11 Must-Visit Outdoor Destinations In Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is full of beautiful outdoor places to explore, and today we’re sharing some of our favorites. But don’t just take our word for it: definitely check out these beautiful attractions for yourself! Here are 11 must-visit outdoor destinations in Pennsylvania that are perfect for checking out when the weather turns warm.
Please note: we recommend to always check each attraction’s website before you head out, in order to confirm current hours.
1. Chanticleer Garden, 786 Church Road, Wayne, PA, 19087
Stroll through an enchanted garden and bathed in golden sun beams when you visit Chanticleer Garden. Picnic in the warmth of a glass house. Listen to the melody of the babbling brook. Then sit on a perfectly placed stone bench or comfy wooden lounge chair to admire your magical surroundings. Find more information, including days and hours, on the official website of Chanticleer Garden.
2. Bear Creek Preserve, 47 Rabbit Run Lane, Bear Creek Township, PA, 18702
Lace up your hiking boots, pack your water bottles, and prepare for a breathtaking journey into a tiny piece of Pennsylvania paradise when you visit Bear Creek Preserve, a sprawling natural area spread across 3,400 acres in the Lehigh River Watershed. Hike along one of the unpaved hiking paths that span 31 miles. Cross over a picturesque footbridge as you view local wildlife, including turtles, porcupines, owls, and bald eagles. Discover a breathtaking gushing waterfall at Bear Creek Preserve, which is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Learn more about this must-visit outdoor destination in Pennsylvania at the official website of Bear Creek Preserve.
3. Lehigh Valley Zoo, 5150 Game Preserve Road, Schnecksville, PA, 18078
Breathe in the fresh air as you get a close up look at some of the world's most adorable animals, like the handsome little fella in the photo above, when you visit the Lehigh Valley Zoo. Stroll through the 29-acre zoo that's home to more than 275 animals, including penguins, otters, giraffes, and raccoons. Enjoy a quick snack or a meal at the zoo, which is open all year around. Find hours, admission prices, and more on the official website of Lehigh Valley Zoo.
Meander along a storybook-level fairy trail at Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. Sit in an oversized bird's nest. Inspect the picturesque fairy homes. Cross a pond on stepping stones. Feel the sun's rays that sneak through the trees that line the walking paths. Pittsburgh Botanic Garden is picture-perfect in all seasons -- but especially as the flowers blossom in the spring. Arrive at Pittsburgh Botanic Garden at least an hour and a half prior to closing to get admission tickets for that day. Head over to the official website of Pittsburgh Botanic Garden for hours, admission prices, and more.
5. Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse, 3500 Reservoir Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19121
Pennsylvania sure has some picture-perfect parks, and you'll definitely want to add Smith Memorial Park and Playhouse to your places to visit. This 6.5-acre park features plenty to do both outdoors and indoors, including a giant slide perfect for kids of all ages, a butterfly garden, and a 16,000-square foot indoor playhouse. You can find more information, including hours and days, on the official website of Smith Memorial Playground.
6. Wolf Sanctuary, 465 Speedwell Forge Road, Lititz, PA, 17543
Journey to the storybook small town of Lititz, home to Wolf Sanctuary of PA. The 80-acre animal sanctuary houses abandoned, neglected, and abused wolves, providing them with lifelong care and a safe home. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes for your guided tour of the sprawling sanctuary. Watch as keepers feed the wolves and learn more about the residents wolves. Reserve a spot to tour the sanctuary. Starting planning your trip on the official website of Wolf Sanctuary of PA.
7. Tree Tops Restaurant, 187 Evergreen Lane, Acme, PA, 15610
Dine outdoors on a beautiful spring day at Tree Tops Restaurant, a spectacular eatery nestled among the trees in Acme. The remote restaurant features an impressive menu that's geared toward all food lovers - carnivores, vegetarians, and vegans - and includes such scrumptious dishes as the smoked chicken sandwich, the grilled vegetable sandwich, chicken capers, and portabella ravioli. The enchanting restaurant is open seasonally. Browse the full menu and check out the hours and days on the official website of Tree Tops Restaurant.
Discover the simple beauty of one of Pennsylvania's most spectacular natural wonders when you visit Bilger's Rocks. The rocks boast a series of passageways, caves, arches, and cliffs that date back more than 300 million years. Hike on the trails around the rocks then enjoy a picnic at the pavilion; watch the kids at the playground, or camp out overnight or for a weekend. This must-visit outdoor destination is open from dawn to dusk all year around. Stop by the official website of Bilger's Rocks.
