Relax on the beach in Cape May, stroll through the romantic Longwood Gardens, hike through the Susquehanna River Valley or take the kids to Hershey's Chocolate World. Or plan a fun day trip from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and experience the allure of New York City, explore the heritage of Washington, D.C., or bask in the glamour of Atlantic City. CDC information for travelers. Hours/availability may have changed.
1. Washington, D.C. (1 hour, 40 minutes)
There is so much to see and do in the nation’s capital that it is impossible to see it all on a day trip. Visitors who limit their visit to a single neighborhood may choose among the classics – National Mall, Capitol Hill, and Downtown.
National Mall is the location of several historic monuments and revered museums. Capitol Hill is home to the U.S. Capitol Building and the Supreme Court, while Downtown runs from the White House to the Capitol Building. There are a number of upscale restaurants and high end shops in Downtown, plus world-renowned museums and the National Gallery of Art. Things to Do in DC
2. Day Trips from Philadelphia - Chanticleer Garden (40 minutes)
Chanticleer Garden is 40 minutes outside Philadelphia in Wayne, Pennsylvania, and is known as one of the best gardens in the area. The estate itself dates back to the early 20th century, giving the space a historical feel, yet the colorful design of Chanticleer lends the garden a contemporary vibe.
Visitors will enjoy exploring eight distinct gardens and various themed wooded areas, such as the Asian woods. There is a meadow, a creek, and an orchard, along with elevated walkways amid flowers and plant life. Guests may also take classes and workshops or join guided tours.
780 Church Road, Wayne, PA, Phone: 610-687-4163
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3.Doylestown (1 hour)
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Located an hour outside Philadelphia is the town of Doylestown in Pennsylvania. Visitors will enjoy hiking and biking along a 16-mile shared network of paths, roadways, and trails that also connect with two larger trail systems – 202 Parkway trail, and Bicycle Route “S”.
There are two museums in town, the Mercer Museum and Fonthill Castle, and the James A. Michener Art Museum. A historic shopping district features unique specialty stores. Doylestown has seven municipal parks on more than 80 acres of land, each distinct from the others. Some are neighborhood parks, some are nature focused, and some have athletic facilities.
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4. Day Trips from Philadelphia - Baltimore (1 hour)
Baltimore, an hour away from Philadelphia, is a city with extraordinary historical and cultural offerings. Themed tours abound, such as tracing the story of Baltimore and the National Anthem during the War of 1812, offered by the Baltimore National Heritage Urban Rangers.
Legends & Legacies Heritage Bus Tour highlights African American contributions to the city. Museums such as the Walters Art Museum and the Baltimore Museum of Art showcase permanent and temporary historic exhibits. Historical attractions such as the Edgar Allen Poe House offer glimpses of the past and visitors will also appreciate cultural experiences such as the Baltimore Symphony, led by Marin Alsop. Things to Do in Baltimore
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5. Day Trips in PA: Longwood Gardens (50 minutes)
In Kennett Square, PA, visitors will discover 1,000 acres of gorgeous Longwood Gardens. Stunning architecture, indoor and outdoor gardens, and water fountains give visitors many areas to explore while the formal, themed, and children’s gardens offer a little something for everyone throughout the gardens’ changing seasons.
Highlights like the green wall, which is reminiscent of a lush jungle, and the Silver Garden, an awe-inspiring vision in the moonlight, delight visitors. There is an open-air fountain show, an on-site cafe, and a fine dining restaurant. Beer gardens provide a place to relax after a day tour, workshop, class, or other activity. Things to Do in Kennett Square
1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA, Phone: 610-388-1000
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6.Ricketts Glen State Park (2 hours, 35 minutes)
Ricketts Glen State Park is one of Pennsylvania’s most treasured natural areas and has earned the distinction of being a National Natural Landmark. The number one activity here is hiking the Falls Trails System, where you can explore the park’s 22 waterfalls, including 94-foot Ganoga Falls. You’ll be surrounded by old-growth trees in this 13,050-acre park.
