Pennsylvania promises something for just about everyone. Those who thrive on the excitement and the fast-pace of the big city need only to go to Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, or Harrisburg. And, those who crave tranquility and old-fashioned friendliness can travel to countless welcoming small towns in Pennsylvania. Here are just 10 of those towns.
- Lititz
Facebook/Downtown Lititz Embrace the friendliness of the charming small town of Lititz. Stroll down the old-fashioned Main Street, dotted with such shops as The Teddy Bear Emporium, Candy*ology, Wilbur Chocolate, and Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery. Or, spend a few hours at Lititz Springs Park, which hosts a summer film series.
- Bristol
Facebook/Historic Bristol Day Spend a leisurely day in Bristol, the oldest town in Pennsylvania. Sat along the Delaware River, across from Burlington, New Jersey, Bristol offers plenty to do. Pull up a chair at the King George II Inn for a delectable meal. Stroll along the Bristol Wharf, visit Harriet Tubman’s statue, and explore nature at Silver Lake Nature Center during your time in this welcoming town.
- Jim Thorpe
Facebook/Jim Thorpe, PA Experience the pure charm and old-fashioned friendliness of Jim Thorpe, the “Switzerland of the United States.” Climb aboard a train for a spellbinding tour of the Lehigh Gorge. Hike to nearby Glen Onoko Falls. Or, enjoy a leisurely stroll around the town, stopping to visit the Old Jail Museum or the Jim Thorpe Memorial.
- Hawley
Facebook/Hawley PA Raise your glass and toast the small town friendliness of Hawley as you dine at the Glass Wine Bar Kitchen that overlooks a spectacular waterfall. Take in a show at the Ritz Company Playhouse. Or, browse such quaint shops as Penny Lane Candies and Candles, the Hawley Depot, and Whatknots Trading Post.
- Eagle’s Mere
Facebook/Eagle’s Mere Borough Find pure relaxation in the welcoming village of Eagles Mere. Home to only 120 full-time residents, the picture perfect village hugs Eagles Mere Lake. Spend a day on the lake, boating in the summer and ice skating in the winter. Uncover the village’s history at the Eagles Mere Air Museum, the Eagles Mere Museum, and the Eagles Mere Art Museum.
- Smethport
Facebook/Discover Smethport Journey to Smethport, which has been called “Pennsylvania’s most scenic town.” Go fishing, boating, or picnic at Hamlin Lake Park. Or, delve into the history of this welcoming town with a visit to the McKean County Historical Museum or the Old Jail Museum.
- Wellsboro
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn Fall in love with the Victorian downtown and the residents when you travel to Wellsboro. Start your visit at Colton Point State Park or Leonard Harrison State Park for sweeping views of Pine Creek Gorge (the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania). Or, climb aboard a covered wagon with Ole Covered Wagons for spectacular views of the canyon floor. Explore downtown on a trolley or on foot, stopping in the many quaint shops.
- Franklin
Facebook/Franklin, PA – Events/Marketing Office Discover the simple beauty and old-fashioned friendliness of Franklin. The small downtown boasts Victorian architecture and plenty to do. Take a relaxing walk through Franklin Fountain Park. Shop in the small shops, including Daffin’s Candies and Neverending Stories. Cap off your visit with a delicious meal at the Franklin.
- Boiling Springs
Wikipedia/Public Domain Sit on the banks of Children’s Lake in the welcoming town of Boiling Springs. Take in a play at the Allenberry Playhouse. Go flyfishing. Or, zip down the slide at the Boiling Springs Pool, the oldest pool in Cumberland County. Boiling Springs also promises plenty of quaint shops, art galleries, and cozy bed & breakfasts.
- Mifflinburg
Wikipedia/Ruhrfisch Travel back in time to the enchanting town of Mifflinburg, a popular spot for buggy manufacturing in the 1800s. Today, you can visit the Mifflinsburg Buggy Museum, tour the Little Log House, and head to Penns Creek. The creek offers the ideal setting for swimming, fishing, and canoeing.
