Ho, ho, ho. It’s the ghost of Christmas present, or should I say, Christmas presents. Pennsylvania has been good this year! Way to go. In lieu of coal, there are many things in the state that are great gifts. Here are just a few…
- Gorgeous landmarks.
Richard Owens/ Flickr Many Philadelphians can tell that they’re home once they see the lights of Boathouse Row, while to others it signals their arrival to visit the biggest city in PA. Boathouse row is just one of many landmarks for which we are proud.
- Burgeoning agriculture.
Nicholas A. Tonelli/ Flickr A majority of Pennsylvania’s physical geography consists of farms, fields, and livestock. Barns such as these dot our landscape and participate in our rich culture.
- Rich culture.
Forsaken Foto/ Flickr Pennsylvania’s Amish population is the largest in the world, and has roots that extend more than 300 years into history.
- Natural Wonders.
Nicholas A. Tonelli/ Flickr Pictured is Silverthread Falls, located in Pike County; yet gorgeous waterfalls and other beautiful nature sights dot Pennsylvania.
- And even more natural wonders…
Thomas/ Flickr Here is Bushkill Falls, colloquially known as the Niagara of Pennsylvania.
- Jaw-dropping views.
Nicholas A. Tonelli/ Flickr Such as this breathtaking photograph from Bake Oven Knob along Kittatinny Ridge.
- Incredible cityscapes.
Hannaford/ Flickr Not every state can lay claim to cities as gorgeous as Pittsburgh, especially when viewed from the Duquesne Incline.
- Art everywhere.
Wikimedia Commons Pennsylvania has some of the best museums in the country, from the Art Museum in Philadelphia, to the Rodin Museum, to the Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh. We love our art. As far as other types of museums go, there’s no shortage, either: the Benjamin Franklin Museum, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, and the Mutter Museum are just a few of the fascinating places you can visit.
- Quirky architecture.
Chris Favero/ Flickr How could anyone forget about the bizarre Pagoda in Reading after seeing it for the first time?
- Endless, offbeat attractions.
Beck Gusler/ Flickr The Shoe House in Hallam is just one of the many odd places we have to visit here in Pennsylvania. There is also Centralia, with its massive underground mine fire, the Ringing Rocks in Bucks County, Gravity Hill in Bedford, the Coudersport Ice Mine… And many more. No one ever said that Pennsylvania was dull (or if they did, they were wrong).
- Memories of a rich history.
A. Strakey/ Flickr Pennsylvania steel was said to have built the nation, and though the mills are now defunct, they stand as reminders of our contribution to the country.
- Prime stargazing.
Nicholas A. Tonelli/ Flickr Cherry Springs State Park has the darkest night skies east of the Mississippi River. It is a destination for astronomers and lovers alike.
- Our very own beach.
Ken Lund/ Flickr Pennsylvania is landlocked from the ocean, but that doesn’t stop us from having a beach: that is, eleven miles of sandy shores along Lake Erie. It seems that we’ve got it all.
Surely there are plenty more gifts to be grateful for in Pennsylvania. What else would you add to this list? Merry Christmas, and thank you for reading!
Richard Owens/ Flickr
Many Philadelphians can tell that they’re home once they see the lights of Boathouse Row, while to others it signals their arrival to visit the biggest city in PA. Boathouse row is just one of many landmarks for which we are proud.
Nicholas A. Tonelli/ Flickr
A majority of Pennsylvania’s physical geography consists of farms, fields, and livestock. Barns such as these dot our landscape and participate in our rich culture.
Forsaken Foto/ Flickr
Pennsylvania’s Amish population is the largest in the world, and has roots that extend more than 300 years into history.
Pictured is Silverthread Falls, located in Pike County; yet gorgeous waterfalls and other beautiful nature sights dot Pennsylvania.
Thomas/ Flickr
Here is Bushkill Falls, colloquially known as the Niagara of Pennsylvania.
Such as this breathtaking photograph from Bake Oven Knob along Kittatinny Ridge.
Hannaford/ Flickr
Not every state can lay claim to cities as gorgeous as Pittsburgh, especially when viewed from the Duquesne Incline.
Wikimedia Commons
Pennsylvania has some of the best museums in the country, from the Art Museum in Philadelphia, to the Rodin Museum, to the Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh. We love our art. As far as other types of museums go, there’s no shortage, either: the Benjamin Franklin Museum, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, and the Mutter Museum are just a few of the fascinating places you can visit.
Chris Favero/ Flickr
How could anyone forget about the bizarre Pagoda in Reading after seeing it for the first time?
Beck Gusler/ Flickr
The Shoe House in Hallam is just one of the many odd places we have to visit here in Pennsylvania. There is also Centralia, with its massive underground mine fire, the Ringing Rocks in Bucks County, Gravity Hill in Bedford, the Coudersport Ice Mine… And many more. No one ever said that Pennsylvania was dull (or if they did, they were wrong).
A. Strakey/ Flickr
Pennsylvania steel was said to have built the nation, and though the mills are now defunct, they stand as reminders of our contribution to the country.
Cherry Springs State Park has the darkest night skies east of the Mississippi River. It is a destination for astronomers and lovers alike.
Ken Lund/ Flickr
Pennsylvania is landlocked from the ocean, but that doesn’t stop us from having a beach: that is, eleven miles of sandy shores along Lake Erie. It seems that we’ve got it all.
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