Buckle your seatbelts for a trip back in time to ... Pennsylvania.
Independence
Hall in Philadelphia is where both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S.
Constitution were created (while across the street proudly sits the Liberty
Bell that first summoned citizens to the reading of the Declaration.)
Pennsylvania
was also the scene of the largest battle ever waged during the American Civil
War at Gettysburg in 1863.
Top tourist attractions in Pennsylvania include Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell in
Philadelphia
(left);
the amusement park in Hershey (middle); and Amish Country in Lancaster (right).
2024 Pennsylvania Events & Festivals
Check out free concerts, public art exhibits, interactive kids' fun and more at the annual
Three Rivers Arts Festival in Pittsburgh.
Just up ahead, check out our 2024 Pennsylvania travel calender featuring memorable events and major festivals happening throughout the state with dates, locations and official links for more information.
Happy travels!
May 18 - May 19, 2024 -- South 9th Street Italian Market Festival Philadelphia - Everybody's Italian during this weekend block party featuring all your favorite festival foods, plus don't miss the greased-pole-climbing competition.
May 31st - June 9, 2024 -- Three Rivers Arts Festival Pittsburgh - It's ten days of art and live music including a juried exhibition, live performances and fun family activities.
June 9, 2024 -- Odunde Festival Philadelphia - Come join the largest African American street festival in the country with food vendors, live music on two stages, and an international marketplace of crafts and swag from African nations, the Caribbean and Brazil.
June 29 - July 7, 2024 -- Kutztown Folk Festival Kutztown - Find hnadmade crafts, quilts, Pennsylvania Dutch food delicacies (yum!) and kids' attractions including a petting zoo.
August 2 - August 10, 2024 - MusikFest Bethlehem - Find live musical performance at venues throughout town along with street performers, fireworks displays, food and artisan booths.
Honorable nention:Peddler's Village is a year-round festival.in Bucks County PA.
Kid-friendly Pennsylvania - Philly, Pittsburgh & Pennsylvania Dutch Country
The two biggest
cities naturally have the biggest attractions for families, starting
with the Philadelphia
Zoo - the nation's first zoo and by far the city's top kid-friendliest
attraction - and then on to historical highlights beginning with
Independence Hall, the Betsy Ross House, the Liberty Bell and
the Franklin
Mint.
Likewise,
the Pittsburgh
Zoo and Aquarium is a must-see (for the polar bear exhibit
alone) together with more family fun at the Carnegie
Science Center for world-class interactive exhibits and educational
adventures.
Heading out
to Pennsylvania Dutch Country, don't miss the area's star attraction
at Hershey Park offering a sweet mix of amusement park rides, a water park, and
live entertainment scheduled every day throughout the summer season.
Especially with toddlers in tow, more fun awaits at Dutch
Wonderland featuring kiddy rides, live shows and strolling
entertainment.
DID YOU KNOW? Pennsylvania Travel Fun Facts
Peeps, born in Bethlehem, PA.
• Peeps are manufactured in Bethlehem at the Just Born Candy factory. BONUS FUN FACT: Every December 31st, a giant peep is dropped over the city to ring in the New Year.
• The hit film "Groundhog Day" put Punxsutawney PA on the map for a whole new generation, but most location shooting actually took place in Woodstock, Illinois.
• In Bethlehem, The Moravian Book Shop is the oldest continuously operating bookshop in the world, founded in 1745.
• The world’s largest shoe? Truth be told, it's a store shaped like a shoe, and you can find it in Hellam, PA.
More information about Pennsylvania travel & tourism around the Web:
visitPA.com - Along with practical travel tips, hotel & restaurant guides,
maps & pictures, check out the Road
Trips section for complete excursions & scenic drives
in selected areas, plus a complete directory of related links
& resources.
Best of Pennsylvania Tourism - Trip Advisor - Check out the latest 'been there, done that' reviews from travelers covering popular hotels, restaurants and attractions in Philly, Pittsburgh, Lancaster, Hershey, and more.