Between the bookend cities of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh sit a plethora of charming towns. Unfortunately, with all there is to do and to see in our beautiful state, some of those towns don’t get the attention they deserve. Back in January of 2016, we highlighted some of the most underrated towns in Pennsylvania. Here are 10 more underrated towns in Pennsylvania, many of which were suggested by OIYS readers.
- Jersey Shore
Flickr/Jerry Dincher Just 15 miles from Williamsport, Jersey Shore sits along the Susquehanna River with a little over 4,300 people calling the charming town home. The quaint town features an Historic District and a variety of restaurants, including The Shore Diner and Tiadaghton Inn. Plan a visit to Jersey Shore for the Jersey Shore Historic District Walking Tour, set for June 3 at 7 p.m.
- Clearfield
Flickr/Jon Dawson Clearfield, with a population of over 6,000, is perhaps best known for the popular Clearfield County Fair. The fair, now in its 157th year, features traditional fair rides, games, and booths as well as a full menu of events, including the Fair Queen Competition, trucks and tractor pulls, and concerts. The fair will run from July 30 to August 5, 2017.
- Foxburg
Flickr/Jon Dawson The tiny town of Foxburg, population under 200, snuggles against the Allegheny River in Western Pennsylvania. Rent a bicycle to explore Foxburg for the day. Go wine tasting at Foxburg Wine Cellars or shoot a round of golf at Foxburg Golf Course & Country Club. Visit Foxburg during its annual Foxburg Food, Art, and Wine Festival on October 8, 2017.
- Mt. Gretna
Facebook/The Gretna Emporium The picturesque town of Mount Gretna, home to 200, promises plenty to do in a fairy tale setting. Shop at the Gretna Emporium. Lounge at the Mt. Gretna Lake and Beach. Or, go roller skating at the Mt. Gretna Roller Rink before having an old-fashioned ice cream treat at the Jigger Shop. The enchanting town hosts the Mt. Gretna Outdoor Art Show August 19 and 20, 2017.
- Montrose
Flickr/Doug Kerr Montrose, less than 40 miles from Scranton, boasts a long history dating back to 1812. Home to a little more than 1,400 residents, the quaint town features a charming main street and the breathtaking Salt Springs State Park. Stop by Montrose for its annual 4th of July Celebration this year. The day’s events include a parade, a family fun run, a 5K, vendors, and fireworks.
- Smethport
Flickr/David Casteel Home to Hamlin Lake Park, the beautiful town of Smethport claims a population of just over 1,600. Spend the day at the picturesque park, where you can go fishing, swimming, or boating in the lake. The park also features a swimming pool and plenty of space for leisurely picnics and playing sports. Visit Smethport for the annual McKean County Fair, slated for August 13-19, 2017. The fair features a full menu of events, including drag racing, tractor pulls, a demolition derby, and an old-fashioned carnival.
- Columbia
Flickr/Diehl The largest of our underrated towns in Pennsylvania, with a population of over 10,000, the enchanting town of Columbia offers plenty to do for visitors, including the Turkey Hill Experience, Wright’s Ferry Mansion, and a plethora of antique stores for aniquers. Columbia celebrates National Trails Day on June 3, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Duncannon
Wikipedia/Dincher Founded in the late 1700s, the quaint Duncannon has nearly 1,500 residents and promises plenty to do. Engage in an old-fashioned experience with a visit to The Old Sled Works, an old-fashioned soda fountain. Go wine tasting at Buddy Boy Winery and Vineyard or grab a bite to eat at the Doyle Hotel. Stop by Duncannon for the community-wide yard sale, set for June 3 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Kutztown
Flickr/A. Velik Not far from Allentown and Reading, Kutztown lays claim to approximately 5,000 residents. Plan to spend plenty of time in Kutztown so you can visit Crystal Cave, Pinnacle Ridge Winery, and Renningers Antiques and Farmers Market. Kutztown celebrates the 68th Annual Kutztown Folk Festival from July 1-9, 2017. The popular festival features a variety of vendors, selling crafts, antiques, quilts, and food. A full schedule of entertainment and children’s activities is also planned.
- Media
Facebook/Visit Media PA Only 13 miles from Philadelphia, Media boasts a population of over 5,300. The town, which dates back to 1850, offers a range of places to visit, including Ridley Creek State Park, Tyler Arboretum, Pennsylvania’s Veteran Museum, and Linvilla Orchards. Visit Media for the American Music Festival Series, which runs throughout 2017 and includes the 17th Annual State Street Blues Stroll on June 10, 2017 from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.
