Want a relaxing getaway with small-town charm, lakeside fun, and quirky art? Head to Meadville! Nestled in northwestern Pennsylvania, Meadville offers historic streets, local culture, and close access to outdoor adventures. Whether you’re into local art, canoeing, or hometown diners, Meadville blends charm and community with a creative twist.
Meadville, PA Highlights:
- Stroll the streets of Downtown Meadville: Enjoy independent shops, galleries, cafés, and a friendly college-town atmosphere.
- Explore the Meadville Market House: Pennsylvania’s oldest continuously operating market offers fresh food and local goods.
- Visit Allegheny College: Walk the picturesque campus, see student art, and attend lectures or performances.
- Wander through the PennDOT Road Sign Sculpture Garden: A unique and colorful outdoor display made from recycled highway signs.
- Relax or paddle at Woodcock Creek Lake: Swim, kayak, or picnic at this peaceful Army Corps recreation area just outside town.
When I like to visit Meadville, PA
The best time to visit Meadville is late spring through early fall (May to October). Mild weather makes it ideal for enjoying outdoor parks, festivals, and lake days. Fall also brings stunning foliage throughout the region.
My tips for getting to Meadville, PA
- If you are traveling by car: Meadville is located off I-79, about 90 minutes from Pittsburgh and 45 minutes south of Erie.
- By Bus: Fullington Trailways offers intercity bus service connecting Meadville to Erie, Pittsburgh, and other PA cities.
- By Train: There’s no direct train to Meadville, but Amtrak stops in Erie and Pittsburgh, where you can rent a car.
Where I like to stay in Meadville, PA
- Mayor Lord’s House Bed and Breakfast – Charming and historic inn just a short walk from downtown and Allegheny College.
- Hampton Inn Meadville – Comfortable hotel with an indoor pool and free breakfast near shopping and major roads.
- Quality Inn – Budget-friendly option with easy access to I-79 and nearby restaurants.
Best Things to Do in Meadville, PA
1. Uncover Hidden History at the Baldwin-Reynolds House Museum
Located north of downtown Meadville, Pennsylvania and built in 1843 for Henry Baldwin, the United States Supreme Court Justice and his family, the Baldwin-Reynolds House was built on a meticulously landscaped hillside. The Baldwin-Reynolds House Museum is a great place to get a glimpse of the history, the arts and culture in northwest Pennsylvania and learn about the prominent house residents through the years, including the former President Andrew Jackson. FREE tours of the museum are sponsored by Armstrong Cable Company. The museum has an extensive schedule of events and programs and offers to the public one of the biggest and most significant collections of art in western Pennsylvania.
639 Terrace St, Meadville, PA 16335, Phone: 814-333-9882
2. Catch a Live Show at The Academy Theatre
Meadville’s Academy Theatre was open to the public in 1885 as the Academy of Music by Ernest P. Hempstead, a local newspaperman and art lover. During the late 1880s, the Academy Theatre was a popular opera house. The theatre opened in 1901 with Lillian Mortimer’s “No Mother To Guide Her.” The theatre at one time hosted vaudeville shows and the first “talkies” in town. From the 1950s until the 1980s, the Academy Theatre was a movie house. Today the Academy Theatre is Meadville’s venue for all kinds of artistic and cultural events, shows, educational classes and can even be rented for special celebrations.
275 Chestnut St, Meadville, PA 16335, Phone: 814-337-8000
3. Stroll Through Time at Greendale Cemetery
Greendale Cemetery is a public, non-profit rural cemetery in Meadville, Pennsylvania, a final resting place for many notable people such as a Supreme Court Justice, several congressmen, inventors and soldiers. The original cemetery was established in 1811 on a piece of land deeded by the city founder David Mead, in the heart of the growing city. By the middle of the nineteenth century, the cemetery became too small and its location downtown forced the city to relocate it. In 1852 the remains in the original Cemetery were disinterred and moved to the current location. The individual grave markers were also moved. The archway was built in 1865 and in 1874, the receiving vault was built. In 1875 Herman Munz was hired to landscape the grounds, and as a result more than 1500 rhododendrons decorate the grounds.