Other activities include swimming, boating, and fishing on Lake Jean; rustic camping; and exploring the park’s abundant flora and fauna. Mountain laurel blooms are particularly striking on the Grand View Trail in early summer. During winter, visitors can rent cabins, snowmobile, cross-country ski, ice fish, and snowshoe.
695 State Route 487, Benton PA, Phone: 570-477-5675
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7. Day Trips from Philadelphia - The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg is home to one of the world’s most remarkable collections of railroad artifacts. The museum is dedicated to maintaining and understanding the vast impact the railroads had, and continue to have, on society.
They do this with displays of more than 100 locomotives, educational programs, tours, and special events. There is also a plethora of exhibits featuring railroad artifacts, art work, photographs, books, and other materials. In addition to the extensive exhibits, the museum also restores many unique locomotives that managed to survive their time, giving visitors a look at how designs have progressed.
300 Gap Road, Strasburg, PA, Phone: 717-687-8628
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8.Day Trips in PA: Lapp Valley Farm (1 hour, 20 minutes)
The Lapp Valley Farm in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, produces hormone-free dairy products and homemade ice cream. Visitors can walk the grounds, where bulldogs, peacocks, and cats roam freely, and watch how the farm’s Jersey cows are milked.
As a special treat, guests can pet the calves while they’re being bottle-fed. Visitors can enjoy a few scoops of creamy ice cream inside homemade waffle cones, or a rich milkshake at the farm’s Ice Cream Shop. Lapp Valley Farms also offers several dairy products to-go like butters, various types of milk, and a wide range of ice cream flavors. Things to Do in Lancaster
244 Mentzer Road, New Holland, PA, Phone: 717-354-7988
9. Six Flags Great Adventure (1 hour)
Located in Jackson, New Jersey, Six Flags Great Adventure Park has more than 60 rides that cater to all ages, from kids’ rides like Bugs Bunny Ranger Pilots to thrill rides like Dare Devil Dive, which plummets over 15 stories at 60 mph.
There are numerous live entertainment venues throughout the park, like Looney Tunes Dance Party, which takes place at the Main Street Fountain, and Trainer Talks that feature feathered and flippered animals, their habitats, diets, habits, and more. Visitors will also delight in a wide array of fresh food and beverage options, from sit-down meals to sweets on-the-go.
1 Six Flags Blvd, Jackson, NJ, Phone: 732-928-2000
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10.Gettysburg National Military Park (2 hours, 30 minutes)
The Gettysburg National Military Park is located east of the Appalachian Mountains in the Piedmont Province of south central Pennsylvania on nearly 6,000 acres of land. This park contains woodlands, pasturelands, woodlots, streams, and agriculture fields providing habitats for various mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and flora.
It is well known for educating and entertaining visitors on the historical Battle of Gettysburg, the turning point of the Civil War. Here guests can learn about the various people and places that were a part of the battle through photos and other multimedia presentations as well as through reenactments and audio battlefield tours.
11. Day Trips from Philadelphia - Knoebels Amusement Resort (2 hours, 35 mins)
Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania, is the largest free-admission amusement park in the United States, with on-site amenities that ensure visitors never have to leave the grounds. Kiddie, family, and thrill rides offer a little something for everyone.
Fun carnival-style games, museums, theatres, animal habitats, a mini-golf course, and laser tag facilities appeal to a wide range of personalities, so no one in the family is ever bored. There is a swimming area featuring a sun deck, slides, a climbing net, and a kiddie pool. Families can also take advantage of a golf course, several restaurants, and resort lodging.
391 Knoebels Blvd, Elysburg, PA 17824, Phone: 570-672-2572
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12. Atlantic City (1 hour, 10 minutes)
Atlantic City is the Las Vegas of the East Coast, just over an hour outside Philadelphia in New Jersey. This resort and gaming capital welcomes nearly 30 million visitors a year, making it one of the most popular attractions in the nation.
