15 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is an attractive state filled with natural beauty. From its lush forests to scenic rivers, this state runs the gamut when it comes to natural splendor.

If you are looking for an escape from the hectic schedule of the city and get back to add a natural touch to your life, then look no further than Pennsylvania. This state experiences all four seasons so you can visit when your favorite season arrives.

We can count numerous reasons to visit this East Coast State. Pennsylvania takes the tourists back to a wonderful time due to its rich history, and vibrant architectural designs. 

But why Pennsylvania? Let us describe, there are a lot of things to do in Pennsylvania besides it is the locus of history, has a beautiful touch of nature, delicious foods, amazing arts, and America’s oldest zoo.

These notable aspects are already top attractions for any tourists while the hospitality and quality of life in Pennsylvania are like a cherry on top! 

In this article, we will look at the 15 most beautiful places to visit in Pennsylvania any time of year. From its dense forests to its scenic mountains and everything in between, this list covers all the best places in Pennsylvania that offer a view you will never forget.

1. Delaware Water Gap

The Delaware Water Gap is a stunning natural wonder located in eastern Pennsylvania. This natural gap in the Appalachian Mountain Range is a wide, open valley that is now filled with the beautiful Delaware River.

The Delaware Water Gap is one of the most beautiful places in Pennsylvania at any time of year. It is open to visitors year-round, although some areas are only open seasonally. 

There are numerous things to do in Delaware Water Gap. You can hike the trails, canoe, kayak on the river, or just sit by the river and enjoy the view. 

You can also visit nearby attractions like the Bear Creek Wildlife Sanctuary and the Blue Mountain Wild Animal Park. The Delaware Water Gap is a wonderful place to spend a day exploring Pennsylvania’s great outdoors.

2. Presque Isle State Park

Presque Isle State Park is one of the most beautiful state parks in Pennsylvania. This park is located on an island on the shores of Lake Erie. It is a wonderful place to view wildlife and take in the beautiful scenery.

It is a particularly good place to do bird watching, as there are more than 250 species that can be seen throughout the year.

Despite being a wonderful place to go bird watching, Presque Isle State Park is also heaven to go hiking. There are several interesting trails that visitors can hike depending on their skill level and hiking preferences.

Another blessing about Presque Isle State Park is that it’s open all year round, so no matter what time of year you visit, you will be able to take in the sights and sounds of this beautiful park.

3. Hershey Park

Hershey Park is an amusement park located in Hershey, Pennsylvania. This park is incredibly famous for its variety of adventurous rides. There are more than 65 rides that tourists can choose to make themselves cheerful.

Since it’s an amusement park, it opens for about 10 months a year. Hershey Park is famous for its variety of incredible rides. Each ride has its own joy and excitement, you may love to choose one of these: 

Shortly, Hershey Park is undoubtedly a necessary destiny when planning a visit to Pennsylvania.

4. Allegheny National Forest

The Allegheny National Forest is a beautiful tourist destination on the border of the Appalachian Mountains. This forest is one of the largest national forests in Pennsylvania and has a wide diversity of trees, plants, and wildlife. 

The Allegheny National Forest is open all year, offering many different activities and events for visitors. These events range from wildlife viewing programs to music festivals. Whether you want hiking, fishing, or experiencing Pennsylvania’s great outdoors, you can do it all here. 

This forest also allows visitors to access a wide variety of water activities. The river that runs through this forest is the largest undammed river in Pennsylvania and tourists visit here to canoe, kayak, and fish.

Tourists visit this forest from all over the globe to experience a fun family adventure.

5. Bushkill Falls 

Bushkill Falls is a beautiful natural waterfall located in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. This waterfall is the second highest waterfall in Pennsylvania and is a must-see attraction for all kinds of tourists. 

The best time to visit Bushkill Falls is during the spring when the waterfall is in full swing and the whole scenario is magical. It also seems like a painted portrait in the fall when the leaves are changing colors and the view is adorable.

Although each tourist has his/her own experiences and preferences, you must visit Bushkill Falls when touring Pennsylvania and especially in the spring.

6. Blue Marsh Lake 

Blue Marsh Lake is a popular recreational lake in central Pennsylvania that attracts mostly locals year-round. This lake is a fabricated reservoir that was created from the flow of the Perkiomen Creek, a natural stream that runs through the state.

Blue Marsh Lake provides a wide variety of activities for visitors, including outdoor fishing, kayaking, and boating. 

The lake is most popular for its Blue Marsh Fishing Tournament, which draws anglers from across the region for a chance to win cash prizes. 

7. Valley Forge State Park

Valley Forge State Park preserves the site where George Washington’s Army wintered during the Revolutionary War. The park features a visitors’ center and museum, as well as reconstructed log cabins, a reconstructed grist mill, and a full-scale model of a colonial-era tent. 

