10 Coziest Small Towns in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania offers a vast and varied set of travel attractions. Named after 17th-century English aristocrat William Penn, the state, in the US Mid-Atlantic region, offers terrain from its Poconos Mountains and riverside vistas, to cultural and historical draws like the Civil War site Gettysburg and the former Moravian enclave of Lititz. The state's longtime Amish and Mennonite religious communities suggest it is a state of both tolerance and diversity. Whatever the out-of-state traveler might like to see, Pennsylvania's small towns are likely to offer it with open arms.
Wilkes-Barre
Wilkes-Barre, population 44,300, sits in eastern Pennsylvania, along the Susquehanna River, one of the state's longest waterways. The former hub of revolutionary activity and a coal mining town, the place can claim a number of quirky firsts, from being the original headquarters of the Planters Peanut Company to being the launchpoint of Home Box Office (HBO), which ushered in the rise of modern cable television.
These and other stories are available for the tourist's consideration at the Luzerne County Museum in town. History buffs may prefer the River Street Historic District, while culture connoisseurs will want to visit the historic Little Theatre at Wilkes-Barre and the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center, a performance space at Wilkes University. Green spaces include Kirby Park and the River Common, both of which give views over the Susquehanna.
Mercersburg
In south-central Pennsylvania, just north of the Maryland border, the modest Mercersburg, with 2,000 residents, offers the visitor a tony, small-town feel. The town since 1893 has hosted the presitigous Mercersburg Academy, with notable alumni including more than fifty Olympic athletes, as well as actors James Stewart and, more recently, Benicio del Toro. The school and the town's historic district both feature on the National Register of Historic Places.
For fresh air and a little exercise, try Johnston's Run Walking Trail, Mercersburg Lyons Community Park, or for baseball, Mercersburg Little League Park. Fun fact: the town is the birthplace of former US president James Buchanan, and the cabin said to be his physical birthsite sits on the Academy's campus.
Gettysburg
Gettysburg, population 8,600, has a name synonymous with a turning point in the US Civil War. The town saw a 1863 battle that would prove the bloodiest of the entire war, with more than 51,000 total dead or wounded from both sides. The Gettysburg National Military Park commemorates the battle. Visitors should also explore the David Wills House, from where Lincoln put the finishing touches on the Gettysburg Address. Many US historians consider the speech the finest, and one of the shortest, in American history.
For lighter fare, Lincoln Square, in the heart of downtown Gettysburg, promises one-of-a-kind shopping and strolling. The Dobbin House Tavern, an 18th-century restaurant, serves up a colonial ambiance and menu unlike anywhere else.
Doylestown
Doylestown, with 8,400 inhabitants, beckons the cultural visitor. The Mercer Museum displays tools and artifacts from past generations. Fonthill Castle, an eccentric concrete building with intricate tiles, makes for another memorable visit. Outdoorsy tourists might like a a walk through Doylestown Community Park or to tread the trails of nearby Peace Valley Nature Center.
The town's Pugh Dungan House, an 1830 residence built in the Federal architectural style, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The James A. Michener Art Museum, named after the popular author and Doylestown native, shows varied exhibits of local and American art.
Chadds Ford
The far-southeast town of Chadds Ford, population 3,900, has an artistic legacy far larger than its town limits. Chadds Ford boasts the Brandywine River Museum of Art, dedicated to regional and American works. The town is likewise the home of artist and illustrator NC Wyeth, and his equally gifted son, painter Andrew Wyeth.
Wine enthusiasts will like Chaddsford Winery for a taste of local vines. Drivers can tour the area via the Brandywine Valley Byway. For a standout dining option, head to Chadds Ford Tavern, a mid-priced, American-style place with consistently good reviews.
Hershey
Hershey is a chocolate lover's dream. The small town, with 14,600 souls, is known for Hersheypark, a family-friendly amusement center that celebrates the local sweets company whose products now span the globe. For a healthier choice, seek out Hershey Gardens, with over 20 acres of botanical variety, or ZooAmerica, a kids' favorite. But it is chocolate that defines the town, as evidenced by the streetlamps in the shape of Hershey's signature 'Hershey's kiss,' or silver-wrapped teardrop of cocoa and sugar.
Hershey's Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) Museum, which showcases a collection of antique and classic American cars, is another perennial draw. The AACA meets every September for its Eastern Fall Meet, called by some the largest car swap in the world.
Milford
Milford, at a much smaller 1,100 people, sits in the picturesque Poconos mountain range at the northeastern edge of the state. A popular weekend getaway spot, the town offers much to interest the culture-minded visitor. The Artery Fine Art and Craft Gallery, and the Golden Fish Art Gallery, both in town, exhibit the work of local and regional creators.
For a look at the past and its impact on the present, visit the Grey Towers National Historic Site, the former home of Gifford Pinchot, the conservationist and first-ever head of the US Forest Service. Pinchot's environmental legacy continues to this day. A few miles south of town, Raymondskill Falls is one of Pennsylvania's highest waterfalls.
Strasburg
Strasburg, population 3,100, recalls the simplicity of earlier times. The place is set in Lancaster County, a name associated with the Amish and Mennonite religious communities. Shoppers can explore the shops of Strasburg Village, or head to surrounding hills and farmlands for a look at the state's historic Amish Country, a region where group has lived and farmed for generations.
Fans of industrial history will enjoy the Strasburg Rail Road's steam train rides. The town's Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, just east of downtown, exhibits old locomotives and railroad objects. Downtown Strasburg is included on the National Register of Historic Places.
Lititz
Another Lancaster County favorite, the town of Lititz, population 9,700, traces its historical roots to before the American Revolution. Founded in 1756 by settlers from Moravia, in the modern-day Czech Republic, many of its colonial-era buildings are exceptionally well-preserved. The Lititz Moravian Historic District has more than 110 contributing buildings, including the Johann Agust Sutter House, named after the man later called John Sutter, from whose mill the California Gold Rush began in 1849.
For a taste of the town's history, visit the Sturgis Pretzel House, a key example of central-European culture come to Pennsylvania. Green spaces in town include Lititz Springs Park, featuring gardens and walking trails. Another fun fact: Lititz is the manufacturing base of the Victor Mouse Trap, which has been in production for more than 120 years.
Bloomsburg
Bloomsburg, with 12,700 inhabitants, also sits along the Susquehanna River, roughly between Harrisburg and Scranton, and 40 miles southwest of Wilkes-Barre. A quintessential college town, the place is home to Bloomsburg University, set in the town's upper Turkey Hill neighborhood. The town has also given its name to the largest agricultural convention in the state: the Bloomsburg Fair, an annual event that has gathered here since 1855.
Bloomsburg offers culture in abundance. The Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble, operating since 1978, organizes performances at a convenient downtown location. The town's Children's Museum has welcomed youngsters and their adult chaperones since 1985. Nature enthusiasts will love a stroll down the town's River Walk. A green space simply named Town Park has 43 acres of wide-open space, with plans to by building athletic fields, a nature preserve, and integration with a local rails-to-trails project.
Pennsylvania's small towns show the state at its best
Given the broad diversity of Pennsylvania's small towns, their cozy atmosphere often rests on deep historical foundations. Lititz, with its Moravian background, makes for a little-known story to discover. Pennsylvania's Amish still call Strasburg and other Lancaster County places home. Children will love the rides at Hersheypark or the museum, built just for them, in Bloomsburg. Art lovers of all ages will appreciate the wealth of exhbits from Doylestown to Chadds Ford. For travelers' many and varied interests, Pennsylvania's small towns are likely to satisfy all of them.
