The best culture, views and food to enjoy in Pennsylvania
There's a strong case to be made for Pennsylvania as the great American getaway. Here you can combine the character-packed and historic urban energy of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh with side helpings of small, quaint towns and gorgeous mountains and lakes in between. It's a place where you'll seamlessly switch from heavyweight art museums to scenic train journeys through state parks, and award-winning restaurants to dogsledding through highlands. Variety is the state's secret ingredient.
Arts and culture
Philadelphia has a phenomenal collection of museums, with the internationally renowned Philadelphia Museum of Art being the headline act. Nearby, the Barnes Foundation displays masterpieces from the likes of Monet, Cezanne and Van Gogh in eccentric, coordinated 'ensembles'.
Find beauty in every stroke at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Credit : Philadelphia Museum of Art
To the west, Pittsburgh matches Philadelphia's cultural offerings with the six-storey Andy Warhol Museum. The museum does more than just display Warhol's famous artworks, such as Campbell's Soup Cans, but also explores the artist's life, philosophies, media ventures and global impact.
Between the state's two big cities, significant historical and cultural attractions include Civil War sites, living history museums and heritage mansions that are now open to visitors. One of the most notable of the latter is the Asa Packer Mansion in the town of Jim Thorpe. A grand Italian-style villa built for a railroad magnate in 1861, this National Historic Landmark retains its sumptuous Victorian furniture and fittings.
The great outdoors
Asa Packer had a significant hand in developing the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, one of America's most beautiful train rides. In a region known as Pennsylvania's Little Switzerland, diesel engines pull vintage carriages on a 16-mile round trip across bridges and through the mountain scenery from Jim Thorpe to Lehigh Gorge State Park.
Explore the breathtaking Lehigh Gorge by train
Credit : Shutterstock
This state park is one of many across Pennsylvania, each offering something slightly different. The Cherry Springs State Park in northern Pennsylvania is best known for its handsome cherry trees, but it is increasingly a go-to spot for stargazers. The dark skies above the park make it an ideal place for observing the majesty of the Milky Way. For celestial novices, Potter County Stargazing Tours runs specialist, astronomer-guided nighttime tours.
Stargazing at its finest — Milky Way magic from Cherry Springs State Park
Credit : Shutterstock
In southwestern Pennsylvania, the Laurel Highlands region plays host to several state parks and forests, as well as numerous opportunities for outdoor activities. Hiking and mountain biking trails combine with trout-fishing lakes, campgrounds and whitewater rafting. Laurel Highlands River Tours offers gentle, family-friendly paddling runs, as well as more adventurous trips tackling Class III and IV rapids.
Being outdoors doesn't mean compromising on comforts and conveniences – there are several luxurious resorts here. Nemacolin near Farmington stands out for its sheer range of offerings. Guests can stay in a chateau, a Tudor-style lodge or an adults-only Art Deco oasis, before tackling activities such as ice skating, dogsledding, high rope adventures or golf on a championship-level course.
Food and drink
All that action can make you hungry. Fortunately, Pennsylvania's not just a fantastic place to eat, but a fascinating one. High-quality local produce mixes with bold ideas across the state to deliver a culinary experience like no other.
In Kennett Square – known as the mushroom capital of the world – Talula's Table has a reputation as one of the toughest reservations to secure in the country. This is partly because there are just two tables, but mainly because its ultra-seasonal tasting menus show off the best of the surrounding area's stellar produce. Don't fret if you can't get a table, however – by day the restaurant acts as a more-accessible market and café.
In Philadelphia, the city's diverse culinary offerings are on display at Reading Terminal Market, where dozens of specialist stalls congregate, serving up everything from roast pork sandwiches to ice cream to the city's famous cheesesteaks.
There's also an excellent James Beard Award-winning multicultural restaurant scene, with Kalaya being one of its main attractions. Its authentic southern Thai food in an impressive warehouse setting is made for sharing with a group.
A feast of bold flavours and vibrant dishes from southern Thailand awaits for you at Kalaya
Credit : Mike Prince
In Pittsburgh, food tours through the Strip district take in family-run bakeries, Italian meat specialists and passionate pierogi-makers. Meanwhile, the much-lauded Apteka has put a plant-based spin on traditional Eastern European favourites, and Café on the Corner acts as a non-profit training ground for local would-be chefs while serving comforting southern cuisine.
The diversity of flavours is what makes Pennsylvania special – and that extends far beyond the dinner plate.
The great American getaway
With direct flights from the UK to both Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, weaving around Pennsylvania couldn't be easier.
Start your journey at visitpa.com
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