what is there to see and do in Pennsylvania

[g1g]

Looking to go to Pennsylvania either July, August or maybe September.
All searches always show hiking which we are not really up to. We like oddity things that you really can't see everywhere and prefer to stay out of the big cities. Any ideas on sights or things to do?

[JoeH]

Gettysburg and nearby is the Harley Factory at York that has tours

[ljr]

As an aside, PA gas taxes are pretty bad. If you can, plan to minimize PA fuel purchases.

[tatest]

Philadelphia. Amish Country. Finding my ancestors: Philadelphia, Amish Country, and following their migration from Lancaster towards Pittsburgh. My brother spent several years worth of summer vacations tracking down the family as is moved westward through Pennsylvania into the Midwest. If from Ohio with a pre-Revolution family history, chances are a lot of that will be in Pennsylvania.

Tourist sites? I've visited Gettysburg twice, but then again I majored in American History. Philadelphia once, need some more time there, an ancestor owned a city lot that is now probable under a downtown high-rise. More of my Pennsylvania time has been studying Appalachian geology (second major, after VietNam war), if that maybe interests you. There are great rock exposures where the Susquehanna cuts through the mountains, Williamsport to Harrisburg.

It all depends on what things you find of interests. I have a sister interested only in amusement parks with great roller coasters, or opportunities to jump out of an airplane. I find so many different things interesting that it is difficult for me to travel on an short schedule, I want to stop for everything.

[Thom02099]

If you find yourself in Bucks County PA, there is much to see and do. Beautiful drives along the Delaware River, I used to drive from Yardley all the way up to and past Upper Black Eddy. Along the way, is Bowman's Tower, the site of Washington crossing the Delaware, and of course New Hope, PA, a wonderful little town to explore. And if you find yourself in Doylestown, check out the Mercer Museum. It's a 6 story concrete building that is chocked full of early Americana. H E R E - Mercer Museum is some information about the origin of the museum, and it's importance. For any history buff or fan of early Americana, you will not be disappointed.

[DrewE]

jfkmk wrote:
Depending on if you have children or not Knoebels is a good alternative to Hershey.

Personally, I don't think whether you have children or not enters into the equation at all; Koebels is a fantastic park regardless, which is not to be taken as a dig at HersheyPark. I don't think I've seen more efficient ride operations than they have at some of Knoebels rides.

Kennywood is also superb but rather less convenient to any campgrounds.

If you like baseball, watching some of the Little League World Series is a whole lot of inexpensive fun. Bring sunscreen.

[bigred1cav]

You're jesting. Our history is located in Pa., Mass, Va.

[vermilye]

Check out my favorite state park (in all the US) - Ricketts Glen. Two campgrounds (dry but with bathrooms with showers) a lake, but the best part - a trail along 22 waterfalls and hundreds of cascades. You will be a little early in September for the fall colors, but October is my favorite time to visit. More photos.

[soren]

Crowe wrote:
I just got back from Gettysburg-I don't know if you'd call it "odd" but I would do a ghost tour. One thing I will say is if you don't like heat, wait until September.

Yea, the summer can be a lot hotter and more humid in south central PA. than a lot of folks realize. We moved here last year from the Poconos. Some days it seems like we accidentally moved to South Carolina. March in the mountains often meant the end of ski season, and waiting for the snow to finally melt. Here it's watching the Amish getting the fields plowed as the first flowers bloom. Summers can be brutal at times, and often 10-15 degrees hotter than other parts of the state. The other benefit of waiting until September to visit this part of the country is that the crowds really thin out. There are eight million+ tourists visiting Lancaster county, every year. There are times it feels like 95% of those visits take place on Saturdays from Memorial day to Labor day 🙂 Touring the area, mid-week, in September, can be gloriously lonely, and a great experience.

[Crowe]

I just got back from Gettysburg-I don't know if you'd call it "odd" but I would do a ghost tour. One thing I will say is if you don't like heat, wait until September.

[drsteve]

If you visit Fallingwater, stop in nearby Ohiopyle and go white water rafting on the Youghiogheny River. Wild enough to get you wet, but not likely to drown you.

[bobsallyh]

All I Could Afford, out of Hustontown off PA RT 655,is an abandon tunnel from years ago from the old pike. Way off the beaten path, and gives you an eerie feeling walking in the end, damp, sort of dark, until you are far enough in to see the opposite end. I believe it is in Fulton County but not certain.

[RGar974417]

My home state of Pa has a number of great museums like the Oil Museum in Titusville where Col Drake discovered oil. The military museum in Boalsburg profiles every Pennsylvania military unit from the French and Indian War through Desert Storm. The Pa train Museum in Strasburg has many interesting displays and lot's of trains. In Berks County where I live,we have the Gruber Wagon Works and the Howard Heister Canal Museum. They are located across from the Reading Airport. The Mid Atlantic Air Museum is located at the Airport. In my hometown we have the Robesonia Furnace Museum. Message me for a tour of that. Also Hopewell Village National Historic site is a restored 17th century Iron Furnace located next to French Creek State Park. The Piper Aircraft Museum is located in Loch Haven,Pa. About 10 miles west of Loch Haven is Bald Eagle lake State Park. Nice campground with a large lake. Some have electric and other sites have full hookups.

[All_I_could_aff]

Speaking of the Pennsylvania Turnpike reminds me that there are a few old abandoned sections of the highway out there that are interesting for bike rides or just walking, if you’re into old infrastructure like me.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YE7Ch7tN4F0

[Bumpyroad]

IIRC, years back sections of the turnpike had a chicken wire fence separating the lanes.
bumpy