10 Best Downtowns In Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, towns are often referred to as boroughs, which are self-governing municipalities that are smaller than cities, with populations typically under 5,000. According to WHYY news, there are 956 boroughs in the state. Not all boroughs are created equal, however. Some of these boroughs, which we will now refer to as towns, have better downtown areas than others. Whether you prefer the history of Gettysburg, the college atmosphere of State College, or the natural beauty of Coudersport, these small towns house the best downtowns in the state.
Kennett Square
A suburb of Wilmington, Delaware and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Kennett Square in Southern Chester County is a picturesque town in the heart of the Brandywine Valley. The town is just three miles from the famous Longwood Gardens. This outdoor sanctuary of the DuPont family features 1,100 acres covered by indoor and outdoor native and exotic plants and trees. The fountain shows at Longwood Gardens are a highlight as well, and the gardens' Open Air Theatre hosts live performances all year round.
Kennett Square's downtown area is filled with historic architecture from the 18th and 19th centuries. Unique shops and quirky art galleries line the streets, such as The Mushroom Cap on West State Street and Square Pear Fine Art Gallery on East State Street. One of the most popular restaurants in the downtown area is Sweet Amelia's on East State Street, offering share plates and vegetarian options. If you've got a sweet tooth, you might like Wanderlust Doughnuts on West State Street and La Michoacana Homemade Ice Cream, serving 36 flavors, on East State Street.
Events bring Kennett Square's community vibe to life. Every New Year's Eve, the town hosts the Mushroom Drop at midnight, in which a giant mushroom is lowered to the ground, much like the Big Apple in Times Square. Other events that bring townsfolk and tourists together include the annual Mushroom Festival in September and Holiday Village Market in December.
Gettysburg
The county seat of Adams County, Gettysburg is more than just a Civil War town. It has a lively downtown area that is interwoven with its rich history. Just 40 miles southwest of the state capital of Harrisburg, Gettysburg is a small town north of the Maryland border that attracts thousands of visitors each year.
Gettysburg's Civil War history is, of course, a large part of its identity and must be mentioned. Gettysburg National Military Park is filled with 1,300 memorials and monuments, as well as educational information on the Battle of Gettysburg. The town's American Civil War Museum examines the Battle of Gettysburg through the eyes of a Confederate soldier.
Gettysburg's downtown area is filled with eclectic shops selling hand-crafted goods, art, and artifacts. Some of the most intriguing shops are Oh Man! on Baltimore Street, The Sagebrush Shack on Baltimore Street, and Southern Pennsylvania Clay on Chambersburg Street. When you get hungry, check out The Gettysburger Company on Chambersburg Street, serving burgers and homestyle meals. Top it all off with a visit to SWEET!, a candy store on Baltimore Street selling old-time, imported, and novelty sweets.
Annual events in downtown Gettysburg include the Gettysburg Christmas Festival in December and Gettysburg Bike Week in July. These events showcase how well history mixes with the contemporary in one of the best downtowns in Pennsylvania.
Lititz
The small town of Lititz, in Lancaster County, has been described as the picture-perfect ideal of small-town America, and won Budget Travel magazine's Coolest Small Town in America in 2013. This town also combines historical and modern attractions into a delightful downtown area. Start your tour of the town by visiting historical sites such as the Johannes Mueller House on Main Street, circa 1792. Then check out the Christian Schropp House, circa 1793, also on Main Street, containing the Lititz Museum and Gift Shop. Finally, see the Mary Oehme Gardens in the rear of the museum, containing a heritage garden, water garden, and calm, peaceful landscaping.
In addition to its many historical sites, downtown Lititz houses quaint shops and popular eateries. Start with the Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery, the first commercial pretzel bakery in the United States, on East Main Street, which gives tours and tastings. Next, find treasures at the Purple Turtle Consignment Boutique, on Kleine Lane. Finally, finish your tour of downtown Lititz by visiting the Wilbur Chocolate retail store on Kleine Lane.
One popular restaurant in Lititz's downtown area is Per Diem in the Hotel Rock Lititz, on Rock Lititz Boulevard. This restaurant serves farm-fresh fare and casual alcoholic beverages. If you are an alcohol connoisseur, you may also wish to tour and taste at the Stoll and Wolfe Distillery on North Cedar Street.
