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Trip Ideas|Road Trips

Here’s The Perfect Weekend Trip If You Love Exploring Pennsylvania’s State Parks

Discover a road trip itinerary through some of Pennsylvania's most enchanting state parks, each offering unique outdoor experiences.

Updated Feb 5, 2022

Written by 

Beth Price-Williams

When's the last time you took a weekend off? No chores. Turned off the phone. Just enjoyed two blissful days of doing whatever you wanted? Probably too long ago, right? Well, instead of sticking around doing chores on your next free weekend, hit the road on an unforgettable road trip to these enchanting state parks to visit in Pennsylvania. You'll get to see some of the best that Pennsylvania has to offer and enjoy a relaxing getaway.

Click here for the Google Map of this road trip.

Plan your road trip!

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Google Maps

Explore some of the charming state parks in Pennsylvania on this delightful road trip. As always, you can follow the road trip as it is, or mix it up a bit by adding or removing stops to meet your needs and interests. Whatever you do, have fun!

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1. Kinzua Bridge State Park

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Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli

Let's kick off our weekend trip in Pennsylvania at Kinzua Bridge State Park. You'll find plenty to do at the 339-acre park. Spend a few hours hiking and enjoying wildlife watching before relaxing with a picnic. However, the masterpiece of the state park is Kinzua Bridge Skywalk, once a majestic bridge partially destroyed during a tornado in 2003. Today, visitors can walk down the remnants of the bridge, where you can stand on a glass floor and look down 301 feet at the forest floor below. Here's the official website of Kinzua Bridge State Park.

2. Cherry Springs State Park

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Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli

Just like any of the state parks on this road trip and in Pennsylvania, Cherry Springs State Park is worthy of an entire weekend visit itself. The masterpiece of the cozy 82-acre state park, surrounded by the massive Susquehannock State Forest, is its majestic skies. The sky above Cherry Springs State Park is one of the darkest on the Eastern Seaboard, making it the best state park in Pennsylvania for stargazing. Learn more on the official website of Cherry Springs State Park.

3. Leonard Harrison State Park

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Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli

Our next stop will give us breathtaking views of one of Pennsylvania's natural wonders. Leonard Harrison State Park - as well as nearby Colton Point State Park - promises sweeping views of Pine Creek Gorge, also known as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania. One of the best state parks in Pennsylvania, Leonard Harrison State Park offers plenty to do, including hiking, on its nearly five miles of trails, wildlife watching, fishing, and picnicking. If you're feeling a bit tired, you can set up camp for the evening, too. Find more information on the official website of Leonard Harrison State Park.

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4. Susquehanna State Park

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Google/Charles H.

Ready for our next destination? We're heading to Williamsport and Susquehanna State Park. The tiny 20-acre state park overlooks the river, offering a quiet and relaxing spot to enjoy boating, wildlife watching, and fishing. Stop by the official website of Susquehanna State Park for more information.

5. Bald Eagle State Park

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Trip Advisor/Mimi010310

Our next stop just might be the perfect place for an overnight, especially if you want something a little more luxurious than camping. Bald Eagle State Park is home to The Nature Inn at Bald Eagle, an enchanting hotel that offers sweeping views of the lake and the park. Of course, you can also camp out at the park that features a slew of activities all year around - from hiking and swimming in the summer to ice skating and cross country skiing in the winter. If you're looking for a ton of things to do outside in Pennsylvania, you'll fall head over heels at Bald Eagle State Park. Head over to the official website of Bald Eagle State Park for more.

6. Black Moshannon State Park

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Facebook/Black Moshannon State Park

Pack your swimsuit if you're visiting Black Moshannon State Park during the summer. While away the hours lounging on the sandy beach before taking a dip in the cool water. Or, explore some of the 3,394-acre state park that offers such activities as hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, boating, and fishing. If you visit in the winter, go snowmobiling, ice skating, or cross-country skiing. Check out the official website of Black Moshannon State Park.

7. Allegheny National Forest

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Trip Advisor/Kim H.

Alas, we've arrived at our final stop, Allegheny National Forest, after a journey of 287 miles during our weekend trip in Pennsylvania. The forest isn't a state park, but it's a Pennsylvania gem and the perfect way to end an epic road trip. Spend the night at one of the forest's 15 campgrounds, or just enjoy a day of exploration. The more than half a million acre state park offers hiking, biking, and horse trails, geocaching, fishing, and boating. If you're on the hunt for an abundance of things to do outside in Pennsylvania, you've come to the right place. Head over to the official website of Allegheny National Forest for a full list of amenities.

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What are your favorite state parks to visit in Pennsylvania? Let us know in the comments! Then read about these eight lesser-known state parks in Pennsylvania that are definitely worth a visit.

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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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