11 Ways Pennsylvania Has Quietly Become The Coolest State In America
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
If you’ve lived in Pennsylvania any amount of time, you already know it’s dripping with coolness. So, we Pennsylvanians already know just how cool Pennsylvania is. But, it apparently took a bit of time for the rest of the country to realize that Pennsylvania really is the coolest state in America. Our beloved state, after all, is:
No matter where you go in Pennsylvania, you'll always find spectacular natural beauty. From the 22 waterfalls at Ricketts Glen State Park and the endless views of Pine Creek Gorge to the bluffs overlooking Lake Erie, Pennsylvania's just brimming with natural beauty you really can't find anywhere else.
In how many states can you find a colorful home named Randyland, the Stoogeum (a museum dedicated to, of course, the Three Stooges), and Gravity Hill, where cars cruise uphill? Why in only one state, of course: Pennsylvania.
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Mmm...mmm...you can find scrumptious food in every corner of the state. Whether you're in the mood for an authentic cheese steak in Philly or a homecooked Amish meal in Lancaster, PA's pretty much got you covered.
You can always find the right snack to hold you over until dinner. After all, Pennsylvania is the Snack Capital of the World. We're lucky enough to live in a state that produces Hershey's, Herr's, Martin's Potato Chips, Utz, and...the list goes on.
Our great state has played a significant role in America's history. Philadelphia was the stage for the signing of the Declaration of Independence. One of the Civil War's most significant battles - the Battle of Gettysburg - was fought in PA. And, that's just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Pennsylvania's a haven for historians.
In a state that's dripping with history, it should come as little surprise that Pennsylvania is also a treasure trove for paranormal investigators and ghost hunters. Gettysburg, of course, may just be the most haunted place in all of the state. Visitors have told tales of seeing a disappearing man at Devil's Den, catching sight of Jennie Wade at the Jennie Wade House, and breathing in the smell of cigar smoke at Sachs Covered Bridge.
C'mon. Where else can you race outhouses and lawnmowers? Or watch wiener dogs race? And, all those other states are so traditional by dropping a ball on New Year's Eve. PA? Nope. We march to our own drum. Our cities and town drop a Hershey kiss, a mushroom, a wrench, and Pittsburgh's ball even goes up rather than down.
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Tradition runs deep in PA. We ring in the new year with our traditional meal of pork and sauerkraut. We have cookie tables at weddings (at least Southwestern PA does), shop at mud sales, and we spend lazy summer days at old-fashioned amusement parks like Knoebel's.
If you complain there's nothing to do in PA, you obviously haven't looked around you. Our state is filled with tons of indoor activities. We've got museums galore: The Carnegie Museums, the National Civil War Museum, and the National Toy Train Museum. Not a fan of museums? Go indoor skydiving at at iFly. Shop at Peddler's Village. The possibilities really are endless.
We've got 121 sprawling state parks in PA. And, Allegheny National Forest. If you enjoy the outdoors, you'll quickly discover PA is a tiny piece of heaven no matter the season. Our lakes are perfect for boating, kayaking, and even swimming. Wintertime provides the perfect backdrop for ice skating, snowy hikes, and tobogganing in Eagle's Mere and beyond.
Pennsylvania certainly wouldn't be the coolest state in America without the friendly people who call it home. Pennsylvanians are a diverse group but one trait we all share in common: We're welcoming to those who visit our beloved state.
We Pennsylvanians have always known that Pennsylvania is undoubtedly the coolest state in America. What do you think makes it so cool? Click here to read 10 reasons to love Pennsylvania.
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