Pennsylvania Road Trip: 10 Best Places to See Across the
Explore Pennsylvania's diverse landscapes across 2,406 km, from Philadelphia's historic Liberty Bell and Gettysburg's Civil War battlefields to Pittsburgh's Steel City skyline, the natural waterfalls of Ricketts Glen State Park, and the beaches of Presque Isle. The route connects major cities including Harrisburg and Allentown with scenic areas like Pennsylvania Dutch Country and the Delaware Water Gap.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Pennsylvania Dutch Country
- End
- Ricketts Glen State Park
- Stops
- 17
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Pennsylvania Dutch Country — Region in Lancaster County home to a large portion of Pennsylvania's Amish population.
- HersheyPark and Chocolate World — Amusement park and chocolate factory experience celebrating America's iconic candy brand with rides, attractions, and sweet manufacturing demonstrations.
- Delaware Water Gap (#8)
- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area — Recreation area crossing the state line between Pennsylvania and New Jersey, featuring Milbrook Village and Old Mill Road.
- Presque Isle State Park — Scenic state park in northwest Pennsylvania set on a sandy peninsula jutting into Lake Erie.
- Ricketts Glen State Park (#6) — Forested park featuring a cascading waterfall system with 21 waterfalls accessible via scenic hiking trails through hemlock groves.
- Falls Trail System and Lake Jean — Network of woodland trails surrounding a pristine mountain lake, providing peaceful hiking and opportunities to spot regional wildlife.
- Harrisburg — State capital of Pennsylvania located in the south-central region.
- Allentown and nearby towns — Historic Lehigh Valley communities showcasing colonial architecture, cultural museums, and regional heritage centered around early American settlement.
- Gettysburg and York — Two interconnected Civil War-era towns preserving 18th-century structures and Revolutionary War significance amid rolling farmland landscapes.
- Gettysburg National Military Park and Heritage Center — Battlefield cemetery and museum documenting the 1863 Civil War battle that turned the tide of American history.
- Pittsburgh, United States — Steel city's urban core featuring iconic skyscrapers, a riverfront park, and reconstructed 18th-century military fortifications marking regional growth.
- Liberty Bell — Cracked 18th-century bell symbolizing American independence and freedom, housed in a historic center in Pennsylvania's colonial capital.
- Philadelphia
- Hershey — Small town in Dauphin County famous for HersheyPark and Chocolate World attractions.
- Centralia — Nearly-abandoned coal mining town where underground fires burn beneath streets, creating an eerie landscape of American industrial decline.
- Ricketts Glen State Park — National Natural Landmark in the heart of Pennsylvania featuring the Falls Trail System with multiple waterfalls and Lake Jean.
Useful for your trip
- Food
- Visit local markets in Pennsylvania Dutch Country to find fresh produce and baked goods like apple butter and shoofly pie.
- Tip
- Explore Hershey's museums, shopping, and restaurants in addition to HersheyPark and Chocolate World attractions.
- Tip
- Hike the Falls Trail System at Ricketts Glen State Park to see multiple waterfalls, or relax at Lake Jean beach with boat rentals and fishing available.
- Transport
- Choose from more than 100 miles of hiking trails at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, or bike along Old Mill Road.
- Tip
- At Centralia, drive around quiet overgrown roads to observe smoke escaping from ground cracks caused by an underground coal fire still burning since 1962.
- Transport
- Hike, bike, or lounge on the beach at Presque Isle State Park, which sits on a sandy peninsula extending into Lake Erie.
- Tip
- Visit the Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg Heritage Center, and Jennie Wade House to learn about the Civil War's Battle of Gettysburg.
- Tip
- Tour the U.S. Steel Tower, Point State Park, and the 19th century Fort Pitt Block House in Downtown Pittsburgh.
- Tip
- See the iconic Liberty Bell and visit the Philadelphia Museum of Art, famous for its long steps featured in the 1976 film Rocky.
- Timing
- Pennsylvania's eastern end features the Delaware River and Philadelphia, while heading west reveals Appalachian Mountains and historic small towns offering diverse experiences.
Video on this route
10 Best Places to Visit in Pennsylvania - Travel Video