5 Small Towns in Pennsylvania So Dreamy, You’ll Swear You’ve Seen Them on TV

With many of its towns rooted in deep history, it’s easy to fall in love with Pennsylvania's small-town culture. However, there are a few places that stand above and beyond with how utterly dreamy they are—so much so, you can’t help but wonder if you’ve seen them on television before.

1. Jim Thorpe 

Location: east central Pennsylvania in the Poconos

Why It’s So Dreamy: Any town with a nickname like the "Switzerland of the United States" knows that they have big shoes to fill (or, clogs). But, with architecture that clearly harkens back to Europe, narrow streets that seem more for feet and bikes than cars, and verdant mountains that seem to cocoon this small town and change like a postcard with every season, the nickname is more than warranted. 

2. Bellefonte

Location: Central Pennsylvania 

Why It’s So Dreamy: Been looking for a town that just feels and looks fancy as all get out? Bellefonte has you covered. With an early history of wealthy landowners (including governors) and the quick adaptation of electricity in the town before other parts of the country, this area has grand Victorian architecture dripping from every corner. There’s a famously beautiful fountain, parks, galleries, cafes, and more, but beneath all the polish lies surprising historical depth (beyond architecture), with the town formerly serving as a refuge for the Underground Railroad and for Civil War soldiers.

3. New Hope

Location: Eastern Pennsylvania on the Delaware River bordering New Jersey

Why It’s So Dreamy: Set on the Delaware River, this town in many ways seems plucked from the 18th century, when the town’s main revenue was due to transportation and the nearby mill. Although the appearance is somewhat old-fashioned and small, the town is charming and walkable with an interesting addition of modern shops and dining due to the influx of funds from artists and tourists who visit to take in the surrounding woods, as well as the immaculately preserved 18th-century buildings. 

4. Lititz 

Location: Southeastern Pennsylvania

Why It’s So Dreamy: Another Pennsylvania town with a nickname, Lititz is known as "America’s Coolest Small Town." kingdomtoto Cool can be a somewhat odd moniker, as it’s such a relative term, but in this case, it pertains to how this town has a bit of everything, and it’s all done well. There’s a very distinct classic feel with a modern edge, hitting both cozy and eclectic, with old-fashioned pretzel shops and perfectly decorated parks during the holidays on one side, then ghost tours and a surprisingly stellar rock music scene on the other.

5. Doylestown 

Location: Southeastern Pennsylvania, just north of Philadelphia

Why It’s So Dreamy: With historical homes, theaters, galleries, museums, and castles (yep—you read that right), it’s all about art and architecture in Doylestown. And the community, of course, considering that the town has one of the oldest Memorial Day Parades in the kingdom4d country, and schools that parents are practically lining up to get their kids enrolled in.

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