Away from the Crowds in Pennsylvania

The unincorporated community in Elk County, Benezette is home to the largest roaming elk herd in that part of the US. This is a popular viewing area to see these majestic creatures.

Located in Shunk, Indiana County, is the Buttermilk Falls Natural Area. It is locally known as the former home of Fred McFeely, the grandfather of Fred Rogers, from the PBS series “Mister Roger’s Neighborhood”.

Take a tour of the area and walk to Buttermilk Falls through scenic woodland.

In Bedford, see a classic roadside attraction, the Coffee Pot. This coffee shop was built in the shape of a coffee pot. Today it is a museum for the Bedford Fair.

Wayne offers the winding paths of Chanticleer Garden. This is an enchanting place with colorful flowers, flowing streams, and stone benches.

In Bangor, you’ll enjoy the Columncille Megalith Park established in 1978. The park was inspired by the Isle of Iona found off the coast of Scotland. It is connected to Celtic spirituality. The name “Columcille” was inspired by the Gaelic phrase “Casa Colum,” meaning Home of the Dove.

This is the name of the small house that opened here in 1975. It is a peaceful place with the Appalachian Mountains in the background.

Lehigh Valley Zoo is located in Schnecksville inside the Trexler Nature Preserve. The preserve was founded to help protect bison, elk, and deer. The zoo includes petting exhibits with exotic animals from Asia and Africa.

The beautiful Malcolm W. Gross Memorial Rose Gardens are located in Allentown. These are old-fashioned gardens with lovely flowers and ponds. They are known for their All American Rose Selections. You can take the scenic 1.3-mile loop around the gardens.

When the summer heat can’t be beat, enjoy the Meadow Run Natural Waterslides in Ohiopyle State Park. It is among the most unique places to visit in Pennsylvania. These natural water slides are made of 300-year-old sheets of sandstone. It can be a lot of fun; just remember there are no lifeguards.

See the Penn’s Cave House in Gregg Township. The highlight here is Penn’s Cave. The house is a private residence and office for tours of the property and cave. The complex is on the National Register of Historic Places.

You can take a boat tour through the limestone cavern.

Outside visitors can explore the wildlife park.

Occupying the three counties of Columbia, Luzerne, and Sullivan is Ricketts Glen State Park. It is a National Natural Landmark with old-growth forests and 24 waterfalls. The area was originally occupied by the Iroquois. Among the wildlife in the park are bears and white-tailed deer.

At Lake Jean, you can fish or canoe or kayak. It is possible to stay in a cabin or campground.

Ringing Rocks Park in Bucks County is filled with boulders that make music when hit with a hammer. The first concert was performed by J.J. Ott in 1890, who had gotten the rocks from a boulder field nearby. Bring a hammer to make music, but keep in mind that only 1/3 of these boulders ring.

Visit the Seven Gates of Hell in Hellam Township. There is an old town myth that says this community is home to seven remote gates leading to the entrance of Hell if opened in the correct order.

The surrounding nature includes forests, lakes, and wildlife.

Enjoy the Tara Country Inn in Clark. The hotel was designed after the plantation house Tara in the novel “Gone With the Wind.” You can enjoy a gourmet meal and take a guided tour if interested in history.

Swissvale offers visitors Trundle Manor, built in 1910. This is a classic roadside attraction. Some of the curiosities you’ll find here are antique taxidermy, medical devices, coffins, and Steampunk creations. This place is for the very imaginative and curious. This museum was featured on “MTV’s Extreme Cribs” in 2011.

You might be aware of the White Cliffs of Dover in England, but guess what? There are also the White Cliffs of Conoy that tower above the Susquehanna River. These cliffs were formed by limestone being dumped from nearby quarries.