It features several elite restaurants with world-renowned chefs, amazing casinos, hotels, and resorts, and extravagant spas. Atlantic City is also known for having A-list entertainment, high-end shopping, and championship golf. Visitors can walk the historic boardwalk featuring the bright lights and nightlife reminiscent of the strip in Las Vegas, with the added benefit of being beachside. Things to Do in Atlantic City
13. Battleship New Jersey (20 minutes)
The Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial is the most decorated ship in the United States and provides visitors with a unique perspective into its glorious history. Guests get to climb aboard this 45,000-ton vessel and explore the various military artifacts and exhibits as they tour the ship.
The interactive museum lets visitors do more than look; they can actually lay down on sailor bunks, sit in Admiral Halsey’s chair, and learn how the guns were loaded into the gun turret. Visitors can choose from one of five available tours and can even choose to spend a night aboard the ship. Things to Do in Camden
62 Battleship Place, Camden, NJ, Phone: 856-966-1652
14.Lambertville (50 minutes)
Lambertville, located just under an hour from Philadelphia, is the “Antiques Capital of New Jersey”. Founded in 1705, many of its buildings have been perfectly preserved as a reflection of the historical era. Victorian homes, federal townhouses, and Lambertville Station are a few standouts.
In keeping with the town’s stunning architecture, visitors will experience quaint coffee houses, unique galleries, and a plethora of antique shops along the streets. Lambertville’s artists and craftsmen are as interesting as the picturesque Delaware River town itself. For those visitors on the lookout for rare finds, the Golden Nugget Antiques Market is held three days a week.
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15.Day Trips in PA: New Hope and Ivyland Railroad (45 minutes)
Named one of “America’s Favorite Towns” by Travel + Leisure Magazine, New Hope is a small town 45 minutes outside Philadelphia with an old world charm. Among the town’s treasures is the Delaware Canal, where visitors can walk or bike along a portion of the 60-mile-long towpath offering scenic views of the canal and surrounding foliage.
The New Hope & Ivy Railroad offers visitors a 45-minute narrated ride aboard a 1925 steam train from New Hope to Lahaska. A walk down New Hope’s Main Street reveals an art gallery featuring local artists, independent shops, homespun restaurants, and a live summer theater.
16. Winterthur Museum and Country Estate (50 minutes)
Winterthur Museum and Country Estate, established by Henry Francis du Pont, is less than an hour from Philadelphia. It is most notable as a leading museum for American decorative arts showcasing the early life of the du Pont family and other early Americans.
However, there is also a well-known and stunning 60-acre garden with annual orchestrated blooms. The rest of the 1000-acre property consists of meadows, forests, and quiet streams. The estate has a decorative arts research library open to the public and visitors can indulge in various tours, educational programs and activities, and dine at the Visitor Center Garden Café.
5105 Kennett Pike (Route 52), Winterthur, DE, Phone: 800-448-3883
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17.Hershey's Chocolate World (2 hours)
Hershey’s Chocolate World is located two hours north of Philadelphia, providing fun for the whole family. Visitors can design and create their own chocolate bar and do a little taste testing in the chocolate tasting room.
Children will enjoy the 4D Chocolate Mystery, an interactive game that utilizes digital animation and special effects, inviting them to become part of the show and interact with the characters while they race to solve a mystery. History buffs can enjoy a guided trolley tour through the town that chocolate made, while foodies will appreciate the onsite food court and bakery. Things to Do in Hershey
251 Park Blvd, Hershey, PA, Phone: 717-534-4900
18. New York City (1 hour 30 minutes)
New York City is 90 minutes north of Philadelphia. Five distinct boroughs – Queens, Manhattan, The Bronx, Staten Island, and Brooklyn – make up this vibrant city that offers a wide range of attractions for visitors. The shopping scene has everything from rare books and underground music to gourmet goods and the latest tech.
