Tick-tock. Winter’s end is almost upon us. And, you now what that means! Spring sunshine. Gentle breezes. And finding any excuse possible to spend time outdoors. With spring just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to start planning how you’re going to take advantage of the warmer days. Here are 10 of the best places to go during spring in Pennsylvania.
- Hershey Gardens – 170 Hotel Road, Hershey, PA 17033
Facebook/Hershey Gardens Flowers, flowers, everywhere. Celebrate spring as you tiptoe past the tulips at Hershey Gardens. The breathtaking gardens feature 20,000 brightly colored tulips. But, that’s not all. Explore some of the gardens’ 23-acres along the one-mile walking path. Don’t forget to stop by the Butterfly Atrium, home to nearly 600 butterflies. Click here to read more.
- Shofuso Japanese House & Garden – West Fairmount Park, Lansdowne Drive and Horticultural Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19131
Facebook/Shofuso Japanese House & Garden Spring means gardening and visiting gardens as they bloom. Shofuso Japanese House & Garden spans a cozy 1.2 acres. A stroll through the garden will lead you past picturesque trees and waterfalls. Remove your shoes before entering the house for a self-guided tour. (Tours led by docents are sometimes available.) Shofuso Japanese House & Garden also hosts a variety of events throughout the year. Keep reading here.
- Forest Cathedral Natural Area – Cook Forest State Park, 113 River Road, Cooksburg, PA 16217
All Trails/Ashley Bone Tucked away in Cook Forest State Park, Forest Cathedral Natural Area promises unspoiled beauty. Experience the National Natural Landmark by hitting one of the hiking trails that passes through it. At less than a mile, for example, the Birch Trail provides sweeping views of Children’s Fishing Pond and majestic birch trees. Read more here.
- Lake Tobias Wildlife Park – 760 Tobias Road, Halifax, PA 17032
Facebook/Lake Tobias Wildlife Park Spring’s the perfect time for an open air safari ride around Lake Tobias Wildlife Park. The popular park and working farm houses more than 500 animals, including buffalo, alpacas, and kangaroos. After your safari, stop by the petting zoo. Or, watch babies eat during the baby animal program. The park re-opens for the season on May 1, 2018. Click here to read more.
- Bushkill Falls – 138 Bushkill Falls Trail, Bushkill, PA 18324
Flickr/Kwan Cheung Ho The freezing temperatures of winter will give way to the warmth of spring. That means the waterfalls throughout PA will have thawed, making a visit to Bushkill Falls the perfect spring activity. Bushkill Falls, also known as PA’s Niagara Falls, spans 300 acres. Hike through the park to view the eight waterfalls up close. Bushkill Falls’ opening day for 2018 has not yet been announced. Read more here.
- Saunders Woods Preserve – 1020 Waverly Road, Gladwyne, PA 19035
Flickr/amdougherty Embrace nature at the cozy 25 acre Saunders Woods Preserve. The natural oasis features 1.5. miles of unpaved trails, perfect for exploration. Along the way, you’ll discover wildflowers, brooks, and footbridges. Saunders Woods Preserve is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Click here to read more.
- Kinzua Bridge Sky Walk – 296 Viaduct Road, Mt Jewett, PA 16740
Flickr/Faith22now Love heights? Even if you don’t, you definitely want to make a visit to the Kinzua Bridge Sky Walk a spring priority. Snuggled in Kinzua Bridge State Park, the skywalk provides visitors with sweeping views of the park. Walk along the skywalk to the end, where you’ll discover a glass floor. Stand on the glass for heart stopping views of the floor 301 feet below. Keep reading here.
- Pocono Tree Ventures – 1575 Fairway Boulevard, Stroudsburg, PA 18302
Facebook/Pocono Tree Ventures Swing through the trees this spring when you visit Pocono Tree Ventures. The adventure park promises plenty for everyone - ages four and up - to do. Go ziplining. Or, sign up for a particular adventure. The Pocono Zip Quest, for example, will have you ziplining, crossing bridges high above the ground, and climbing ladders. Click here for more.
- Galen Glen Vineyard & Winery – 255 Winter Mountain Drive, Andreas, PA 18211
Facebook/Galen Glen Vineyard & Winery Let the spring breeze ruffle your hair as you sip wine at Galen Glen Vineyard & Winery. Boasting spectacular views, the enchanting winery specializes in white wines, red wines, and dessert wines. Enjoy a wine tasting - with or without a gourmet snack. The winery recommends visiting during the week for a more intimate experience. Weekends, on the other hand, are often busier and livelier. Read more.
