The Keystone State celebrated its 226th anniversary as an American state this week. As one of the original 13 colonies, Pennsylvania is filled with a rich history that transports visitors back in time. But beyond the history, there are plenty of reasons to visit this East Coast state. Here are our top five.
The cheesesteaks are unbeatable. You’ll never find a cheesesteak that’s as greasy or delicious as the original sandwiches in Philadelphia. Locals will passionately debate who serves up the best cheesesteak, whether its the original at Pat’s King of Steaks or the sandwiches at rival Geno’s, which conveniently sits right across the street. Check out our list of top spots for a Philly cheesesteak fix here.
Early American history lives on. Visit the historic Gettysburg National Military Park, where the tides turned in favor of the Union during the Civil War. Follow a Pennsylvania Civil War Trail across the state. Or book a night at one of the local hotels that boasts “George Washington once slept here.”
Amish Country is alive and well. Plan a visit to Pennsylvania’s Dutch Country for an authentic look at this religious lifestyle. Lancaster County has been home to the Amish for more than 300 years, and you can take a closer look at the local community with a horse and buggy ride. Pop into the local shops to pick up handcrafted Amish goods, like quilts, furniture and decorations.
The state hosts the official Groundhog Day celebration. Every Feb. 2, Punxsutawney, Penn. plays host to a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil that predicts the early coming of spring or a long winter. If he sees his shadow, there will reportedly be six more weeks of winter. No shadow? Early spring is on its way. Tens of thousands of visitors flock to this Pennsylvania town to see the annual procession.
It’s the hometown of Hershey’s. America’s most famous chocolate makes its home in Hershey, Penn. Take a tour of the Hershey’s Factory and see how your favorite chocolate kisses are made, put your picture on a bottle of chocolate syrup or even create your own chocolate with a custom wrapper. After a sweet time at the factory, head to Hersheypark for rides and photo ops with your favorite Hershey’s characters.
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