The museums are out of this world, from The Regal to The Met to various free museums featuring emerging styles like graffiti art. Broadway shows, the Brooklyn Bridge, grand skyscrapers, historic landmarks, the Empire State Building, and the Statue of Liberty are just a few of the additional wonders found in this city.
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19.Susquehanna River Valley (2 hours, 40 minutes)
Visitors to the Susquehanna River Valley may get the sense they’ve traveled back to a simpler time. The Covered Bridges self-driving tour passes through 17 covered bridges in three counties where you may share the road with Mennonite or Amish buggies. Other tours are Every Town a Treasure, which includes seven historic river towns; the Post Office Art and Architecture Tour; the historic Underground Railroad Tour; the Native Paths Driving Tour; and the Heritage Trail Tour. Susquehanna River attractions are nearly endless, from a paddlewheel riverboat ride to cave explorations to an alpaca farm. Biking, bird watching, fishing, and fall foliage touring are also popular.
20. Cape May (1 hour 40 minutes)
Cape May is a seaside vacation destination located less than two hours outside Philadelphia. During summer, visitors can take advantage of wide, sandy beaches and cool waters where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. Surfing, boating, fishing, golfing, kayaking, parasailing, and boat cruising at sunset are a few of the dozens of activities on offer at the cape.
During cooler off-season days, the shops and restaurants of Washington Street Mall take center stage. You can catch a show at one of the local theater companies, visit a museum, or take a spa day. Cape May also offers seasonal activities like whale watching. Things to Do in Cape May
21.Tuckahoe-Corbin City Fish and Wildlife Management Area (1 hour, 15 minutes)
The Tuckahoe River weaves through a salt marsh, six impoundments, and tidal creeks, making its way to Great Egg Harbor River and Bay. This area has an eight-mile, self-guided driving tour where visitors drive along a sandy gravel road among the impoundments, a hardwood swamp, and a pine-oak forest called Pine Barrens.
It’s a bird watcher’s paradise due to the amazing diversity of birds and waterfowl the area supports. There are numerous pull-outs along the way that offer visitors hiking opportunities. There are no facilities here, but there is a boat ramp for large and small boats as well as a parking lot.
P.O. Box 402, Trenton, NJ, Phone: 866-337-5669
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22.Belleplain State Forest (1 hour, 10 minutes)
Belleplain State Forest is a quick way to trade in city life for a day immersed in nature. Visitors can go on guided nature walks with a park trail guide or set off on their own on one of the many trails that wind through the forest.
This is also a great place for mountain biking and horseback riding. There is even a fitness trail available for the hard core hiker. There are also a variety of interpretive programs for which visitors can preregister all year round. During summer, picnicking, boating, camping, and swimming are popular activities here. Winter sets the stage for ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.
1 Henkinsifkin Road, Woodbine, NJ, Phone: 609-861-2404
23.Wharton State Forest (50 minutes)
Wharton State Forest is not your typical outdoor recreational area. Within the forest, visitors will be dazzled by Batsto Village – an 18th century historic village – with 33 preserved structures including a general store, sawmill, gristmill, post office, and a blacksmith shop that provides live demonstrations.
There are also the Batsto Mansion and the homes of former village workers here. Even deeper into the forest is Harrisville Village, an abandoned mill town turned ghost town; it too is open for tours. The 1826 Greek Revival style Atison Mansion is also located in the forest and tours are available. Additionally, Wharton has everything you would expect from a recreational state forest.
31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, NJ, Phone: 609-561-0024
24.Long Beach Island (1 hour, 30 minutes)
At 18 miles long and half a mile wide, Long Beach Island in New Jersey is a beach lover’s dream come true. Small towns like Viking Village, the island’s northern commercial fishing hub and home to Barnegat Light House, and the laidback neighboring seaside towns of Surf City, Harvey Cedar, and Loveladies give the island its charm.
