10 Pennsylvania Small Towns With Unmatched Friendliness

Pennsylvania license plates used to say, "You've Got a Friend in Pennsylvania." This slogan is as true today as it was in the past, and you'll find many welcoming and friendly communities throughout the state. Jim Thorpe welcomes thousands of visitors every autumn for its Fall Foliage Festival. Honesdale locals extend a friendly hand to people from across the state every August for the Wayne County Fair. And Punxsutawney hosts one of the biggest celebrations in the state for Groundhog Day. If you're looking for a Pennsylvania small town with unmatched friendliness, you're sure to find it in any of these 10 towns.

Lititz

When you imagine a friendly small town in Pennsylvania in your head, Lititz is what your imagination is likely to capture. This small town combines rustic charm with friendly locals who always welcome tourists to the heart of Amish country. The two main attractions in town both center around food. The Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery is the oldest operating pretzel bakery in the United States, and you can take a tour through the bakery and try your hand at hand-making pretzels yourself. The other major attraction in Lititz is the Wilbur Chocolate Retail Store, which sells sweet treats like chocolate-covered pretzels with a smile.

Come in the winter to see the friendliness on full display during the Lititz Fire & Ice Festival. This 10-day event lets local artists showcase their ice-sculpting skills, and you can warm up with food and drinks from local restaurants and food trucks.

Mount Joy

Just a short distance from Lititz is the little town of Mount Joy, also in Lancaster County and in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country. The community welcomes visitors to enjoy its local alcohol scene, one of the best in the state. Bube's Brewery and the Catacombs is an eclectic mix of a brewery, high-class food, and an art gallery that makes it worth the trip alone. For a different vibe, check out the Grandview Vineyard. Here, you'll find a beautiful outdoor patio for wine sampling and a romantic date night.

Alpacas are not a common sight in Pennsylvania, but they are in Mount Joy. At Eastland Alpacas, you'll get the chance to feed and pet friendly alpacas and take home some fur to commemorate your trip to Mount Joy.

Strasburg

Finish your tour of Lancaster County with a quick trip to Strasburg. Throughout the town, you'll find celebrations of the area's railroad heritage. Make your first stop the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. You'll find an extensive collection of trains dating back to the 19th century, with the chance to walk through some of them to get an idea of what it was like to drive these steel behemoths. For a chance to ride in style, book a trip on the Strasburg Rail Road. The line will take you through scenic Lancaster County to see the gorgeous countryside from the luxury of a train car.

If your kids are into trains, they'll find plenty to enjoy in Strasburg as well. The Choo Choo Barn features an extensive collection of working model trains traveling around the building, capturing the imagination of every child who visits.

Honesdale

For more railroad fun, you'll have to head north. About 30 miles north of Scranton, you'll find the town of Honesdale. While this town may seem like any other in the Poconos, it is actually an incredibly friendly town that has one of the most distinctive histories in the country, as many call it the birthplace of American railroading. That history is alive and well on the Stroudridge Line, a train you can take to explore the nearby area and get a crash course on Pennsylvania railroad history from the friendly conductors. If you still want to learn more about how the railroad developed in the community, the Wayne County Historical Society has numerous exhibits that trace the town's origins and the railroad's rise to prominence.

For the best experience, come during the Wayne County Fair in August to see one of Pennsylvania's oldest and biggest fairs. Your kids will appreciate the many rides, and you'll have a chance to sample some of the best local food and see live events like music, tractor pulls, and demolition derbies.

Jim Thorpe

Jim Thorpe is a beautiful and quirky town in the Poconos that has extended a friendly hand to visitors ever since it adopted the name of the former Olympian Jim Thorpe. Visitors make the trek for the natural beauty of the area, but they stay for the relaxing atmosphere and welcoming locals. That natural beauty is on full display while on a trip with the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, which will take you around the area. The scenic views are even more lovely during the fall. Speaking of fall, it's the best time to visit Jim Thorpe for a chance to attend the Fall Foliage Festival. The town's friendly atmosphere is especially evident during this festival throughout early October.

