Things to Do in Pennsylvania

One of the most celebrated horticultural displays in the country, Longwood Gardens spans over 1,000 breathtaking acres in Pennsylvania’s scenic Brandywine Creek Valley. Open year-round, this premier botanical destination offers seasonal displays, fountain performances, and immersive garden experiences that draw over a million visitors annually.

Highlights:

• 1,000+ acres of world-class gardens and seasonal displays
• Newly renovated Orchid House with 5,000+ orchid plants
• Rare and exotic plants from Australia and South Africa
• Indoor conservatories, outdoor fountains, and performance spaces
• Educational offerings including workshops and a horticultural degree program

Pro Tip:

Plan your visit around one of Longwood’s seasonal shows, like the dazzling fountain displays in summer or the magical holiday light exhibitions in winter—both are unforgettable.

Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348
Phone: 610-388-1000

A hidden gem along Philadelphia’s cultural corridor, the Rodin Museum houses the largest collection of works by Auguste Rodin outside of Paris. Opened in 1929, the museum was established through the generosity of philanthropist Jules Mastbaum, who donated his personal collection to inspire and enrich the public.

Highlights:

• Largest Rodin collection outside of Paris
• Iconic works including "The Thinker", "The Kiss", and "The Gates of Hell"
• Beaux-Arts architecture and formal French sculpture garden
• Includes bronzes, plaster studies, and early works in progress
• Located along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway near other major museums

Pro Tip:

Visit in the morning for a peaceful stroll through the garden and be sure to linger at "The Thinker"—it’s one of the most photographed sculptures in the city.

Rodin Museum, 2151 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Phone: 215-763-8100

Unique Attractions

A sweet escape for thrill-seekers and chocolate lovers alike, Hersheypark began in 1906 as a leisure space for Hershey’s Chocolate Factory employees. Today, it has grown into one of Pennsylvania’s top theme park destinations, offering 70+ rides and attractions alongside immersive chocolate-themed experiences.

Highlights:

• Over 70 rides and attractions, including thrilling roller coasters
• Boardwalk water park and on-site ZooAmerica
• Amphitheater with live shows and entertainment
• Restaurants with kosher and gluten-free options
• Adjacent to Hershey’s Chocolate World with free admission and chocolate samples

Pro Tip:

Arrive early to beat the crowds and ride the major coasters first—then cool off at the water park in the afternoon. Don’t leave without sampling fresh chocolate at Chocolate World!

Hersheypark, 100 West Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, PA 17033
Phone: 800-437-7439

A peaceful green retreat in the heart of Philadelphia’s historic Germantown neighborhood, the Awbury Arboretum stretches across 55 acres of meadows, woodlands, wetlands, and gardens. Beloved by locals for generations, this free and open public space is one of Philadelphia’s most scenic natural escapes—and a top venue for outdoor events and weddings.

Highlights:

• 55 acres of open meadows, woodlands, and gardens
• Located in the historic Germantown neighborhood
• Free and open to the public year-round
• Popular for weddings, community events, and educational programs
• Historic Quaker roots and beautifully preserved landscapes

Pro Tip:

Bring a picnic and spend a quiet afternoon exploring the trails—weekdays are especially peaceful if you're looking for solitude in nature.

Awbury Arboretum, 1 Awbury Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19138
Phone: 215-849-2855

A powerful tribute to Pennsylvania’s industrial past, the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area spans the valleys of the Monongahela, Ohio, and lower Allegheny Rivers, preserving and interpreting the rich legacy of steelmaking in the Pittsburgh region. Designated as a National Heritage Area, Rivers of Steel highlights the transformation of southwestern Pennsylvania from a rugged frontier to a powerhouse of American industry.

Anchored by iconic landmarks such as the Carrie Blast Furnaces Nos. 6 and 7, Pinkerton’s Landing, the Bost Building, the Pump House at the former U.S. Steel Homestead Works, and the W.A. Young Foundry and Machine Shop at Rices Landing, the area offers immersive experiences that explore the culture, grit, and innovation behind "Big Steel."

Highlights:

• Spans historic river valleys in the Pittsburgh region
• Key sites include Carrie Blast Furnaces, Bost Building, and Pinkerton’s Landing
• Offers tours, heritage events, and historical interpretation programs
• Celebrates the legacy of steelworkers and industrial culture
• Operates as a National Heritage Area under the National Park Service

Pro Tip:

Don’t miss the guided tour of the Carrie Blast Furnaces—it’s one of the last remaining structures of its kind in the country and offers an unforgettable window into America’s steelmaking era.