Towns at the island’s southern end are the hip and happening yang to the northern end’s yin. Visitors will love the island’s two waterparks here as well as the fascinating Schooner’s Wharf shopping hot spot inside the hull of a tall ship. You can swim, sightsee, bike, shop, and dine on the island.
25 Best Day Trips in Pennsylvania
- Washington, D.C. (1 hour, 40 minutes), Photo: Courtesy of Felix Mizioznikov - Fotolia.com
- Day Trips from Philadelphia - Chanticleer Garden (40 minutes), Photo: Courtesy of ajamils - Fotolia.com
- Doylestown (1 hour), Photo: Courtesy of Jin - Fotolia.com
- Day Trips from Philadelphia - Baltimore (1 hour), Photo: Courtesy of modeh9090 - Fotolia.com
- Day Trips in PA: Longwood Gardens (50 minutes), Photo: Courtesy of Panitan - Fotolia.com
- Ricketts Glen State Park (2 hours, 35 minutes), Photo: Courtesy of demerzel21 - Fotolia.com
- Day Trips from Philadelphia - The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Photo: Courtesy of Pabkov - Fotolia.com
- Day Trips in PA: Lapp Valley Farm (1 hour, 20 minutes), Photo: Lapp Valley Farm
- Six Flags Great Adventure (1 hour), Photo: Courtesy of pixelfreund - Fotolia.com
- Gettysburg National Military Park (2 hours, 30 minutes), Photo: Courtesy of Refocus Photography - Fotolia.com
- Day Trips from Philadelphia - Knoebels Amusement Resort (2 hours, 35 mins), Photo: Courtesy of Aneese - Fotolia.com
- Atlantic City (1 hour, 10 minutes), Photo: Courtesy of SeanPavonePhoto - Fotolia.com
- Battleship New Jersey (20 minutes), Photo: Courtesy of KAZMAT - Fotolia.com
- Lambertville (50 minutes), Photo: Courtesy of Andrew Kazmierski - Fotolia.com
- Day Trips in PA: New Hope and Ivyland Railroad (45 minutes), Photo: New Hope
- Winterthur Museum and Country Estate (50 minutes), Photo: Winterthur Museum and Country Estate
- Hershey's Chocolate World (2 hours), Photo: Hershey's Chocolate World
- New York City (1 hour 30 minutes), Photo: Courtesy of FotoMak - Fotolia.com
- Susquehanna River Valley (2 hours, 40 minutes), Photo: Courtesy of chinkle - Fotolia.com
- Cape May (1 hour 40 minutes), Photo: Courtesy of eduard4us - Fotolia.com
- Tuckahoe-Corbin City Fish and Wildlife Management Area (1 hour, 15 minutes), Photo: Courtesy of watcherfox - Fotolia.com
- Belleplain State Forest (1 hour, 10 minutes), Photo: Courtesy of Pakhnyushchyy - Fotolia.com
- Wharton State Forest (50 minutes), Photo: Courtesy of Macier 3 Photography - Fotolia.com
- Long Beach Island (1 hour, 30 minutes), Photo: Courtesy of Andrew Kazmierski - Fotolia.com
- Cover Photo: Courtesy of Andrew Kazmierski - Fotolia.com
More Ideas: Knoebels Amusement Resort
Located in Elysburg, Pennsylvania, Knoebels Amusement Resort is the largest free-admission amusement park in the United States, offering a variety of high and mild thrill rides, a pool and water park, an 18-hole championship golf course, and a picnic grove and campground area. The area that now encompasses Knoebels Amusement Resort was popularly called “Peggy’s Farm” in the early 20th century, known as a picnic and resort destination for its natural creek swimming hole and its scenic wooded valley.
History
As the area’s popularity as a tourist attraction grew, local farmer Henry Knoebel began selling concessions in the area and later leased a number of plots of area land for summer cottage use. Knoebel expanded the area’s attractions in 1926, building a restaurant and adding a steam-powered carousel and several amusement games, earning the area the nickname “Knoebel’s Grove.” The same year, he renovated the area’s swimming hole into a concrete swimming pool named the Crystal Pool, equipped with a modern filtration system.
