Eight landmarks spanning the Keystone State — from the cradle of American independence to Civil War fields, architectural icons, the three rivers, and the northern wilds.
PHILADELPHIA · HISTORIC DISTRICT
The birthplace of the nation, where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated and signed.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site at the heart of Philadelphia, Independence Hall is where the Founding Fathers debated and adopted both the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the Constitution in 1787. Standing in the restored Assembly Room — where George Washington presided — carries a genuine weight of history.
Access is by free, timed ticket (a small handling fee applies), and knowledgeable National Park Service rangers lead the tours. It sits within Independence National Historical Park, steps from the Liberty Bell, making the two an easy pair on any first visit to Philadelphia.
GETTYSBURG · SOUTH-CENTRAL PA
Site of the pivotal 1863 Civil War battle and Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, with a vast preserved battlefield and museum.
The turning point of the American Civil War, the three-day Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863 was the bloodiest of the war and the inspiration for Lincoln's immortal Gettysburg Address. The sprawling, meticulously preserved battlefield is dotted with more than a thousand monuments and markers tracing where the fighting unfolded.
Start at the visitor center for the museum and the restored cyclorama painting, then follow the self-guided auto tour across the rolling countryside. Plan for the better part of a day — four to five hours — to take it all in properly.
MILL RUN · LAUREL HIGHLANDS
Frank Lloyd Wright's masterpiece, a house dramatically cantilevered over a waterfall in the woods of southwestern PA.
Widely regarded as the finest work of American architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater is built directly over a rushing waterfall, its bold concrete terraces seeming to float above the stream. The 1930s house is a definitive statement of "organic architecture," blurring the line between the built and the natural.
Tickets should be booked well in advance, and tours move at a steady pace through the interior and grounds. The drive into the Laurel Highlands is scenic in its own right, and Wright's nearby Kentuck Knob makes a worthy companion visit.
PITTSBURGH · WESTERN PA
The dramatic confluence of three rivers at the tip of downtown Pittsburgh, marked by its iconic 150-foot fountain.
At the very tip of downtown Pittsburgh, Point State Park marks the spot where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers join to form the Ohio — a confluence so strategically vital it was fought over in the French and Indian War. Today its centerpiece is a towering fountain that jets water 150 feet into the air against the backdrop of the city skyline.
The park blends history with riverfront calm: remnants of colonial-era forts, wide green lawns, and walking and cycling paths along the water. It's the natural place to take in Pittsburgh's celebrated "three rivers" setting.
HERSHEY · SOUTH-CENTRAL PA
A sprawling amusement park in "The Sweetest Place on Earth," with world-class coasters and chocolate-themed fun.
Born in 1906 as a leisure park for chocolate-factory employees, Hersheypark has grown into one of the country's premier amusement destinations, with a deep roster of roller coasters — Candymonium, Skyrush, and Wildcat's Revenge among the headliners — plus a water park and zoo.
The surrounding town leans fully into its theme, with streetlamps shaped like Hershey's Kisses and the free Chocolate World tour ride nearby. It's a family favorite year-round, transforming with elaborate decorations for the Halloween and Christmas seasons.
LANCASTER COUNTY · SOUTHEASTERN PA
Rolling farmland and Amish communities where horse-drawn buggies, covered bridges, and a centuries-old way of life endure.
Centered on Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Dutch Country is home to one of the largest Amish and Mennonite communities in the world, where horse-drawn buggies still share the roads and farms are worked much as they were generations ago. Farm-and-house tours, covered bridges, and roadside markets offer a window into this enduring "plain" way of life.
Beyond the cultural draw, the region is famous for hearty Pennsylvania Dutch cooking, handmade quilts, and farm-fresh markets. Visiting respectfully — and supporting local family stands — is part of the experience.
PHILADELPHIA · HISTORIC DISTRICT
Home to the iconic, cracked Liberty Bell — an enduring symbol of American independence and liberty.
Just across from Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell Center houses the most famous bell in the world, its distinctive crack and the inscription "proclaim liberty throughout all the land" making it a global emblem of freedom. Once it summoned lawmakers; later it became a rallying symbol for abolitionists and the civil-rights movement.
Admission is free, with a brief airport-style security screening at the entrance. Exhibits trace the bell's history as you approach, and the rear of the hall frames a memorable view straight across to Independence Hall.
WELLSBORO · NORTH-CENTRAL PA
The "Pennsylvania Grand Canyon" — a 47-mile gorge of forested cliffs and overlooks in the state's northern tier.
Known as the "Pennsylvania Grand Canyon," Pine Creek Gorge cuts nearly 1,000 feet deep and runs some 47 miles through the wild forests of the northern tier, with Pine Creek threading quietly along its floor. In autumn the slopes erupt into layers of red, orange, and gold.
Two state parks — Leonard Harrison on the east rim and Colton Point on the west — offer the best overlooks, while the steep Turkey Path Trail descends to the creek for the energetic. A paved rail-trail along the bottom is popular with cyclists.