Rivers of Steel, 623 E. Eighth Avenue, Homestead, PA 15120
Phone: 412-464-4020

A celebration of creativity, craftsmanship, and design, the Wharton Esherick Museum is dedicated to the life and legacy of one of America’s most influential 20th-century sculptors and woodworkers. Located on a serene 12-acre hilltop in Malvern, Pennsylvania, the museum was once the personal studio and residence of Wharton Esherick, a pioneer of the Studio Furniture Movement.

Highlights:

• National Historic Landmark studio filled with over 300 original works
• Celebrates Wharton Esherick and the Studio Furniture Movement
• Guided tours required—advance reservations only
• Visitor center in a 1928 Expressionist-style garage
• Historic Diamond Rock Schoolhouse used by Esherick as a studio

Pro Tip:

Tours book quickly, especially in fall when the surrounding woods are in full color—reserve early and allow time to explore the grounds before or after your tour.

The Wharton Esherick Museum, 1520 Horse Shoe Trail, Malvern, PA 19355

Known as the “Christian Broadway,” Sight and Sound Theatres is a world-renowned theatrical company with locations in Branson, Missouri, and Ronks, Pennsylvania, just outside of Harrisburg. The theater brings Bible stories to life through large-scale, immersive productions that captivate audiences of all ages with stunning sets, special effects, original music, and elaborate costumes.

Highlights:

• Immersive, large-scale Christian musicals based on Bible stories
• Two locations: Branson, MO and Ronks, PA (near Harrisburg)
• Over one million visitors annually
• High-quality production with special effects, live animals, and stunning sets
• Lobby concessions with food and drink

Pro Tip:

Shows often sell out months in advance—book your tickets early and arrive at least 30 minutes before showtime to explore the theater and find your seat comfortably.

Sight and Sound Theatres, 300 Hartman Bridge Road, Ronks, PA 17572
Phone: 800-377-1277

Museums

The Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center is the essential first stop for anyone exploring the historic Gettysburg Battlefield—a pivotal site in the American Civil War. Located within Gettysburg National Military Park, the center serves as both a starting point for ranger-led and self-guided tours and as a hub for in-depth learning about the battle and its legacy.

Highlights:

• Official visitor center of Gettysburg National Military Park
• Extensive Civil War museum with weapons, uniforms, and artifacts
• Home to the Gettysburg Cyclorama painting experience
• Ranger-led and self-guided battlefield tours available
• Includes a theater, bookstore, gift shop, and restaurant

Pro Tip:

Book a guided tour early in the day and save time to fully experience the museum and Cyclorama. The morning hours are also best for exploring the battlefield before it gets busy.

Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center, 1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Phone: 717-338-1243

Nestled along the scenic banks of Brandywine Creek in Chadds Ford, the Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art is a cultural gem devoted to American art and environmental preservation. Opened to the public in 1971, the museum is housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century mill that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding Pennsylvania countryside.

Highlights:

• Iconic works by Andrew Wyeth, N.C. Wyeth, and Jamie Wyeth
• Set in a converted 19th-century mill overlooking Brandywine Creek
• Exhibits include American landscape artists and illustrators
• Native plant gardens and scenic outdoor trails on 15 landscaped acres
• Home to the Brandywine Conservancy, supporting land and water preservation

Pro Tip:

Don’t miss the chance to stroll the river trail after your museum visit—the views are especially beautiful in spring and fall. Guided tours of the N.C. Wyeth House and Studio are also available seasonally.

The Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art, 1 Hoffmans Mill Rd, Chadds Ford, PA 19317
Phone: 610-388-2700

A vital cultural institution in the heart of the state capital, the Susquehanna Art Museum is central Pennsylvania’s only dedicated art museum. Originally founded in 1989 by a passionate group of Harrisburg-area art educators, the museum relocated in 2015 to its current home within the historic Keystone Trust Building on North Third Street.

Highlights:

• Central Pennsylvania’s only dedicated art museum
• Located in the historic Keystone Trust Building in Harrisburg
• Rotating exhibits feature regional and international artists
• Educational outreach via VanGo! Museum on Wheels
• Open Tuesday–Sunday with appointment viewings on Mondays

Pro Tip:

Check the museum’s calendar before your visit—special exhibitions and juried shows often feature opening receptions, artist talks, and hands-on programming for visitors of all ages.

The Susquehanna Art Museum, 1401 N 3rd St, Harrisburg, PA 17102
Phone: 717-233-8668