Pennsylvania knocked my socks off in ways I never expected. Everyone knows Philly and Pittsburgh, but this state is packed with incredible places most visitors completely miss. I spent two magical days exploring New Hope, wandering between riverside cafes and boutiques while secretly checking real estate listings on my phone.
Jim Thorpe stole my heart with its dramatic mountain setting and Victorian buildings that look straight out of a movie set. I still dream about my morning there, coffee in hand, soaking in those incredible Lehigh River views. After road tripping through towns, forests, and farmland, I’ve collected the best places in Pennsylvania that deserve way more attention. Here are 12 jaw-dropping spots that showcase what makes this state so special.
Must-Visit Travel Destinations in Pennsylvania
Looking to uncover Pennsylvania’s hidden gems? Beyond the well-known attractions, the state offers plenty of lesser-known treasures waiting to be explored. Wander through the Ricketts Glen State Park, known for its stunning waterfalls and trails. Marvel at the Eastern State Penitentiary, a historic site with intriguing stories.
Stroll the charming streets of Jim Thorpe, rich with history and character. Whether you’re into nature, history, or unique towns, here are 12 of Pennsylvania’s most underrated destinations!
1. Cook Forest State Park
Yearning to stand beneath trees older than America itself? Towering ancient pines create a cathedral-like atmosphere in this 8,500-acre woodland haven.
The Forest Cathedral Natural Area holds some of the oldest trees in the Northeast, with 300-year-old white pines stretching nearly 200 feet skyward. Located in northwestern PA, about 90 minutes from Pittsburgh, this park offers more than just impressive trees. Paddle the Clarion River, hike the 29 miles of scenic trails, or climb Fire Tower #9 for panoramic forest views.
After a day exploring, grab dinner at Gateway Lodge Restaurant, where locally sourced ingredients complement the rustic ambiance. I found myself completely losing track of time here, mesmerized by how the sunlight filtered through the ancient canopy. This old-growth forest feels worlds away from civilization, despite being just a short drive from Route 80.
2. Jim Thorpe
Want a European vacation without crossing the Atlantic? Nestled in the Lehigh Gorge, this Victorian town delivers mountain charm with a dash of quirky culture.
Once called the “Switzerland of America,” Jim Thorpe sits 80 miles north of Philadelphia in Carbon County. Begin your visit at the ornate Asa Packer Mansion, an opulent time capsule of Gilded Age prosperity. Then wander the downtown district, where historic architecture houses boutique shops like Somersault Letterpress and Red Castle Brewery.
Adventure seekers can bike the Lehigh Gorge Trail or book a whitewater rafting trip down the Lehigh River. Stay at the haunted inn at Jim Thorpe, where tales of ghostly encounters add a spine-tingling element to your visit. This former coal-shipping hub has reinvented itself as a perfect weekend getaway that balances outdoor adventure with small-town charm.
3. Kinzua Bridge Skywalk
Ready for the stomach-dropping thrill of standing on glass 225 feet above the forest floor? Walk on air at this engineering marvel in northwestern Pennsylvania.
Located in McKean County near Mt. Jewett, the Kinzua Bridge Skywalk transformed disaster into opportunity after a 2003 tornado destroyed much of the historic railroad viaduct. Today, visitors can stroll out onto the reinvented observation deck with its partial glass floor offering vertigo-inducing views of the gorge below.
Autumn visits provide spectacular foliage views from this unique aerial vantage point. My heart raced stepping onto the glass sections, knowing only inches of material separated me from the dizzying drop. Nearby, Lynn Hall offers both lodging and a fascinating connection to Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural legacy. This repurposed relic demonstrates Pennsylvania’s knack for honoring its past while looking forward.
4. Creek Gorge
Craving Grand Canyon views without the desert heat or crowds? Pennsylvania’s answer to the Grand Canyon cuts dramatically through the northern wilderness, creating a 50-mile gorge up to 1,000 feet deep.
Located in Tioga County, about 3 hours north of Harrisburg, this natural wonder offers breathtaking views from overlooks at Leonard Harrison and Colton Point State Parks on opposite rims. The floor of the canyon houses the rail trail that outdoor enthusiasts dream about: the 62-mile Pine Creek Rail Trail.
Fall brings an explosion of color to the canyon walls, while summer offers refreshing swimming holes in Pine Creek itself. Rent bikes in nearby Wellsboro before heading to the canyon, or book a guided kayak trip during the spring highwater season. I’ve watched bald eagles soar between the canyon walls while cycling along the peaceful valley floor.
