11 Most Charming Town Squares In Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is shaped by century-old stories that show up in shared central spaces where parks and historic storefronts converge. The most storied town squares in Pennsylvania bridge the gap between the past and the present, forming the social core that brings downtown to life. These squares take many shapes. Lititz has a V-shaped intersection and Gettysburg a central roundabout. Each of the town squares below is worth exploring on your next trip.

Gettysburg

Four main roads feed directly into a central roundabout known as Lincoln Square, Gettysburg's historic brick-and-stone downtown center. The Gettysburg Hotel commands the western side. Originally built as a tavern, it once functioned as a Civil War hospital. Today, the 119-room hotel welcomes guests to a centrally located property rich in history and fitted with modern comforts. Majestic Theatre is right next door, a renovated vaudeville house that hosts live performances, art exhibits, and award-winning independent films. Crossing over at York Street, Gallery 30 packs a 6,000-square-foot retail space with local artisan jewelry, regional folk art, and handmade home decor. Wrap up the day with a drink or two at The Pub & Restaurant, an English-style tavern that serves microbrewed beers and classic American fare.

Ligonier

An ornate Victorian bandstand with a copper dome serves as the centerpiece of The Diamond, the town square of Ligonier, at the intersection of Main and Market Streets. Music on Main draws summer crowds to the square for a series of intimate concerts, while Ligonier Ice Fest takes over in the winter, featuring sculptors who use chainsaws to transform large blocks of ice into works of art. Throughout the day, The Kitchen on Main is a minute or two away on foot from the central gazebo. The open kitchen crafts regional comfort food, including farm-fresh egg omelets and pepper-crusted Angus burgers.

Fort Ligonier is on the next block, the perfect way to learn about the borough's history. Full-scale reconstructions of the original fortification are on-site, providing a closer look at the history of the French and Indian War. The museum, on the other hand, displays 18th-century paintings and archaeological collections.

Lititz

Voted "America's Coolest Small Town," Lititz combines 18th-century heritage with a vibrant and walkable downtown. A stone memorial fountain marks the center of Lititz Square, a V-shaped intersection at Broad and Main Streets. Lititz Springs Park is the highlight, a seven-acre green space with a natural spring winding past scenic bridges, a retired caboose that now houses railroad memorabilia, and a bandshell that hosts various community events. Just outside the park, Candy Americana Museum is a sweet tooth treasure trove that packs antique porcelain cocoa pots and vintage candy-making machinery, with seasoned chocolatiers making hand-crafted sweet treats.

At East Main Street, Johannes Mueller House has docents in costumes leading tours of a 1792 limestone home that provides a glimpse of early Moravian life. Continue walking to the next block, and you'll land at Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery, the first commercial pretzel store in the United States. Interactive tours are on offer, including a hands-on experience in pretzel twisting.

Easton

On July 8, 1776, a crowd gathered at the Great Square to hear the Declaration of Independence read aloud, one of the three public readings on that day. Since then, it has been Easton's stage and is now known as Centre Square. The Soldiers and Sailors Monument stands proud in the square, a 75-foot-tall granite obelisk that commemorates the Union's Civil War veterans. On the square's Northampton side, the Bachmann Publick House, a restored stone inn and tavern built in 1753 that once hosted Benjamin Franklin, takes guests on a guided tour that tackles the American Revolution. State Theatre Centre for the Arts is along the same drag, a vaudeville house listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It takes care of local entertainment, providing a full lineup of headline concerts and live musicals.

Chambersburg

Confederate troops burned most of Chambersburg in 1864, making it the only northern town destroyed during the Civil War. That piece of history still lives in Memorial Square today. The Memorial Fountain and Statue rise from the center, a cast-iron monument honoring the thousands of lives lost during the war. History buffs can visit Chambersburg Heritage Center for self-guided exhibits that tackle the arrival of European settlers, the devastating effects of the Civil War, and the town's connection to the Underground Railroad. Meanwhile, the Old Jail dates back to 1818 and survived a devastating fire, now a museum with century-old jail cells where you can learn about Chambersburg's darker chapters. Your day wraps up with a live musical or classic film screening at Capitol Theatre, where architectural details are reminiscent of a bygone era.

