Are you vacationing to Pennsylvania and looking for some really neat places to visit with your kids? We share our favorite things to do in this Keystone State.
If you live in or are visiting Pennsylvania, there are a lot of fun family things to do in this Keystone State. Whether you’re looking for a way to explore nature or a bustling city, this list has all of the best options.
From Pittsburgh to Philadelphia and everywhere in between. Whether you’re going on a day trip with teens or a road trip with toddlers, this list will help you decide where to go for your next family outing or vacation.
Fun Things to Do in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is a great state to travel to with kids. You’ll find plenty of amusement parks, nature spaces, and learning opportunities throughout the state. So, here are some of the best attractions in each of the major cities.
1. Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is widely known for its sports teams, its steel and its sandwiches. When it comes to families with children, Pittsburgh has a lot more to offer than you might think.
-
Pittsburgh Zoo And PPG Aquarium
The Pittsburgh Zoo And PPG Aquarium will teach your kids all about conservation and animal research (they work closely with international organizations to protect and rehabilitate species in need). Despite having an amazing array of both zoo and aquarium exhibits, tickets are surprisingly very affordable.
-
Carnegie Science Center
The Carnegie Science Center has exhibits, planetarium and cinema. The Little Learner Clubhouse is designed for free-play and hands-on activities for kids ages 6 and under. In the clubhouse, little children can find a button wall, book cove, water table and a treehouse-inspired playground.
Photo Credit: Allie_Caulfield CC BY 2.0
Kids of all ages can challenge their balance at the Ropes Challenge, where they will climb nets, balance on logs, and zip-line back to stable ground.
-
Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
Photo Credit: Ragesoss CC BY-SA 3.0
Visitors to the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh should check out TapeScape, an indoor climbing, sliding, rolling landscape made out of packing tape. It’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. Children can also visit the MAKESHOP or the Waterplay exhibit.
-
Kennywood Amusement Park Or Sandcastle Water Park
Looking for something a little more thrilling? Kennywood Amusement Park has 6 rollercoasters and a 14-ride kiddieland. Sandcastle Water Park has over a dozen water slides and a fun boardwalk.
-
Idlewild And Soak Zone
Looking for an amusement park AND water park in one? Idlewild and Soak Zone has it all! This park was named “Best Childrens’ Park” by Amusement Today, and “Best Park for Families” by the National Amusement Park Historical Association. Take a trolley ride through Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood or Story Book Forest, full of your child’s favorite nursery rhyme characters.
Photo Credit: Ron Shawley
2. The Lehigh Valley (Allentown And Surrounding Areas)
-
Lehigh Valley Zoo
Visit the Lehigh Valley Zoo to see the penguins, feed the giraffes or simply get up and close to wildlife. This zoo is a non-profit dedicated to conservation and species survival.
-
DaVinci Science Center
The DaVinci Science Center has a bunch of super interactive exhibits for kids and adults alike.
Photo Credit: Dennisze CC BY-SA 3.0
Engineers On A Roll is an engineering lab, playscape and climbing area perfect for preschoolers. There is also a large pin wall for children to make detailed representations of their body.
More adventurous kids can go through the Tunnel Vision exhibit, a 72-foot maze-like tunnel which is crawled through in complete darkness or inside the Hurricane Simulator.
-
Dorney Park And Wildwater Kingdom
Dorney Park And Wildwater Kingdom are two parks for the price of one. Along with the typical thrill rides, family rides and kid’s rides, Dorney has fun events such as Food Truck Rallies, family movie nights and character breakfasts.
-
Crayola Experience
A full day of fun is awaiting families at the Crayola Experience. Kids and adults can explore art and technology through dozens of hands-on, creative activities. Learn how crayons are made or make your own crayons to take home (you even get to name your custom color!).
You can also create drip art and other crafts, or go to the Adventure Lab exhibit. You can even mold a crayon into something completely new or get your family photo turned into a coloring page.
The WaterWorks attraction allows kids to maneuver their own toy boat through an 85-foot water table. Before you leave, make sure to run off any remaining energy in the Color Playground or in Toddler Town.
