9 Slow-Paced Towns to Visit in Pennsylvania
Those who think of Pennsylvania may drum up images of Philadelphia, the birthplace of American freedom, or Pittsburgh, another huge metropolis famed for steel production that supplied the nation. However, some of the real stories and sights of The Keystone State reside in its smaller towns, where you can discover amazing and unique wonders like the historic battlefields of Gettysburg, the birthplace of Jimmy Stewart, and one of the larger Amish communities in the country. Even with all they have to offer, many of these essential pieces of Pennsylvania are also known for being laid back and slower-paced.
Jim Thorpe
Jim Thorpe is affectionately known as the “Switzerland of America” because it blends culture and natural scenic views within the expansive Poconos. The town has long maintained its heritage and history, even taking its name from a famous Native American athlete. For those looking for a calm and tranquil escape in a slow-paced setting, you are likely to enjoy the historical sites of the community, like the Old Jail Museum or the Victorian architecture and styles of the Asa Packer Mansion.
While you can undoubtedly come to Jim Thorpe and appreciate the rush of white-water rafting, mountain biking, or strenuous hiking, those who want to maintain the slower exploration value a memorable train ride through the nearby Lehigh Gorge State Park. During autumn, Jim Thorpe is also the site of the annual Fall Foliage Festival, which beckons thousands to the typically small town of only around 4,500 people. Winterfest, a couple of months later, also draws a sizable crowd.
Gettysburg
Few places in the country are as visited and revered as Gettysburg in terms of historical significance, especially regarding the American Civil War. Once the site of a bloody battle claiming the lives of thousands of warring Americans, not to mention the location of President Abraham Lincoln’s iconic address, the community surrounding this 1800s battlefield celebrates its role in the country's dark past. Visitors can walk the grounds through the Gettysburg National Military Park and learn more about crucial American history, specifically President Dwight D. Eisenhower, through the Eisenhower National Historic Site here.
Gettysburg also has a lot to offer the non-history buff in your group. The entire town moves slowly and deliberately, allowing you to appreciate its 19th-century architecture and preserved buildings. One such location is the famed paranormal site of Jennie Wade’s house, where ghost tours occur regularly throughout the year. Some come to the town for the reenactments on the battlefield, and thousands of others make it here for the annual Bluegrass Festival.
Lititz
Lancaster County has long been known for being the location of one of the larger Amish communities in the country. This lifestyle is built on hard work but not as much about the bustle and business of everyday life, which has become a personality trait of Lititz. This community has a rich heritage, with countless long-standing companies defining the way of life here. One great example is the Wilbur Chocolate Factory. Visitors to Lititz can tour the factory, witness the candy-making firsthand, and even sample some treats for their troubles. For more food-based fun, you can also stop at Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery for a chance to twist your own soft pretzels.
Those curious about the Amish way of life can enjoy guided tours of local farms, getting an up-close visual of life along the Pennsylvania Dutch countryside. Festivals are a draw to the community, which enlivens the square with thousands of guests yearly for events like the Fire & Ice Festival and the Craft Beer Fest. When you need a break from the noise, you can check out the nearby Lititz Springs Park for long walking trails and serene, scenic vistas to quiet things down.
Kennett Square
If you have ever wondered where the mushrooms you find in your local grocery store come from, you might be interested to know that almost half of them come from Kennett Square. Over five hundred million pounds of mushrooms are farmed here annually, which has affectionately granted it the title “Mushroom Capital of the World.” As you would expect, several events and businesses lean into Kennett Square's fame, such as the annual Mushroom Festival (that attracts roughly 100,000 people) or La Verona and Letty’s Tavern on State Street with many mushroom-centric entrees.
Kennett Square isn’t only about the mushrooms, though. Visitors to this small town will also notice its dedication to local art, with regular performances of the Kennett Symphony or exhibits at the Square Pear Fine Art Gallery. For those looking for a truly special experience for a future visit, you can reach out to Talula’s Table, where a spot at the Chef’s Table is a reservation made a year in advance.
