10 Of The Most Eccentric Towns In Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. It is also endowed with quirks that few visitors are privy to. Beyond the bustling urban hubs of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia lie towns that defy convention. Here, time moves differently, traditions take unexpected turns, and communities embrace their personalities with pride. These under-the-radar gems offer more than your standard tourist experience by revealing a side of the Keystone State that is strange, mysterious, and sometimes downright bizarre.
From a museum dedicated to honoring the myth of zombies in Monroeville to a festival celebrating the elusive Bigfoot in Kane, the most eccentric towns in Pennsylvania invite you to explore the stories that don’t make the postcards or TV headlines, yet leave a lasting impression all the same.
Marienville
This secluded borough of Forest County borders the untamed wilderness of the Allegheny National Forest, making it a popular destination for ardent outdoor enthusiasts. Marienville is a community of Bigfoot believers and conspirators, and every year, it hosts the Forest County Bigfoot Festival to underscore this. Thousands of locals and visitors turn out to mark the day with an organized hunt for the elusive creature, hoping to finally get a glimpse of it. Other events include a 5K race, celebrity meet and greets, talks by renowned personalities, colorful costumes, a Bigfoot calling contest, and more.
Beyond Bigfoot, Marienville's forested backcountry provides the perfect backdrop for recreational immersion. You can book an excursion with the Summers Allegheny Trail Ride for remarkable expeditions on horseback. Once you've worked up an appetite, sample fresh, homemade cuisine at Bettina's Italian Restaurant.
Monroeville
This vibrant suburb sits about 20 minutes east of Pittsburgh and boasts a lively downtown scene with an eclectic mix of attractions. The Living Dead Museum and Gift Shop is a must-visit for those attracted to peculiar points of interest. This strange facility chronicles the heritage of zombies in film and pop culture through a curious collection of related memorabilia, props, and interactive experiences. It also features a zombie gift shop where guests can find their favorite merchandise and souvenirs.
The town further demonstrates its peculiar relationship with zombies during the Living Dead Weekend. This annual spectacle unravels inside the Monroeville Mall, where 1978 cult classic, Dawn of the Dead, was filmed on location. The weekend festival features everything from horror movie screenings to site tours and celebrity appearances. For a break from the zombies, tourists can reconnect with nature through picnics, walks, and even a round of disc golf at the 66-acre Monroeville Community Park West.
Malvern
This historic borough of Chester County maintains a long reputation for hauntings that draw paranormal investigators seeking to record unusual activity. Malvern is home to the Paoli Battlefield Historical Park, where scores of American patriots were killed during the American Revolutionary War. Past visitors have sworn to witnessing paranormal events while touring the 44-acre site, ranging from ghostly figures and phantom touches to unexplained whispers. The park also hosts historical reenactments of the battle and other events that transport you to the late 18th century.
Malvern also boasts a busy downtown area with diverse attractions. It welcomes theater enthusiasts to watch engaging live performances at People's Light, including dramas and musicals. Elsewhere, the Pennsylvania Distilling Company treats visitors to refreshing spirits crafted from local malts and grains.
Ligonier
Ligonier has a strong Scottish heritage that becomes evident every time it hosts the annual Ligonier Highland Games. This unique festival attracts thousands of locals and foreigners with events and games reflecting the community's Scottish roots. These include keg tossing, highland dancing, sheep shearing demonstrations, stone lifting competitions, and haggis hurling, accompanied by the sounds of bagpipes, making you feel like being in an authentic Scottish village.
Apart from the festival, the Ligonier Country Market features over 100 local vendors twice weekly with produce, baked goods, and artisanal crafts unqiue to Ligonier. Elsewhere, you can examine the town's military history at Fort Ligonier, where you will find the remains of an 18th-century British fort from the French and Indian War.
York
40 minutes from Harrisburg, York boasts a rich legacy of state and national history stretching back to the mid-1700s. First-timers can't help but notice the Haines Shoe House, which sits along U.S. Route 30. This quirky roadside attraction features a home designed in the shape of a boot, measuring 48 feet long and 17 feet high. It has three bedrooms, a living room, a recreation room, a kitchen area, a wooden frame interior, and a stucco exterior. Built in 1948 by Mahlon Haines to promote his line of shoe stores, it has evolved over the years and now hosts vacationers with an eye for the extraordinary in a handful of popular rental suites.