9. Turkey Hill Experience – 301 Linden Street, Columbia, PA 17512
Ice cream really is one of those treats that's just perfect any time of the year. Celebrate the start of spring with a visit to the Turkey Hill Experience. Learn about the history of Turkey Hill and its ice cream as you embark on a self-guided tour then create your very own ice cream flavor, star in your own television commercial, and enjoy ice cream samples. Check out the official website of Turkey Hill Experience for more information.
Plan a delightful weekend spring getaway to the quaint village of Eagles Mere. Boasting a year round population of less than 150 full-time residents, the charming village is dotted with picturesque shops and museums and offers plenty of outdoor activities, including boating on Eagles Mere Lake. Eagles Mere is within easy driving distance of Worlds End State Park. Learn more and plan your visit toHistoric Eagles Mere.
11. Salt Springs State Park – 2305 Salt Springs Road, Montrose, PA 18801
Soak up the gentle spring sunshine with a trip to Salt Springs State Park, which boasts more than 700 acres of pristine land. Stroll along a picture-perfect wooden boardwalk as you're flanked by towering trees. Discover a gushing waterfall. Become one of nature's artists by adding a rock formation to what is known as the park's Stonehenge. Salt Springs State Park is open all year around. Visit the official website of Salt Springs State Park.
Did you know about all of these beautiful Pennsylvania gems? Are any of these 11 must-visit outdoor destinations in Pennsylvania already on your calendar? Let us know in the comments! And if you’re feeling all wanderlusty, you’ll definitely want to consider a weekend waterfall getaway in Pennsylvania.
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Address: Chanticleer, a pleasure garden, 786 Church Rd, Wayne, PA 19087, USA
Address: 47 Rabbit Run Ln, Bear Creek Village, PA 18702, USA
Address: Lehigh Valley Zoo, 5150 Game Preserve Rd, Schnecksville, PA 18078, USA
Address: Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, 799 Pinkerton Run Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15071, USA
Address: 3500 Reservoir Dr, Philadelphia, PA 19121, USA
Address: Wolf Sanctuary of PA, 465 Speedwell Forge Rd, Lititz, PA 17543, USA
Address: Tree Tops Restaurant, 187 Evergreen Ln, Acme, PA 15610, USA
Address: Bilger's Rocks, 1921 Bilgers Rocks Rd, Grampian, PA 16838, USA
Address: 301 Linden St, Columbia, PA 17512, USA
Address: Eagles Mere, PA, USA
Address: Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Rd, Montrose, PA 18801, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Must-Visit Outdoor Destinations in Pennsylvania
January 25, 2021
Beth Price-Williams
What is weather like in the spring in Pennsylvania?
Wouldn’t it be nice if spring were predictable, with balmy temperatures and sunny skies each day? That might be spring in some places, but spring in Pennsylvania is anything but predictable. So many of us will break out the shorts when the temperatures start hovering in the 50s, but that doesn’t mean we’ll have warm temperatures all season long. We’ll still have to deal with the finicky weather – dressing for winter in the morning, getting so hot we want to turn on the air conditioning by afternoon, and waiting for the inevitable temperature drop in the evening.
What are the best hiking trails in Pennsylvania during spring?
Hiking and spring just go together, like peanut butter and jelly. If you’re looking for some unique places to visit in Pennsylvania this spring, hit one of the many trails that dot the state. Since it’s been so long since we’ve seen blossoming flowers, we can’t go wrong with a stroll on the Alpine Trail at Gifford Pinchot State Park. Dingman Falls Trail leads straight to the 130-foot Dingman Falls, picture-perfect, especially in the spring. The Lakeside Loop Trail at Keystone State Park meanders along Keystone Lake, popular in the summer with swimmers and boaters.
What are some other must-visit outdoor attractions in Pennsylvania?
During warmer months, you'll find outdoor attractions aplenty in Pennsylvania. We have so many of them that we could easily spend the whole year exploring! For a one-of-a-kind adventure in the U.S., head to Penn’s Cave where you can climb on a boat to tour the only all-water cave in the country. Cherry Springs State Park provides the perfect skies for an evening of stargazing, and Ohiopyle State Park is an outdoor lover’s dream come true. It features three waterfalls, dozens of hiking trails, camping, a natural waterslide, and fun for the whole family.
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