10 Most Idyllic Small Towns in Pennsylvania
In the “land full of trees,” Pennsylvania is an idyllic destination for those enthusiastic to escape the hustle and bustle of busier states. Explore a state bright and flourishing with Amish trademarks and the enduring legacies of the Native Americans. Most importantly, come see the most idyllic small towns in Pennsylvania that are sure to win your heart. From the magnificent heights of the Pocono Mountains—the Poconos for short—to antebellum battlefields that shaped the political landscape of a nation, these small towns each have their own features and facts that you will always find entertaining and intriguing. See for yourself why these are the most idyllic small towns in Pennsylvania.
Ohiopyle
Climb the mountainous expanses of the Laurel Highlands towards the high-altitude borough of Ohiopyle. At one of the highest points in Pennsylvania, travelers can go rowing down the turbulent Youghiogheny River, which meanders through the expansive Ohiopyle State Park. The Great Allegheny Passage, on the other hand, promotes an adrenalin-pumping route which spans 150 miles from Pittsburgh to the heights of the Laurel Highlands. For those of you excited to meet the local flora and fauna, you can trek through the 100-acre botanical reserve of Ferncliff. Ferncliff also gives visitors unparalleled vantages over the Youghiogheny River, Cucumber Falls, and Ohiopyle Falls from Baughman Rock Overlook. Should your heart desire a longer vacation in Ohiopyle, then find your rooms at the Heart of Ohiopyle Vacation House or Stay In Ohiopyle.
Wilkes-Barre
Deep within the Pocono Mountains lies the prosperous town of Wilkes-Barre. Among the bucolic wonders surrounding Wilkes-Barre, and tucked within the Wyoming Valley, are the Bear Creek Camp Conservation Area and the Pinchot State Forest—sacred places of the Iroquois Confederacy. In Wilkes-Barre itself, the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts hosts spectacular Art Deco performances, and you can watch a Fine Arts Fiesta every month of May. The Luzerne County Historical Society Museum chronicles the town’s significance as a coal-mining town 1770, with well-preserved quarries and mines around the Susquehanna River that fueled industrialization in the Poconos and Pennsylvania. At the Frederick Stegmaier Mansion, you can get a glimpse of how life was lived in Wilkes-Barre. For those of you who wish to stay a bit longer in Wilkes-Barre, you can find accommodations at the Mohegan Pennsylvania or The Woodlands Inn & Resort.
Wellsboro
Wellsboro, a welcoming borough in Pine Creek Gorge, is a place blossoming with nature. Due to its position in Pine Greek Gorge—commonly referred to as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania—travelers can hike through nearly 60 miles of unspoiled wilderness. Start your adventure from Colton Point State Park on the west rim and sojourn through the east rim terminating at Leonard Harrison State Park. Afterwards, take a detour through Tioga State Forest, so named from the Seneca phrase Tioga meaning the “meeting of two rivers.”
If nature does not suffice, then you can always walk down the gaslit streets of Wellsboro that harken to one of Norman Rockwell’s Americana paintings. The Robinson House Museum contains many artifacts and tidbits of Wellsboro’s past, and fine lodgings like the Penn Wells Lodge, La Belle Auberge Bed & Breakfast, and the Ski Sawmill Family Resort provide many luxuries for you to cherish your vacation in Wellsboro. Only 52 miles from Williamsport, come see why Wellsboro is a welcoming borough to love and adore.
New Hope
Losing your interest in exploring Pennsylvania? Do not lose hope as the town of New Hope is sure to rekindle your adventurous spirit. Many historic relics can be perused in this town along the Delaware River, such as the 19th-century Locktender's House, the modern headquarters of the Friends of the Delaware Canal. Visitors can also venture through the architectural panoply and hybrid that is Parry Mansion, the former abode of Benjamin Parry, one of New Hope’s founders. Then there is the Bucks Country Playhouse, a famous summer theater in the US in which Grace Kelly, Dick Van Dyke, and more played host. As a town near the border of New Jersey, you can find all kinds of excellent accommodations in New Hope to spend the evening like New Hope Lodge, Aaron Burr House, or Logan Inn in New Hope.
