Have you been saving up your vacation days, just waiting for the perfect opportunity to arise? Well, wait no more. You deserve a break. There are a lot of options in Pennsylvania for fun and unique vacation ideas… So that you don’t have to travel too far if you don’t want to. Here are ten vacations that you’ve gotta take at some point. Good luck deciding which to do first.
- Relax at The Lodge at Woodloch in Hawley
The Lodge at Woodloch/ Facebook For a relaxing getaway, the Lodge at Woodloch may be your best bet. Enjoy a luxurious suite with a breathtaking view of the Pennsylvania forest, treat yourself at the spa, and indulge in freshly made foods.
- Visit the Switzerland of America
Times House/ Facebook Jim Thorpe is known as the “Switzerland of America” thanks to its mountainous terrain and absolutely charming architecture. It’s a popular destination for outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking, and white water rafting. The Times House is just one of many Bed and Breakfast’s in the area, but it’s one that comes very highly recommended.
- Go skiing in the Blue Mountains.
Blue Mountain Resort/ Facebook It might not quite be ski season yet, but it’s almost here. Ah, the sport I want to love. Pennsylvania is home to some excellent slopes for skiing and snowboarding… And in the off-season, resorts in the Poconos (such as Blue Mountain Resort, which is pictured above) offer other activities such as white-water rafting and mountain biking.
- Learn all there is to know about wine at the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail.
Brandywine Valley Wine Trail/ Facebook We know what that really means… The Brandywine Valley Wine Trail is home to some of the best wine in the country. Experience the fine vintage and learn how it’s made. When you tire of drinking, check out Longwood Gardens, which is located within the vicinity.
- Check out Pittsburgh’s many museums.
The Andy Warhol Museum/ Facebook Did you know that Andy Warhol was born in Pittsburgh? The Warhol Museum there is dedicated to his life and works. Pittsburgh has a ton of other awesome museums, as well: The Mattress Factory, which is dedicated to contemporary installations, The Carnegie Museum of Art, The Carnegie Museum of Natural History (which has one of the biggest collections of dinosaur bones in the world), The Science Center, and The Children’s Museum… Just to name a few. The city is worth a stop if you’re into art and/or random and cool knowledge.
- Experience a different pace of life in Lancaster County’s Amish country.
Wikimedia Commons Pennsylvania has the biggest population of Amish people in the world, and they make up a significant part of Pennsylvania culture. Come to Lancaster county and enjoy the excellent food, see the farms, and if you have kids in tow, maybe even stop by Dutch Wonderland, which is an amusement park.
- Have a blast at Hershey Park.
Hersheypark/ Facebook The biggest and best amusement park in Pennsylvania is Hershey Park, hands down. If you like roller coasters, it’s a must-visit. Oh, what’s that? You don’t like roller coasters? Well, do you like chocolate? Turns out you’re going to have to visit Hershey to tour the chocolate factory. There are plenty of other things to keep you occupied in Hershey during your stay, including Troegs Brewing Company, Hershey Theater, and a wildlife park.
- Go wild for city life in Philadelphia.
Ben Yanis/ Flickr The biggest city in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia is the most obvious destination for anyone who hasn’t been there. It has anything you’d want in a city: amazing museums (check out lesser-known ones like the Mutter Museum as well as bigger names like the Art Museum), incredible restaurants, sporting events, shopping, and more. Browse the stands in Little Italy, get lost in Chinatown. Pretty much anything you desire can be found in Philly… Especially cheesesteaks.
- Gamble all your cash away at Sands Casino in Bethlehem.
Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem/ Facebook Bethlehem is not the most well-known destination in the state, but it’s well worth the visit. Aside from the casino (where hopefully you won’t lose all your cash), there’s a venue where big name musicians play all the time. The historic district in Bethlehem is home to beautiful cobblestone streets, unique boutiques, great restaurants, and the Moravian Bookshop which is the oldest continuously operating book store in the world.
- Travel to a surrounding state.