Small-town events in Lititz such as the Annual Community Christmas Carol Sing bring the townspeople together and attract visitors to the village. Year-round, 2nd Friday is held each second Friday of the month, when downtown stores and restaurants stay open later and a neighborly atmosphere is fostered.
State College
Although primarily known as the town that houses Penn State University, State College is a charming village in its own right. Its Main Street and downtown area offers visitors plenty to do, not all of which is related to the college. Often referred to as "Happy Valley," State College, in Centre County, is in almost the exact center of Pennsylvania.
The moniker "Happy Valley" dates back to the Great Depression and the fact that the town did not experience much of the same hardship that the rest of the country faced. In addition to the above-mentioned businesses in the downtown area, State College also houses the Palmer Museum of Art, on the campus of Penn State University.
State College's downtown area is filled with shops, bars, and restaurants, as well as hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts, as expected of a college town. Shops in downtown State College are diverse and include Appalachian Outdoors, House of Kashmir, and McLanahan's Downtown Market. When you get hungry, check out local eateries like the Allen Street Grill, Lupita's Authentic Mexican Food, and Penn Kabab.
Events in State College are not all university related. Downtown events include the Fall Fest, First Fridays, and Sips and Sounds Downtown Food and Drink Festival. These community-building events draw residents and visitors, as well as college students.
Coudersport
Located in Potter County, in what is called the Pennsylvania Wilds, the small town of Coudersport takes up less than seven miles, and was founded in the early 1800s. It combines history with natural beauty and a busy downtown area to add up to what is once referred to as the quintessential small town by the New York Times.
Formed in 1916, the Potter County Historical Society houses artifacts and heritage of the area. Another historical attraction in Coudersport's downtown area is the Coudersport Theatre, first opened in 1923 and still showing films today. The Pennsylvania Lumber Museum also tells much of the history of the town.
Coudersport's Main Street is promoted by the town as a place where people can walk, socialize, and shop. The Potter County Artisan Cooperative on Coudersport's Main Street showcases and sells fine arts and crafts from a variety of local craftspeople. Other shops include Right Stuff Consignment on Second Street and Franklin's Gift Shop on Port Allegany Road.
Hungry visitors to Coudersport won't be disappointed. Try Orion's Bar and Grill or Laurelwood Inn, both on East Second Street. You might also attend Food Fun Fridays in the summertime, a downtown festival featuring music and food trucks/vendors.
Somerset
The county seat of Somerset County, Somerset, in Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands, is a charming borough just off the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The area is best-known as home to the Flight 93 National Memorial. History combines with the outdoors to give Somerset a character all its own.
Incorporated in 1804, Somerset's downtown area (which is actually called uptown in Somerset) features a variety of architectural styles, including Queen Anne, Classical Revival, and Colonial Revival. The Uptown Somerset Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and includes St. Paul's United Church of Christ, circa 1887; National Guard Armory, circa 1922; and County Jail and Sheriff's Residence, circa 1856 and 1889.
Somerset Borough's Main Street Program, dubbed Somerset, Inc., encourages economic development in the uptown area while preserving its history. The Somerset Business District includes shops such as the Somerset Emporium pawn shop, Somerset Candy Company, and My Asylum engraving shop, all on Main Street. Uptown eateries such as Main Moon Restaurant on Center Avenue and Stairs in Town Restaurant on Patriot Street cater to the needs of hungry townspeople and visitors.
Events in Somerset that attract residents and visitors include the Drive-Thru Live Nativity on Indiantown Road in December, children's groups at the Somerset County Library year-round, and the National Play Outside Day celebration in May.
New Hope
New Hope was named the best small town in the United States for arts and culture by Travel & Leisure magazine in 2024. The relatively small town that earned this praise lies along the Delaware River in Bucks County. It is about an hour from New York City and Philadelphia, but encompasses its own world.
Downtown New Hope is filled with history. Walking through town will take you past the three centuries of New Hope history: the Perry Mansion, circa 1784; the Canal-Side House, from the early 1800s, and the Bucks County Playhouse, from the early 1900s. The New Hope Historical Society on South Main Street provides visitors with educational information and a suggested walking tour of the area.
