11 Excellent Family Friendly Destinations In Pennsylvania That Will Make This Summer Your Best Yet
Are you looking for a great destination to visit in Pennsylvania before the summer season ends? There are many awesome spots to visit in this great state, and these 11 places will have something for everyone!
Touted as the "Sweetest Place on Earth," this place is definitely a must-see if you have a sweet tooth! The theme park is located in the heart of Dairy Country and pays homage to its beloved cows. There are roller coasters, kiddie rides, family rides, delicious restaurants, candy shops, as well as a zoo, waterpark, and the Hershey Chocolate Factory, all on site.
When people find out there are beaches in Pennsylvania, most are shocked! Presque Isle is the most popular beach destination in the state, known for the beautiful sandy peninsula that shoots out into Lake Erie. There are lighthouses, beaches, and diners located around the peninsula, and a trip here is sure to be a family beach experience to remember!
There are so many activities for the whole family at the Philadelphia Zoo. As America’s first zoo, this place has a long history and is always changing! Ride the “Zooballoon” to get amazing views of the city skyline, visit “KidZooU," or take the swan boats out for a ride around the lake - there is no shortage of awesome things to do here.
This museum is home to a very large collection of Native American artifacts, colonial era artifacts, and a ton of information regarding Pennsylvania history. That has something for everyone! Make sure to visit the planetarium while you’re there.
If you love roller coasters, then this is the park for you. This park has rides that travel at extremely high speeds and is also home to a vast waterpark with huge waterslides and pools. One of most well-known rollercoasters, named “Hydra: The Revenge,” is perfect for any adrenaline junkie.
Gettysburg National Military Park houses the battlefield where one of the most fatal battles took place during the Civil War. The Battle of Gettysburg was also one of the only battles fought on Union soil. There are many beautiful statues throughout this park to commemorate those who lost their lives during the war, as well as various generals. If you aren’t easily scared, ghost tours are offered to seek out the souls of the dead soldiers.
Crystal Cave is a prehistoric cave full of stalactites and stalagmites that have been slowly shaped for thousands of years. The cave was discovered in 1871 when two men were blasting the hills for limestone production. They discovered an opening that led deep into the ground where they found this spectacular cavern. Guided tours are offered to walk through the cave, plus you can pan for fossils and gemstones at a sluice to uncover your own treasures from the dirt inside the cave.
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! The Turkey Hill Experience is a real view into the process of ice cream making. Take a look into this famous Pennsylvania company’s history and learn about how milk is transformed into many different products. If you wish to skip the history and get right to the tasty things, there are free ice cream samples! You can also make your own ice cream and iced tea. It’s a perfect way to cool down on a hot summer afternoon.
Come experience this engineering marvel carved into the mountains of Western Pennsylvania. Built by Frank Lloyd Wright, this incredible home is perched atop a cascading waterfall and has stellar views of the surrounding forests and mountains. Originally a vacation home, this beautiful property is now open to the public and is one of the most photographed homes in the nation.
Lake Tobias Wildlife Park is a family-owned and operated zoo in Central Pennsylvania. This park offers safari rides in converted school busses, where you can pet and feed the wildlife as you pass by. Animals in the safari area include emu, elk, bison, alpacas, rheas, fallow deer, water buffalo, and many others. There is also a petting zoo on the grounds, where you can hold and pet guinea pigs, sheep, and goats.
This location within Philadelphia is where the United States began. Pictured above is Independence Hall, which is where the Declaration of Independence was read aloud to the general public. You will also find the world famous Liberty Bell here, as well as the National Constitution Center, a museum featuring the Founding Fathers and the city.
Any one of these 11 unique and interesting places in Pennsylvania would be an excellent way to add tons of fun into a visit this summer, but we suggested adding them all to your must-see list! It’s time to pack up the car and bring the family along to see some of these amazing destinations. There is something for everyone, and all of these places are absolutely worth a visit!
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