The York County History Center provides a detailed account of the area's heritage with the help of elaborate artifacts and archives. A stroll through the downtown district allows newcomers to explore enduring landmarks, such as the Central Market York, a public market listed on the National Register of Historic Placeswith which includes more than 50 local vendors.
Kane
Kane is a tiny borough in McKean County and yet another town in Pennsylvania with a fascination for the legend of Bigfoot. Every year, it hosts the Squatchfest Music Festival, which features a variety of family-friendly activities, live music, 4K video screenings, firework displays, and craft vendors, as well as an appearance by the Sasquatch himself!
The Kane Historic Preservation Society and Museum celebrates the community's heritage with a chronological display of stories and exhibits. Downtown Kane is home to a number of eateries and hot spots, inviting foodies and oenophiles to sample tasty local flavors at Flickerwood Wine Cellars and Cocktail Lounge. The establishment serves a mix of whites and reds in a cozy, comfortable environment.
Kecksburg
This small town in southwestern Pennsylvania hosts a community that takes pride in otherworldly sightings. Residents claim to have witnessed everything from black panthers and Bigfoot to UFOs. In 1965, the town was at the center of an alleged spaceship crash landing, and for 20 years, it has hosted the Kecksburg UFO Festival to honor the occasion. This unusual event draws conspirators, believers, and skeptics alike for three days, where attendees snap photos with a mystic UFO monument, compete in bed races and other competitions, and try to get to the bottom of what really happened on a December night 60 years ago.
If you don't manage to attend the festival, you can still visit the Kecksburg Space Arcon, which replicates the object reportedly seen in 1965. Here, you can read about the incident and decide for yourself what to believe. For a bit of down-to-earth family fun, Idlewild and SoakZone is an amusement park about half an hour away with a storybook forest and rides for kids of all ages.
Altoona
Altoona is a historic town in Blair County with a long-standing railroad heritage. It is also home of the Castle Halloween Museum, whose themed exhibits make it one of the most eccentric towns in Pennsylvania. This spooky museum displays a collection of more than 30,000 Halloween-related memorabilia and merchandise, accumulated through the years. From vintage costumes to hideous masks and eerie decorations to macabre sculptures, the location honors the popular holiday in all the best ways.
If jump scares and creepy costumes are not your thing, the Railroaders Memorial Museum provides a glimpse into the city's railroad heritage with an interactive collection of dioramas, artifacts, relics, and memorabilia dating back to when the railroad was passing through. If you visit with kids, take them to A Quaint Corner Children's Museum & Discovery Center for a fun and educational experience.
Lewistown
Lewistown is a charming little borough along the Juniata River Valley, a region known for celebrating Goose Day. This quirky festival, steeped in historical folklore, is premised on the belief that eating goose on the day in question brings about wealth and prosperity for years to come. Consequently, local diners and restaurants add goose dishes to their menu, inviting participants to indulge and improve their luck. Besides the feast, the event involves craft vendors, art exhibitions, children's activities, and more.
Lewistown also welcomes fans of the dark and mysterious for a classic scare at the Hidden Screams Haunted Attraction, with terrifying displays and unsettling props promising to leave the bravest of souls transfixed. After a wild day punctuated by mystery and oddities, head to Rec Park for a reset with a dip in the community pool or a bit of fishing in Kish Creek.
New Bethlehem
This sleepy village in Clarion County comes to life every September when it hosts the annual Peanut Butter Festival. Thousands gather at the town square to celebrate everything peanut butter through a series of themed events and contests. From crowning the Peanut Butter Queen to marching in the peanut butter parade and competing in the peanut butter eating contest, these family-friendly activities help draw the locals together while maintaining a long-held tradition. The celebrations also feature fireworks, car shows, craft vendors, and more.
The Gallery at New Bethlehem Town Center offers a taste of the region's art scene with an intimate collection of pottery, photographs, sculptures, and paintings. Meanwhile, outdoor lovers can enjoy the serene atmosphere of Gumtown Memorial Park, which has picnic tables and lots of shaded green space, and also hosts community events on its open-air stage.
Final Thought
Whether you plan to search for Bigfoot in Marienville or hope to spot a UFO in Kecksburg, these eccentric towns in Pennsylvania are more than simply roadside curiosities. Together, they invite travelers to experience their lore, legends, and unapologetic oddness. Each dares to be different while weaving together history, mystery, and community spirit in ways you won’t find elsewhere in the United States. So, consider a detour from the everyday adventure to discover the wonderfully weird corners that make Pennsylvania unforgettable.