700 Randolph St, Meadville, PA 16335, Phone: 814-336-3545
4. Step Into 3D History at the Johnson-Shaw Stereoscopic Museum
The Johnson-Shaw Stereoscopic Museum is located in Meadville, Pennsylvania in a historic 1856 colonial building that used to be a church. The Museum showcases an enormous collection of stereoviews, stereoscopic equipment, and documents. The main collection of the Museum consists of the products, documents, and memorabilia belonging to the Keystone View Company. The Keystone, originally based in Meadville, Pennsylvania, was the largest producer of stereoscopic views in the States for more than 80 years. The Museum's collection also includes exhibits from other stereographic companies. The Museum's photo gallery showcases stereo views, tinted stereo views, and Glass Lantern slides. The photo gallery includes images of famous personalities such as Dwight D. Eisenhower; Thomas Edison; Mahatma Gandhi; Abraham Lincoln and Franklin D. Roosevelt.
423 Chestnut St, Meadville, PA 16335, Phone: 814-333-4326
Where to Eat in Meadville, PA
5. If You Love Craft Eats and Historic Vibes, Try Firehouse Tap and Grille
The Firehouse Tap & Grille is large bar and grill located in an old renovated firehouse in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Rustic space with exposed bricks and a long bar is pleasant and gets packed on the live music nights often organized by the pub. The house specialty is smoked meat made in house in their own smoker, which makes all meats tender and juicy. They also have great sides, fresh salads, home-made soups and cold beers. The bar is fully stocked if beer is not your thing and the menu has a range of popular pub grub, but the folks mostly come for the barbecue.
875 Park Ave, Meadville, PA 16335, Phone: 814-724-3646
More Places to Eat in Meadville, PA
- Chovy’s Italian Casual – If you’re craving pasta, wood-fired pizza, and hearty Italian classics in a warm setting.
- Voodoo Brewery Pub – Eclectic brewery and taproom with inventive pub fare and a strong local following.
- Julian’s Bar & Grill – Classic American fare, friendly service, and casual vibes in the heart of downtown.
If you are interested in local events:
- Thunder in the City (August) – Downtown car show, live music, food trucks, and family fun.
- Meadville Market Days (Summer Saturdays) – Fresh produce, crafts, food, and live entertainment downtown.
- Meadville Halloween Parade (October) – One of the largest nighttime parades in PA, with floats, costumes, and candy galore.
If you are looking for unique day trips within 30 Minutes of Meadville, Pennsylvania:
- Conneaut Lake (20–25 min) – Swim, rent a boat, or visit Conneaut Lake Park’s nostalgic attractions.
- Pymatuning State Park (30 min) – Feed fish at the Spillway, kayak, or picnic at this massive reservoir and wildlife area.
- Linesville Spillway (30 min) – “Where the ducks walk on the fish” – a quirky and popular family stop.
- Cambridge Springs (20 min) – Visit a small spa town known for its historic architecture and mineral springs.
- Ernst Bike Trail (5–10 min) – Ride or walk this scenic paved path just minutes from downtown.
- Johnson-Shaw Stereoscopic Museum (in town) – Explore vintage stereoscopes and 3D images from the Victorian era.
I get asked this a lot so I decided to include it:
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Where is Meadville located?
- Meadville is a charming city in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, and the first permanent settlement in the northwestern part of the state.
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What historical significance does Meadville have?
- The city's long history has resulted in many historic buildings in the downtown area.
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What can visitors see at the Baldwin-Reynolds House Museum?
- The Baldwin-Reynolds House Museum was once home to Judge Henry Baldwin and offers a glimpse into the way of life in the late 19th century.
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What cultural events are hosted at the Academy Theatre?
- The Academy Theatre started as an opera house and now hosts a range of cultural and artistic events.
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What is the significance of Greendale Cemetery?
- Greendale Cemetery is the final resting place of many prominent people.
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What can visitors find at the Johnson-Shaw Stereoscopic Museum?
- The Johnson-Shaw Stereoscopic Museum houses a large collection of stereoviews, stereoscopic equipment, and documents, primarily showcasing memorabilia from the Keystone View Company.
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