Pennsylvania's Best Small Towns for a Weekend Escape
The anticipation of finding peace and quiet outside the frenzy of the weekday grind as the end of the week approaches provides a sense of tranquility we all look forward to. Pennsylvania, also known as "Quaker State," offers a wide array of small towns to explore with friends and loved ones on weekends. Around 180 million visitors visit Pennsylvania every year to witness some of America's finest national parks, museums, festivals, and historic landmarks, contributing more than $76 billion to the state's economy. In this article, we will explore the top eight small towns in the Quaker State, emphasizing natural and historic landmarks, areas of commercial activity, and top-notch accommodations.
Wellsboro
Named among the 13 prettiest towns in the United States earlier this year, Wellsboro is a beloved tourist town for its Victorian architecture, natural surroundings, and historic museum. A neat feature of Wellsboro is its enchanting gas lamps, which illuminate the city with a cozy glow after dusk, mesmerizing visitors lucky enough to see it. To get a sense of the area's history, consider exploring the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum, where you can learn the history of logging—a significant driver of the state's economy at one point in time. The museum offers interactive workshops, tours, and a competition. And while logging no longer plays the same role it once did, Wellsboro's lush trees bring thousands of tourists since it serves as the main gateway town to the PA Grand Canyon, also known as the "Crown Jewel of Pennsylvania." Here, you can witness majestic views of the Pine Creek Gorge, home to endless eastern white pines, eastern hemlocks, and mixed hardwoods in the Tioga State Forest.
Aside from its surrounding natural beauty, Wellsboro boasts a lively arts scene, providing locals and tourists plenty of entertainment in the Arcadia Theatre, the Gmeiner Art & Cultural Center, and the annual Endless Mountain Music Festival. For your accommodation needs, consider the Penn Wells Lodge, a 3-star hotel located conveniently in the commerce district. For a more budget-friendly option, the Microtel Inn & Suites by Windham Mansfield provides year-round deals, with several amenities such as complimentary breakfast and an indoor pool.
Jim Thorpe
Snuggled amongst towering trees of all stripes, Jim Thorpe, also known as the "Switzerland of America," offers a perfect escape for those looking to retreat and explore the outdoors. Before starting a solo adventure, consider a tour on the Trolley Tour provided by Jim Thorpe Trolley Company—the 70-minute tour takes you to the finest natural areas, historic buildings, and places of interest in town. If you're up for a more exhilarating experience, hop on the Private Mount Pocono Observation Air Tour, and witness the mountainous terrain from a bird's eye view as you fly over Gouldsboro Lake, Lake Wallenpaupak, and Bear Creek Lake. Additionally, Jim Thorpe is home to several museums, including the Old Jail Museum, the Asa Packer Mansion Museum, and the Mauch Chunk Museum and Cultural Center, with the latter displaying the largest archive of regional heritage through artifacts and galleries. For your lodging options, Comfort Inn Pocono Mountains boasts a pool and free parking, with the added perk of close proximity to restaurants.
New Hope
New Hope is as much a tourist town as a historic one. Two and a half centuries ago, General George Washington passed through New Hope and stayed overnight with his battalion of men in preparation for the Battle of Trenton. Today, visitors in New Hope face a different battle: choosing where to go next. Whether it's dipping in the Delaware Canal to soak in the water and paddle your worries away, or playing some baseball in the Howell Living History Farm, New Hope has hope for everyone. Visitors here also enjoy being close to the prominent Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve. This 134-acre park houses 700 native Pennsylvanian plants, and hosts yoga classes, lectures, and idyllic picnic areas. For your housing arrangements, New Hope Lodge provides cozy cabins on four acres of scenic wooded land.
Lititz
Are you a fan of pretzels? Then, Lititz is the place to be for that thanks to Julius Sturgis, who opened the first-ever commercial pretzel shop. Aside from delicious pastries, this town is home to 10 museums and historical sites, which you can explore on your own or through the Walking Tour of Historic Structures, a guided tour provided by the Lititz Historical Foundation. The 45-minute interactive trip takes you to several historic buildings, many dating back to more than 300 years ago, along with nine other curious participants—and potential new travel buddies. Among many prominent buildings, local favorites include the Lititz Springs Park, the historic Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery, which provides hands-on lessons, and the 159-year-old Wilbur Chocolate Company. To stay the night, Hotel Rock Lititz offers a budget-friendly option and is conveniently located by the Lititz Family Cupboard Restaurant & Buffet.
Gettysburg
Gettysburg served as one of the critical turning points in the American Revolutionary War—and the town is acutely aware of its storied history, commemorating it through numerous museums. The Gettysburg Museum of America Civil War, Battlefield Military Museum, and Gettysburg Heritage Center all make excellent choices to learn about past events—the latter option even includes a reenactment of the historic battle, as well as a bookstore, and a gift shop. Gettysburg is more than just a historic town; it harbors a vibrant downtown with boutique shops, cafes, restaurants, and fine arts stores. For lodging, the Federal Pointe Inn Gettysburg Ascend Hotel Collection offers open-plan suites, a restaurant, and a fitness center.
Doylestown
What's not to love about a town that features a castle? The Fonthill Castle in Doylestown attracts 30,000 visitors yearly to its towering shadows which looms over the green landscape. Overall, Doylestown features a dozen points of interest, including the renowned Peace Valley Park, a 1,500-acre preserve where you'll find the beautiful blue Lake Galena, home to over 250 species of wild birds and other small animals. Doylestown is also home to the VAMPA Vampire & Paranormal Museum, a museum dedicated to supernatural activity. While you won't see ghosts and vampires (as far as we can tell), you will find many artifacts, antiques, and other collections. To crash for the night, consider the Hampton Inn & Suites Warrington Horsham, where you can enjoy free hot breakfast, an indoor pool, and a fitness studio.
Bethlehem
Known as Christmas City for its charming winter festivals, Bethlehem was voted the top 100 cities in the United States to live in by Liveability for 2023, thanks to its amenities, transportation, and strong economy. Bethlehem also has the distinction of being home to the 279-year-old Moravian Book Shop, which considers itself the oldest bookstore in the entire country and the second oldest in the world. The town's rich history can be further investigated in the National Museum of Industrial History, where you observe almost one hundred collections of machines, textile equipment, and other historical artifacts that allowed the town and the state of Pennsylvania to prosper and make a name for itself in the industrial era. For a comfortable stay, the Historic Hotel Bethlehem, Sayre Mansion, and Staybridge Suites all make ideal choices to sleep for the night and replenish.
Milford
Some towns are known for their history, culture, and perhaps scenery. Milford seamlessly integrates all three. Whether you explore the Grey Towers National Historic Site and witness its magical design, or attend the Milford Music Festival and Black Bear Film Festival, Milford offers a perfect blend of historic and cultural experiences. The town is also perfect for outdoor adventures since it's a river town, with Milford Beach serving as a peaceful and quiet getaway to barbeque or enjoy a picnic. Another prominent attraction in the area is the Raymondskill Falls, which holds the crown of being Pennsylvania's tallest waterfall. To meet your accommodation needs, Hotel Fauchere, a 4-star hotel, provides complimentary breakfast, free parking, and stunning outside views.
In summary, whether you're sold on Wellsboro's historic charm, Jim Thorpe's natural beauty, or all the delicious eateries at Lititz, the state of Pennsylvania boasts stunning landscapes, a rich past, and a vibrant cultural scene for an unforgettable weekend getaway with your friends and loved ones, creating memories to last for a lifetime.