Music fans won't want to miss Jim Thorpe, as it hosts a surprising number of concerts. You'll find them at the Mauch Chunk Opera House, with an excellent stage for the performers and a dance floor for guests.

Milford

Also in the Poconos is Milford, a tiny and welcoming town where people and nature exist in harmony. The natural beauty is all around you in Milford, with trees on every street and the nearby Raymondskill Falls. After a short hike, you'll be treated to beautiful waterfalls that demonstrate just how aesthetically pleasing Pennsylvania can be.

Inside downtown, you'll find a few restaurants that will give you a good idea of how skillful, resourceful, and friendly the locals can be in Milford. The Waterwheel Café, Bakery & Bar offers a unique mix of American and Vietnamese food in a luxury atmosphere. For something a bit more casual, the Apple Valley Family Restaurant provides a laid-back atmosphere with classic American favorites like burgers, steaks, and lobster mac and cheese.

Franklin

On the other side of the state is Franklin. What was once a booming oil town is now a friendly town in Venango County that welcomes comers from all corners for its annual Applefest. During the festival, the town celebrates its various apple orchards with delicious food, live music, and crafts from local vendors. It's one of the biggest festivals in Western Pennsylvania, bringing in thousands of visitors.

Outside of festival week, there's still plenty to see in Franklin. The DeBence Antique Music World museum is one of the most memorable in the area, with exhibits taking you through the history of music recorders and how they developed over time. Thrifters will love Liberty Street Antiques, with countless antiques and vintage items on sale to take home as a souvenir of your time in town. And finish the day out with a trip to the Barrow-Civic Theatre that always has a new production on stage, whether it's a play, a concert, or a musical.

Bellefonte

Near State College, you'll find Bellefonte, a town that looks like it comes from the past. Many of the buildings still possess the Victorian architecture that makes it look unlike any other Pennsylvania town. The town is welcoming to visitors, with Talleyrand Park standing as the first place to visit. The relaxing park has plenty of space for walking, enjoying a picnic, or meeting some of the personable locals. The park also has statues to commemorate the seven Pennsylvania governors who called Bellefonte home.

For a look at central Pennsylvania's rising artists, take a trip to the Bellefonte Art Museum. In addition to art, it also hosts an exhibit about the Underground Railroad and how it affected the area. And after a day at the park and the museum, meet more of the locals while getting a bite to eat at Axemann Brewery.

Ligonier

Don't let the fort in the middle of town scare you; Ligonier is one of the most welcoming towns in all of Pennsylvania. The prime attraction in town is, of course, Fort Ligonier, a reconstruction of an 18th-century British fort. You can take a guided tour of the fort to learn more about its original purpose and the efforts to recreate it for a modern world. And no trip to Ligonier is complete without a trip with the family to Idlewild & SoakZone. It is one of the oldest amusement parks in the country, with plenty of rides for kids and a wave pool for those hot summer days.

History buffs will want to visit in October for the annual Fort Ligonier Days celebration. The festival commemorates the battle that happened in the area during the French & Indian War, with reenactments, food, and local brews.

Punxsutawney

Few towns in Pennsylvania see their population swell as much for a yearly tradition as Punxsutawney. Tens of thousands of people gather in the town every February 2 for Groundhog Day. During the celebration, the town puts on a friendly face with activities throughout the local park and movie screenings at the community center. It all culminates with the prognostication of Punxsutawney Phil at Gobbler's Knob. If you've never made the trip, it's an unforgettable experience; just dress warm.

In town, you'll find plenty of weather and groundhog-related activities to enjoy throughout the year. The Punxsutawney Weather Discovery Center provides exhibits about how weather and meteorology work in a fun, kid-friendly way. And you can meet Punxsutawney Phil year-round at Phil's Burrow outside the library.

Enjoy a Warm Hello on Your Next Trip to Pennsylvania

No matter what you're looking for during a visit to Pennsylvania, you'll find it in any of these towns. From local festivals where towns come alive, to breweries with delicious drinks and friendly atmospheres, Pennsylvania towns have something to offer everyone. Don't forget, "you've got a friend in Pennsylvania."