10 Liveliest Pennsylvania Towns For Active Seniors
Pennsylvania offers senior citizens more than just rolling hills and rich history. It's also home to vibrant towns where active seniors can thrive. From charming small-town streets filled with cultural events, to communities that provide endless opportunities for recreation and social engagement, these destinations are full of energy and life. Whether you're drawn to scenic outdoor trails, bustling arts scenes, or welcoming neighborhoods, the Keystone State has plenty of lively spots to call home. Here are 10 of the liveliest Pennsylvania towns where active seniors can enjoy their golden years to the fullest.
Boyertown
The Berks County borough of Boyertown is home to just under 4,300 residents and is about an hour's drive from Philadelphia. Many seniors like living in this suburban town, which is also close to the larger cities of Reading (a half-hour's drive) and Pottstown (15 minutes away). There is plenty to keep seniors busy in Boyertown.
History buffs should check out the Boyertown Area Historical Society, which contains artifacts and information about the town that dates to the 1700s. The Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles is designed for those who love the history of all things automotive.
Earl Township Park contains 78 acres of open space, picnic areas, pavilions, a frisbee golf course, and a paved walking trail. The Center at Spring Street is housed within the Boyertown Area Multi-Service building and provides services for seniors aged 55 and up.
East Stroudsburg
East Stroudsburg, in Monroe County, is part of Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains region and is home to just under 9,700 people. Many seniors are attracted by the natural beauty of the area as well as its solitude. There are many things to keep seniors busy in East Stroudsburg, however.
The town retains a close-knit atmosphere through events such as its annual Fall Borough Beautification Day, held each September, in which property owners can sign up to have their property cleaned by volunteers. Active seniors may even wish to volunteer themselves. Dansbury Community Park, the town's most popular recreational area, contains a public swimming pool, courts, and quiet space to sit (or walk) and contemplate nature.
The Loder Senior Center on Analomink Street in East Stroudsburg provides programs and meals for seniors Mondays through Fridays. Many East Stroudsburg seniors also enjoy socialization and exercising at the Pocono Family YMCA in Stroudsburg, just two miles down the road.
Ephrata
Located in northeastern Lancaster County, the borough of Ephrata is home to just under 13,800 people. Known for its rich history, the borough was settled by Germans in the 1700s looking for spiritual freedom. The Ephrata Cloister National Historic Landmark is still standing today and will be of interest to seniors wanting to learn more about this facet of the town's history.
One of the largest farmers' markets in the region, the Green Dragon Farmers Market and Auction, is open on Fridays in Ephrata and attracts shoppers of all ages, from as far away as New York and New Jersey. The town is also known for its community events that draw folks together, such as its Apple Dumpling Days in October.
The Ephrata Senior Center provides meals, activities, and socialization opportunities for area seniors to enjoy.
Jim Thorpe
Also in the Pocono Mountains, the Carbon County town of Jim Thorpe, home to just over 4,500, has been referred to as the "Little Switzerland of America" and the "Gateway to the Poconos." This charming village in the European style attracts many seniors who are looking for solitude among the mountains, as well as those who are drawn to the promise of active recreation.
Lehigh Gorge State Park contains over 6,100 acres of park land as well as the Lehigh River, and features recreational activities including biking, whitewater boating, and hiking. The town of Jim Thorpe is very community-minded and holds annual events, such as the Fall Foliage Festival, that beckon seniors and others to view the natural beauty of the leaves.
The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway offers a scenic train ride through the area with picturesque mountain views. Seniors can enjoy meals, activities, and fun at the Jim Thorpe/Pen Kidder Senior Center.
Camp Hill
Just outside of Pennsylvania's state capital of Harrisburg, in Cumberland County, you'll find the small town of Camp Hill, home to just over 8,100 residents. It was recently ranked among the best towns in which to retire in 2025 by GoBankingRates.com, based on its affordable cost of living, proximity to larger city amenities, and welcoming atmosphere.
Camp Hill's 10 parks encourage seniors to remain active. The Maurice K. Goddard Trail runs for 4.3 miles from Siebert Park to the north side of town. And there's plenty to do outside of the parks, too. The Gallo'ry on Market showcases original artwork from a variety of local artists, and is welcoming to art enthusiasts and collectors. The West Shore Senior Center is just four miles away in New Cumberland and welcomes area seniors Monday through Friday for activities, meals, and socialization.