3. The Poconos
The fact that the Poconos are just 2 hours from New York City and Philadelphia make it the perfect nature-filled getaway.
-
Great Wolf Lodge
Great Wolf Lodge’s indoor water park and lodging provide fun all year long. And if you think it’s simply a water park and lodging, your definitely mistaken. Yes, It does feature a tree house water fort, water slides, lazy rivers and more.
However, it also provides magical quests throughout the lodge, a bowling alley (made for younger kids with shorter lanes), arcade, mining experience, glow golf and more. Kids can even create their very own stuffed animal at the Creation Station.
Related: 5 Howling Good Reasons To Stay At The Great Wolf Lodge During the Holidays
-
Bushkill Falls
In the summer, get out into nature by hiking and picnicking at Bushkill Falls. Bushkill Falls is known as the “Niagara Falls” of Pennsylvania with 8 waterfalls set in the picturesque Pocono Mountains. Kids can mine for gemstones, visit the playground, play miniature golf, ride paddle boats and more.
-
Roba’s Family Farms
In the fall, make sure to check out Roba’s Family Farms. Roba’s is a local family favorite, and it’s expansive area never feels crowded, even on the busiest of days. You can find the perfect pumpkin, collect candy from the Candy Cannon or choose the winner of the Hillbilly Pig Races.
You also can’t come to Roba’s without going through the 4.5 acre mega maze, jumping on the Jumbo Jumpers, shooting an apple cannon or sliding down the Rock Mountain Slides.
4. Philadelphia
-
Liberty Bell Center
Want to learn some of the history of Pennsylvania? You can take your kids to Philadelphia to see the Liberty Bell Center and have a ton of fun at the same time at the Smith Playground And Playhouse, a 6-acre outdoor playground.
-
Philadelphia Zoo
Photo Credit: Jim, The Photographer, Flickr
Before you leave Philly, make sure to stop at the Philadelphia Zoo. It’s America’s first! If you really want to maximize your zoo experience, book an overnight adventure! Meet the animal keepers, take a late night hike, and complete many fun crafts and activities. You can even sleep in the zoo’s treehouse!
5. Lancaster
If you know anything about Pennsylvania, you’ve probably heard of Lancaster, home of Amish Country. Adults who love antiquing and simple living at its finest will love Lancaster.
-
Dutch Wonderland
Your kids, on the other hand, will love Dutch Wonderland. It is a young child’s dream amusement park. Best for kids age 8 and younger, Dutch Wonderland it the place “where kids rule”. Dutch Wonderland has train rides, mini rollercoasters, a water play area and live entertainment.
-
Turkey Hill Experience
Everyone in the family will love a visit to the Turkey Hill Experience. Come and see how your favorite Turkey Hill ice cream is made, get photos taken in their vintage milk truck, milk a mechanical cow or star in a Turkey Hill commercial. Even better, attend the Turkey Hill Taste Lab where you and your family can create your very own ice cream flavor. You can taste-test it too.
6. Other Pennsylvania Attractions
-
Hershey Park
A visit to Hershey Park will not only give you the thrills of its many roller coasters and rides, but you’ll get three experiences with one ticket. Visit the water park, amusement park and ZooAmerica.
Families can also check out the Hershey Story Museum, where kids can become Mr. Hershey’s apprentice and make their own chocolate in the Chocolate Lab.
-
Knoebels
Last but not least, Knoebels is probably the first amusement park that comes to mind for most Pennsylvanians. Knoebel’s is the leader in old-fashioned amusement park fun and is America’s largest free admission amusement park. Knoebel’s is full of nostalgia, with its wooden rollercoasters and overall homey feel. You can also bring food from home to eat at the free picnic table area.
-
Skiing in Pennsylvania
While it’s not one specific place, skiing in Pennsylvania is a popular attraction. If you’re visiting in the winter, there are places all over the state to practice skiing. The Pocono Mountains have some of the best ski hills in Pennsylvania.
Some popular ski resorts in Pennsylvania include Blue Mountain Resort, Camelback Mountain Resort, and Blue Knob All Seasons Resort. Consider planning a weekend getaway of skiing with the whole family.
