From its history of independence in Philadelphia, production of chocolate in Hershey, and its mix of coal country and agriculture, Pennsylvania boasts a landscape rich in diversity. With an abundance of unique towns and histories to explore, Pennsylvania offers prime destinations for travelers of all kinds. For those who want to explore the beauty of Pennsylvania without getting caught in crowds of vacation-goers, here’s a list of four of some of the best hidden travel spots to visit in Pennsylvania.
Less than a 15-mile drive from the bustling center of downtown Pittsburgh, PA., the Pittsburgh Botanic Gardens offer a luscious retreat from industrial life. The woodlands span 60-acres and offer three miles of green, serene trails for exploration. Speckled with huts, cabins, and chickens, the property also includes an award-winning Lotus Pond. Aside from trail, the Pittsburgh Botanic Gardens also offers tours of the land, as well hosts special events, including yoga or botanist walks and talks.
Situated in the northeastern coal fields of Pennsylvania, Eckley Miners’ Village is a town frozen in time. Though its inhabitants have since left, the patch town remains a standing museum of coal mining during the early nineteenth century. Featuring buildings such as the Immaculate Conception Church, 1861, the Slate Picker’s House, 1854, and a 1968 reconstruction of Eckley’s company store, Eckley’s Miners’ Village offers an educational glimpse into the past of anthracite coal mining and patch towns that fueled the economy.
Located in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, the Wolf Sanctuary of PA is a nonprofit organization nestled on over 80-acres of property and home to wolves without natural homes. For over thirty years, the sanctuary has become a haven for wolves and wolf dogs, and a place of education for visitors seeking to encounter the animals up close and learn more about their lifestyle and preservation. In addition to public and private tours of the packs, the Wolf Sanctuary of PA hosts Full Moon Tours, which feature live entertainment, bonfires, and more in-depth guides.
Nestled between Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the Delaware Water Gap offers more than 60,000-acres of lush mountains, hiking trails, and ravines. The Raymondskill Creek Trail is found at the northernmost part of the park and leads to Raymondskill Falls, which is the tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania. Though the trail is short, it offers two viewing decks of the waterfall that is only a few feet shy of matching the length of Niagara Falls.
With such diverse landscapes and histories, there’s a vacation spot for everyone in Pennsylvania.