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5. Ringing Rocks Park
Picture yourself creating music from stones that shouldn’t sing. Strike ordinary-looking boulders and be rewarded with musical tones at this geological oddity in southeastern Pennsylvania.
Just outside Upper Black Eddy in Bucks County, this 128-acre park houses a bizarre 8-acre field of rocks that ring like bells when struck with a hammer. Bring your own hammer (seriously) to create impromptu percussion music among the boulder fields. Scientists still debate what causes this rare phenomenon.
After your rock concert, follow the short trail to Bucks County’s largest waterfall, a peaceful 15-foot cascade. Located just 15 miles from New Hope, this park makes an easy side trip while exploring the Delaware River region. I spent an entire afternoon here, testing different rocks and finding the ones with the clearest tones. Come on weekdays to avoid crowds.
6. Lititz
Chocolate, pretzels, and craft spirits in a storybook setting? This small town packs enormous charm into just a few walkable blocks in Lancaster County.
Located 8 miles north of Lancaster City, Lititz combines Pennsylvania Dutch heritage with sophisticated shopping and dining. Begin your visit at the country’s oldest pretzel bakery, Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery, where you can twist your own pretzel before exploring boutiques along East Main Street.
Chocolate lovers shouldn’t miss the Wilbur Chocolate Store, home of the famous Wilbur Buds that predated Hershey’s Kisses. Cool off with handcrafted ice cream at Isabella’s Ice Cream Parlor or sample small-batch spirits at Stoll & Wolfe Distillery.
The town’s walkable core surrounds Lititz Springs Park, where the 4th of July celebration has run continuously since 1818. I’ve never left without buying more chocolate than planned.
7. Elk Country Visitor Center
When was the last time you heard a 700-pound wild animal bugle at sunrise? Witness majestic elk roaming free at this wildlife-watching paradise in Pennsylvania’s northern wilderness.
Located in Benezette (Elk County) within the Pennsylvania Wilds region, this state-of-the-art Visitor Center provides the perfect introduction to North America’s largest elk herd east of the Mississippi. September and October bring the dramatic rutting season, when massive bulls bugle and clash for mating rights.
Drive the 127-mile Elk Scenic Drive to access additional viewing sites like Winslow Hill and Dents Run. I watched in awe as a bull elk emerged from the morning mist just yards from the viewing platform. Stay at Benezette Hotel to maximize early morning and dusk viewing opportunities. This remarkable wildlife experience feels more like Yellowstone than Pennsylvania.
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8. Eckley Miners’ Village
Ever wondered what life was like for the families who powered America’s industrial revolution? Step back into coal country’s industrial past at this remarkably preserved company town in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Located near Hazleton in Luzerne County, Eckley Miners’ Village offers an unvarnished look at the lives of 19th and early 20th century coal miners and their families. The village gained fame as the filming location for “The Molly Maguires,” starring Sean Connery.
Tour the austere Company Houses that show the stark class divisions of mining life, with larger homes for supervisors and cramped quarters for immigrant laborers. The Visitor Center houses exhibits on mining technology and labor struggles, while the Company Store demonstrates how miners often remained perpetually indebted to their employers.
Special events throughout the year bring this ghost town temporarily back to life.
9. Bushkill Falls
Looking for Instagram-worthy waterfalls without fighting through wilderness? Experience the “Niagara of Pennsylvania,” where eight cascading waterfalls create a mesmerizing natural spectacle in the Pocono Mountains.
Just 5 miles from the Delaware Water Gap in Pike County, Bushkill Falls offers an extensive network of boardwalks and bridges that provide close-up views of the falls without difficult hiking. The main falls drops an impressive 100 feet into a rock-lined gorge.
Beyond waterfalls, visit the Wildlife Exhibit, try gemstone mining at Prospector Pete’s, or challenge friends at Bushkill Falls Mining Company Maze. Located 2 hours from both Philadelphia and New York City, this natural wonderland makes an ideal day trip. The wooden walkways got slippery after rainfall, so I recommend wearing proper footwear for the safest experience.
10. Laurel Caverns
Tired of the same old weekend escapes? Descend into Pennsylvania’s largest cave system for an underground adventure three hours from anywhere.
Located near Farmington in Fayette County, about 50 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, this 4-mile labyrinth sits beneath Chestnut Ridge in the Laurel Highlands. Choose from guided walking tours through the developed Upper Cave with its 45-foot ceilings, or test your courage with a spelunking adventure through the wild Lower Cave passages.
For a truly unique experience, try your hand at underground miniature golf at Kavernputt, where the course winds through actual cave passages. I emerged muddy but exhilarated after crawling through the challenging three-hour Lower Cave Expedition. This subterranean playground sits just 20 minutes from Frank Lloyd Wright’s famous Fallingwater, making an ideal paired itinerary.