Doylestown
Doylestown, a humble borough an hour away from the city of Philadelphia, earned its name from innkeeper William Doyle and his 18th Century Inn. As a place renowned for its inns and tavern-like ambiance, you can savor the excellent establishments of the town like Doylestown Inn or the Mainstreet Inn. And a good reason to spend your evenings in Doylestown is to see the many world-class architecture and art styles of Pennsylvania. Consider the Mercer Museum, for example. Built by Henry Chapman Mercer in the early 1900s, the Mercer Museum is a six-storied concrete castle that houses articles and artifacts from pre-Industrial American culture. Aside from the museum, Henry Mercer also built the Fonthill Castle between 1908-1912 which now serves as a paragon of architectural marvels. And if you want to see more of the art and culture in the Delaware Valley, visit the Michener Art Museum for the spotless shows and exhibits.
Hershey
Nothing is more idyllic than a place which promises snacks and treats like in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. And the town of Hershey certainly provides. Where Milton S. Hershey founded the Hershey Company in 1905, the town now markets many Hershey-themed delights. Hershey Park, for example, is a sweet sanctuary where town residents and Hershey workers can relax after a long day’s work. At Hershey Gardens, more than 500 butterflies—none of them made of chocolate, of course—can be marveled at. The Hershey Story Museum highlights momentous epochs for the town and the company, and the Hershey Arena hosts several events for the townsfolk and visitors alike. If you wish to savor your stay in Hershey, then book a room at either the Hershey Lodge or The Hotel Hershey.
Gettysburg
Only 50 miles away from the delicious town of Hershey, Gettysburg was where the largest and most famous battle in the American Civil War transpired. Before the destructive Battle of Gettysburg took place, President Abraham Lincoln delivered his transcendental speech, the Gettysburg Address, in the town while residing in the David Wills House (which can be visited even today). Close to this historic landmark is the Gettysburg Museum of History, which gives a greater insight and context to the Battle of Gettysburg and the Gettysburg Address. Furthermore, the Jennie Wade House pays homage to one of the many civilian victims of the conflict. Take a bus tour through the the Gettysburg National Military Park, where remnants of artillery and other artifacts can be found. And if you tire from all the traveling and the history lessons, you can refreshen and recharge at the Federal Pointe Inn, Gettysburg Hotel, or The Gaslight Inn.
Lititz
Thought not as sweet as Hershey (which is only 26 miles away), Lititz has its own delicacies to offer. As the former home of the Nanticokes, Lititz is now the home to the Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery, the oldest commercial pretzel bakery in the US since 1861. Besides warm and magnificent pretzels, Lititz also houses the Wilbur Chocolate Company, famous for its Wilbur Buds that have been circulating throughout the nation and the world since 1894. With Nanticoke relics in Lititz Spring and Moravian architecture and culture, you can admire several cultural features such as Linden Hall, the oldest all-girl boarding school in the US built in 1746. When it comes to lodgings, the Lititz Springs Inn, The Wilbur Lititz, and The Alden House have you covered.
Stroudsburg
Venture an hour from Wilkes-Barre to find the borough of Stroudsburg at the heart of the Poconos. From there, you can access many Poconos summits and other high areas, like the Levee Loop Trail that winds through Brodhead Creek. Next to the trail is the Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, where you can observe the biodiversity and habitats of the Poconos. The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area offers many scenic spots for hiking and exploring. Discover history at the abandoned military base of Fort Hamilton or learn about life in the Poconos at the Stroud Mansion, Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm, and Pocono Arts Council. For those wanting to spend an evening in Stroudsburg, relax and enjoy yourself at either the Pocono Plaza Inn or The Penn Stroud.
Johnstown
Travel 57 miles from Pittsburgh, following the confluence of the Conemaugh River and Stony Creek, to reach the charming town of Johnstown. Originally a Delaware and Shawnee settlement named Conemaugh, the town was renamed after Joseph Johns, a Swiss Mennonite who aimed to make it a key trading center for the Allegheny Portage Railroad and the Pennsylvania Mainline Canal. Johnstown played a crucial role in the US Industrial Revolution with its numerous steel mills. In 1889, it was devastated by one of the deadliest floods in US history. Today, the Johnstown Flood National Memorial honors those affected, and the Grandview Cemetery contains many victims. Visitors looking to stay can choose accommodations like the Sleep Inn Johnstown, Econo Lodge, or Comfort Inn & Suites.
In Conclusion
As one of the original thirteen colonies that declared independence from the British Empire, Pennsylvania is a state committed to ensuring that all people, big and small, are granted the same freedoms. The most idyllic way to enjoy your liberties is by visiting the charming small towns of Pennsylvania. Venture beyond well-known cities like Philadelphia to explore quaint yet still remarkable towns like Hershey, Gettysburg, Johnstown, and more. Climb the slopes of the Poconos or explore the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania to discover many historic and natural attractions worth the trip. This summer, start your adventure in a land full of trees and sunshine.