Throughout the 20th century, the Knoebel family continued to develop the park, adding a variety of modern amusement rides and games. In 1962, a six-site campground was opened adjacent to the park, which has expanded to cover more than 160 acres. A number of park attractions have been replaced or renovated due to repeated flooding throughout the later part of the 20th century.
Permanent Attractions
Today, Knoebels Amusement Resort spans throughout Northumberland and Columbia Counties in southeastern Pennsylvania, located near South Branch Roaring Creek. More than 60 amusement rides are offered at the park, including several rides which have won awards from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions and Amusement Today. The park was ranked by the Travel Channel in 2014 as one of the top 10 family-friendly parks in America and has been featured on the Discovery Channel and other major television programs. As the largest free-admission park in the United States, visitors may purchase individual ride tickets, limited-access hand stamps, or all-day amusement wristbands.
A variety of high-thrill rides are offered at the park, including the classic Phoenix wooden coaster, which was opened at the park in 1985 after being rebuilt from San Antonio’s Rocket coaster, and the Twister wooden coaster, offering a dark tunnel and double helix. The Impulse steel coaster offers four inversions, including a zero-g roll and a cobra roll, and a 90-degree vertical lift hill, while the Flying Turns, the only wooden bobsled coaster in the world, offers hairpin turns along a gravity-controlled slope course. The park’s award-winning Haunted Mansion ride has been named a top American dark attraction by Dark Ride and Funhouse Enthusiasts for over a decade. Other thrill rides include the Fandango pendulum ride, the StratosFear drop tower, and the Cosmotron indoor dark Himalaya ride.
Several classic water rides are offered, including a Giant Flume and the Skloosh flatboat ride. Classic midway rides for families include a Looper rolling ride, a Paratrooper ride, an Italian Trapeze swing ride, a Giant Wheel, and a Scenic Skyway aerial skylift. Two carousels are located within the park, including the 63-horse Grand Carousel, one of the largest remaining classic carousels in the world, which was built in Brooklyn in 1913 and purchased by the park in 1942. Two miniature railways are also offered, including the Old Smokey Train, which is helmed by a 1960 Crown Metal Products steam locomotive. More than 20 children’s rides are offered, including miniature Himalaya, Ferris wheel, and bumper car rides.
In addition to amusement rides, a variety of family attractions are offered throughout the park, including a Carousel and History Museum, which showcases the park’s history and development along with its collection of classic carousel horses and figures. A Mining Museum also features local mining artifacts from the collection of area resident Clarence "Mooch" Kashner. A Bald Eagle Habitat offers educational sessions with resident birds of prey and their handlers, and an Americana craft and trade area provides demonstrations of classic steam-powered tools. A miniature golf course, laser tag arena, children’s play area, and several arcades are also located throughout the park.
The park’s Crystal Pool is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day, offering a variety of slides and water rides surrounding its 900,000-gallon central pool area. Adjacent to the park, Knoebels Three Ponds Golf Club offers a regulation 18-hole championship par-71 golf course and casual dining at the Nickel Plate Bar and Grill. The park is noted for its dining options, which have been the recipient of multiple Best Food Golden Ticket Awards from Amusement Today and include the full-service Alamo Restaurant, the counter-service Cesari’s Pizza, and an International Food Court. Overnight accommodations at the park include the 600-site Knoebels Campground, the nearby Lake Glory Campground, 16 summer-use cottage rentals, and the five-room Latorre House Bed and Breakfast, located near the entrance to the park.
391 Knoebels Blvd, Elysburg, PA 17824, Phone: 570-672-2572
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More Ideas: DelGrosso's Amusement Park
DelGrosso's Amusement Park and Laguna Splash is located in Tipton, Pennsylvania, approximately midway between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. The family oriented park offers over 30 rides and attractions. Children’s rides include Kid’s Kingdom, designed specifically for young guests. Kiddie Rides include boat rides, and rides on two-seater elephants, helicopters, turtles, fire trucks and whales.
