The 11 Very Best Day Trips You Can Possibly Take In Pennsylvania
Exploring Pennsylvania is fun any time of the year, and that’s part of what makes our beautiful state so special. The best day trips in Pennsylvania are a mix of hidden gems and popular tourist attractions; outdoor recreation galore and indoor entertainment. This year, gas up the car and embark on a little Pennsylvania road trip adventure! Here are 11 of the best day trips in Pennsylvania.
1. Seven Tubs Natural Area – 900 Bear Creek Boulevard, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
Discover a tiny piece of natural heaven right here in Pennsylvania when you day trip to the Seven Tubs Natural Area. Dip your feet in the cool water of the enchanting pools. (Swimming, however, is prohibited in the tubs.) Stroll along the meandering Wheelbarrow Run stream, and explore the area on the two-mile trail loop. Here's more information about Seven Tubs Natural Area.
Sit back, relax, and lift your wine glass when you visit Galen Glen Winery & Vineyard. There, you'll admire the view of the unspoiled land surrounding the winery as you sample some of the wines. You can even sample the wines if you don't live near the winery, as Galen Glen offers online shopping. The Galen Glen Winery & Vineyard welcomes guests at varying times during the year. Learn more on the official website of Galen Glen Winery.
3. The Lehigh Valley Zoo – 5150 Game Preserve Road, Schnecksville, PA 18078
Spend a leisurely day getting an up-close look at some of the Lehigh Valley Zoo's most famous residents. Watch the penguins waddle and the otters flip, and then feed the giraffes. Take a break for a meal or a snack at the Bison Prairie Grill or the Blue Ribbon General Store. Find hours, admission prices, and more on the official website of Lehigh Valley Zoo.
4. Briar Bush Nature Center – 1212 Edge Hill Road, Abington, PA 19001
Let the golden sunshine wash over you at the Briar Bush Nature Center, a charming natural oasis in Pennsylvania that features a museum, picturesque hiking trails, a spider house, a play and climbing area for the kids, and summer camps for kids. The walking trails are open daily from dawn to dusk. This truly is one of the best day trips in Pennsylvania. Check out the official website of Briar Bush Nature Center.
5. Penn’s Cave – 222 Penns Cave Road, Centre Hall, PA 16828
Visit America's only all-water cave for an unforgettable day trip. Tour Penn's Cave in a boat before returning to land where you'll find plenty of activities, including the Farm-Nature-Wildlife Bus Tour, an off-road Jeep tour, the Miners Maze, and even gem mining. Head over to the official website of Penn's Cave & Wildlife Tour for more information, including prices and hours.
6. Indian Echo Caverns – 368 Middletown Road, Hummelstown, PA 17036
Head underground at Indian Echo Caverns that date back more than 440 million years. Explore the caverns on a 45-minute guided tour, then head above ground where you can have a picnic, let the kids play at the playground, go mining for gems, or visit the animals at the petting zoo. Find more on the official website of Indian Echo Caverns.
7. The Famous Street of Shops – 100 North Water Street, Lewisburg, PA 17837
Spend a relaxing day browsing unique shops and dining at an old-fashioned diner when you visit the indoor Street of Shops. The indoor village boasts 375 shops and a 40,000 square foot flea market. It's the perfect place to spend a day, even if you're not shopping for anything in particular. Find shopping hours and more information on the official website of Street of Shops.
8. Dutch Springs Aqua Park – 4733 Hanoverville Road, Bethlehem, PA 18020
Slip down slides. Go scuba diving. Swim in the clear, pristine water of the spring-fed Dutch Springs, an aqua park that features snorkeling, water attractions like the Summit, paddle boating, paddle boarding, and kayaking. Learn more on the official website of Dutch Springs Aqua Park.
