13 Cutest Small Towns In Pennsylvania For 2025

Pennsylvania boasts a blend of unmatched historical heritage, unique cultural encounters, and gorgeous natural landscapes, making it one of the top tourist destinations in the country. Although most journeys end in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s charm spreads throughout its territory. Between the picturesque foothills of the Pocono Mountains and the relaxed banks of the Susquehanna River, cute small towns introduce tourists to the bucolic beauty hidden on the fringes of the Keystone State.

Vacationers can look forward to relishing in once-in-a-lifetime experiences, from riding a vintage locomotive through the verdant wilderness of Jim Thorpe’s backcountry to witnessing an actual Civil War battlefield in Gettysburg. But that is only the tip of the iceberg; set the stage for a remarkable holiday by visiting these adorable small towns in Pennsylvania in 2025.

Kennett Square

This cute little suburb of Philadelphia is renowned for its agricultural prowess. It produces over 60% of the country’s mushrooms, earning the nickname “Mushroom Capital of the World.” In September 2025, the town will hold its annual Kennett Square Mushroom Festival, which offers guests an opportunity to partake in an immersive tradition featuring over 100,000 attendants and highlighted by mushroom-cooking competitions and mushroom-eating faceoffs. But if you visit outside the festival period, shopping at the Kennett Square Farmers Market is the closest to the experience you can get.

Beyond its festivities, Kennett Square is home to the expansive Longwood Gardens, a 1,000-acre oasis displaying thousands of colorful plant and flower species in well-manicured gardens with peaceful walkways. Finally, don’t leave without sampling the town’s tastiest artisanal crafts at Braeloch Brewing alongside welcoming patrons.

Gettysburg

Gettysburg has long drawn American war enthusiasts with the unrivaled preservation of its captivating military heritage. The borough famously hosted the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863, and first-timers can witness the actual battle site inside the Gettysburg National Military Park. A visitor center and museum at the park’s entrance shed more light on the battle using an extensive collection of artifacts, relics, testimonials, and memorabilia related to the Civil War. But the historical immersion doesn’t stop there; Gettysburg is a treasure trove of markers and monuments.

A trip to the Eisenhower National Historic Site exposes guests to the former abode of the 34th United States president. The property spans over 690 acres, with the focal point being a beautiful main house that General Eisenhower and his wife bought in 1950. If you fancy funky festivals, consider attending the Gettysburg Wine and Music Festival, scheduled for September 2025, for a taste of local culture.

Hershey

Dubbed "Sweetest Place on Earth," Hershey is a pleasant municipality just east of Harrisburg with a reputation for delivering unforgettable experiences for vacationing families. It houses the Milton Hershey’s chocolate factory, which produces one of America’s leading chocolate brands. Guests can take the Hershey’s Chocolate World tour to enjoy sumptuous treat tastings, entertaining rides, and theatrical performances. But if you are curious about the evolution of the Hershey brand, consider exploring the Hershey Story Museum. This resourceful venue displays interactive exhibits about the brand’s chronology since Milton Hershey established it.

After hours of fun and play, vacationers can find a cool spot to relax and catch their breath at the serene Hershey Gardens. This 23-acre botanical garden exhibits an array of colorful shrubs, plants, and flowers and features a children’s garden and butterfly house. Lastly, art lovers will relish experiencing the local art scene coming to a head during the Hershey Artfest on May 10, 2025.

Lititz

Lititz is known for many things but stands out for its rich historical heritage and vibrant downtown district. This Lancaster County community was founded by Moravian settlers in 1756 and boasts a fascinating backstory that the Lititz Historical Foundation preserves and interprets. In addition to showcasing historical artifacts and documents, the venue also schedules tours exploring the town’s oldest landmarks, such as the 18th-century Johannes Mueller House. Lititz is also home to the oldest pretzel bakery in the country, which continues to operate.

Tourists love to stop by the rustic Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery to learn how to twist pretzels the old-fashioned way before savoring the sumptuous snack. At the heart of the vibrant downtown district, Lititz presents the Lititz Springs Park for guests looking to escape the crowds and enjoy fresh air. The tranquil sanctuary charms with its lush picnic areas under shady trees and a stunning fountain.

Jim Thorpe

Jim Thorpe is a celebrated gem in the Pocono Mountains region known for its blend of supreme natural beauty and immersive cultural heritage. The town is surrounded by a lush backcountry area that tourists ride the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway to discover. This hour-long trip on an antique locomotive winds through the Lehigh Gorge State Park wilderness, exposing spell-binding gorges, rivers, bridges, and other natural landscapes. Come fall, the forests turn into a kaleidoscope of red, orange, and yellow hues, a transition the town celebrates during the Jim Thorpe Fall Festival, to be held in October 2025.

Jim Thorpe’s storied heritage comes to life at the Mauch Chunk Museum and Cultural Center. The building displays a range of archives and artifacts about the region’s past, some explaining its links with a famous Native American Olympian sharing a name with the community. Alternatively, you can view local history from the perspective of a prisoner with a tour of the 1800s Old Jail Museum.

State College

State College is the most recognized college town in Pennsylvania, home to Pennsylvania State University. Its vibrant art scene and larger-than-life sports culture breathe life into the community. Art enthusiasts come from across the region to browse a world-class collection of over 11,000 works at the Palmer Art Museum. Meanwhile, the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, which will be held in July 2025, has become one of the most prestigious art fairs in the region, bringing together top talent and judges.

Nothing separates college towns from other destinations better than their sports culture. This is precisely the case in State College, and watching a home game at the 106,000-capacity Beaver Stadium feels like an out-of-body experience.