Aurelien Guichard/ Flickr I’ve focused on destinations within Pennsylvania for this list, because there are endless options for fun times within the state. We are lucky, though, because Pennsylvania is located within proximity to a million other cool national landmarks, like New York City, Washington, D.C., the Jersey Shore, Chicago, and more. These places are must visits and will offer you a refreshing break from Pennsylvania, the home that will always welcome you back.
What would you add to this list? Tell us in the comments below.
The Lodge at Woodloch/ Facebook
For a relaxing getaway, the Lodge at Woodloch may be your best bet. Enjoy a luxurious suite with a breathtaking view of the Pennsylvania forest, treat yourself at the spa, and indulge in freshly made foods.
Times House/ Facebook
Jim Thorpe is known as the “Switzerland of America” thanks to its mountainous terrain and absolutely charming architecture. It’s a popular destination for outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking, and white water rafting. The Times House is just one of many Bed and Breakfast’s in the area, but it’s one that comes very highly recommended.
Blue Mountain Resort/ Facebook
It might not quite be ski season yet, but it’s almost here. Ah, the sport I want to love. Pennsylvania is home to some excellent slopes for skiing and snowboarding… And in the off-season, resorts in the Poconos (such as Blue Mountain Resort, which is pictured above) offer other activities such as white-water rafting and mountain biking.
Brandywine Valley Wine Trail/ Facebook
We know what that really means… The Brandywine Valley Wine Trail is home to some of the best wine in the country. Experience the fine vintage and learn how it’s made. When you tire of drinking, check out Longwood Gardens, which is located within the vicinity.
The Andy Warhol Museum/ Facebook
Did you know that Andy Warhol was born in Pittsburgh? The Warhol Museum there is dedicated to his life and works. Pittsburgh has a ton of other awesome museums, as well: The Mattress Factory, which is dedicated to contemporary installations, The Carnegie Museum of Art, The Carnegie Museum of Natural History (which has one of the biggest collections of dinosaur bones in the world), The Science Center, and The Children’s Museum… Just to name a few. The city is worth a stop if you’re into art and/or random and cool knowledge.
Wikimedia Commons
Pennsylvania has the biggest population of Amish people in the world, and they make up a significant part of Pennsylvania culture. Come to Lancaster county and enjoy the excellent food, see the farms, and if you have kids in tow, maybe even stop by Dutch Wonderland, which is an amusement park.
Hersheypark/ Facebook
The biggest and best amusement park in Pennsylvania is Hershey Park, hands down. If you like roller coasters, it’s a must-visit. Oh, what’s that? You don’t like roller coasters? Well, do you like chocolate? Turns out you’re going to have to visit Hershey to tour the chocolate factory. There are plenty of other things to keep you occupied in Hershey during your stay, including Troegs Brewing Company, Hershey Theater, and a wildlife park.
Ben Yanis/ Flickr
The biggest city in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia is the most obvious destination for anyone who hasn’t been there. It has anything you’d want in a city: amazing museums (check out lesser-known ones like the Mutter Museum as well as bigger names like the Art Museum), incredible restaurants, sporting events, shopping, and more. Browse the stands in Little Italy, get lost in Chinatown. Pretty much anything you desire can be found in Philly… Especially cheesesteaks.
Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem/ Facebook
Bethlehem is not the most well-known destination in the state, but it’s well worth the visit. Aside from the casino (where hopefully you won’t lose all your cash), there’s a venue where big name musicians play all the time. The historic district in Bethlehem is home to beautiful cobblestone streets, unique boutiques, great restaurants, and the Moravian Bookshop which is the oldest continuously operating book store in the world.
Aurelien Guichard/ Flickr
I’ve focused on destinations within Pennsylvania for this list, because there are endless options for fun times within the state. We are lucky, though, because Pennsylvania is located within proximity to a million other cool national landmarks, like New York City, Washington, D.C., the Jersey Shore, Chicago, and more. These places are must visits and will offer you a refreshing break from Pennsylvania, the home that will always welcome you back.
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