9 Small Towns in Pennsylvania to Visit for a Weekend Getaway

Pennsylvania is a charming State spanning the Northeastern, Great Lakes, Mid-Atlantic, and Appalachian territories of the United States. Brimming with small towns offering welcoming communities, Pennsylvanian small towns offer outdoor adventures, historical sites, Victorian architecture, and a variety of accommodations sure to please. Weekenders will find a variety of historical attractions within the small towns of this beautiful state, as well as art galleries, dining experiences, historic bed and breakfasts, and much more. The following is a list of 9 small towns in Pennsylvania to visit for a weekend getaway.

Gettysburg

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, offers everything history lovers could desire in a weekend getaway. Home of the famous and bloodiest battle during the Civil War, The Battle of Gettysburg, visitors interested in visiting the locale of this pivotal moment in the history of the United States will enjoy their time here. The Little Round Top National Cemetery offers a unique and informative opportunity to see where President Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address within the Gettysburg National Military Park. Gettysburg also offers a variety of restaurants, horse and carriage rides, and ghost tours. After the day's adventures, visitors will enjoy a stay at the highly-rated Brickhouse Inn Bed and Breakfast, a luxury Victorian-era property. It is within walking distance of local amenities, and each room features its clawfoot tub. Guests will also enjoy the Brickhouse’s Koi pond and waterfalls.

Doylestown

Doylestown, Pennsylvania, is prized for having the “Best Small-Town Cultural Scene,” according to USA Today. Home to world-class museums and a newly restored art-deco theatre, this small town was named Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, making it a great location for a weekend getaway. Originally an agricultural town, the town’s prosperity centered around an 18^th Century Inn; these days, Doylestown offers much more variety in the form of museums, galleries, and shopping, as well as a variety of attractions, including riding in a hot-air balloon, or trips aboard a steam-engine train. For accommodations, consider The Doylestown Inn, a boutique-style hotel, a Landmark Building located in the center of the town. It features 17 guestrooms and an antique-industrial-themed restaurant called The Hattery Stove and Still. This restaurant offers tavern-style food in a warm and inviting environment. The Inn also has a lobby-level bar, so guests can relax and enjoy the evening. Weekenders will also visit the nearby Peace Valley Lavender farm in the warmer months to enjoy lavender fields in a tranquil setting, bound to please.

Bloomsburg

Located along the Susquehanna River, Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, is a charming university town with its own National Historic District. Guests will enjoy the town’s historic residential properties, antique shops, art galleries, and breweries during their stay here. As for accommodations, Bloomsburg’s Elmdale Inn offers four guestrooms with luxurious antique furnishings and décor and a patio and fire pit for outdoor entertainment. Indoors, the Elmdale Inn features a library with a cozy fireplace. Water activities along the riverfront, wine-tasting events, and outdoor markets are offered during the summer. In September, visitors can take in the sights of the Bloomsburg Fair, the longest-running fair in the United States, making this an enjoyable destination for a weekend getaway. 

Somerset

Somerset, Pennsylvania, offers an opportunity for a weekend getaway where guests can step back into the past to explore the events surrounding the 9/11 terrorist attack as it is home to the Flight 93 National Memorial Park and museum. The Museum honors the heroic efforts of the men who thwarted further attacks against the United States, which ended in the crash of Flight 93. The park is an expansive locale, offering opportunities for biking and hiking. It is a popular attraction for visitors to Somerset. A stay at the Quill Haven County Inn Bed and Breakfast offers comfortable rooms in a cozy environment, and it is located in the center of town, within walking distance of many amenities. Nature lovers will enjoy visiting Laurel Hill State Park, within the Somerset region, featuring a lake for swimming, waterfalls, and walking trails. Somerset is also home to antique shops, restaurants, and bars. Somerset offers a unique experience because of its Memorial Park and is a great choice for a weekend getaway.  

West Chester

West Chester, Pennsylvania, is known for its ease of accessibility and has a reputation for being a fun place to stay, making it an obvious choice for a weekend getaway. Rich in historical architecture and offering a variety of shops, restaurants, and boutiques, visitors will enjoy a relaxing stay in this easy-going locale. Located in the Downtown area of West Chester, Hotel Warner offers accommodations in an art-deco style that was once a performing arts theatre. The hotel is home to the Marquee Lounge, offering a relaxing atmosphere and a cozy fireplace for a relaxing evening drink. Additionally, West Chester features walking tours, karaoke, and open mike nights at the Artillery Brewery. History lovers will enjoy knowing the first biography ever written about Abraham Lincoln was published in West Chester, and it is also home to the American Helicopter Museum and Education Center. 