Doylestown

This Bucks County borough provides a lovely small-town escape from the rowdy scenes in nearby Allentown and Philadelphia. Doylestown stands out for its architecturally diverse downtown, whose skyline is decorated by the famous Mercer Miles. Constructed by Henry Chapman Mercer, the trio Fonthill Castle, Tile Works Museum, and Mercer Museum is not only a visual spectacle but also a store for interactive archives, relics, and memorabilia about Chapman's life and the town’s history. Doylestown houses the Michener Art Museum, which showcases intricate impressionist paintings by American artists.

The community also hosts the Doylestown Arts Festival, scheduled for September 2025. This two-day celebration of the arts attracts over 150 artists. Finally, you wrap up the tour with a metaphysical experience at the VAMPA Vampire & Paranormal Museum, whose quirky exhibits range from talking boards to killing sets and occult items.

East Stroudsburg

East Stroudsburg is a gem in the Pocono Mountains and home to the East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. It is a culturally diverse community and displays an intriguing collection of artifacts at the Pocono Indian Museum. These include old shoes, attire, tools, and other relics depicting the life of the Delaware Indians. The annual Pocono Latin Fest at the East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania is an excellent time for culture vultures. Planned for September 2025, it showcases Latin culture through food, costumes, and traditions in an exciting community-building event.

Guests will enjoy touring the Schisler Museum and McMunn Planetarium for an eye-opening lesson on wildlife and natural history. The venue displays quirky specimen exhibits of over a hundred animals and features an adorable aquarium.

Wilkes-Barre

One of the cutest small towns in Pennsylvania, this historic community is steeped in mining and railroad heritage. The Luzerne County Historical Society is dedicated to preserving and interpreting local heritage and exhibits a library of artifacts in one of the oldest-running historical societies in the country. A stroll through the River Street Historic District transports guests into the 19th century, with over 200 antique structures dotting the district. Notable landmarks include the Classical Revival Luzerne County Courthouse.

Wilkes-Barre’s art community resides at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, a historic Art Deco venue known to stage Broadway-style musicals, operas, and dramas. Elsewhere, adventurers escape to the Seven Tubs Recreation Area to admire waterfalls, hike secluded trails, and wade through cascading streams across a 400-acre wilderness area.

Milton

Milton is an adorable small town in central Pennsylvania, surrounded by idyllic natural beauty and housing a thriving restaurant scene. It cultivates exciting outdoor adventures at the Milton State Park, which straddles 82 acres along the west branch of the Susquehanna River and provides opportunities for hikers, picnickers, anglers, and boaters. Downtown Milton harbors a diverse gastronomy scene, serving different flavors at its many restaurants. If you have a thing for Chinese cuisine, you can pop into Jade Palace Restaurant for authentic dishes.

Finally, those who love to experience rich culture can plan their trip during the Pennsylvania Dutch Festival. This celebration of Dutch traditions, to be held on August 30, 2025, welcomes guests to indulge in wagon rides, Dutch foods, and artisanal handicrafts during friendly interactions with the townsfolk.

Stroudsburg

Natural allure meets historical heritage in this quaint borough of Monroe County, situated in the heart of the Poconos. Stroudsburg was founded in the mid-1700s and boasts a well-preserved historic district with a cluster of antique buildings. The Monroe County Courthouse stands out for its Romanesque Revival architecture and a legacy stretching back to 1890. Townfolk demonstrate their appreciation for the arts by frequently gathering inside Sherman Theater for enthralling stage productions by local performers.

Meanwhile, the Monroe Farmers Market presents an ideal opportunity to interact with residents in a friendly environment. The weekly gathering features farm-fresh produce and delicious baked goods, and the atmosphere is always upbeat.

Greensburg

Greensburg sits about 30 miles from Pittsburg and provides a lovely getaway for art connoisseurs, nature lovers, and shopping enthusiasts. Its vibrant art scene comes to life at the historic Palace Theatre. This 1,300-seater hub entertains audiences with immersive dance, music, dramas, and other theatrical performances by seasoned artists. Additionally, the Westmoreland Museum of American Art showcases the best of visual arts, featuring at least 700 paintings by modern artists from southwestern Pennsylvania.

Recreational enthusiasts make their way to Lynch Field Park, where amenities like walking trails, playing fields, a swimming pool, and aerobics centers keep them active and entertained. Finally, shoppers can browse a diverse lineup of department stores and retail shops at the Westmoreland Mall to buy trendy fashion accessories.

Ridgway

Ridgway’s industrial heritage draws tourists to this tiny borough of Elk County, whose preserved historic district paints a vivid picture of the bygone eras. You will understand this when strolling through the Ridgway Historic District, home to over 700 historic structures. This includes the Elk County Courthouse, completed in 1880 and sporting a distinct red-brick design. The Elk County Council on the Arts supports the local community of creatives by exhibiting and selling intimate works by over 100 crafters and artisans.

The outdoor inclined can test their swing on the 9-hole Laurel Mill Golf Course while admiring its terrific natural views. Lastly, be sure to attend the Ridgway Harvest Daze Festival in October 2025 for an unforgettable cultural experience.

From admiring the richness of the Poconos wilderness in Wilkes-Barree to attending an electric college basketball game at State College, the cutest small towns in Pennsylvania for 2025 take visitors through a range of emotions, culminating in lasting memories. This is an invitation to witness the impressive diversity of the Keystone State and take advantage of its unique offerings. Whether you are a historian, culture enthusiast, foodie, or festival goer, something will surely tickle your fancy.