Pennsylvania: This is the Best Small Town to Visit in the State

There’s something special and unique and the charm of a small town. Here in Pennsylvania, we have plenty of lovely small towns sprinkled throughout the state. One of my favorite things to do in the summer is drive around a discover a new favorite small town or village, especially on a sunny day.

TheCrazyTourist.com has put together a list of the best small towns in Pennsylvania to visit. They note that, “Pennsylvania is a state rich in history with incredible nature, busy big cities and friendly small towns.” They add that the state is not at a loss for small town, explaining, “From Pennsylvania Dutch Country to Lehigh Valley to the Poconos, there are so many towns to discover. All perfect for travelers who love to venture into unknown territory and see aspects of Pennsylvania that most of the world never gets a chance to.”

While they highlight a handful of exciting small areas throughout Pennsylvania, one stands above the rest, and it’s not too far from Philadelphia. Their pick for the best small town to visit in Pennsylvania is New Hope, which is less than an hour’s drive from Philly. Of New Hope, TheCrazyTourist.com states, “New Hope was once an industrial town but is now home to a thriving artist community with over 200 arts and crafts galleries to browse. There are also a variety of antique shops and family-owned restaurants to spend your time in. With its beautiful landscape and lively residents, it’s easy to understand why tourism is New Hope’s primary industry.” Find their full list of the best small towns to visit in the Keystone State here.

These Pennsylvania State Parks Will Take Your Breath Away

• Ohiopyle State Park

  OHIOPYLE STATE PARK, PA

  Located at the southern reaches of the Laurel Ridge, Ohiopyle State Park encompasses approximately 20,500 acres of rugged natural beauty and serves as the gateway to the Laurel Highlands. Close to major metropolitan areas and offering vast choices of activities, Ohiopyle State Park attracts millions of visitors annually.

• Cherry Springs State Park

  Cherry Springs State Park - Cherry Springs State Park

  Read on to learn about how to make the most of your Stargazing Experience at Cherry Springs State Park, Coudersport PA and Potter County. Learn More Spend an evening with your own personal Potter County astronomer. Their Astro Guidance will give you a unique personal star gazing experience you will never forget.

• Presque Isle State Park

  Presque Isle State Park

  Alerts Park Gates Closing at 9PM Park Officials announce that beginning Friday, October 1st, the Presque Isle State Park gates will be closing, daily, at 9 PM. New COVID-19 Protocols Beginning May 31, 2021 With the release of new Orders from the Secretary of Health, we are again modifying our operations at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center.

• Independence National Historical Park

  Independence National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service)

  The park represents the founding ideals of the nation, and preserves national and international symbols of freedom and democracy, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were both debated and signed inside Independence Hall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Kinzua Bridge State Park

  Kinzua Bridge State Park

  Alerts SPOT THE PROBLEM. The spotted lanternfly is an invasive insect that poses a serious threat to Pennsylvania's resources, businesses, and economy. To date, our park does NOT have these pests. Help us stay lanternfly free and stop the spread.

• Flight 93 National Memorial Park

  Flight 93 National Memorial (U.S. National Park Service)

  On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, the U.S. came under attack when four commercial airliners were hijacked and used to strike targets on the ground. Nearly 3,000 people tragically lost their lives. Because of the actions of the 40 passengers and crew aboard one of the planes, Flight 93, the attack on the U.S.

• Gettysburg National Military Park

  Gettysburg National Military Park (U.S. National Park Service)

  The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the Civil War, the Union victory that ended General Robert E. Lee's second and most ambitious invasion of the North. Often referred to as the "High Water Mark of the Rebellion", Gettysburg was the Civil War's bloodiest battle and was also the inspiration for President Abraham Lincoln's immortal "Gettysburg Address".

• Valley Forge National Historical Park

  Valley Forge National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service)

  Valley Forge is the encampment site of the Continental Army during the winter of 1777-1778. The park features 3,500 acres of monuments, meadows, and woodlands commemorating the sacrifices and perseverance of the Revolutionary War generation and honoring the power of people to pull together and overcome adversity during extraordinary times.

