The Ultimate And Definitive Bucket List For Everyone In Pennsylvania
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Christi
Author
Pennsylvania is one of the oldest and most historic states in the country; what’s more than that, it holds some of the most unique and fun attractions. In case you aren’t sure whether you’ve hit on everything essential or not, you can use this as a list of must-do things within the state. Have you done everything on the ultimate bucket list: Pennsylvania edition? Well, you should!
1. Independence Hall, Philadelphia
Lets begin our bucket list with some essential Philadelphian locations: it is, after all, the largest city in the state by far.
Philadelphia has some of the richest history in the entire country, that you can visit at Independence Hall or the Liberty Bell in Philly.
Philadelphia has some of the richest history in the entire country, that you can visit at Independence Hall or the Liberty Bell in Philly.
2. The Mütter Museum, Philadelphia
The Mütter Museum at The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, 19 S 22nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
The medical collection of oddities here will keep you pondering long after your visit.
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3. Magic Gardens, Philadelphia
Philadelphia's Magic Gardens, 1020 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147, USA
You won't believe the incredibly extensive mosaics in the Magic Gardens on the South Side of Philly.
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4. Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia
Eastern State Penitentiary, 2027 Fairmount Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
The Eastern State Penitentiary is a huge historic institution that was the first modern prison in the world. It is also known for being incredibly haunted and for housing infamous inmates like Al Capone.
5. Philadelphia Art Museum
Fairmount, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
One of the greatest art museums in the entire country can be found in Philadelphia; at the base of the steps you will see the famous Rocky statue, and inside you will see endless more famous artworks.
6. Fallingwater, Mill Run
Fallingwater Road, Stewart Township, PA 15464, USA
Moving on from Philadelphia: Frank Lloyd Wright's house that he built for the Kaufmann family draws in many tourists each year. It appears to levitate above a waterfall.
7. Bushkill Falls
Bushkill Falls Trail, Lehman Township, PA 18324, USA
Known as the Niagara Falls of Pennsylvania, Bushkill Falls is a breathtaking natural wonder.
8. Gettysburg Battlefield
Gettysburg Battlefield Historic District, Cumberland Township, PA 17325, USA
Gettysburg was the bloodiest battle of the Civil War and also the site of President Lincoln's famous Gettysburg Address.
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9. Bethlehem Steel Stacks
SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA
Pennsylvania steel was once famous for its utilization for buildings across the entire nation; mainly manufactured in Bethlehem and Pittsburgh, today these sites have memorials of the mills. The Steel Stacks in Bethlehem have been refurbished into an amazing, modern, beautiful entertainment complex replete with entertainment, restaurants, nightlife, and a nearby casino. Definitely worth a visit.
10. Shankweiler's Drive In, Orefield
Shankweiler's Drive-In Theatre, 4540 Shankweiler Rd, Orefield, PA 18069, USA
The country's first drive-in movie theater can be found in Orefield. It is a retro-feeling, fun, low-key activity that screams "Pennsylvania!"
11. Haines Shoe House, Hallam
The Haines Shoe House, 197 Shoe House Rd, York, PA 17406, USA
Have you ever heard the rhyme about the little old lady who lives in a shoe? She must have been from Pennsylvania, because I don't know where else you can find a shoe house other than, well, the Haines Shoe House.
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12. Pennsylvania's Lady Liberty, Dauphin
Yes, only here do we have a miniature Statue of Liberty replica that stands in the middle of the Susquehanna River. Try to glimpse it as you pass near Dauphin on the highway.
13. Columcille Megalith Park, Bangor
Columcille Megalith Park, 2155 Fox Gap Rd, Bangor, PA 18013, USA
This is a hidden treasure within the state that's well worth the visit: the peaceful, meditative park hidden in the forest near Bangor.
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14. Pine Creek Gorge
Pine Creek Gorge, Watson Township, PA 17740, USA
The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania beckons with its marvelous vistas.
