Touring Pennsylvania

In Lancaster, there are historic buildings and monuments. Visitors enjoy learning about the Amish culture and lifestyle by taking tours of the Amish Farm and House. Amish House is a historic 1805 farmhouse that was once occupied by an Amish family. You’ll learn about the history, customs, clothing, and culture as you see the rooms in the house.

Families can enjoy the North Museum of Nature and Science with interactive displays and the Dutch Wonderland Amusement Park. Dutch Wonderland Family Amusement Park offers more than 35 rides and shows. Everyone loves Duke’s Lagoon water play area. At Exploration Island dinosaurs come to life. You can enjoy Merlin’s Mayhem a suspended coaster.

The 15-acre farm was part of a 1715 land grant from the founder of Pennsylvania, William Penn. You can walk the paths and see many farm animals like cows, sheep, chickens, goats, and much more. In the historic barns are farm displays. At the blacksmith shop, you can learn about the blacksmith trade. Children can try out a real Amish scooter. You can find Amish artisans and craftsmen on the farm.

The Lancaster Central Market makes its home in America’s oldest farmers’ market building. This is the place to get local meats and vegetables. You’ll find freshly baked desserts and bread, cheeses, flowers, and crafts. They’re open all year on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

North Museum of Nature and Science is the place to see dinosaurs up close and other ancient forms of life. There are great interactive displays. See the SciDome Theater and the Explore Nature Gallery. Children can make friends in the Live Animal room and crawl into the awesome indoor giant discovery tree.

Jim Thorpe is a historical mining town right in the heart of the Pocono Mountains. It is like stepping back in time with lovely preserved buildings and homesteads like the Asa Packer Mansion Museum dating from 1861.

You can enjoy the Old Jail Museum and the Mauch Chunk Museum and Cultural Center. At Jim Thorpe River Adventures visitors can enjoy water rafting, canoeing, or kayaking. You can take a scenic train ride through the LeHigh Gorge State Park or hike the Glen Onoko Falls Trail.

Allentown is one of the oldest cities in Pennsylvania dating from 1762. There are many museums and historic buildings. Visitors enjoy the Old Allentown Historic Area with museums like America On Wheels, the Allied Air Force Museum, and the Liberty Bell Museum among others. There is the Allentown Art Museum and the Da Vinci Science Center for hands-on learning.

At one time Bethlehem was a tiny Moravian mission village. Today there are many well-preserved historical attractions where visitors can find out about its industrial past. You can begin your tour at the visitors center at Steel Stacks.

One of the highlights here is the Hoover Mason Trestle.

Take a self-guided tour through the Colonial Industrial Quarter, see the Burnside Plantation, and take a walk along the Heritage Trail by the river.

For art lovers, there is the Banana Factory with a gallery and studios.

At Illick’s Mill Park, you can walk, jog, have a picnic, or fish.

Erie can be found on the southern shore of Lake Erie. You can get great views of the city from the observation deck of the Port Erie Bicentennial Tower. Take a look at the Erie Maritime Museum and the Firefighters Historical Museum.

For art lovers, there is the Erie Art Museum, the Erie Philharmonic Orchestra, or a show at the Erie Playhouse.

At Presque Isle State Park you can hike, bike, and enjoy water sports in the summer and snow activities in the winter. Children enjoy the ExpERIEnce Children’s Museum.

Take the family to the Erie Zoo and Botanical Gardens where you can see 400 animals from all over the world. The Kiboka Outpost has rhinos, cheetahs, and warthogs. You’ll enjoy the exotic atmosphere of Africa and Madagascar. Enjoy a ride on the train and carousel. There are winding walkways through lovely landscaped grounds with various gardens including the Butterfly Gardens.

Scranton was once a major railroad junction in 1849. Visitors can take a look at the town’s historic legacy with a tour of the 40-acre Steamway National Historic Site. There are many different interesting museums to see here like the Electric City Trolley Station and Museum. Enjoy the scenic trails around Lake Scranton and try hiking the 23-mile Pinchot Trail on the Pocono Plateau.

Nay Aug Park is the green oasis of the city where you can walk, hike, picnic, swim, or just relax. Take a walk along the trails leading to the Nay Aug Gorge and waterfall area which has been named a National Natural Landmark.

For a bird’s eye view of the gorge climb the David Wenzel Treehouse that rises 150 feet above the ground.

The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area covers 67,000 acres of forests, rivers, waterfalls, valleys, and historic sites. You can hike over 100 miles of trails, take a canoe or kayak out on the river or drive along the scenic road stopping at lookout points. There are three swimming beaches along the Middle Delaware River, you can go fishing or visit historic Millbrook Village.

George W. Childs Recreation Area is located along the western edge of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreational Area in the Poconos Mountains. There are lovely forested areas and a series of three waterfalls following a scenic trail along Dingmans Creek.

The first waterfall is Factory Falls by a historic woolen mill.

Then the 56-foot Fulmer Falls drops into a semi-circular rock pool and continues downstream to the Dear Leap Falls. There are lookout points along the way.

The Tyler Arboretum is close to Philadelphia and located on a private estate once established in 1681 by the Minshall/Painter/Tyler family. There are lovely gardens all around and a network of trails to hike. Children will enjoy the collection of tree houses, magical pathways, bridges, and goblin shacks.

Deep in the Pocono Mountains, you’ll find Bushkill Falls which is a series of eight lovely waterfalls easily accessed on foot.

Fallingwater is one of the most famous buildings designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright. It is located in Mill Run and is a popular day trip from Pittsburgh, PA. Visitors can see an international art collection and a guided tour is available.

On the property both inside and out are sculptures ranging from Mexican folk art to artwork by Cubist sculptors. Among the highlights is a cast iron Buddha head.