• Ricketts Glen State Park

  RICKETTS GLEN STATE PARK, PA

  Ricketts Glen harbors Glens Natural Area, a National Natural Landmark. Hike the Falls Trail System and explore the Glens, which boasts a series of wild, free-flowing waterfalls, each cascading through rock-strewn clefts in this ancient hillside. The 94-foot Ganoga Falls is the highest of 22 named waterfalls.

• Hyner View State Park

  Hyner View State Park

  This small park features one of the nicest overlooks in DCNR's Bureau of State Parks and is popular for hang gliding. Hyner Run State Park is nearby. Hyner View State Park features a scenic vista and is a favorite spot for hang gliding.

• Pine Grove Furnace State Park

  PINE GROVE FURNACE STATE PARK, PA

  Steeped in natural and historical features, the 696-acre Pine Grove Furnace State Park is at the northern tip of the Blue Ridge Mountains, in an area known as South Mountain. Visitors enjoy many recreational opportunities, including two mountain lakes, Laurel Lake and Fuller Lake, hiking the Appalachian Trail, biking the rail trail, visiting the Appalachian Trail Museum and imagining when the park was a charcoal-fired iron furnace community.

• Allegheny National Forest

  Allegheny National Forest - Home

  Situated on the Allegheny Plateau, the forest is comprised of 514,029 acres in the northwestern corner of the state. For more information about the Allegheny, please visit our About the Area page. The U.S. Forest Service brought new concepts in forest management to the Allegheny Plateau -- multiple benefits, sustainability, and collaborative partnerships.

• Canoe Creek State Park

  CANOE CREEK STATE PARK, PA

  The beautiful, 958-acre Canoe Creek State Park features a 155-acre lake, wetlands, old fields and mature forests, which provide critical habitat for migrating birds and other wildlife. The lake is popular for fishing year-round. Hikers enjoy the trails that wind through the many habitats.

• Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site

  Basic Information - Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service)

  The park is open on Federal Holidays with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day and Washington's Birthday. On days the park is closed, its historic buildings, parking lots, and visitor center (including restrooms) are unavailable for use, but its hiking trails (which interconnect with those of neighboring French Creek State Park) remain open.

• Marsh Creek State Park

  Marsh Creek State Park

  Alerts Attention: Hunting is permitted at Marsh Creek during established hunting seasons. During hunting seasons, all park users in hunting areas should wear fluorescent orange for their safety. For hunting purposes, the use of shotguns, muzzleloaders, and archery is permitted. For visitor safety, the use of all center fire and rim fire rifles and handguns is prohibited.

• Bald Eagle State Park

  BALD EAGLE STATE PARK, PA

  The 5,900-acre Bald Eagle State Park is in the broad Bald Eagle Valley of northcentral Pennsylvania. The 1,730-acre lake laps the flanks of Bald Eagle Mountain, surrounded by forests, fields and wetlands. With two campgrounds, boating, fishing, swimming, the Nature Inn, and diverse habitats that are excellent for wildlife watching, Bald Eagle State Park is a great destination in the heart of Pennsylvania.

• Hickory Run State Park

  HICKORY RUN STATE PARK, PA

  From I-80, take Exit 274 at the Hickory Run State Park Exit, and drive east on PA 534 for 7.5 miles. From the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, take Exit 95 and drive west on PA 940 for three miles, then turn east on PA 534 for six miles.

• Lehigh Gorge State Park

  https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/LehighGorgeStatePark/Pages/default.aspx

• Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

  Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service)

  Situated within the most densely populated region of the United States, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area provides a unique opportunity to experience tranquil landscapes, rich human history, and striking scenery along 40 miles of the longest free-flowing river east of the Mississippi. The park offers year-round recreation including hiking, paddling, fishing, and hunting.