Doylestown
Everything about Doylestown says it is a small town where you can relax. It is one of the picturesque communities in a coffee table magazine with historical landmarks like Fonthill Castle (an imposing concrete creation and home of archeologist Henry Chapman Mercer) and the Mercer Museum (which showcases American tools and artifacts.) From here, notice the quaint boutiques and shops along the strip, like the Doylestown Bookshop or Main Street’s Simply Fresh eatery for farm-to-table fare.
Many use Doylestown as a base for seeing some of Pennsylvania’s natural splendor, as it is uniquely positioned for travel to Peace Valley Park, Ringing Rocks County Park, and Nockamixon State Park.
Hershey
If you drive east for 20 minutes from Harrisburg, you are likely to see signage directing you to one of the region’s most popular attractions, Hersheypark. In Hershey, everything is about the chocolate they make here in the factory, which is a primary supplier of one of the world’s biggest candy brands. Unsurprisingly, this has been deemed "The Sweetest Place on Earth." Everything points to this chocolatier, from the lights on Chocolate Avenue shaped to look like Hershey’s Kisses to The Hershey Story Museum, recounting the life of the first family of American chocolate.
Despite all the excitement surrounding Hershey and its impact on the community, the town is very slow-paced and tranquil. You can dive even deeper into these relaxed environments with locations like Hershey Gardens, which has 23 acres of garden scenery and a massive butterfly atrium. Those staying awhile will want to check out The Chocolate Avenue Grill, a popular dining destination offering fresh eats for hungry patrons.
Lewisburg
You would think that being the scene of Bucknell University, Lewisburg would be active and bustling at all times of the year, yet it remains a tranquil and peaceful destination for travelers. Beyond those coming for college-related reasons, the true worth of the town is in its people and the community, which comes alive for recurring events like the Lewisburg Farmers Market running since 1937. The visuals of the main strip of town are charming and dotted with 19th-century buildings and architecture, adding to the ambiance of the prestige of Bucknell University’s influence.
With a diverse population, arts and culture are front and center in the town, skyrocketing the success of locations like Brushstrokes Gallery. Whether you are looking for peaceful communion with nature at places like the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail or want to escape from Philadelphia a couple of hours away, Lewisburg has much to explore and discover.
Wellsboro
While it might not have the popularity of huge metropolises like Philadelphia or Scranton, Wellsboro is known for almost the opposite. Having only around 3,300 residents, walking down the main streets seemingly takes you back in time with 19th-century architecture and gas-lit streetlamps. The ideal setting for a period piece, it is unsurprising that Wellsboro hosts a massive celebration every year called Dickens of a Christmas that leans into the Victorian-era feel of the community but goes a step further with costumes, festive food, live music and entertainment, and shopping opportunities.
Guests should be sure to check out some of the timeless businesses within the community, such as the historic Penn Wells Hotel (1869) or the Wellsboro Diner, which gives hungry patrons a slice of nostalgia with 1930s décor and environment. Beyond its in-town attractions, Wellsboro also serves as a gateway to a couple of natural wonders in Pine Creek Gorge (where thousands travel yearly to see the PA Grand Canyon) and Leonard Harrison State Park along the gorge’s eastern edge.
Indiana
To attract visitors and traffic, many of Pennsylvania’s most popular small towns have a niche on the country's supply chain. Like Hershey, and its chocolate or Kennett Square and mushrooms farming, Indiana is known as the "Christmas Tree Capital of the World." The county is one of the nation’s largest producers of Christmas trees, an industry that has thrived since the early 1900s. As you might expect, Christmas is always in the air around this small town, which is even more tied to the holiday being the birthplace of renowned actor Jimmy Stewart from It’s a Wonderful Life.
However, high traffic volumes do not arrive to know where trees come from but rather to partake in the community’s shopping and dining options. 9th Street Deli is known for its cozy atmosphere, which amplifies the tranquility and slow pace of the town.
Pennsylvania has many incredible attractions and natural wonders to discover, from the Amish communities of Lancaster County to access to Lake Erie in the Northwest portion of the state. While there is always something to do in this historic region that long pre-dates American independence, the small towns of the Keystone State often hold some of the greatest attractions and sights to behold, from the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon to "The Sweetest Place on Earth."
