How many years do you think it would take to see all of Pennsylvania? The natural wonders? The man made wonders? The 121 state parks? We’re so fortunate to live in a place filled with such beauty. Let’s celebrate that beauty today. Here are 10 places in Pennsylvania that really are better than anywhere else in the country.
- Pine Creek Gorge – Watson Township, PA 17740
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn Marvel at the sheer beauty of Pine Creek Gorge - the Grand Canyon of PA- from one of two state parks. Leonard Harrison State Park and Colton Point State Park both feature visitas that offer sweeping views of the nearly 50 mile long gorge.
- Kinzua Skywalk – 296 Viaduct Road, Mt Jewett, PA 16740
Flickr/Jim Mullhaupt Catch your breath as you gaze down 301 feet at the forest floor from atop the Kinzua Skywalk at Kinzua Bridge State Park. The 600 foot skywalk, once part of a larger bridge, features breathtaking views of the Allegheny National Forest. At the end of the skywalk, you can step on a glass floor that will give you heart-pounding views of the forest floor.
- Ricketts Glen State Park – 695 State Route 487, Benton, PA 17814
Flickr/Jesse Moore Pure natural beauty - in the form of 22 waterfalls - awaits at Ricketts Glen State Park. Embark on the Falls Trail to see 21 of those majestic waterfalls. The seven mile trail features picturesque steps and breathtaking waterfalls. Ganoga Falls, at 94 feet, is the tallest of the waterfalls you’ll pass.
- Ringing Rocks County Park – Upper Black Eddy, PA 18972
Flickr/Gavin M. Roy Ringing Rocks County Park boasts something not many other parks do - ringing rocks. Bring your hammer so you can tap the rocks to hear the natural music than emanates from the rocks. The natural phenomenon is something you really have to see - or hear, as the case may be - to believe.
- Benezette
Flickr/marktesta24 Drive through the quaint town of Benezette. Be careful, however, because you’ll be sharing the road with the local elk. The Elk Country Visitors Center gives visitors the ideal opportunity to learn more about the elk and to watch them graze from observation decks.
- Gettysburg National Military Park – 1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Flickr/Jen Goellnitz Gettysburg played a pivotal role in the Civil War. Americans, and visitors from around the world, can gain a better understanding of the war at Gettysburg National Military Park. The park, the site of the Battle of Gettysburg, features battlefield tours, the Soldiers’ National Cemetery, and an abundance of events throughout the year.
- Fallingwater – 1491 Mill Run Road, Mill Run, PA 15464
Flickr/Via Tsuji Pennsylvania lays claim to several masterpieces by Frank Lloyd Wright. Perhaps the most famous, Fallingwater features a waterfall running through it. Tours of both the house and the grounds are available with advanced reservations.
- Cherry Springs State Park – 4639 Cherry Springs Road, Coudersport, PA 16915
Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli Novice and professional stargazers need only visit Cherry Springs State Park for the clearest, most unobstructed view of the nighttime sky on the eastern seaboard. The park offers observational spots for both those who plan to stargaze for a few hours and those who want to stay overnight.
- Penn’s Cave – 222 Penn’s Cave Road, Spring Mills, PA 16828
Flickr/sarahtarno Pennsylvania also boasts the country’s only all water cave. Climb aboard a boat for your guided tour of Penn’s Cave’s limestone formations. Above ground, you’ll find gemstone panning, a wildlife tour, and a cave rock mountain tour. Penn’s Cave also features a visitor’s center and a gift shop.
- Coudersport Ice Mine – 176 Ice Mine Road, Coudersport, PA16915
Facebook/Coudersport Ice Mine Marvel at the natural phenomenon that is Coudersport Ice Mine. The water in the mine only freezes during the hot summer months. During the winter? Well, all that ice pretty much disappears. So, be sure to visit during the summer.
These are certainly just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. What other places in Pennsylvania would you add to a part two of this list? Share below. Then, click here to read about the 10 coolest PA attractions that not enough people visit.
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn
Marvel at the sheer beauty of Pine Creek Gorge - the Grand Canyon of PA- from one of two state parks. Leonard Harrison State Park and Colton Point State Park both feature visitas that offer sweeping views of the nearly 50 mile long gorge.
Flickr/Jim Mullhaupt
Catch your breath as you gaze down 301 feet at the forest floor from atop the Kinzua Skywalk at Kinzua Bridge State Park. The 600 foot skywalk, once part of a larger bridge, features breathtaking views of the Allegheny National Forest. At the end of the skywalk, you can step on a glass floor that will give you heart-pounding views of the forest floor.
Flickr/Jesse Moore
Pure natural beauty - in the form of 22 waterfalls - awaits at Ricketts Glen State Park. Embark on the Falls Trail to see 21 of those majestic waterfalls. The seven mile trail features picturesque steps and breathtaking waterfalls. Ganoga Falls, at 94 feet, is the tallest of the waterfalls you’ll pass.
Flickr/Gavin M. Roy
Ringing Rocks County Park boasts something not many other parks do - ringing rocks. Bring your hammer so you can tap the rocks to hear the natural music than emanates from the rocks. The natural phenomenon is something you really have to see - or hear, as the case may be - to believe.
Flickr/marktesta24
Drive through the quaint town of Benezette. Be careful, however, because you’ll be sharing the road with the local elk. The Elk Country Visitors Center gives visitors the ideal opportunity to learn more about the elk and to watch them graze from observation decks.
Flickr/Jen Goellnitz
Gettysburg played a pivotal role in the Civil War. Americans, and visitors from around the world, can gain a better understanding of the war at Gettysburg National Military Park. The park, the site of the Battle of Gettysburg, features battlefield tours, the Soldiers’ National Cemetery, and an abundance of events throughout the year.
Flickr/Via Tsuji
Pennsylvania lays claim to several masterpieces by Frank Lloyd Wright. Perhaps the most famous, Fallingwater features a waterfall running through it. Tours of both the house and the grounds are available with advanced reservations.
Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli
Novice and professional stargazers need only visit Cherry Springs State Park for the clearest, most unobstructed view of the nighttime sky on the eastern seaboard. The park offers observational spots for both those who plan to stargaze for a few hours and those who want to stay overnight.
Flickr/sarahtarno
Pennsylvania also boasts the country’s only all water cave. Climb aboard a boat for your guided tour of Penn’s Cave’s limestone formations. Above ground, you’ll find gemstone panning, a wildlife tour, and a cave rock mountain tour. Penn’s Cave also features a visitor’s center and a gift shop.
Facebook/Coudersport Ice Mine
Marvel at the natural phenomenon that is Coudersport Ice Mine. The water in the mine only freezes during the hot summer months. During the winter? Well, all that ice pretty much disappears. So, be sure to visit during the summer.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: 176 Ice Mine Road, Coudersport, PA16915Address: 695 State Route 487, Benton, PA 17814Address: 222 Penn’s Cave Road, Spring Mills, PA 16828Address: 1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, PA 17325Address: 1491 Mill Run Road, Mill Run, PA 15464Address: 4639 Cherry Springs Road, Coudersport, PA 16915Address: 296 Viaduct Road, Mt Jewett, PA 16740