11. Ohiopyle State Park
Crave adventure but your partner wants relaxation? Whitewater thrills meet stunning natural beauty in this adventurer’s paradise in southwestern Pennsylvania.
Straddling the Youghiogheny River in Fayette County, about 75 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, this 20,000-acre park packs incredible diversity into one destination. The park’s centerpiece, Ohiopyle Falls, thunders through the center of tiny Ohiopyle town, while the “Yough” River offers whitewater rafting for all skill levels.
Hike to the park’s many other waterfalls, including the accessible Cucumber Falls and more remote Jonathan Run Falls. Mountain bikers love the technical Sugarloaf Trail System, while sections of the Great Allegheny Passage rail-trail provide easier cycling.
After working up an appetite, refuel at Falls Market Restaurant with river views. I rented a mountain bike and spent hours exploring trails through fern-filled forests.
12. Centralia
Want to walk through a real-life post-apocalyptic landscape? Witness a modern ghost town created by an underground mine fire that’s been burning since 1962.
Located in Columbia County about 2 hours northwest of Philadelphia, Centralia once housed over 1,000 residents before the underground inferno forced nearly everyone to evacuate. Today, only a handful of determined residents remain. The town’s claim to fame is Graffiti Highway, a former section of Route 61 abandoned due to dangerous cracking from the fire below.
Steam still rises from cracks in the earth on cold days, creating an apocalyptic landscape that inspired the Silent Hill horror franchise. The nearby town of Mount Carmel provides lodging and dining options, as Centralia itself has no services. While many buildings have been demolished, the Ukrainian Catholic Church remains standing defiantly on a hill above town.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Hidden Gems in Pennsylvania
Are you searching for more content about where to go in Pennsylvania? Here are some common questions (and answers) I get asked a lot about the most underrated places in Pennsylvania.
What are some family-friendly hidden gems in Pennsylvania?
Families will enjoy Bushkill Falls, with easy walking trails and beautiful picnic spots, and Ohiopyle State Park, known for its gentle rafting experiences and scenic bike paths. Both offer amenities like restrooms and parking for a hassle-free visit.
Do the hidden gems in Pennsylvania require an admission fee?
Some locations, such as Bushkill Falls and Laurel Caverns, charge an entry fee for access and tours. It’s best to check their official websites for the latest pricing. Places like Ohiopyle State Park offer free entry, making them great budget-friendly options.
How safe are the activities at these underrated Pennsylvania destinations?
Safety depends on the activity and location. Activities like rafting at Ohiopyle State Park and exploring Laurel Caverns require good physical condition and sometimes a guide. Always adhere to safety guidelines and consider your own fitness level.
When is the ideal time to visit Pennsylvania’s hidden gems?
Visiting during spring and fall is recommended for enjoying Bushkill Falls and Eckley Miners’ Village in comfortable weather and smaller crowds. Winter transforms places like Ohiopyle State Park into a snowy paradise for cross-country skiing.
What is the proximity of these hidden gems to major cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh?
Philly is bursting with cool spots and adventures for young adults just waiting to be explored. Destinations like Centralia and Laurel Caverns are typically a 2–4-hour drive from major urban centers, depending on your starting point and current traffic. Philadelphia’s nightlife is diverse and vibrant, catering to all tastes. If you’re into cozy jazz bars, bustling nightclubs, or cultural events like theater and live music, Philly has it all.
What essentials should visitors pack for a trip to these beautiful Pennsylvania locations?
Bring comfortable walking shoes, plenty of water, snacks, and appropriate clothing for the weather. Specific gear, like hiking boots for Bushkill Falls or a headlamp for Laurel Caverns, enhances the experience.
Final Thoughts on Pennsylvania’s Hidden Gems
Our journey through Pennsylvania has revealed its hidden gems. From Laurel Caverns to the ghostly Centralia, each site tells a unique story. These places offer more than just beauty; they provide a glimpse into the state’s diverse landscape and history.
Consider the serene Bushkill Falls and the historic Eckley Miners’ Village. They cater to adventurers and historians alike. Pennsylvania’s lesser-known spots promise enriching experiences for every type of traveler.
Visiting these areas supports their preservation and the local communities. It also offers a deeper, more personal travel experience. You contribute to conservation and help keep the stories alive.
Plan your next trip with these hidden gems in mind. Beyond the crowded landmarks, Pennsylvania’s true essence awaits. Discover tranquility, history, and natural beauty. Embrace the road less traveled and let Pennsylvania reveal its hidden wonders to you.
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