&parkId=880211

• Cherry Springs State Park

  Cherry Springs State Park - Cherry Springs State Park

  The ultimate guide to Cherry Springs State Park in Coudersport PA, Potter County. Including lodging, stargazing, daytime activities and great restaurants.

• Presque Isle State Park

  https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/PresqueIsleStatePark/Pages/default.aspx

• Independence National Historical Park

  Independence National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service)

  The park represents the founding ideals of the nation, and preserves national and international symbols of freedom and democracy, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were both debated and signed inside Independence Hall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Kinzua Bridge State Park

  Kinzua Bridge State Park

  The 339-acre Kinzua Bridge State Park, located in McKean County, is the home of the reinvented Kinzua Viaduct. The Viaduct, once the longest and tallest railroad stru​cture at 2,053 feet long and 301 feet high, was partially destroyed by a tornado during 2003.

• Flight 93 National Memorial Park

  Flight 93 National Memorial (U.S. National Park Service)

  On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, the U.S. came under attack when four commercial airliners were hijacked and used to strike targets on the ground. Nearly 3,000 people tragically lost their lives. Because of the actions of the 40 passengers and crew aboard one of the planes, Flight 93, the attack on the U.S.

• Gettysburg National Military Park

  Gettysburg National Military Park (U.S. National Park Service)

  The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the Civil War, the Union victory that ended General Robert E. Lee's second and most ambitious invasion of the North. Often referred to as the "High Water Mark of the Rebellion", Gettysburg was the Civil War's bloodiest battle and was also the inspiration for President Abraham Lincoln's immortal "Gettysburg Address".

• Valley Forge National Historical Park

  Valley Forge National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service)

  Valley Forge is the encampment site of the Continental Army during the winter of 1777-1778. The park features 3,500 acres of meadows, woodlands, and monuments commemorating the sacrifices and perseverance of the Revolutionary War generation and honoring the power of people to pull together and overcome adversity during extraordinary times.

• Ricketts Glen State Park

  RICKETTS GLEN STATE PARK, PA

  Ricketts Glen harbors Glens Natural Area, a National Natural Landmark. Hike the Falls Trail System and explore the Glens, which boasts a series of wild, free-flowing waterfalls, each cascading through rock-strewn clefts in this ancient hillside.

• Hyner View State Park

  Hyner View State Park

  This small park features one of the nicest overlooks in DCNR's Bureau of State Parks and is popular for hang gliding. Hyner Run State Park is nearby. Hyner View State Park features a scenic vista and is a favorite spot for hang gliding.

• Pine Grove Furnace State Park

  PINE GROVE FURNACE STATE PARK, PA

  Steeped in natural and historical features, the 696-acre Pine Grove Furnace State Park is at the northern tip of the Blue Ridge Mountains, in an area known as South Mountain. Visitors enjoy many recreational opportunities, including two mountain lakes, Laurel Lake and Fuller Lake, hiking the Appalachian Trail, biking the rail trail, visiting the Appalachian Trail Museum and imagining when the park was a charcoal-fired iron furnace community.

• Allegheny National Forest

  Allegheny National Forest - Home

  Home Page

• Canoe Creek State Park

  CANOE CREEK STATE PARK, PA

  The beautiful, 958-acre Canoe Creek State Park features a 155-acre lake, wetlands, old fields and mature forests, which provide critical habitat for migrating birds and other wildlife. The lake is popular for fishing year-round.

• Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site

  Basic Information - Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service)

  The park is open on Federal Holidays with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day and Washington's Birthday. On days the park is closed, its historic buildings, parking lots, and visitor center (including restrooms) are unavailable for use, but its hiking trails (which interconnect with those of neighboring French Creek State Park) remain open.

• Marsh Creek State Park

  Marsh Creek State Park

  Marsh Creek State Park is in the rolling hills of north central Chester County. The 1,784-acre park contains the 535-acre Marsh Creek Lake, which is a wonderful resource for fishing, sailing, and migrating waterfowl. The park is open every day of the year, sunrise to sunset. Day use areas close at dusk.

• Bald Eagle State Park

  BALD EAGLE STATE PARK, PA

  The 5,900-acre Bald Eagle State Park is in the broad Bald Eagle Valley of northcentral Pennsylvania. The 1,730-acre lake laps the flanks of Bald Eagle Mountain, surrounded by forests, fields and wetlands.

• Hickory Run State Park

  HICKORY RUN STATE PARK, PA

  The 15,990-acre Hickory Run State Park, Carbon County, lies in the western foothills of the Pocono Mountains. This large park has over 40 miles of hiking trails, three state park natural areas and miles of trout streams.

• Lehigh Gorge State Park

  Lehigh Gorge State Park

  A deep, steep-walled gorge carved by a river, thick vegetation, rock outcroppings, and waterfalls characterize Lehigh Gorge State Park. In Luzerne and Carbon counties in eastern Pennsylvania, the park follows the Lehigh River from the outlet of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Francis E.

• Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

  Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service)

  Situated within the most densely populated region of the United States, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area provides a unique opportunity to experience tranquil landscapes, rich human history, and striking scenery along 40 miles of the longest free-flowing river east of the Mississippi. The park offers year-round recreation including hiking, paddling, fishing, and hunting.

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Author Anne Erickson

Category:

• Human Interest
• Local
• PA Local
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