Kennett Square
Tucked away in Southern Chester County, just 40 miles from Philadelphia and 15 miles from Wilmington, Delaware, is the charming town of Kennett Square. Just under 6,000 people live in this town, situated in the breathtaking Brandywine Valley near the Brandywine River. The abundance of natural beauty, combined with the appeal of suburban amenities and proximity to big cities, draws many seniors to Kennett Square.
Longwood Gardens fills 1,100 acres of outdoor and indoor plants and trees and is a popular attraction in the Kennett Square area. Concerts and fireworks are held in the outdoor amphitheater in the summertime. As Kennett Square is also the Mushroom Capital of the World, with area farms producing over a million pounds of mushrooms daily, the town's annual Mushroom Festival each September draws visitors of all ages from miles away.
Anson B. Nixon Park in Kennett Square covers 160 acres and includes a disc golf course, dog park, and walking trails. The Kennett Area Senior Center provides services, programs, and events for area senior citizens.
Lewisburg
The county seat of Union County, Lewisburg is in central Pennsylvania's Susquehanna River Valley. Just over 5,100 call Lewisburg home. It is also home to Bucknell University, which offers senior citizens a 20% discount on tickets to live performances at its Weis Center. Lewisburg is also just 60 miles north of the state capital of Harrisburg and 30 miles south of Williamsport.
Lewisburg's 19th-century downtown area is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places and may appeal to seniors interested in the town's history. The Campus Theatre, one of the few remaining single-screen movie theaters in the Art Deco style, is one of the included buildings that can be toured.
Lewisburg's sense of community is fostered through its annual events, such as the Fall Festival featuring the Wooly Worm Winter Weather Prognostication, held in Hufnagle Park each October. Although Lewisburg's Senior Center closed in June 2025, the West End Multipurpose Senior Center in Mifflinburg is just a half hour's drive away.
Lititz
Just nine miles north of Lancaster, in Lancaster County, you'll find the smaller village of Lititz, home to just under 9,400 residents. This town combines history with nature and a welcoming small-town atmosphere that entices many seniors to move to Lititz.
The Lititz Farmers Market is held every Thursday afternoon from May through October, and attracts townsfolk of all ages. Each June, Lititz hosts a Taste of Lititz Festival, highlighting foods from local restaurants.
A unique attraction, the Wolf Sanctuary of PA, is found in Lititz and sits on 80 acres of natural woodlands. It serves as an educational nature preserve that offers refuge to gray wolves and wolf-dogs. The Lititz Senior Center invites residents age 60 and up to come socialize, enjoy music, and engage in activities with their peers.
New Hope
Bucks County's town of New Hope was named the number one small town for arts and culture in the US by Travel & Leisure and the New York Post. This village of just over 2,600 sits adjacent to the Delaware River and is known for its cultural attractions as well as its outdoor recreation. It is a popular spot for seniors, just about an hour's drive from New York City and Philadelphia.
The Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope was founded in 1939 and still puts on professional theater productions today. Those who would rather spend time outdoors will want to visit Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve, with native wildflowers, ferns, shrubs, trees, trails, a pond, and a creek, as well as a native plant nursery for working on your own garden!
Brownsburg Park in New Hope is 37 acres and ADA compliant, with a pavilion, playground, sports courts, trees, pet stations, and benches. The Central Bucks Senior Center is just eight miles away in Doylestown and is ready to serve the needs of seniors of New Hope and the surrounding areas.
Wellsboro
A historic small town and the county seat of Tioga County in north-central Pennsylvania, Wellsboro is home to just under 3,500 residents. It is close to one of the state's most awe-inspiring natural landmarks, the Pine Creek Gorge (also known as the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon). The natural beauty of the Appalachian Mountains is the main draw for seniors who make the decision to move to Wellsboro.
Pine Creek Gorge is filled with hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails of differing levels of difficulty. Wellsboro is also famous for its community events that bring the town together, including the Endless Mountain Music Festival in July and August and Dickens of a Christmas in December.
The Wellsboro Senior Center on Queen Street provides services to help enrich the lives of the area's senior citizen population, including socialization, programs, and activities.
Relocate to the Keystone State
Pennsylvania has much to offer active seniors looking for a livelier place to relocate to in their retirement years. Retirement income in Pennsylvania is not taxed at the state level for all residents age 60 and over, drawing many seniors to move to the Keystone State. Whether you would like to live in a town nestled among the mountains, like Wellsboro, or one full of quirky arts and shops close to Philadelphia, like New Hope, selecting any of these 10 towns as your new home might be the best decision you can make to feel fulfilled during your golden years.
