An enchanting small Pennsylvania town, Indiana oozes old-fashioned charm all year round, but at Christmas, it transforms into something simply magical. With its twinkling lights, postcard-perfect downtown, and annual "It’s A Wonderful Life" celebration, the enchanting small town offers a fun and festive way to get in the Christmas spirit. Much of the Christmas fun centers on Philadelphia Street in this town that’s reminiscent of Bedford Falls in the beloved Christmas classic, "It’s A Wonderful Life." Don’t be too surprised if you feel you’ve stepped into that fictional New York town, especially after you see the sign that says "You Are Now In Bedford Falls."
Perhaps best known as the hometown of Jimmy Stewart (It’s A Wonderful Life’s George Bailey), Indiana ticks off all of the boxes for a festive day trip. You can pack a ton of fun into a single day. Everyone in the family will find something to love, and you won’t have to spend a ton of cash (unless you want to, of course).
Indiana sits a little over an hour from downtown Pittsburgh. Depending on what route you travel, you might drive along Route 22. Since I live in an east suburb, just outside of the city, my teen daughter and I took Route 22, which means a few fun stops along the way.
One of those Route 22 attractions, Gene & Boot’s Candies is just after you pass the Delmont exit. Be careful pulling off as drivers travel fast along this stretch of road, but make sure you do, especially if you’re a fan of old-fashioned candy.
The candy shop is a throwback to the past – with rows of penny candy (though it doesn’t cost a penny anymore), chocolate, lollipops, pixie sticks (because why not get all sugared up before an adventure?), and pretty much everything from an '80s childhood. You can grab a sweet ice cream treat, too, in the summer.
Here’s the Gene & Boot’s Candies website for more information.
That first stop was the perfect way to start our day trip, and our next stop helped us get into a Christmas kind of mood. Indiana County is known as the Christmas Tree Capital of the World, but our next stop brought us to Fleming’s Christmas Tree Farm in New Alexandria (Westmoreland County).
As you’re driving along 22, you can see the rows and rows of Christmas trees at the farm. However, the road to it is well-hidden. Keep an eye out, but if you miss it (like we did), you can simply drive a minute down the road to turn around and come back.
Bundle up because it’s quite chilly on the tree farm, which sits atop a hill, although there was a concessions booth where we indulged in a delicious hot chocolate before exploring the farm that offers both cut-your-own trees and precut trees.
Fleming’s has several cute cutouts for snapping photos, and Santa was on hand in his sleigh to pose for photos just outside of the gift shop. If you’re getting a Christmas tree, you’ll probably need quite a bit more time than if you’re doing a bit of exploring and having a holiday snack. Wear boots or shoes you don’t mind getting dirty. While the day was dry, the parking lot was muddy, and so were the fields (but that’s to be expected).
Visit the Fleming’s Tree Farm Facebook page for up-to-date information.
The drive to downtown Indiana passes gorgeous Western Pennsylvania scenery – rolling hills, small towns, and decorated homes. Set your GPS to take you to Philadelphia Street, arguably the heart of Indiana and dotted with restaurants and shops – and where you’ll see that You Are Now In Bedford Falls sign.
Street parking is available, so bring quarters. However, during our visit, the parking was free, courtesy of a local bank. There’s also a parking lot next to IRMC Park (from the back side of the park); the front of the park is right along Philadelphia Street.
Take some time to stroll up and down Philadelphia Street to check out the shops. If you’ve got extra time, stop by Philly Street Candle Bar, where you can make your own candles. Unfortunately, we stopped by too late in the day to try it, although the shop does sell candles in some really unique scents. Here’s the Philly Street Candle Bar website for more information.
Indiana goes all out for Christmas, kicking off the season in mid to late November with a parade and fun activities for the whole family. The It’s A Wonderful Life Festival is held on weekends throughout the season, promising a full menu of Christmas fun.