- Montour Preserve Fossil Pit – 700 Preserve Road, Danville, PA 17821
Facebook/Montour Preserve Dig for fossils, more than 350 million years old, at Montour Preserve Fossil Pit. The one acre fossil pit welcomes visitors to dig for free and to take home whatever they find. Be sure to dress appropriately (closed-toed shoes and long pants) for your digging adventure. Keep reading here.
What other places are perfect for a visit during spring in Pennsylvania? Share in the comments below! Click here to read about the 10 things all Pennsylvanians do at the first sign of spring.
Facebook/Hershey Gardens
Flowers, flowers, everywhere. Celebrate spring as you tiptoe past the tulips at Hershey Gardens. The breathtaking gardens feature 20,000 brightly colored tulips. But, that’s not all. Explore some of the gardens’ 23-acres along the one-mile walking path. Don’t forget to stop by the Butterfly Atrium, home to nearly 600 butterflies. Click here to read more.
Facebook/Shofuso Japanese House & Garden
Spring means gardening and visiting gardens as they bloom. Shofuso Japanese House & Garden spans a cozy 1.2 acres. A stroll through the garden will lead you past picturesque trees and waterfalls. Remove your shoes before entering the house for a self-guided tour. (Tours led by docents are sometimes available.) Shofuso Japanese House & Garden also hosts a variety of events throughout the year. Keep reading here.
All Trails/Ashley Bone
Tucked away in Cook Forest State Park, Forest Cathedral Natural Area promises unspoiled beauty. Experience the National Natural Landmark by hitting one of the hiking trails that passes through it. At less than a mile, for example, the Birch Trail provides sweeping views of Children’s Fishing Pond and majestic birch trees. Read more here.
Facebook/Lake Tobias Wildlife Park
Spring’s the perfect time for an open air safari ride around Lake Tobias Wildlife Park. The popular park and working farm houses more than 500 animals, including buffalo, alpacas, and kangaroos. After your safari, stop by the petting zoo. Or, watch babies eat during the baby animal program. The park re-opens for the season on May 1, 2018. Click here to read more.
Flickr/Kwan Cheung Ho
The freezing temperatures of winter will give way to the warmth of spring. That means the waterfalls throughout PA will have thawed, making a visit to Bushkill Falls the perfect spring activity. Bushkill Falls, also known as PA’s Niagara Falls, spans 300 acres. Hike through the park to view the eight waterfalls up close. Bushkill Falls’ opening day for 2018 has not yet been announced. Read more here.
Flickr/amdougherty
Embrace nature at the cozy 25 acre Saunders Woods Preserve. The natural oasis features 1.5. miles of unpaved trails, perfect for exploration. Along the way, you’ll discover wildflowers, brooks, and footbridges. Saunders Woods Preserve is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Click here to read more.
Flickr/Faith22now
Love heights? Even if you don’t, you definitely want to make a visit to the Kinzua Bridge Sky Walk a spring priority. Snuggled in Kinzua Bridge State Park, the skywalk provides visitors with sweeping views of the park. Walk along the skywalk to the end, where you’ll discover a glass floor. Stand on the glass for heart stopping views of the floor 301 feet below. Keep reading here.
Facebook/Pocono Tree Ventures
Swing through the trees this spring when you visit Pocono Tree Ventures. The adventure park promises plenty for everyone - ages four and up - to do. Go ziplining. Or, sign up for a particular adventure. The Pocono Zip Quest, for example, will have you ziplining, crossing bridges high above the ground, and climbing ladders. Click here for more.
Facebook/Galen Glen Vineyard & Winery
Let the spring breeze ruffle your hair as you sip wine at Galen Glen Vineyard & Winery. Boasting spectacular views, the enchanting winery specializes in white wines, red wines, and dessert wines. Enjoy a wine tasting - with or without a gourmet snack. The winery recommends visiting during the week for a more intimate experience. Weekends, on the other hand, are often busier and livelier. Read more.
Facebook/Montour Preserve
Dig for fossils, more than 350 million years old, at Montour Preserve Fossil Pit. The one acre fossil pit welcomes visitors to dig for free and to take home whatever they find. Be sure to dress appropriately (closed-toed shoes and long pants) for your digging adventure. Keep reading here.
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Address: 170 Hotel Road, Hershey, PA 17033Address: 255 Winter Mountain Drive, Andreas, PA 18211Address: 113 River Road, Cooksburg, PA 16217Address: 1575 Fairway Boulevard, Stroudsburg, PA 18302Address: 138 Bushkill Falls Trail, Bushkill, PA 18324Address: 1020 Waverly Road, Gladwyne, PA 19035Address: 760 Tobias Road, Halifax, PA 17032Address: 700 Preserve Road, Danville, PA 17821Address: 296 Viaduct Road, Mt Jewett, PA 16740
