9 Towns in Pennsylvania With the Best Downtown Areas in 2024

With a landscape varied from valleys and ridges to farmland and forests, the Keystone State offers no shortage of scenic vistas and historic townships to delight visitors. While destinations like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh draw many hoping to experience big-city energy, Pennsylvania's small downtown areas contain unique cultural and architectural treasures worth discovering. Nestled amongst the natural beauty lie numerous municipalities renowned for bustling main streets filled with local shops, restaurants, and attractions.

Traveling to some of the Commonwealth's top-rated burgs in 2024 allows you to intimately experience small-town life while taking in local landmarks and seasonal events. From arts colonies to river towns, the following towns in Pennsylvania provide a taste of all the diverse downtown vibrancy and warmth the state offers off well-trodden paths.

Gettysburg

Gettysburg earned its place in history when it hosted the Battle of Gettysburg, a landmark conflict that turned the tide of the Civil War. Today, the town is chock full of historical sites and monuments, with something waiting to be discovered at every corner of the town. Along Baltimore Street, the Gettysburg Museum of History documents the town's colorful past through a rich collection of artifacts and relics from the Civil War and other historical events. The same street hosts the Shriver House Museum, which transports guests back to the 19th century in the historic home of a former Civil War soldier.

Switching to Steinwehr Avenue, the Dobbin House Tavern is one of the country's oldest taverns, with a legacy dating back to 1776. While the historical depth is the main attraction in downtown Gettysburg, tourists will enjoy watching a captivating live performance in the rustic Majestic Theater.

Lititz

This Lancaster County borough boasts a quaint downtown with a lively main drag that hosts a mix of historic and contemporary attractions. Founded by Moravians in the 18th century, Lititz's rich history can be explored at the Lititz Historical Foundation on Main Street, which harbors a varied exhibition of archives, relics, and memorabilia. The town's storied legacy shows in the Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery, another rustic gem on the main drag. Considered America's first commercial pretzel bakery, guests can still visit the brick structure to sample tasty pretzels from age-old recipes.

When you are tired from exploring downtown, Lititz offers an urban oasis right in the heart of the district. Lititz Springs Park welcomes you to rest, relax, and enjoy a tranquil green atmosphere away from the crowds.

Jim Thorpe

Jim Thorpe's charm lies in its rich natural surroundings, which include the dense wilderness of Lehigh Gorge State Park and the scenic peaks of the Pocono Mountains. However, sitting at the heart of it is a quaint downtown region with exciting attractions. Prominent among these is the Mauch Chunk Museum and Cultural Center, which provides the gist of Jim Thorpe's heritage using a fabulous display of historical and cultural artifacts. Additionally, the Old Jail Museum represents an important landmark in Jim Thorpe from 1871, delving into history from the perspective of past inmates.

Jim Thorpe harbors a lively arts community well-represented along its Main Street. Whether you prefer visual performance, the downtown addresses your preferences with the Stabin Museum and the Mauch Chunk Opera House. While there are numerous accommodation options downtown, the Harry Packer Mansion Inn stands out for its historical heritage and rustic charm.

Kennett Square

Despite hosting a modest population of about 6,000 residents, this quaint Philadelphia suburb ranks among the top towns in Pennsylvania partly because of its bustling downtown district. Kennett Square hosts an admirable list of attractions, highlighted by Longwood Gardens. This green oasis is a dream come true for nature lovers, featuring a mix of stunning landscapes, lush flora, and a tranquil atmosphere. The weekly Kennett Square Farmers Market adds a spark to the downtown region when local vendors and buyers congregate in a socially charged environment to trade farm produce and traditional crafts.

Art lovers will find something to pique their interest inside Square Pear Fine Art, which supports the local creative community by exhibiting their artworks. Several trendy restaurants in downtown Kennett Square, including Letty's Tavern, serve tasty meals to ensure tourists have a full tank to explore the neighborhood.