The downtown area of New Hope is full of quirky shops and boutiques, such as The Cat Walk of New Hope on South Main Street and Savioni Designer Boutique on West Bridge Street. Popular New Hope restaurants include Stella of New Hope on South Main Street, serving brunch, dinner, and dessert; and the Logan Inn on West Ferry Street, offering continental cuisine in a historical setting.
Annual events in New Hope highlight the artistic side of the town, such as the Bucks County Designer House and Gardens Tour in spring, and the New Hope Arts and Crafts Show in fall. Festivals are held at Peddler's Village, a popular, historic shopping mall in New Hope, year-round. These include the Peddler's Village Gingerbread Competition and Display in winter and the Peddlers Village Peach Festival in summer.
West Chester
Nestled within the Brandywine Valley, West Chester, the county seat of Chester County, is just 25 miles from Philadelphia, and was dubbed "one of the world's most perfect small towns" by the local newspaper, Philadelphia Inquirer. Its downtown area combines a rich history with modern shops, galleries, and eateries.
Over 4,000 of West Chester's 6,000 buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Walking through downtown, you will see the West Chester Courthouse, circa 1846; the Bank of Chester County building, from the 1830s; and the Chester County History Center, which collects, preserves, and shares artifacts and stories from the area.
Within a three-block radius of downtown West Chester you will find about 24 bars. This is not unusual, as West Chester is also a college town, home to West Chester University. The downtown also features shopping at over 100 independently-owned businesses (like All the Dogs on Church Street) and dining at 65 eateries (such as 9 Prime on North High Street).
Tons of annual events occur in West Chester's downtown. Some of them include the Holiday Window Decorating Contest in December, the Everhart Egg Hunt in spring, Turks Head Music Festival in summer, and Halloween Parade in October. These event draw town residents and visitors to downtown West Chester each year.
Zelienople
Sitting in Butler County, Zelienople is a picturesque community founded in 1802 by a German aristocrat who named the town after his daughter, Zelie. It began as a stop on the main route from Pittsburgh to Erie. Today, its downtown area combines history and modern businesses.
A visit to the Zelienople Historical Society offers much information about the town's history, as well as tours of the two oldest homes in town -- the Passavant House (1808) and the Buhl House (1819). Each December, the society sponsors a historic Christmas house tour that sells out quickly.
Downtown Zelienople hosts unique businesses and shops, such as Eva Bryn Shoetique, Little Green Bookstore, and Haute Designs, all on Main Street. You might opt to visit Baldinger's Market on Perry Way and buy some penny candy. Eateries include Goodfello's Pizza, Pasta & Grille and Della Terra, both on Main Street.
Zelienople prides itself on its annual events, such as the Boar's Head Festival in December, the 4th of July Parade, and the Halloween Parade. The library, a mainstay in this small community, hosts special events year-round, such as Book Club, Movie Night, and Dog Man Party.
North East
Located in Erie County, 14 miles northeast of Erie, North East gets its name from its placement. This small town in the Great Lakes region houses Victorian-style architecture, a busy downtown area, and venues featuring local arts, crafts, and food.
The McCord Memorial Library on Main Street in North East is a historical building erected in 1910 that is still operational today. Shops in the downtown area include The Alley Shop on Mechanic Aly, Treva's Trinkets and Treasures on Pearl Street, and Maggie's Home Decor on Main Street.
The North East Arts Council on Vine Street presents artistic and cultural programming year-round to engage the public. In the summertime, they hold Picnic in the Park, a weekly entertainment and children's crafts fest. They also sponsor local theater groups and host gallery nights featuring regional artists.
Hungry townsfolk know to visit The Skunk and Goat Tavern, serving New American cuisine, on Main Street. If that is filled to capacity, try New Harvest Restaurant, featuring comfort food and quick bites, on Sidehill Road.
If you are looking for small towns with thriving downtown areas in the Keystone State, look no further than the 10 towns listed above. You might choose to visit the charming burg of North East, near the larger city of Erie; picturesque West Chester, in the Brandywine Valley; or eclectic New Hope, in Bucks County. Whichever of these towns with vibrant downtown areas that you decide to travel to, you will find much to keep you busy, satiated, and happy.