15. Kecksburg UFO
Kecksburg UFO Store (Inside VFD Social Club), 5113 Water St, Mt Pleasant, PA 15666, USA
A mysterious unidentified object fell from the sky in Kecksburg one day, and ever since it has been legend that aliens landed. Today, the memory is commemorated by a statue in the size and shape of the alleged UFO.
16. Presque Isle State Park, Erie
Presque Isle State Park, 301 Peninsula Dr, Erie, PA 16505, USA
No one can call themselves a true Pennsylvanian unless they've visited the longest coastline in PA, found along Lake Erie on one of eleven beaches.
17. Ricketts Glen State Park
Ricketts Glen State Park, 695 PA-487, Benton, PA 17814, USA
Pennsylvania has many state parks— over 100—but Ricketts Glen State Park is perhaps one of the most beautiful and popular.
18. Lancaster County
Lancaster County, PA, USA
Pennsylvania has a higher Amish population than anywhere else in the country, and the heart of Amish country is in Lancaster County. A visit here is vital to understanding the heart of PA.
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19. The Duquesne Incline, Pittsburgh
Duquesne Incline, 1197 W Carson St, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
A view like this one doesn't come every day. Pittsburgh's unique mountainous location and coal-mining history lends it to this sort of attraction; everyone must take the incline upon a first visit to the second largest city in Pennsylvania.
20. Carnegie Natural History Museum, Pittsburgh
Carnegie Museum of Natural History, 4400 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
One of the largest collections of dinosaur bones in the country lies interred on display in the Carnegie Museum. What's even better is that when you purchase admission to this museum, you also gain access to the adjacent art museum.
21. Carbon County Prison, Jim Thorpe
Old Jail Museum, 128 W Broadway, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229, USA
The Carbon County Prison is famous for its haunted handprint; the mark left on the wall by a legendary Molly McGuire who was executed unfairly.
22. Hershey's Chocolate Factory, Hershey
Hershey’s Chocolate Tour, 101 Chocolate World Wy, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
And finally, a trip to Hershey is essential in Pennsylvania. Not only a tour of the factory, but a trip to the amusement park is vital.
While we’ve covered many of the amazing things to do in Pennsylvania, we must have forgotten something. What would you add to this list? Share in the comments down below.
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More to Explore
Bucket List Pennsylvania
What are some fun things to do in PA?
Pennsylvania might not be an enormous place, but it IS a place stuffed full with fun stuff to do and see! Some of the super-fun things to do in PA include things like:
- Pine Creek Gorge – This stunning work of natural art is known as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania. It’s stunning, and a must.
- Longwood Gardens – This stunning garden is 200 acres of pure beauty and well worth a drive to come see.
- Trexler Nature Preserve – This one’s for the nature lovers! This gorgeous 1,500 acre escape from the real world is outrageously beautiful.
Learn more about must-visit attractions in Pennsylvania.
What items belong on my PA bucket list?
Bucket lists are always fun, and of course, there are a few must-do and must-see things in Pennsylvania that belong on everyone’s bucket lists. Items belonging at the top of your PA bucket list include:
- Gettysburg – To understand our history is to become immersed in it, and you can do exactly that at Gettysburg: the site of our bloodiest battle in history.
- The Mutter Museum – Morbid? Yes. Intriguing nevertheless? Absolutely.
- Eastern State Penitentiary – Lovers of all things abandoned, spooky and haunted will love touring this long-dead prison.
Learn more about all the things to put on a PA summer bucket list.
What other things should I consider for my Pennsylvania bucket list?
Obviously, the ultimate PA bucket list doesn’t end with the above-mentioned items – oh no! There are so many more that we can’t list them all in a short paragraph, but we can mention more. Some additional Pennsylvania bucket list items are things such as:
- Seven Tubs Natural Area – This beautiful reserve has it all: hiking trails, plenty of water, and amazing views.
- Penn’s Cave – This is the only all-water cave in the United States, and it’s all ours!
- Ricketts Glen State Park – This state park is for the waterfall chasers; you’ll love this one whether you’re into falls or not.
Learn more about each of these nature bucket list spots in PA.