Somerset

Mountain elevations and crisp Laurel Highlands air naturally elevate the visual drama at the Uptown Somerset Historic District, also known as "The Diamond" among locals. The Somerset County Courthouse dominates the skyline, with a limestone facade and towering copper dome, rising above every other downtown building.

On Saturdays from June to October, the downtown district comes alive with the SoCo Farmers' Market. Arrive with an empty stomach and enjoy a feast of handmade cinnamon rolls, freshly picked fruits, and pasture-raised meats. Nearby, shop for artisan breads and maple syrup to take home at Cascio's Fruit Market, a family-run, four-generation store that has operated for over 100 years.

Bedford

A unique colonial layout splits the downtown center in Bedford into The Squares, a cluster of four grassy park quadrants. The Bedford County Courthouse is one of the most prominent landmarks in the area, with an instantly recognizable brick facade and cupola. A short walk down a brick sidewalk is the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, a Federalist-style house with a rotating collection of regional fine art. Located right next door, Golden Eagle Inn takes care of your accommodations. This quaint bed and breakfast was originally built in 1794 and is now operating with 16 well-appointed rooms, an on-site restaurant, and an in-house whiskey bar. On the same drag is Bedford Candies, which sells gourmet popcorn, chocolate-covered pretzels, and gooey fudges.

Lewistown

In Lewistown's Monument Square, a Civil War memorial stands on a granite block taken from Abraham Lincoln's tomb in Illinois. Behind the monument is the Mifflin County Courthouse, a Greek Revival building that frames the town square. The 19th-century McCoy House sits on an adjacent street. Major General Frank Ross McCoy's former home has been converted into a museum filled with military artifacts, period furniture, and antique weapons. Right next door is The Crooked Shelf Bookshop, a cozy independent bookstore that sells current bestsellers, puzzles, and locally-made gifts. At the end of North Main Street, Jim Tunall Memorial Park offers an intimate green space with a community garden.

Stroudsburg

Set into the scenic foothills of the Pocono Mountains, Stroudsburg is a lively cultural gateway to northern Pennsylvania. At the center of this mountain destination lies Courthouse Square, a lively plaza with pedestrian sidewalks and colorful murals. Monroe Farmers Market has operated in the same location for four decades. Every Saturday morning, local vendors set up stalls packed with organic mountain produce, fresh honey, and hand-roasted gourmet coffee. Outside the lively market, Pocono Soap is a mom-and-pop shop in an 1865 building that sells handmade bath products, from bar soaps to body washes. Less than five minutes on foot, the Sherman Theater handles local entertainment. A fully-equipped 1920s venue hosts a weekly rotation of touring concerts, stand-up comedies, and regional festivals.

Jim Thorpe

Jim Thorpe is known as "The Switzerland of America," a reference to its dramatic alpine views and hillside architecture. Josiah White Park serves as the town square, overlooking the Lehigh River. A short stroll uphill leads to the Mauch Chunk Opera House, one of the oldest vaudeville theaters in the country, hosting live musical performances and theatrical acts. Along the same stretch of West Broadway, the Old Jail Museum recounts the grim stories of 19th-century prisoners and provides a look at their old cells, including one with a prominent hand imprint of an executed coal miner. Wrap up the day with a drink at Molly Maguires Irish Pub, located in the old Hotel Switzerland. It's next to Jim Thorpe Trolley Company, a local operator that offers narrated trips around town for those who don't like walking around.

Media

A bustling commuter suburb 12 miles west of downtown Philadelphia, Media holds the distinction of being the first Fair Trade Town in the country. The merchant community directly framing Veterans Square upholds this recognition. Earth & State serves as a prime example, offering a curated collection of ethically sourced arts and crafts from all over the world. Meanwhile, