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The Christmas Lights Road Trip Through Pennsylvania That Will Take You To 10 Magical Displays

Embark on a magical road trip to see the best Christmas lights in Pennsylvania, featuring enchanting displays and festive activities.

Updated Oct 14, 2022

Written by 

Beth Price-Williams

Create Christmas magic and lifelong memories as you embark on a unique adventure this holiday season. Pack your bags with comfy shoes, warm clothes, and plenty of goodies. Fill up the gas tank then get behind the wheel for a magical road trip that will take you to the best Christmas lights in Pennsylvania.

Here are the Google Map directions for this road trip. Just plug in your starting address. Off we go!

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Google Maps

1. Longwood Gardens – 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348

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Facebook/Longwood Gardens

Stroll through Philadelphia's very own Winter Wonderland at the magical Longwood Gardens. Start your journey through the outdoor gardens where Christmas carolers will serenade you, lit fountains will dance for you, and nearly half a million Christmas lights will illuminate your path. Join in sing-a-longs with other visitors before heading indoors to continue the Christmas magic. A Longwood Christmas generally runs from mid-November through the beginning of January. Read more about this magical celebration of Christmas in Pennsylvania in our previous article.

2. Lights in the Parkway – 1700 Martin Luther King Jr Drive, Allentown, PA 18104

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Facebook/Lights in the Parkway

Embrace the childhood wonder of Christmas at your next stop: Lights in the Parkway at Lehigh Parkway. Drive slowly along the more than one-mile path illuminated by hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights and jaw-dropping Christmas displays. After you've finished your drive, stop for a steaming cup of hot chocolate; browse the Gift Barn to buy Christmas gifts, or go ice skating. Plan your visit to see these Christmas lights in Pennsylvania.

3. Lehigh Valley Zoo Winter Light Spectacular – 5150 Game Preserve Road, Schnecksville, PA 18078

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Lehigh Valley Zoo

Next stop: You're heading to the Lehigh Valley Zoo for a spectacular outdoor adventure with a sea of more than a million twinkling Christmas lights and the furry, scaled, and feathered residents of the zoo. Bundle up to ensure a comfortable visit but, if you do get too cold, stop by one of the fire pits to warm up before you continue your Christmas adventure. The Winter Light Spectacular features numerous special spots to stop for photos, visits from Elsa of Frozen fame, Belle, Cinderella, Santa, and plenty of food stations, where you can grab a hot snack or a drink. The Winter Light Spectacular typically runs from mid-November until the day before Christmas Eve. Read more about this spectacular Christmas lights display in Pennsylvania in our previous article.

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4. Candy Cane Lane – 200 Block Summer Street, Williamsport, Pennsylvania 17702

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Facebook/Candy Cane Lane

Create a new family tradition, if you haven't already, with a visit to Candy Cane Lane, also known as the 200 block of Summer Street. The lights and decorations along Candy Cane Lane have been a tradition for more than half a century. Drive or walk down Candy Cane Lane (but be prepared for the traffic congestion). Candy Cane Lane usually starts in late November annually. Find out why Candy Cane Lane has some of the best Christmas lights in Pennsylvania.

5. Holiday Lights on the Lake – 700 Park Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602

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Lakemont Park

Santa eagerly awaits your visit at Lakemont Park in Altoona. Snap pictures with Jolly Ole Saint Nick after you've enjoyed a leisurely drive through the shimmering light display. Add even more ambiance to your holiday drive by tuning your car radio to 88.5 FM, which plays the soundtrack to Holiday Lights on the Lake. Make sure you plan your road trip in time to visit Holiday Lights on the Lake. The lights show generally runs from late November through early January. Learn more about these spectacular holiday lights in Pennsylvania in our previous article.

6. Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens – 1 Schenley Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

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Facebook/Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens

Indulge in a truly enchanting experience at Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens Winter Flower Garden and Light Show. Meander through the indoor and outdoor gardens for the full Holiday Magic! experience. You'll pass a miniature railroad display and Christmas's most popular flowers, all illuminated by twinkling LED lights. Holiday Magic! typically kicks off for the season in mid-November. Learn why a trip to Phipps Conservatory is a magical way to celebrate Christmas in Pennsylvania in our previous article.

7. Hershey Sweet Lights – 100 Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, PA 17033

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Facebook/Hersheypark

Enjoy Hershey Sweet Lights from the warmth of your car. Drive past more than 600 animated displays illuminated by over two million lights. Hershey welcomes holiday revelers to enjoy Hershey Sweet Lights, a two-mile magical journey from mid-November through the first of the New Year.

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After you've visited the Sweet Lights, head into the park itself for Christmas Candylane and climb aboard the open rides. Enjoy snacks and meet the man of the hour, Santa, and all nine of his beloved reindeer. Get a glimpse of why Sweet Lights is one of the best holiday lights displays in Pennsylvania.

8. Koziar's Christmas Village – 782 Christmas Village Road, Bernville, PA 19506

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Facebook/Koziar's Christmas Village

Christmas just wouldn't be the same without a stop at Koziar's Christmas Village. Dress warm and wear comfy shoes for your journey around the sprawling Christmas Village awash in more than one million Christmas lights. Stroll leisurely, stopping to take in all of the sights along the way, including Santa's workshop and a cozy country bakery. Share your Christmas wish list with Santa, snap photos, and stop for a delicious snack. Koziar's Christmas Village runs from early November through the first of the year. Read more about this magical Christmas lights display in Pennsylvania in our previous article.

9. Dutch Winter Wonderland – 2249 Lincoln Highway, Lancaster, PA 17602

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Facebook/Dutch Wonderland

Nothing is quite as magical as a visit to a summer favorite - Dutch Wonderland - shimmering with Christmas lights in the middle of winter. Dutch Winter Wonderland welcomes kids of all ages to climb aboard the open rides, enjoy the glowing decorations, and catch live entertainment. Visit Dutch Winter Wonderland on your magical Christmas road trip from mid-November through late December. Find out why Dutch Wonderland is the perfect destination to admire the holiday lights in Pennsylvania.

10. Herr's Christmas Lights – 271 Old Baltimore Pike, Nottingham, PA 19362

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Facebook/Herrs Christmas Lights

End your magical Christmas adventure at Herr's Christmas Lights in Nottingham. Visit the Herr's Factory earlier in the day for a tour of the factory where you'll watch your favorite snack foods being made, learn more about the history of Herr's, and perhaps enjoy lunch at the Tasty Snack Bar. Then, when the sun sets, drive around the Herr's campus, illuminated by more than a million Christmas lights. Herr's Christmas Lights traditionally kicks off in mid-November. Learn more about this Christmas lights display in Pennsylvania.

Are you ready for a truly spectacular Christmas adventure that will take you to some of the best Christmas lights in Pennsylvania? You may want to tailor your itinerary to your own particular interests, perhaps including stops in these magical Christmas towns or by climbing aboard the North Pole Express.

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Trip Ideas|Road Trips

The Pennsylvania Literary Road Trip Leads to 6 Incredible Bookstores and Libraries

Visit some of the best bookstores and historic libraries on this literary road trip in Pennsylvania you can complete in a day.

Published Oct 19, 2024

Written by 

Beth Price-Williams

Reading has certainly evolved over the years, especially since we now have access to any book we could possibly want right at our fingertips. While reading on a computer, tablet, or smartphone is convenient, for some of us who grew up with books, it’s just not the same. Can anything compare to the smell of an old book or the slight creak a book makes when you open it? Next time you’ve got a free day or two, hit the road on this literary road trip in Pennsylvania, where you can rediscover the magic of reading all over again.

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Here are the Google Maps directions for this road trip. The road trip to four bookstores and two libraries spans 223 miles with around four hours of drive time, not taking into consideration how much time you’ll spend at each destination. Add or remove stops, or customize to meet your interests and timeline. Whatever you do, though, have fun.

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Google Maps

1. Cupboard Maker Books – Enola

Let’s start our literary road trip at perhaps the most colorful bookstore in Pennsylvania. You can’t miss Cupboard Maker Books in Enola. The exterior of the building is painted as book spines. Stroll through the front door where you might be greeted by one of the resident cats or the friendly fosters looking for a home. The 6,000-square-foot bookstore boasts an impressive collection of more than 5,000 new titles as well as used books. It also hosts events throughout the year.

2. Moyer’s Book Barn – Strasburg

Our next stop brings us to Moyer’s Book Barn in Strasburg, a family-owned bookstore that’s been a local favorite for nearly four decades. The shelves of this cozy shop are brimming with used books – more than 35,000 – including rare titles, first editions, and signed books. Bring cash or a check, especially if you plan to peruse the overstock room, where you’ll score some great reads for half off. Moyer’s Book Barn has extremely limited hours, so make sure they’re open before you set off.

3. Baldwin’s Book Barn – West Chester

We book lovers could probably spend hours, if not days, just browsing this massive five-story bookstore in West Chester. Tucked in a barn built in 1922, the bookstore has been a neighborhood staple since 1946. Baldwin’s Book Barn is far more than a bookstore; it’s a glimpse back in time. Carve out plenty of time to explore the collection of more than 300,000 rare, out-of-date, and used books, maps, and prints. If you stumble on a book you like, pull up a chair and read for a bit.  

4. Fisher Fine Arts Library – Philadelphia

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Flickr/ajay_suresh

Let’s head to one of the two libraries on our literary road trip. With its Victorian-style architecture, Fisher Fine Arts Library in Philadelphia is a National Historic Landmark. The historic library in Pennsylvania, which underwent a complete restoration in the late 20th century, is well worth exploring to view the ornate windows and unique architecture and to check out the collection of more than 150,000 books and two million digital images. Bring your ID, which will be photocopied by security before you’re allowed in.

5. Children’s Book World – Haverford

Remember how much fun it was going to bookstores as a kid? We can relive some of that childhood magic at our next stop. Children’s Book World, an independent bookstore in Haverford, has been a local favorite since 1989. The shelves are brimming with books for all ages, from toddlers to teens. Browse the shop that also sells such fun items as stuffed animals and jigsaw puzzles. Children’s Book World hosts events, too, so keep an eye on its calendar.

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6. McCormick Riverfront Library – Harrisburg

Our final stop brings us to McCormick Riverfront Library in Harrisburg. The historic library dates back to 1889 but it’s been in its current location on Walnut Street since 1914. Spend some time exploring the 13,000-square-foot library that features approximately 36,000 books. It also hosts events and programs for readers of all ages.

Next time you’re in Western Pennsylvania, visit the Braddock Carnegie Library, a library in Pittsburgh that looks like it’s stepped straight from a fairy tale. Before you head out on this literary road trip, check out the OIYS road trip essentials packing list.

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Trip Ideas|Road Trips

The Scenic Road Trip That Leads to 5 of Pennsylvania’s Most Charming Small Towns

Experience a slice of yesteryear on this road trip that leads to such charming small towns as Jim Thorpe, New Hope, and Bloomsburg.

Published Sep 26, 2024

Written by 

Beth Price-Williams

A visit to Pennsylvania’s small towns allows us a glimpse at a simpler time when everyone knew each other, mom and pops ran shops and restaurants, and life moved at a slower pace. We’re incredibly fortunate to have countless charming small towns in Pennsylvania – from Indiana, the hometown of beloved Pennsylvanian Jimmy Stewart, to Boiling Springs, a darling town almost frozen in time. This scenic road trip leads to just five of the many charming small towns that dot the state.

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Here are the Google Map directions for this road trip that leads to five of Pennsylvania’s most charming small towns. Drive time clocks in at just under seven hours as you’ll travel 332 miles. You can easily customize the map to add stops and tailor it to your needs and interests.

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Google Maps

1. Lititz

Let’s kick off our road trip to Pennsylvania’s most charming small towns in Lititz. You really will feel as though you’ve stepped back in time in this friendly town that’s home to such attractions as Wolf Sanctuary of PA, Lititz Springs Park, and the Lititz Historical Foundation. Join a walking tour with Historic Lititz Walking Tours, and learn how to twist pretzels at Julius Sturgis Pretzel Company.

2. New Hope

We’ll next make our way to New Hope, a delightful small town that offers a unique opportunity. Cross the bridge over the Delaware River to the small town of Lambertville, New Jersey, a bonus stop on your road trip if you have the time. New Hope promises plenty to do, including shops and restaurants. Take a scenic ride with the New Hope Railroad; or stroll through Bowman’s Wildflower Preserve. If you want to go a bit further afield – around five miles – head over to nearby Peddler’s Village in Lahaska.

3. Jim Thorpe

Our next stop brings us to the enchanting mountain town of Jim Thorpe, affectionately known as the Switzerland of Pennsylvania. Start your visit with a stroll through downtown, where you’ll find an eclectic selection of shops and restaurants. Try to time your visit for the annual Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Festival, held the first three weekends in October, or Winterfest in February. A ride aboard the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway and a visit to the Old Jail Museum are both musts on your itinerary. You might also want to book an overnight stay (or two) at the Inn at Jim Thorpe; it’s said to be haunted.

4. Bloomsburg

A small-town Pennsylvania road trip must include Bloomsburg. This darling town, after all, is the only official town in Pennsylvania. It also hosts the annual Bloomsburg Fair, an epic multi-day festival, held every September. While you’re in town, stop by the Bloomsburg Children’s Museum, the Gallery at the Greenley Center, and the University of Bloomsburg. Spend some time exploring downtown, too.

5. Gettysburg

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Gettysburg is a borough and the county seat of Adams County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The town hosts visitors to the Gettysburg National Battlefield in the Gettysburg National Military Park.

We’ll end our road trip to some of the most charming small towns in Pennsylvania in the historic town of Gettysburg. Considered by many the most haunted town in the United States, Gettysburg appeals to history buffs, novice and seasoned ghost hunters, and those who enjoy small-town life. If it’s your first visit, you might want to join a walking or biking tour to get to know this delightful small town that’s home to such historic sites as Gettysburg National Military Park, the Jennie Wade House, and the Farnsworth House Inn.

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What are your favorite of Pennsylvania’s most charming small towns? What others would you add to this scenic road trip? Let us know in the comments! If you’re up for another adventure, follow this road trip to six stunning lakes in Pennsylvania. Before you hit the road, check out the OIYS road trip packing essentials guide.

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