These underrated towns in Pennsylvania certainly deserve a visit at least once. Which are your favorite? Share your thoughts below!
Flickr/Jerry Dincher
Just 15 miles from Williamsport, Jersey Shore sits along the Susquehanna River with a little over 4,300 people calling the charming town home. The quaint town features an Historic District and a variety of restaurants, including The Shore Diner and Tiadaghton Inn. Plan a visit to Jersey Shore for the Jersey Shore Historic District Walking Tour, set for June 3 at 7 p.m.
Flickr/Jon Dawson
Clearfield, with a population of over 6,000, is perhaps best known for the popular Clearfield County Fair. The fair, now in its 157th year, features traditional fair rides, games, and booths as well as a full menu of events, including the Fair Queen Competition, trucks and tractor pulls, and concerts. The fair will run from July 30 to August 5, 2017.
The tiny town of Foxburg, population under 200, snuggles against the Allegheny River in Western Pennsylvania. Rent a bicycle to explore Foxburg for the day. Go wine tasting at Foxburg Wine Cellars or shoot a round of golf at Foxburg Golf Course & Country Club. Visit Foxburg during its annual Foxburg Food, Art, and Wine Festival on October 8, 2017.
Facebook/The Gretna Emporium
The picturesque town of Mount Gretna, home to 200, promises plenty to do in a fairy tale setting. Shop at the Gretna Emporium. Lounge at the Mt. Gretna Lake and Beach. Or, go roller skating at the Mt. Gretna Roller Rink before having an old-fashioned ice cream treat at the Jigger Shop. The enchanting town hosts the Mt. Gretna Outdoor Art Show August 19 and 20, 2017.
Flickr/Doug Kerr
Montrose, less than 40 miles from Scranton, boasts a long history dating back to 1812. Home to a little more than 1,400 residents, the quaint town features a charming main street and the breathtaking Salt Springs State Park. Stop by Montrose for its annual 4th of July Celebration this year. The day’s events include a parade, a family fun run, a 5K, vendors, and fireworks.
Flickr/David Casteel
Home to Hamlin Lake Park, the beautiful town of Smethport claims a population of just over 1,600. Spend the day at the picturesque park, where you can go fishing, swimming, or boating in the lake. The park also features a swimming pool and plenty of space for leisurely picnics and playing sports. Visit Smethport for the annual McKean County Fair, slated for August 13-19, 2017. The fair features a full menu of events, including drag racing, tractor pulls, a demolition derby, and an old-fashioned carnival.
Flickr/Diehl
The largest of our underrated towns in Pennsylvania, with a population of over 10,000, the enchanting town of Columbia offers plenty to do for visitors, including the Turkey Hill Experience, Wright’s Ferry Mansion, and a plethora of antique stores for aniquers. Columbia celebrates National Trails Day on June 3, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wikipedia/Dincher
Founded in the late 1700s, the quaint Duncannon has nearly 1,500 residents and promises plenty to do. Engage in an old-fashioned experience with a visit to The Old Sled Works, an old-fashioned soda fountain. Go wine tasting at Buddy Boy Winery and Vineyard or grab a bite to eat at the Doyle Hotel. Stop by Duncannon for the community-wide yard sale, set for June 3 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Flickr/A. Velik
Not far from Allentown and Reading, Kutztown lays claim to approximately 5,000 residents. Plan to spend plenty of time in Kutztown so you can visit Crystal Cave, Pinnacle Ridge Winery, and Renningers Antiques and Farmers Market. Kutztown celebrates the 68th Annual Kutztown Folk Festival from July 1-9, 2017. The popular festival features a variety of vendors, selling crafts, antiques, quilts, and food. A full schedule of entertainment and children’s activities is also planned.
Facebook/Visit Media PA
Only 13 miles from Philadelphia, Media boasts a population of over 5,300. The town, which dates back to 1850, offers a range of places to visit, including Ridley Creek State Park, Tyler Arboretum, Pennsylvania’s Veteran Museum, and Linvilla Orchards. Visit Media for the American Music Festival Series, which runs throughout 2017 and includes the 17th Annual State Street Blues Stroll on June 10, 2017 from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.
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