New Hope

Eastern Pennsylvania hosts some of the state's most attractive small towns, and New Hope is prominent among them. This Delaware River community offers an exciting assortment of historical and cultural attractions around New Hope’s walkable downtown. Exploring the district exposes you to the landmark Perry Mansion Museum on Main Street. Constructed in 1784, this historic homestead houses period furnishings offering a window to the past. Visiting families will feel at home inside the Bucks County Children's Museum, whose interactive exhibits deliver a fun learning experience for kids of all ages.

New Hope's rich arts culture shows through the Bucks County Playhouse. This former grist mill on the banks of the Delaware River is a popular theater venue where enthusiasts can watch diverse live performances, such as musicals, plays, and children's shows.

State College

College towns have a unique vibe and character, usually manifested in the downtown region. This applies to State College, home to Pennsylvania State University and known for the town’s bustling art scene and lively entertainment culture. Art enthusiasts come from across the region to admire a world-class exhibition at the Palmer Museum of Art and watch entertaining performances at the State Theater. The student community is big on sports in State College, and tourists have the opportunity to be part of this exciting culture every time there is a game at Beaver Stadium or the Bryce Jordan Center.

Downtown State College hosts several eateries and watering holes to entertain its youthful population after hours. If you love the rich taste of freshly crafted beer, you can sample the town's best offerings at Antifragile Brewing Company.

Easton

There is no shortage of things to see and do in this Northampton County borough, most of which are centered around Easton's vibrant downtown. Walking through the main drag exposes visitors to prominent attractions, including the State Theater Center for the Arts, an elaborate performance venue hosting plays, musicals, and concerts. Downton comes to its own on Saturdays during the Easton Farmers' Market, bringing together local farmers and willing buyers in an electric atmosphere where farm produce and local crafts are on sale.

The Crayola Experience is a must-visit for tourists with families. It offers a bustling and colorful kiddie wonderland with hands-on activities and interactive exhibits. Finally, historians will be intrigued by the displays at the National Canal Museum.

Bedford

Located around 100 miles west of Harrisburg, this small village and seat of Bedford County impresses with an attraction-rich downtown area. At Fort Bedford Museum, guests can glimpse the town's history by exploring artifacts focusing on regional culture, development, and war heritage. It also houses the National Museum of the American Coverlet, which displays a fascinating collection of 19th-century coverlets woven in the country. Bedford's colorful culture is on display at Bedford Fine Art Gallery, and art lovers can visit it to admire 19th-century art by American, British, and European artists.

While exploring the downtown district, guests can visit Olde Bedford Brewing Company to test the town's craft brewery culture. Besides the tasty beer, the venue offers an opportunity to interact with locals.

Lewistown

Lewistown is steeped in history and boasts a Civil War heritage that entices tourists to explore its quaint downtown district. The town's colorful past is chronologically documented at the Mifflin County Historical Society. Most first-timers are impressed by the unique architecture of the building, and the experience gets better when they start examining the numerous historical artifacts inside. More local history stays hidden at the McCoy House, which dates back to the 1830s. Touring the historic home reveals period artifacts and furnishings that transport you to the past years.

Beyond the history, Lewistown invites touring families to have fun inside the Carousel Skating Rink. The venue offers old-school entertainment tailored for all ages in a festive indoor atmosphere.

Final Thoughts

The highlighted communities showcase Pennsylvania's diverse yet lively downtown vibrancy beyond famed cities. From arts enclaves nestled along rural valleys to river towns hosting vibrant festivals, spending intentional time exploring these top-rated burgs enables visitors to authentically experience rural hospitality and cultural heritage through locally-owned storefronts, street performances, and scenic landmarks unique to each setting. Whether one's interests involve history and arts or simply taking in seasonal festivities, spending a weekend immersed in these towns in Pennsylvania will leave one with a greater appreciation for all the Keystone State's low-key municipalities.