9 Best Attractions To Visit In Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is one of the oldest states in the Union, having been settled and inhabited long before the country ever even existed. With major cities such as Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and numerous notable small towns in between, calling it home, there is certainly a lot to see and do here.

Whether you're keen on spending an afternoon in a museum, a weekend hiking the state's vast wildernesses, or whatever else, here are nine of the best attractions you can find here that are an absolute must-visit for any kind of traveller.

Independence National Historical Park

In the heart of Philadelphia sits Independence National Historical Park, a location that contains some of the most significant sites tied to the founding of the United States. Its centerpiece is Independence Hall, where both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated and signed.

Adjacent is the Liberty Bell, a lasting symbol of American freedom, displayed in a dedicated pavilion. The park also includes Congress Hall, Old City Hall, and the Benjamin Franklin Museum. Here, you can take guided tours through restored 18th-century buildings and explore exhibits that detail the early struggles of the American republic.

The destination is managed by the National Park Service and remains free to enter, though timed tickets are required for some locations within. Covering roughly 55 acres in Philadelphia’s historic Old City district, it is very easy to walk between all the other landmarks and amenities that can be found nearby, too.

Fallingwater

The aptly named Fallingwater is one of architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s most acclaimed residential designs and a key example of 20th-century American architecture. Designed in 1935 for the Kaufmann family, the house is set directly above a waterfall in the Laurel Highlands, about 65 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. The structure’s various terraces and seemingly flawless integration with the surrounding forest and rock formations illustrate Wright’s philosophy of "organic" architecture: to design in harmony with nature as much as possible.

Now operated by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Fallingwater is open for guided tours that cover both the interior living spaces and the exterior grounds. Original furnishings, artworks, and Wright’s custom designs are preserved throughout the home for you to still appreciate. In addition to architectural interest, the property includes wooded trails and a well-curated visitor center with exhibits about Wright’s career.

Designated a National Historic Landmark, Fallingwater is considered a must-visit for anyone interested in iconic, American-made residential ingenuity in the dense forests of western Pennsylvania.

Gettysburg National Military Park

Gettysburg National Military Park preserves the site of the largest battle fought during the American Civil War. Over three days in July 1863, Union and Confederate forces clashed in and around the small Pennsylvania town of Gettysburg, resulting in more than 51,000 casualties.

The battlefield is now a carefully maintained historical landscape with more than 1,300 unique monuments, markers, and memorials spread across 5,700 acres. Key sites include Little Round Top, Cemetery Ridge, and Pickett’s Charge. There are many ways to delve into the park, as you'll be able to drive, bike, or join a licensed battlefield guide for a narrated tour of the grounds. Moreover, the park’s museum and visitor center contain extensive exhibits, a cyclorama painting of the battle, and the Gettysburg National Cemetery, where President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address.

Hersheypark

Hersheypark is easily one of Pennsylvania’s largest and most visited theme parks, originally established by candy magnate Milton S. Hershey in 1906 as a leisure space for his chocolate factory workers. Today, it covers over 121 acres and includes more than 70 rides, including 14 roller coasters, a large water park, and various other family-friendly attractions. The adjacent Hershey’s Chocolate World provides additional experiences, including factory-themed tours, interactive exhibits, and chocolate-making workshops!

Beyond rides and sweets, Hersheypark Stadium and the nearby Giant Center host concerts and sporting events throughout the year. The entire complex adds up to form a major tourism hub in the center of the state, drawing millions of visitors annually. Also note that the park operates seasonally, with special themed events during Halloween and the winter holidays.

Eastern State Penitentiary

Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia operated from 1829 to 1971 and introduced a model of solitary confinement that later influenced prison design worldwide. The penitentiary’s design, complete with radial hallways and a central surveillance area, reflected early 19th-century beliefs in reform through isolation and constant overwatch.

Located in the Fairmount neighborhood, the facility was also once the most expensive prison ever built and housed several notorious inmates, including Al Capone and Willie Sutton. It now serves a slightly less serious function as a historic site and museum, with its extensive cellblocks now offering audio-guided tours and rotating exhibits on incarceration and criminal justice.

Be sure to explore the crumbling architecture, original guard towers, and restored cells, including Capone’s unusually furnished room. The site also hosts seasonal events, most notably a large-scale Halloween haunted attraction that draws large crowds every year.

