The Strangest Town In The Mid-Atlantic Is Right Here In Pennsylvania... And You’ll Want To Visit
By Beth Price-Williams|Published December 21, 2022
×
Beth Price-Williams
Author
A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.
Pennsylvania’s towns ooze personality. You might have heard that old phrase, if you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all. That’s certainly not the case when it comes to Pennsylvania’s small towns. This small town in Pennsylvania, in particular, belongs on every bucket list. Why? It’s one of the quirkiest, most unusual, and most adorable small towns in the entire state…maybe even in the United States.
The first inkling that you've arrived in what promises to be the most unusual and most adorable small town in Pennsylvania is the sign welcoming you to Mars - complete with a flying saucer.
You see the shiny silver flying saucer sitting smack dab in the middle of town. It's one of the first places visitors go on their first visit. You can't visit without posing for a photo (or a ton) in front of this UFO.
No one knows for sure how Mars got its name. There are a few theories. One says the town's original name was Marshall, and townspeople just cut it short, making it Mars.
Another theory asserts that the town's original namesake, with the last name Marshall, had such a love for the Red Planet that he changed the town's name. That, quite naturally, makes townspeople Martians.
One of the best ways to commemorate your visit to Mars is to grab a postcard, address it to yourself, and mail it from the post office. How many people, after all, can say they've gotten mail from Mars?
Mars also hosts the Mars New Year, a massive celebration held every other year in the small Pennsylvania town. The next celebration is set for June 9-10, 2023.
Try to plan a visit to Mars during the family-friendly celebration that includes a full menu of events, including educational programs. Learn more about the Mars New Year Festival 2023.
Advertisement
If you're a fan of the paranormal, be sure to stop by the Mars train station that's said to be haunted by...a cat. Read all about Chessie and the haunted train station in Pennsylvania.
Have you been to this unique town in Pennsylvania? What did you think? Share your experience in the comments! For an adventure of a different kind, set off on one of these low-key hikes in Pennsylvania that have amazing payoffs.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
