Are you wondering what to do this weekend? Maybe your parents are visiting and you want to take them on a fun mini-trip. Perhaps friends from far away are headed your way, or you're looking for "spontaneous day trips near me" online. No matter the occasion, these 10 unique day trips in Pennsylvania showcase some of the best that our beautiful state has to offer. Take your pick, and enjoy one of the best day trips in PA.
1. Fallingwater, Fayette County
Frank Lloyd Wright designed the Fallingwater house in 1935. Since then it has been declared a National Historic Landmark and has been lauded as the architect's most beautiful work. The house is tucked away in the mountains, with the famous waterfall underneath its foundation. Originally, the house was built as a residence for the owners of Kaufmann's Department Store, but now it is open to visitors for guided tours. Be sure to make advanced reservations if you want to tour the beautiful home. Stop by the official website of Fallingwater for more information.
2. The Philadelphia Art Museum
The Philadelphia Art Museum is among the largest and most impressive art museums in the country, and it is well-worth the visit from anywhere in the state. If you aren't much of an art enthusiast, there are other options. Check out the Franklin Institute, which is a huge science center, the Mutter Museum, which houses a plethora of medical oddities and preserved body parts, or the Please Touch Museum, a children's museum that invites you to fondle an array of various objects. Check out the official website of The Philadelphia Museum of Art.
3. Bethlehem
Bethlehem is an often overlooked town that has much to offer. Several years ago, the abandoned steel stacks from Bethlehem Steel were converted into Sands Casino and a venue where musicians perform. If you're looking to do something a little quieter, explore the Moravian Book Shop, the oldest bookstore in the world, and the row of shops and businesses on its street. Throughout the year, Bethlehem rings in various seasons with different festivals and events-- every fall it holds Celtic Classic, every summer it holds Musikfest, and during the holiday season, Bethlehem decks the halls with glittering lights. Learn more on the official website of Visit Bethlehem.
4. Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square
One of the top botanical gardens in the country, Longwood Gardens is the place for anyone who enjoys flowers or unusual plants. Open year-round, it has extensive indoor and outdoor exhibits and events for every season. Be sure to check out the pipe organ while you're there-- it has 10,010 pipes. Plan your visit on the official website of Longwood Gardens.
5. The Amish Experience, Bird-in-Hand
Pennsylvania is famous for its thriving Amish community that inhabits much of the countryside. The Amish Experience, located at Plain & Fancy Farms in Bird-in-Hand, allows visitors to explore the area's culture with guided tours of farmlands, a theater that plays "Jacob's Choice," and an Amish house and one-room school that is open for exploration. While you're in town, be sure to take a buggy ride and to try some scrumptous baked goods. Here's the official website of The Amish Experience.
6. Carnegie Museums, Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh has plenty to offer, but the Carnegie Museums are one of the first stops we'd recommend. You'll have a difficult time deciding which museum to visit first. There are four: the Carnegie Museum of Art, which was one of the first museums of modern art in the country; the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, which has one of the most impressive collections of dinosaur skeletons in the world; the Andy Warhol Museum, and the Carnegie Science Center, which is the most visited musuem in Pittsburgh. Find information on all four museums on the official website of the Carnegie Museums.
7. Crystal Cave, Kutztown
The Crystal Cave website boasts that it is the most popular natural attraction in Pennsylvania-- and understandably so. At affordable rates, you can spend part of your day on a guided tour through the ancient caverns. Once you emerge from the cave, enjoy ice cream, miniature golf, and a gift shop. This is a day trip geared well toward families with children. Plan your visit on the official website of Crystal Cave.
8. Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg is famous for incurring the largest number of deaths of any battle during the American Civil War, and it is also considered the war's turning point. Gettysburg is also rumored to be incredibly haunted. The Gettysburg Battlefield is a popular destination for those who wish to explore a rich piece of our country's heritage or to seek supernatural encounters. Plan your trip with a visit to the official website of Destination Gettysburg.
9. Lehigh Valley Zoo, Schnecksville
Enjoy a peacful afternoon admiring the animals at the Lehigh Valley Zoo, including the Mexican Wolves which are North America's most endangered land mammal. They are part of a species survival plan that aims to release wolves back into the wild to boost their population. The non-profit zoo has a variety of other animals held in a quiet, kid-friendly environment without too many crowds. Buffalo roam in the surrounding land. Stop by the official website of Lehigh Valley Zoo.
10. Hersheypark, Hershey
Hershey is famous for its mouth-watering chocolate and candy products, and every year thousands of tourists visit to enjoy a tour of the factory and the adjacent amusement park. Visit to enjoy roller coasters, the smell of chocolate that permeates the air, and learning about the place that produces your favorite candy bar. Here's the official website of Hersheypark.
We have so many day trip destinations in Pennsylvania that we might not know where to start! What are your favorite unique day trips in Pennsylvania? Let us know in the comments! On the lookout for activities that are free? Here are 15 fun and free things to do in Pennsylvania.
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