9. Shofuso Japanese House & Garden – Lansdowne Drive and Horticultural Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19131
Discover unspoiled beauty at Shofuso Japanese House and Garden, a fairy tale spot in Philadelphia that features a picturesque waterfall, a footbridge, and a koi pond. Tour the house or attend one of the regularly scheduled Japanese traditional tea ceremonies. Go here for the official website of Shofuso Japanese House and Garden.
10. Coudersport Ice Mine & Gift Shop – Ice Mine, Sweden Township, PA 16915
Witness a natural phenomenon at Coudersport Ice Mine, where the water in the mine turns to ice during the summer and melts during the winter. The scenic spot also features a gift shop where you can pick up souvenirs and a snack. Enjoy your snack on a charming patio. Here's the official Facebook page for Coudesport Ice Mine.
11. Treetop Adventures at Elmwood Park Zoo – 1661 Harding Boulevard, Norristown, PA 19401
Play among the trees on a Treetop Adventures at Elmwood Park Zoo, one of the absolute best day trips in Pennsylvania. The treetop playground features nine (!) ziplines and 50 games. Soar over the the animals, including the bison, in the park while on the zipline. The adventure course offers several different courses and a night experience. Stop by the official website of Treetop Adventures at Elmwood Park Zoo.
Make memories this year when you hit the road to tackle our best day trips in Pennsylvania. What is your favorite day trip in Pennsylvania? Let us know in the comments! If you prefer to enjoy the views and let someone else do the driving, set off on one of the five best day trips by train.
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Address: 255 Winter Mountain Drive, Andreas, PA 18211
Address: 1661 Harding Boulevard, Norristown, PA 19401
Address: 4733 Hanoverville Road, Bethlehem, PA 18020
Address: 368 Middletown Road, Hummelstown, PA 17036
Address: 900 Bear Creek Boulevard, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
Address: 5150 Game Preserve Road, Schnecksville, PA 18078
Address: 222 Penns Cave Road, Centre Hall, PA 16828
Address: 1212 Edge Hill Road, Abington, PA 19001
Address: 100 North Water Street, Lewisburg, PA 17837
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Day Trips In Pennsylvania
January 22, 2021
Beth Price-Williams
What are the most unique things to do in Pennsylvania?
If you love animals, you’ll find a ton of animal-related things to do in Pennsylvania. Wolf Sanctuary, in Lititz, welcomes guests to go on guided tours of the sanctuary that’s home to some of the only wolves in the state. If you’re a fan of deer, plan a visit to Double Diamond Deer Ranch in Clarington. For the unforgettable experience of bottle feeding newborn fawns, visit between June and August. Learn more about birds of prey at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. Bring your hiking boots along, too, because the sanctuary features several scenic hiking trails.
Which hidden gems in Pennsylvania should I visit?
One of the best ways to spend a day in Pennsylvania is, without a doubt, seeking out its many hidden gems. Get a peek of what life was like for miners at Pioneer Coal Mine. The coal mine offers guided tours that will take you on a train into Mahanoy Mountain. Chanticleer Garden provides an idyllic backdrop for a stroll on a spring or a summer morning or afternoon. If you’re a bibliophile, you’ll need plenty of time for your visit to Moravian Book Shop in Bethlehem, the country’s oldest bookstore. Saint Anthony’s Chapel in Pittsburgh and Hammersley Wild Area in Austin are also hidden gems worth uncovering.
What are the best road trips through Pennsylvania?
What are two of the sweetest words in the English language? Road trip! And we love sharing the best day trips in Pennsylvania. If you’re a fan of the paranormal, how about going on a haunted Pennsylvania road trip? The haunted road trip through Pennsylvania will take you to such haunted spots as the Historic Hotel Bethlehem, Fort Mifflin, and Gettysburg. How does at waterfall road trip in Pennsylvania sound? Visit such majestic waterfalls as Ganoga Falls, Nay Aug Falls, and Bushkill Falls. If you stop by Ganoga Falls at Ricketts Glen State Park and are up for a challenge, follow the Falls Trail. It will lead you to all 21 waterfalls in the park.
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