15 Awesome Day Trips in Pennsylvania
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Pennsylvania is a diverse state with tons of awesome things to do and explore from history to outdoor activities to small towns to bustling cities. Being from Pennsylvania ourselves, we’ve gone on plenty of day trips in Pennsylvania.
Unique Day Trips in Pennsylvania
Western Pennsylvania Day Trips
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is a great fun-filled day trip in Pennsylvania if you want to have tons of options of things to do! Pittsburgh is full of world-class museums, unique attractions, and events.
Things to do in Pittsburgh
- Phipps Conservatory
- Pittsburgh Zoo
- Carnegie Museums
- Point State Park
- Mount Washinton
Ohiopyle State Park
Ohiopyle State Park makes for a great day trip in western Pennsylvania if you’re interested in doing some awesome hiking and outdoor adventuring! At Ohiopyle, you can whitewater raft class IV rapids, hike miles of trail, explore waterfalls, and tour a UNESCO World Heritage site (Frank Llyod Wright’s Fallingwater!)
Things to do at Ohiopyle
- Cucumber Falls
- Fallingwater
- Ferncliff Peninsula
Erie Wine Trail
The Lake Erie Wine Trail makes for a perfect day trip in Pennsylvania if you’re a wine enthusiast! The Lake Erie region is perfect for growing grapes and making wine because of the microclimate formed from lake effects. There are over 20 wineries along the wine trail that extends into western New York.
Lake Erie and Beach
If you’re not interested in touring the wine trail, consider taking a day trip to Erie for the beach! Erie is home to Pennsylvania’s only beach, making it the only and best beach day trip in Pennsylvania! At Presque Ilse State Park in Erie, you can hike, visit lighthouses, enjoy the beach, and take a boat tour around the coastline.
Washington
Washington Pennsylvania is a fun day trip in Pennsylvania if you’re looking to explore a unique smaller town in the state. Here you can tour historic sites, try your luck at the casino, go shopping at the outlet stores, and find some of the last remaining covered bridges in the US.
Things to do in Washington
- Meadows Casino
- Pennsylvania Trolley Museum
- Covered bridge tour
Laurel Highlands
The Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania is located in southwestern PA and is known for its small towns, rich history, and hiking. Here, you’ll find historic sites, battlefields, wineries, and much more!
Things to do in the Laurel Highlands
Johnstown
Johnstown is a great day trip to Pennsylvania if you’re looking to learn more about Pennsylvania’s industrial history. Here, you can tour the Johnstown Flood Museum and see the Johnstown Inclined Plane.
Somerset
Somerset County is a great day trip in Pennsylvania if you’re looking to explore rural Pennsylvania and other local historic sites. In Somerset County, you can pay your respects to those who lost their lives on 9-11 at Flight 93 National Memorial, learn about the Que Creek Mine Rescue, visit wineries, and explore the Historical Society.
Things to do in Somerset Pennsylvania
- Flight 93 National Memorial
- Que Creek Mine Rescue Site
- Somerset County Historic Society
- Glade Peaks Winery
Eastern Pennsylvania Day Trips
Philadelphia
If you’re a history buff, don’t miss out on taking a day trip to Philadelphia Pennsylvania. In historic Philadelphia, you can tour Independence Hall, see the Liberty Bell, tour some of the best American historic museums, and see historic sites around the city. During a day trip to Philadelphia, check off your historic bucket list, and don’t miss out on trying a Philly cheesesteak!
Things to do in Philadelphia
- Independence Hall
- Liberty Bell
- Betsy Ross House
- Museum of the American Revolution
Hershey
Did you know Pennsylvania is home to the sweetest place on earth? Hershey Pennsylvania is home to Hershey’s chocolate was born! Hershey Chocolate World and Hershey Park are the top things to do in this small town. At Chocolate World, you can learn all about how Hershey’s chocolate came to be, shop at the largest Hershey’s store, and even make your own candy bar!
Things to do in Hershey, Pennsylvania
- Hershey Chocolate World
- Hershey Park
Harrisburg
Harrisburg deserves to be on this list of day trips in Pennsylvania because it’s Pennsylvania’s state capital! Here, you can tour the capitol building and tour the National Civil War Museum!
Gettysburg National Battlefield
Gettysburg National Battlefield was an important turning point in the Civil War. Today, the Gettysburg National Battlefield includes the Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center, which displays Civil War artifacts, and Gettysburg National Cemetery, where you can see the site of Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Gettysburg Address.
Pocono Mountains
The Pocono Mountains are one of the top natural attractions in Eastern Pennsylvania. Here, you can hike to scenic waterfalls, explore the natural landscape, and enjoy the luxuries of the resorts.
Central Pennsylvania Day Trips
State College
You can’t go to Pennsylvania without hearing something about Pennsylvania State University. State College is home to Penn State University and attracts visitors for its sporting events, concerts, and other events throughout the year. If you visit State College, you can’t miss out on trying the ice cream from the Penn State Creamery!
Altoona
Altoona Pennsylvania is a great day trip in PA if you’re interested in learning more about the state’s industrial history. Near Altoona, you can see the Horseshoe Curve, a wide bend in the railroad that lessens the grade down the Allegheny Mountains. In Altoona, you can visit Lakemont Park, which is home to one of the oldest operating roller coaster in the world! The Allegheny Portage National Historic Site is another site where you can learn about the railroad industry across Pennsylvania.
Things to do in Altoona
- Allegheny Portage National Historic Site
- Horseshoe Curve
- Lakemont Park
- Altoona Curve baseball
Pennsylvania Grand Canyon- Pine Creek Gorge
Did you know Pennsylvania has its own Grand Canyon? Well, it does and it’s called Pine Creek Gorge. Pine Creek Gorge is located in Tioga County in the Pennsylvania Wilds region of the state. Pine Creek Gorge and its surrounding state parks make for a great day trip if you’re looking to get some amazing scenic views.
Things to do on a Day Trip to Pine Creek Gorge
- See the overlook at Colton Point State Park
- Hike to the overlook along Barbour Rock Trail
- Tour the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
Historic Bedford Village
Historic Bedford is a unique day trip in Pennsylvania! Historic Bedford Village is a recreated historical reenactment community that allows you to look into the past of Pennsylvania. Throughout the year, come explore reenactments, events, workshops, and educational programming.
Kinzua Bridge State Park
The Kinzua Bridge is one of Pennsylvania’s most unique attractions. At the time of its construction, the Kinzua Bridge was the tallest and longer train viaduct in the world! But in 2003, the bridge was destroyed by a tornado. Today, you can visit the ruins of the bridge and walk along the sky bridge, which is made from the last standing remnants of the bridge.