Bellefonte

Known as a Victorian Jewel, Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, is famous for its elegant Victorian Mansions, making it an excellent place to enjoy a weekend getaway. Visitors can enjoy the town’s retail outlets and antique shops in one of the country’s best-preserved locales. Accommodations at Reynold’s Mansion Luxury Bed and Breakfast include a boutique-style hotel featuring gourmet breakfasts, a marble foyer, lavishly decorated suites, and a billiards room. Also on offer here is the American Philatelic Society, home to the country’s premier stamp collector’s museum, and the Historical Railroad, which offers seasonal Fall Foliage and Christmas trains. There are also outdoor attractions for weekenders in Bellefonte, such as kayaking and hiking. Offering something for everyone, Bellefonte is a great option for a weekend getaway. 

Easton

For anyone who’s ever enjoyed a freshly opened box of Crayola Crayons, Easton, Pennsylvania, is where you’ll love spending a weekend getaway. Home to the Crayola Crayons factory, visitors can enjoy a family-friendly experience touring the factory where crayons are made in this unique and charming locale. Easton is also home to the Lehigh Canal, which is a restored canal within the setting of a 520-acre park. Visitors can ride on the 110-passenger Josiah White Canal Boat when visiting Easton, an unforgettable experience. Townley House, located close to Easton’s Millionaires Row, offers accommodations in their 150-year-old boutique hotel, where each room is designed to provide a unique experience. Rooms feature their own fireplaces and are furnished with antiques, offering coxy and intimate settings. Easton is also known as one of the three locales nationwide where there was a public reading of the Declaration of Independence. 

Ridgway

Ridgway, Pennsylvania, is known for its lumber mansions, outdoor attractions, chainsaw carving competitions, and much more, making this a lovely option for a weekend getaway. The town’s famous Chainsaw Carvers Rendevous is an annual event held in Ridgway, featuring artists from around the country who create stunning works of art by creating wooden sculptures with chainsaws. The Bella Mansion Bed and Breakfast, formerly known as The Towers Inn, is elegantly furnished and features fireplaces and beautifully styled rooms that reflect the building’s era. Also home to the Clarion River featuring the Little Toby Rail Trail, guests will enjoy experiencing an opportunity to hike along the 18-mile, crushed limestone trail that features waterfalls, walking bridges, and ghost towns along the way. Open year-round, guests can try cross-country skiing, hiking, and biking. Outdoor lovers and history buffs alike will find plenty to enjoy in Ridgway, making it a wonderful option for a weekend getaway.

New Hope

New Hope, Pennsylvania, is known for its rich history involving the East Coast Shipping trade. Over the years, it has become a bustling community of art galleries, theatre, shopping, and fine dining, making it a great choice for a weekend getaway. For entertainment, The Bucks County Playhouse is a charming attraction in New Hope and is famous for hosting talent such as Robert Redford, Grace Kelly, and Liza Minnelli, to name a few. Also, home to the New Hope and Ivyland Railroad, visitors can travel aboard a 1925 steam locomotive, enjoying a 45-minute narrated train ride. The Woolverton Inn, located minutes from town, is nestled within 300 acres of forests and farmlands, offering a romantic experience in a peaceful setting. The Inn offers 14 guestrooms and cottages in luxurious surroundings, and guests enjoy full amenities and a full breakfast.

Pennsylvania's Hidden Small Town Escapes

The Northeastern State of Pennsylvania offers a variety of options for weekend getaways. It offers a little something for everyone, from memorable sites such as the Flight 43 National Memorial Park in Somerset to the site of The Battle of Gettysburg in the town of Gettysburg, which can be found here. The Crayola Crayon Factory is also available here, providing an appealing destination for family fun. Those seeking a romantic getaway will also enjoy escaping to such locales as the Peace Valley Lavender Farm in Doylestown or The Woolverton Inn in New Hope. Full of charm and personality, these nine small towns are ideal locations to visit for a weekend getaway.