Visitors can hike the trails, or go on a nature walk or a sled ride. Valley Forge also hosts a wide variety of dedicated events throughout the year, such as the Annual Candlelight Tour and the Revolutionary War Encampment.

The park also hosts many cultural events, such as the International Folk Festival and the Asian Festival. Valley Forge is one of the best destinations for visitors who want to explore and learn about the history of this country.

8. Ricketts Glen State Park

Ricketts Glen State Park is one of Pennsylvania’s most popular state parks, attracting about 1.4 million visitors each year. It features 17 miles of the beautiful and scenic Roaring Brook, designated Wild and Scenic River. 

Ricketts Glen provides countless opportunities for visitors to enjoy nature through hiking, rock climbing, and picnicking, among many other activities. The park also features cabins and lodges for visitors who want to stay overnight, and a variety of unique events, such as the Harvest and the Haunted Hike.

9. Falling Water

Falling Water is a house designed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright that is open to the public as a museum. It was built between 1936 and 1938 as a weekend retreat for the family of local businessperson Edgar J. Kaufmann and his wife, Liliane. 

This architectural gem is said to be a prime example of Wright’s Usonian Architecture style and has been a National Historic Landmark since 1966. After visiting Falling Water, you will be able to appreciate Wright’s architectural genius and his ability to create beauty from simplicity.

10. Phipps Conservatory

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is the oldest botanical garden and conservatory in the country. The park consists of a Victorian-era conservatory, a tropical rainforest pavilion, a Japanese garden, a rock garden, and a perennial garden. 

Phipps also hosts a wide variety of seasonal events, such as its annual Festival of Trees and Santa’s Wonderland. This beautiful park is a must-see for anyone visiting the state, especially if you are a nature lover.

11. Philadelphia City

Philadelphia is one of the most historical cities in the United States. It was the capital of the country during the Revolutionary War, and many momentous events happened in and around the city.

The city has innumerable tourist spots such as Penn’s Landing, which is a huge tourist attraction, with many outdoor festivals and events taking place there throughout the year. Philadelphia also has the Liberty Bell, a huge bell that sits outdoors on a wooden stand. The bell is one of the most famous symbols of American freedom.

Other attractions in Philadelphia are the oldest zoo in America and the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, which connects Pennsylvania to New Jersey and visitors are always contented to visit such places.

12. Carnegie Museum of Natural History

The Carnegie Museum of Natural History is one of the most iconic museums in all of Pennsylvania. Situated in Pittsburgh, this museum takes visitors through the world of wildlife, dinosaurs, and more. With over 500,000 different exhibits, you can explore the depths of Pennsylvania’s natural history for hours on end. 

One of the most notable aspects of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History is its architecture. The building was constructed using gray Indiana limestone and is considered to be the most ornate building in the city of Pittsburgh. 

Another notable feature of the building is the large dinosaur that sits outside on the roof and welcomes Jurassic Park fans because this dinosaur was actually used in the original Jurassic Park film.

13. Boathouse Row

Boathouse Row is a row of historic boathouses located in Pennsylvania’s capital city, Philadelphia.

Boathouse Row is one of the few places that is actually named after what it is, rather than what it once was. As you can imagine, this place is brimming with history. 

Philadelphia is the home of the sport of rowing and was once designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987. Therefore, this place has a rich history dating back to the 1880s, when the first boathouses were constructed along the banks of the Schuylkill River.

Nowadays, Boathouse Row is home to 15 consecutive Victorian buildings that amaze the viewers, especially during gloomy nights.

14. Bake Oven Knob

Bake Oven Knob is a mountain, located on the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. This mountain is actually the highest peak in the state at 3,843 feet (about 1.17 km) above sea level.

Bake Oven Knob is a huge tourist destination in the winter and fall months because it is counted among the biggest skiable mountains in Pennsylvania. Bake Oven is also a popular location for hikers, as well as a great spot for birdwatchers. 

This mountain was once used as a lookout by the Native Americans and is now popular as one of the most beautiful places in Pennsylvania.

15. Andy Warhol museum

The Andy Warhol Museum is situated in the city of Pittsburgh and is dedicated to the artwork of Andy Warhol. This museum was opened in 1994 and features many of Warhol’s most famous works, including pieces from his “Mona Lisa” series. 

The museum also features many of Warhol’s personal belongings, including his furniture, photographs, and many of the materials he used to create his artwork. This museum was designed by the famous architect, Philip Johnson, in order to cultivate a fondness for art among tourists around the world.

For tourists who want to explore the art gallery with a touch of history, the Andy Warhol Museum is a wonderful place to consider visiting.