A children’s carousel is a miniature version of the park’s antique carousel. The last remaining of the park’s original rides, the antique carousel has been operating since 1947. Thirty-two hand carved horses in jumping stances represent several different breeds. The carousel was built by the Herschell-Spillman Company of New York, who began designing carousels, roller coasters and other amusement park rides in 1915.
Family rides include Casino, which resembles a giant roulette wheel and spins guests at a 45-degree angle, and traditional park rides such as the Yo-Yo swing, bumper cars, Super Spiral and Tilt-a-Whirl. A miniature train takes families on rides through the park’s Tipton Creek area. Midway games include classics such as Speed Pitch, the Water Race, Balloon Bust and Lucky Duck.
Thrill rides at the park include Crazy Mouse, a roller coaster with mouse shaped cars that spin as they turn corners. Rock Star takes 22 riders on the swinging arm of a giant guitar to height of fifty five feet. The park’s newest attraction, Rock Star cost upwards of one half million dollars. X-Scream Tower is a vertical drop ride, which reaches speeds of over 55 miles per hour as it drops guests from a 120-foot tall tower.
Laguna Splash is an Italian themed water park complete with a Leaning Tower of Pisa that dumps water on those enjoying the pool below. Bambini Cove offers a safe, quiet swim area for the youngest park guests, while Gravity Groove, the Great White and the Twin Twister offer more thrilling giant water slides. A Wave Oceano wave pool simulates the waves of the ocean.
Food at the park continues along the Italian theme. Concessions offer hoagies, pizza and pasta, as well as famous Philly Cheesesteaks and a special DelGrosso Italian-themed cheesesteak.
History: Originally known as Bland’s Park, for the family farm on which it was founded, DelGrosso’s Amusement Park dates back to the early 1900s. Mafalda and Ferdinand DelGrosso met in 1936 when Mafalda was waiting tables at a local restaurant, and Ferdinand, a railroader, came in for a meal. They married in 1943 and established their own small restaurant, called DelGrosso’s Café. The restaurant soon became famous for its spaghetti dinners, thanks to a family sauce that Marfalda’s mother brought with her to the United States in 1911. Ferdinand, or Fred, began packaging the sauce for sale when he noticed customers always asked for a small batch to take home.
In 1946, Fred and Mafalda sold their restaurant to purchase Bland’s Amusement Park next door, and they set up shop to sell their famous sauce on site. The sauce brand grew over the next 65 years, and moved towards successively larger warehouses, always adjacent to the park. In 2000, the DelGrosso’s put their family name on the amusement park, and it continues to be family owned and operated, along with the pasta sauce business.
Ongoing Programs and Education: DelGrosso’s Amusement Park offers a packed schedule of events each month they are open, from May through September. Free days are offered throughout the summer for Mother’s Day, Veteran’s Day, Father’s Day and Grandparent’s Day.
A Summer Thunder Fireworks Show takes place each Fourth of July and celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2017. Other annual events include the Memorial Day Weekend Celebration, the Italian Food and Heritage Festival, and Harvestfest, a weekend event in September with a variety show, circus performers and stunt shows, live music, a car show, and Italian food.
Spaghetti Wednesdays take place throughout the summer, offering a pasta lunch and dinner that features DelGrosso’s Sauces. A staple at the park since the 1940’s, the sauce is still cooked and packaged just a few feet away from the park, albeit in a larger, new modern facility.
Groups may receive discounted ride tickets, and can take advantage of the park’s picnic catering services. Birthday packages are available at Buddy Bear’s Birthday Roundhouse. Guests may rent cabanas at the water park that include tables and chairs, electricity and WiFi, and a mini fridge.
4352 E Pleasant Valley Blvd. Tipton, PA 16684, Phone: 814-684-3538
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