Admittedly, this certainly isn’t a list of all the welcoming small towns in Pennsylvania. If we were to write a part two of this list, what other small towns would you include? While Pennsylvania boasts plenty of picturesque small towns, it also lays claim to America’s smallest city.
Facebook/Downtown Lititz
Embrace the friendliness of the charming small town of Lititz. Stroll down the old-fashioned Main Street, dotted with such shops as The Teddy Bear Emporium, Candy*ology, Wilbur Chocolate, and Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery. Or, spend a few hours at Lititz Springs Park, which hosts a summer film series.
Facebook/Historic Bristol Day
Spend a leisurely day in Bristol, the oldest town in Pennsylvania. Sat along the Delaware River, across from Burlington, New Jersey, Bristol offers plenty to do. Pull up a chair at the King George II Inn for a delectable meal. Stroll along the Bristol Wharf, visit Harriet Tubman’s statue, and explore nature at Silver Lake Nature Center during your time in this welcoming town.
Facebook/Jim Thorpe, PA
Experience the pure charm and old-fashioned friendliness of Jim Thorpe, the “Switzerland of the United States.” Climb aboard a train for a spellbinding tour of the Lehigh Gorge. Hike to nearby Glen Onoko Falls. Or, enjoy a leisurely stroll around the town, stopping to visit the Old Jail Museum or the Jim Thorpe Memorial.
Facebook/Hawley PA
Raise your glass and toast the small town friendliness of Hawley as you dine at the Glass Wine Bar Kitchen that overlooks a spectacular waterfall. Take in a show at the Ritz Company Playhouse. Or, browse such quaint shops as Penny Lane Candies and Candles, the Hawley Depot, and Whatknots Trading Post.
Facebook/Eagle’s Mere Borough
Find pure relaxation in the welcoming village of Eagles Mere. Home to only 120 full-time residents, the picture perfect village hugs Eagles Mere Lake. Spend a day on the lake, boating in the summer and ice skating in the winter. Uncover the village’s history at the Eagles Mere Air Museum, the Eagles Mere Museum, and the Eagles Mere Art Museum.
Facebook/Discover Smethport
Journey to Smethport, which has been called “Pennsylvania’s most scenic town.” Go fishing, boating, or picnic at Hamlin Lake Park. Or, delve into the history of this welcoming town with a visit to the McKean County Historical Museum or the Old Jail Museum.
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn
Fall in love with the Victorian downtown and the residents when you travel to Wellsboro. Start your visit at Colton Point State Park or Leonard Harrison State Park for sweeping views of Pine Creek Gorge (the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania). Or, climb aboard a covered wagon with Ole Covered Wagons for spectacular views of the canyon floor. Explore downtown on a trolley or on foot, stopping in the many quaint shops.
Facebook/Franklin, PA – Events/Marketing Office
Discover the simple beauty and old-fashioned friendliness of Franklin. The small downtown boasts Victorian architecture and plenty to do. Take a relaxing walk through Franklin Fountain Park. Shop in the small shops, including Daffin’s Candies and Neverending Stories. Cap off your visit with a delicious meal at the Franklin.
Wikipedia/Public Domain
Sit on the banks of Children’s Lake in the welcoming town of Boiling Springs. Take in a play at the Allenberry Playhouse. Go flyfishing. Or, zip down the slide at the Boiling Springs Pool, the oldest pool in Cumberland County. Boiling Springs also promises plenty of quaint shops, art galleries, and cozy bed & breakfasts.
Wikipedia/Ruhrfisch
Travel back in time to the enchanting town of Mifflinburg, a popular spot for buggy manufacturing in the 1800s. Today, you can visit the Mifflinsburg Buggy Museum, tour the Little Log House, and head to Penns Creek. The creek offers the ideal setting for swimming, fishing, and canoeing.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
