10 Prettiest Towns to Visit in Pennsylvania
As the saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. To a tourist, what makes a town beautiful could vary, be it from its natural wonders, architecture, festivities, food scene, or cultural relevance.
The good thing is that many of the small towns in Pennsylvania have all that and more. Enormous megalopolises like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia might seem like the only draw to the area. However, the Keystone State is teeming with tiny communities that are big on aesthetics and charm, too. The lush parks in Bellefonte and Kennett Square, the roaring river of Ohiopyle, and the stunning downtown of Jim Thorpe are just some of the highlights! Ready your camera and capture the prettiest towns to visit in Pennsylvania.
Bellefonte
Step into the Victorian wonderland of Bellefonte! Although named after a natural spring in the area, this Central Pennsylvania borough is better known for its well-preserved Victorian buildings, which now form the Bellefonte Historic District. While here, check out the impressive structures now registered and protected by the National Register of Historic Places, such as the historic grist mill of Gamble Mill (now a restaurant and inn) and the purportedly haunted Hastings Mansion.
Besides man-made structures, Bellefonte enjoys blooms from nature, too—as seen from its popular Talleyrand Park. Drop by around spring to see its Big Spring Festival, where locals gather at the park to enjoy the nice weather, blooming trees, and yummy local eats. Other pretty spots are the Bellefonte Art Museum and the historic brick inn of Bellefonte Bed and Breakfast.
Jim Thorpe
Nestled in the Pocono Mountains, this mining-town-turned-tourist-hub is lovingly called “The Switzerland of America” for its gorgeous landscapes and enchanting 19th-century-style architecture. Its beauty is not just for the eyes, as this tiny town has oodles of things to do and experience. A downtown tour from the Jim Thorpe Trolley Company or going museum hopping with the Old Jail Museum, the Mauch Chunk Museum, and the Asa Packer Mansion are highly recommended activities.
But if you want to sit back and relax in a vintage train coach while letting nature do all the talking, a scenic train ride via the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway is necessary. The views of the Lehigh River and the Lehigh Gorge State Park will take your breath away!
New Hope
With art galleries and museums peppered around town, a heritage railroad of its own, and amazing waterfront views of the Delaware River, New Hope often feels underrated. Explore the wonder of this oft-overshadowed borough, starting with a stroll at Delaware Canal State Park or riding the steam locomotive of the New Hope Railroad that takes you through the lovely Bucks County countryside.
As beautiful as Mother Nature’s work is, New Hope also has space for the arts. The borough supports the New Hope Arts Center, a non-profit organization that showcases modern artworks, and the historic Bucks County Playhouse, an old mill that became a theater. Curious about this hidden charmer? New Hope is only a few miles north of Philadelphia and across Lambertville, New Jersey.
Lititz
Escape from the hustle and bustle of your concrete jungle and take a break in the quaint borough of Lititz. You will immediately see its small-town vibe and allure from a quick downtown stroll. Locals love to hang out at the pretty little Lititz Springs Park, which conveniently has charming brunch and tea spots around it. Try the Tomato Pie Cafe (yes, they have tomato pies!) and A Tea Affair Tea Room’s high tea.
Aside from having an adorable park and shops that make you feel all fancy and dainty, Lititz has the Lititz Historical Foundation and the Moravian House Antiques to show the town’s penchant for history. Want to create your pretzels? Get a hands-on lesson on pretzel twisting with the Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery!
Gettysburg
While war is never pretty, Gettysburg’s beauty lies in its historical significance and how it has kept and honored its heritage. As the site of the bloodiest Civil War battle, you will find many museums and memorial parks around town. The Gettysburg National Military Park and Museum, the Gettysburg Museum of History, Lee’s Headquarters, and the Eternal Light Peace Memorial are some of its must-visit spots for history buffs.
You can also pay your respects during Gettysburg’s Remembrance Day in November or watch a reenactment during the battle’s anniversary every July. Feeling brave? Join the Civil War Ghost Tour to get a chilling perspective of the town. Outside historical attractions, Gettysburg has the Sweet Potato Festival and the Brass Band Festival to look forward to every fall and summer.
