15 Mind-Blowing Activities To Enjoy In Pennsylvania… Without Opening Your Wallet
Having fun doesn’t always have to be expensive. In fact, there are plenty of free things to do in Pennsylvania; we’re talking about really fun, bucket-list-worthy attractions that you can visit when you’re looking for something to do but don’t want to spend a lot of money. You can’t place any worldly value on fun, and for our purposes today, it’s priceless. Here are some unique, entertaining, and free things to do in Pennsylvania that won’t cost you a dime.
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. While we continue to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, please take proper precautions or add them to your bucket list to see at a later date. If you know of a local business that could use some extra support during these times, please nominate them here: onlyinyourstate.com/nominate
(Editor's Note: Weyerbacher Brewing Company is not currently offering tours due to COVID-19. Please check the brewery's Facebook page or website for updates.)
When it comes to free things to do in Pennsylvania, our state parks are awesome. Pennsylvania has 121 state parks that offer stunning views, peaceful hiking terrain, and a plenitude of wildlife. No matter where you are in Pennsylvania, a state park is not very far away. Click here to learn more about the Pennsylvania's state parks.
This is the place where "shoofly pie" became famous. Tour the bakery, gift store, and furniture shop to really explore Amish culture. While you're in the area, you might as well stop at Bird-in-Hand Farmer's Market. Visit the Dutch Haven website for more information.
4. Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, Elverson
(Editor's Note: Hopewell Furnace is not currently offering tours due to COVID-19. In the meantime, check for updates and take a virtual tour on the website.)
Steel and Iron were once integral parts of Pennsylvania's economy. During the 19th century, Hopewell Furnace was one of many iron plantations thoroughout the country that produced iron, shutting down in 1883 and becoming an important historic landmark. Click here to learn more about Hopewell Furnace.
Adamstown is considered by many to be the single best spot in the country for antiquing, with over 5,000 antiques dealers along a 7-mile route. You could spend days looking at all the antiques! Visit the webpage to learn more about Adamstown.
If you are looking for family-friendly places in Pennsylvania, visit Peddler's Village, a development consisting of shops, a family entertainment center, and a vintage carousel. Numerous festivals take place throughout the year that all have free admission. Click here to learn more about Peddler's Village.
Pennsylvania is known for many things, though debatably, the covered bridge is the most iconic. There are a variety of covered bridge tours available for download that will offer you driving directions as well as plenty of information and fun facts about all of the sights along the way. Click here for a self-guided covered bridges driving tour in Buck County.
Every year, hundreds of fishermen catch trout from the Little Lehigh River, but you might not have thought about where they come from. The fish hatchery in Allentown hatches and raises trout to be released into the river. Use the signage for a self-guided tour. Walk around the facility and gawk at the fish, or admire the taxidermy collection in the office building. Click here to learn more about the Lil'-Le-Hi Trout Nursery.
Moravian Book Shop is not only the oldest continuously running book shop in the world, but it is also massive and definitely worth a visit, whether you're a book-lover or not. Click here for a more information on the Moravian Book Shop.
This gigantic coffee pot, known as the Koontz Coffee Pot, has more history behind it than you may think. It was built in 1927 and has decorated the landscape of Bedford in one form or another since then.
The restored Clayton Mansion, the Frick Art Museum, the Car and Carriage Museum, and the Greenhouse are all the legacy of Henry Clay Frick, a famous industrialist and art collector. Even better, admission to the complex of museums is free. Visit The Frick Pittsburgh website for more information.
(Editor's Note: Edgar Allen Poe National Historic Site is not currently offering tours due to COVID-19. In the meantime, check for updates on the website.)
Everyone knows that Zippo is the premiere manufacturer of lighters. Explore their expansive museum of lighters and case knives that includes exhibitions about Zippo's contributions to WWII and about Zippo lighters in Hollywood. Visit the Zippo/Case Museum website for more information.
If only all good things in life came for free. What are some of your favorite free things to do in Pennsylvania? Share them in the comments below!
And for more budget-friendly fun in Pennsylvania, be sure to check out these inexpensive road trips!
Address: 905 Line St, Easton, PA 18042, USA
Address: 2857 Lincoln Hwy E, Ronks, PA 17572, USA
Address: 2 Mark Bird Ln, Elverson, PA 19520, USA
Address: 3014 N Reading Rd, Adamstown, PA 19501, USA
Address: 100 Peddlers Village, New Hope, PA 18938, USA
Address: Bucks County, PA, USA
Address: 510 Sycamore St, Nazareth, PA 18064, USA
Address: 2901 Fish Hatchery Rd, Allentown, PA 18103, USA
Address: 428 Main St, Bethlehem, PA 18018, USA
Address: 108 Telegraph Rd, Bedford, PA 15522, USA
Address: 7227 Reynolds St, Pittsburgh, PA 15208, USA
Address: 520 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA
Address: 532 N 7th St, Philadelphia, PA 19123, USA
Address: 1932 Zippo Dr, Bradford, PA 16701, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Free Things In Pennsylvania
March 17, 2021
Melissa Mahoney
What are the best road trips to take in Pennsylvania?
Road trips are usually a cost-effective way to travel and there are plenty of places throughout the state to visit by car. From state parks and the Appalachian Mountains to museums and small rural towns in Amish country, you can take a day trip without spending much money. Read our article, 11 Inexpensive Road Trip Destinations In Pennsylvania That Won’t Break The Bank for some ideas.
What are some family-friendly places in Pennsylvania?
The commonwealth of Pennsylvania is home to endless fun-filled activities for the entire family to enjoy. Hershey Park is always a fantastic place to take kids because who doesn’t like rides or chocolate? A camping trip is a great family bonding activity and for kids to learn about and explore nature. Or take a day trip to one of many kid-friendly museums or zoos around the state. And for more ideas, be sure to check out the above list of free things to do in Pennsylvania!
What are the best hidden gems to visit in Pennsylvania?
There’s something so special about visiting hidden gems somewhere. Maybe it’s a place only locals know about or one that’s so tucked away it’s hard for anyone to find. Or perhaps it’s a place that’s new and has yet to be discovered by the masses. Either way, the state has plenty of these hidden places to visit, some of which can be found in our 8 Hidden Gems In Pennsylvania That You Had No Idea Existed post.
Address: 905 Line St, Easton, PA 18042, USA
Address: 2857 Lincoln Hwy E, Ronks, PA 17572, USA
Address: 2 Mark Bird Ln, Elverson, PA 19520, USA
Address: 3014 N Reading Rd, Adamstown, PA 19501, USA
Address: 100 Peddlers Village, New Hope, PA 18938, USA
Address: Bucks County, PA, USA
Address: 510 Sycamore St, Nazareth, PA 18064, USA
Address: 2901 Fish Hatchery Rd, Allentown, PA 18103, USA
Address: 428 Main St, Bethlehem, PA 18018, USA
Address: 108 Telegraph Rd, Bedford, PA 15522, USA
Address: 7227 Reynolds St, Pittsburgh, PA 15208, USA
Address: 520 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA
Address: 532 N 7th St, Philadelphia, PA 19123, USA
Address: 1932 Zippo Dr, Bradford, PA 16701, USA
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