If you can, try to time your visit for the kickoff of the festival. While we weren’t able to make it this year, we did a few years back. It’s a jam-packed event, but everyone’s in a good mood, and it’s a really fun way to kick off the holiday season.
Time your visit to meet Santa at IRMC Park, where he and Mrs. Claus pose for photos with visitors, each of whom gets a sweet treat -- this year was a chocolate chip cookie from Insomnia Cookies. Afterward, grab a stick, add a few marshmallows, and roast them over an open fire. Santa and roasting marshmallows are both free and fun.
You can find a full list of Christmastime fun on the Indiana County Tourist Bureau website.
The park is also home to the town’s massive and gorgeous Christmas tree. Hop aboard the wooden sleigh and pose for photos. Christmas activities take place during the day; however, you must make sure you come back to Philadelphia Street after dark to see the town all lit up.
A visit to Indiana at Christmastime, or anytime, also means a stop at The Jimmy Stewart Museum. (His statue also sits in front of the Indiana County Courthouse, just a short walk from the museum.) The museum features a festival of Christmas trees during the holiday season. Each is beautifully decorated and coincides with a time in Stewart’s life.
A volunteer greets all visitors, offering an overview of the museum and sharing a few fun stories. If you’ve never been to the museum, it’s a great introduction. Stroll around the museum that offers a fascinating glimpse into Stewart’s life – from his boyhood in Indiana to the Hollywood years and beyond. If you’re not a fan when you go in, you probably will be when you walk out.
If you have a few minutes, pop into the small movie theater to watch a bit of the day’s featured Jimmy Stewart film. The Christmas season, obviously, means catching “It’s A Wonderful Life.” You might even see a familiar face in the audience. How could you not want to sit next to Harvey, that beloved six-foot-tall rabbit? He's sitting, where he has been for years, in the back row of the theater.
The museum also has a small gift shop brimming with awesome finds, and there was a memorial tree in the lobby. Donate one dollar, and add a paper angel with the name and message to a loved one to the tree.
Find more information, including hours and admission prices, on The Jimmy Stewart Museum Facebook page.
Since we still had time before sunset and the town lit up, we headed to another Christmas tree farm – Mytrysak Family Tree Farm. You’ll definitely need a map or your GPS to get here unless you’re from the area. The farm is tucked in the middle of a gorgeous rural area along a winding road.
The tree farm itself sits on one side of the road, while the other side of the road is where you’ll find pricing information, a sizeable shop with Christmas decorations, and a play area for the kiddos. You can also take a hay ride to the field of trees, go on a Christmas "train" ride (pictured below), grab a delicious seasonal treayt or check out the pre-cut trees.
Like Fleming’s, the tree farm features cutouts where you can snap photos. There’s even a pooch-sized one for your pup. There’s a cottage under construction, too, and word is that Santa will be taking it over next year. If you're chilly, warm up by the roaring fire pit.
Find up-to-date information on the Mytrysak Family Tree Farm website.
Once the sun sets, if you’re not already on Philadelphia Street, head back that way to see the twinkling lights. Keep an eye out, too, for the “George Lassos The Moon” drawn in lights on the side of a building.
Indiana’s the perfect day trip, if you don’t have much time. You can pack it all in in a few hours if you’re really stretched for time, or you can make a weekend of it. The town is also home to an eclectic collection of restaurants and shops, and the Indiana Mall is a throwback to the '80s, complete with an old-fashioned fountain.
No matter what route you take to arrive in Indiana, you’ll pass quite a few attractions. Consider mapping out your route ahead of time and pinpointing stops you might want to make along the way. Or you can just wing it.
The Indiana County Tourist Bureau offers a list of local attractions and a calendar of upcoming events.
Before you set off, learn more about this small Pennsylvania town that was home to an American legend.
To discover more incredible boots-on-the-ground adventures across America from our team of local travel experts, check out all of the articles in OnlyInYourState’s Everyday Explorers series. What destinations would you like to see featured next on OnlyInYourState’s Everyday Explorers? Tell us where we should go on our nominations page.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!