Doylestown
Doylestown’s origin is as charming as it looks! What started as a tavern in the 1700s grew to become a small haven in Bucks County with a bewitching downtown full of interesting shops and landmarks. Lining Main Street are the Doylestown Historical Society, the quirky craft beer hangout of Maxwell’s On Main, and the endearing Nonno’s Italian Coffee Parlor, to name a few. The best part? The building for the tavern (The Fountain House) still stands on Main Street and has Starbucks on its first floor. It is not every day you get to sip a history-rich cup of Joe!
Stray a bit from Main Street and you get to see other Doylestown attractions. Some notable ones are the Michener Art Museum dedicated to Bucks County art, the Mercer Museum which focuses on old-timey American tools and vehicles, and Fonthill Castle—a huge 1900s mansion made by a tile maker and archeologist. Doylestown sure is one of the prettiest towns to visit in Pennsylvania for its downtown!
Strasburg
Locals and tourists alike flock and stay in Strasburg for one thing: railroad attractions. If you like trains and cannot get enough of a locomotive’s majestic beauty, visiting Strasburg will take you on a train-filled journey! Learn more about trains at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, which has 19th-century locomotives and antique clocks. Meanwhile, the Choo Choo Barn down the road has cute model trains that will delight kids and the young at heart.
Of course, your Strasburg visit will not be complete without a proper ride on a steam train. The nearby Strasburg Rail Road has rides that go through the idyllic Amish Country, complete with wine, cheese, and even an escape room or murder mystery option if you desire the extra excitement. To remember your stay, grab a souvenir from the antique shops of the 3-minutes away Whit’s End Trading Company or Strasburg Antique Market. A tiny train trinket should do the trick!
Kennett Square
Famed for its gardens and mushroom-themed festivities, Kennett Square is pretty and quirky in its own unique way. Dubbed the “Mushroom Capital of the World” because of its abundant mushroom farms, head there to join its annual Mushroom Festival that happens on the weekend after Labor Day. Cooking contests, demonstrations, celebrity chef guests, and live mushroom growing are aplenty! Add in the Longwood Gardens and its manicured gardens, horticulture classes, and magical woodland feel, and you get a cutesy recipe for cottagecore aesthetics.
Kennett Square also has some interesting and unconventional foodie hubs in town. The Mexican ice cream parlor of La Michoacana has peculiar flavors like corn and tamarind, and its patrons are known to sprinkle chili powder and cinnamon on these scoops. Meanwhile, Talula’s Table has got to be one of the hardest reservations to get in the United States—it is a gourmet market and cafe by day but turns into a two-table restaurant by night!
Ohiopyle
As one of Pennsylvania’s top destinations for outdoor adventures, visiting Ohiopyle will make you appreciate the draw of nature. Home to less than 40 people, the town comes alive every weekend and holiday when tourists gather to hike and explore the nearby Ohiopyle State Park or bravely paddle through the Youghiogheny River.
The natural waterslides in Meadow Run might look picturesque, but it can be challenging. Get guided raft trips with Laurel Highlands or White Water Adventures, or rent a bike with Wilderness Voyageurs to cycle along the river. You can even have your adventure memorialized in stunning photos from Ohiopyle Photography! Lastly, your great outdoor escapade deserves great Ohiopyle food, so treat yourself to some pies from Paddlers Pizza, deli eats from Falls Market, and sweet treats made by Ohiopyle Bakery.
Milford
With its strong love for the arts and history preservation, as well as having the Pocono Mountains as its backdrop, Milford shows Pennsylvania’s multifaceted boons very well. Nature-wise, a hike up Milford Knob Trail will reward you with a full aerial view of the town and its landscape, while a trek to Raymondskill Falls will show you Pennsylvania’s tallest waterfalls.
The town celebrates the Milford Readers and Writers Festival and the Black Bear Film Festival every September and October, respectively. Not only does the town acknowledge the importance of creative arts, but it has kept up with preserving the impressive Grey Towers and the Columns Museum—a testament to Milford’s old-world allure on top of its natural marvels.
Pennsylvania is blessed with a wide variety of sightseeing spots and adventures that can cater to different kinds of travelers. Its big cities might get a huge chunk of tourists and media spotlight, but its tiny towns and boroughs are nothing to scoff at.
Ohiopyle’s vistas from Mother Nature, Gettysburg’s honored heritage sites, Kennett Square’s eclectic cuisine, and Strasburg’s one-of-a-kind activities show that the Keystone State isn’t as simple or one-note as it seems. These are some of the prettiest towns to visit in Pennsylvania, and should you find yourself in the area, spark that wanderlust within you and give these places a try!