Ricketts Glen State Park

Ricketts Glen State Park spans over 13,190 acres across three counties in the northeastern corner of the state and is best known for its waterfall-laden hiking trails. The Falls Trail, the park’s signature route, passes 21 named and distinct waterfalls ranging from 10 to nearly 100 feet high, with Ganoga Falls being the tallest. The trail system follows rocky gorges and old-growth forests, offering one of the most scenic hikes in the region, one that is especially picturesque in the fall when the foliage changes color.

In addition to hiking, the park includes Lake Jean, which is a popular spot for fishing, swimming, and boating during the warmer months. And if you want to stay for a night or two, campsites and rental cabins are available in and around Ricketts Glen. Open year-round, the park also draws adventurers in the winter for ice climbing and cross-country skiing as well.

This area is home to diverse wildlife, too, including black bears, white-tailed deer, and a variety of bird species, making it a destination for both outdoor recreation and nature observation.

The Pennsylvania State Capitol

Completed in 1906 after 4 years of construction, the Pennsylvania State Capitol is both the seat of government and one of the state’s most architecturally significant buildings. Designed by Joseph Huston, the structure blends a number of old-world styles and features a 272-foot dome modeled after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

The interior includes extensive murals, stained glass, and decorative art symbolizing Pennsylvania’s longstanding history and industries. Guided tours are available daily and cover the House and Senate chambers, the Supreme Court room, and the grand rotunda. The Capitol complex also includes the State Museum of Pennsylvania, which contains archaeological artifacts, natural history exhibits, and rotating displays on different regional subjects. Located in downtown Harrisburg, the Capitol grounds are easily walkable and include numerous other monuments, memorials, and landscaped public spaces for you to see.

As a functioning government building and a National Historic Landmark, this is not just a cool attraction, but a highly important facet in this state's everyday function; a place that should be enjoyed respectfully.

Longwood Gardens

Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square is one of the most impressive green spaces in the United States, covering over 1,100 acres! Originally developed by industrialist Pierre S. du Pont in the early 1900s, it features a huge variety of horticultural attractions, from formal gardens to woodlands, meadows, and one of the largest greenhouse conservatories in the country. Its layout perfectly balances natural landscapes with visitor-friendly infrastructure, offering walking trails, reflective pools, and shaded pavilions for the public's enjoyment.

Seasonal displays rotate throughout the year, with highlights including the spring bulb bloom, summer fountains, fall chrysanthemums, and a large-scale holiday light show. Notably, the Main Fountain Garden, fully restored in 2017, offers scheduled performances with synchronized water, light, and music. Moreover, educational programming, botanical research, and conservatory tours are also part of the experience here.

Situated in the lush Brandywine Valley, Longwood attracts casual visitors from nearby cities such as Philadelphia and Wilmington, as well as garden professionals.

The Pocono Mountains

The Pocono Mountains region spans four counties (Monroe, Pike, Wayne, and Carbon) and is one of the most visited outdoor recreation areas near the East Coast. It includes over 2,400 square miles of pristine forests, lakes, rivers, and protected parklands.

Here, you can enjoy the great outdoors on scenic hiking trails in places like Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Hickory Run State Park, or paddle on the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers. In the winter, the area supports multiple ski resorts, including Camelback, Jack Frost, and Big Boulder.

The Poconos also house some renowned small historic towns, such as Jim Thorpe, known for its preserved districts dating back to the 19th century and its mountainous railways. Various resorts, campgrounds, and vacation rentals are spread throughout the region as well, making it a convenient and comfortable escape year-round.

With a mix of wonderful natural features and rural communities, the Poconos functions as a perfect quick weekend getaway destination, far enough from urban centers but easy enough for anyone to access. The area continues to draw outdoor enthusiasts, families, and travelers interested in Pennsylvania’s surprisingly varied landscapes, whether they're looking to back country camp or kick back beside a lake.

Enjoy These Attractions in The Keystone State Today

With all of these destinations open now, you can make the most out of any trip to Pennsylvania if you're in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, or anywhere in between in this northeastern state. Whether puttering around the Ponoconos, walking the halls of a Frank Lloyd Wright home, or riding a waterslide at Hersheypark, there should never be a dull moment, regardless of where you are.