Anyone who's driven across the state knows that Pennsylvanian highways often include tunnels. The tunnels along the Turnpike allow traffic to pass directly underneath the region's mountainous terrain. The Turnpike itself was first built during the Great Depression, and it was the first of its kind in the country, leading some to call the Pennsylvania Turnpike the "Grandfather of the Modern Highway." Its tunnels have earned a relative amount of fame throughout the region, for their unique history. The footage below was captured in the 1950s. It showcases each of the Turnpike's seven tunnels as they looked so many years ago. Why don't you take a trip down memory lane with us?
It's unbelievable how in some ways these places look the same today, yet in others, they are totally different. What do you think?
The Fourth of July in Pennsylvania is all about celebrating America. We all have our own ways to mark America's birthday - from picnics in the park to whirlwind hours at our favorite theme park. While we may spend our day differently, many of us end Independence Day by watching fireworks light up the sky. If you've been Googling "Where to watch fireworks near me" this Fourth of July in Pennsylvania, here's a sampling of a few of the best.
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1. Wawa Welcome America – Philadelphia
An epic celebration that begins on Juneteenth and caps off on Independence Day, Wawa Welcomes America is a spectacular 16-day festival that's jam-packed with family-friendly activities and events, including free admission to more than three dozen Philadelphia museums. Wawa Welcome America's Fourth of July celebration includes a free concert, with NE-YO and Kesha, on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The fireworks over the Philadelphia Museum of Art typically begin around 9:45 p.m. on July 4.
The Independence Day Celebration in Downtown Pittsburgh kicks off at 4 p.m. with a variety of family-friendly activities, including a fun zone for the kiddos, food trucks, and concessions. Two stages in Point State Park will feature live entertainment throughout the day and into the evening. Point State Park, the North Shore, and the Three Rivers are prime spots for viewing the fireworks displays. The 25-minute fireworks show kicks off at 9:35 p.m.
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3. July 4th Food Truck Festival & Fireworks – Harrisburg
Indulge in good eats all day long at the July 4th Food Truck Festival & Fireworks at Riverfront Park in Harrisburg. Bring a hearty appetite to this event that features more than 45 food trucks, a wine and beer garden, free activities for the kids that include balloon animals and face painting, and live entertainment. The Fourth of July celebration runs from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., followed by one of the area's largest fireworks displays at 9:15 p.m.
Kick off your Independence Day celebrations early with Lights Over Lake Erie, a bayfront fireworks display that begins at 10 p.m. on July 3, 2024. Fireworks are set off from the Bicentennial Tower at Dobbins Landing. You'll find plenty of places to view the epic fireworks display, including Sassafras Pier, Dobbins Landing, and Presque Isle State Park.
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5. Scranton Spectacular – Scranton
Get the party started on July 3, 2024, with the Scranton Spectacular, an Independence Day celebration at Courthouse Square in Downtown Scranton. Beginning at 4 p.m., the day promises a full menu of fun, including games, bounce houses, good eats, and live entertainment. The Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic Brass and Percussion Members will perform at 8 p.m., followed by fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
6. A Gettysburg Fourth – Gettysburg
Enjoy a full evening of fun, beginning at 5 p.m., at the A Gettysburg 4th Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks at Gettysburg Recreation Park. The family-friendly event features live entertainment and food trucks leading up to the fireworks display, set for 9:20 p.m. Parking costs $5.
Lititz Springs Park is the place to be this Independence Day. The Lititz Fourth Of July celebration promises a full day of family-friendly fun that includes a kid zone with games, face painting, and barrel train rides. A baby parade, pie eating contest, cornhole tournament, and live entertainment are all on the itinerary. Start the day with the Blanket Run between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. Bring your blanket and stake out your spot in the park for the evening's fireworks. More than two dozen food vendors will also be on hand. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m.
If you've been searching "where to find fireworks near me in Pennsylvania," you've just landed upon a sampling of the best. Where is your favorite place to celebrate the Fourth of July in Pennsylvania? Let us know in the comments! Planning a picnic before the sky lights up the evening of the Fourth? Check out the best places to have a picnic in Pennsylvania. Don't forget your picnic basket.
A speakeasy usually conjures images of a time long gone, when those who wanted to drink alcohol, which had been outlawed, had to do so discreetly. Today’s speakeasies pay homage to the era of Prohibition and, while we have several we can visit throughout the state, none is as unique as the Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy, a one-of-a-kind event in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that will be in the city for just a brief time.
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Delve into the fascinating world of one of America’s most beloved writers at the Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy, a special four-day event that’s coming to the Kelly Strayhorn Theater in Pittsburgh from March 28-31, 2024.
The theater will transform into a speakeasy, an idyllic setting for an evening of Poe’s dark tales. Historians will tell and “reimagine” four of Poe’s most revered works – The Raven, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Black Cat, and The Masque of Red Death.
Each story will feature a creative cocktail. As you settle in for an evening of storytelling, enjoy four special drinks, including the Nevermore, a refreshing drink that consists of orange peach blossom vodka, lime juice, and secret spices.
The Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy experience runs for approximately 90 minutes and offers several shows throughout the four days. All guests must be 21 or older and show ID at admission.
Do you plan to attend the Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy, a one-of-a-kind event in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania? Let us know in the comments! If you’re like me and always on the hunt for unique experiences, plan a visit to the Museum of Illusions, an interactive museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A day in Pittsburgh usually isn’t enough time to check off your must-visit list. Book a Vrbo for an overnight or a weekend getaway.