What is the Most Famous Food in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania is best known for the Philly cheesesteak, which is most common in Philadelphia. So, if you love trying a variety of foods on your vacations, Philadelphia might be the destination for you.
Another food unique to Pennsylvania is scrapple, which is a breakfast meat made using pork trimmings and cornmeal. Most locals either love it or hate it.
For desserts, whoopie pies are a common delicacy. They’re two chocolate cake cookies with cream in the middle. Some parts of Pennsylvania also refer to them as “gobs.”
What is the Prettiest Place in Pennsylvania?
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but it’s no surprise that Pennsylvania’s state parks and lookout points are the most beautiful places in the state. Waterfalls, mountains, and bridges all offer scenic spots to admire and take photos. It’s impossible to choose only one pretty place.
Here are a few of the prettiest places in Pennsylvania:
- Pine Creek Gorge
- Presque Isle State Park
- Ricketts Glen State Park
- Mount Washington
- Boathouse Row
- Hickory Run State Park
- Ohiopyle State Park
After the chaos of big cities and amusement parks, it can be peaceful to stop by one of these scenic spots and explore. They can help you and your family find a new appreciation for nature.
What is the Most Visited State Park in Pennsylvania?
Presque Isle State Park in Erie ranked the most popular state park in Pennsylvania. In some years, it has almost reached four million visitors!
This state park borders the water of Lake Erie with about 3,200 acres of land. It’s beloved for its boardwalk paths and sandy shores, which are rare among Pennsylvania. Many kids love to swim there when the weather is warm.
Where Should I Go for a 3 Day Vacation?
Not every vacation has to last a whole week. If you’re looking for a weekend getaway in Pennsylvania, you’re in luck. There are plenty recommendations for places to go. If you live near New York City or Washington DC, you could go to Pennsylvania for a few days.
Here are some of the best 3 day vacation spots in Pennsylvania:
- The Poconos
- Philadephia
- Hersey
- Pittsburgh
- Lancaster
- Erie
Sometimes, you only need a weekend for an exciting vacation. All of these destinations have enough attractions to keep you busy for 3 days, and you’ll probably want to visit again later to do more.
Are There Quick Trips in Pennsylvania?
Vacations can be time-consuming, but it can’t hurt to visit somewhere for only a day. There are a few locations in Pennsylvania that are great for visiting for short amounts of time.
Here are some quick trip destinations in Pennsylvania:
- Pocono Mountains
- Amish Country
- Gettysburg
- Hershey
- Crystal Cave
- Doylestown
- Knobels
These are just some cities and attractions that people love to travel to for the day. If none of these sound interesting to your family, then almost any attraction in Pennsylvania can make a good day trip as long as your family is excited about it.
Best Places to Live in Pennsylvania
After a visit to Pennsylvania, you might easily fall in love with the Keystone State. Pennsylvania has plenty of places to live that are great for families. Plus, you’ll be within a few hours of all these exciting things to do.
Here are some of the best places to live in Pennsylvania:
- Penn Wynne
- Pittsburgh
- Allentown
- Lancaster
- Harrisburg
- Reading
- West Chester
When choosing a place to live with kids, make sure you pay attention to costs, education, and safety. Oftentimes, the best residential areas are away from the big attractions to make them more peaceful and relaxing for those who live there.
What is the Number One Attraction in Pennsylvania?
It’s hard to select the best attraction in Pennsylvania when there’s such a wide variety to choose from. When it comes to families, Hershey Park is the number one attraction. While it isn’t in a major city like Philadelphia or Pittsburg, it has plenty of attractions that are sure to interest all ages, especially the young ones.
Another notable attraction is the Liberty Bell Center, which is an important landmark that many people put on their bucket list. It’s also a great opportunity for kids to learn some history.
However, every family has different preferences. So, plan the Pennsylvania vacation that your kids are most likely to enjoy. Any of these things to do in Pennsylvania are sure to bring plenty of excitement to your upcoming trip.
Leave a Reply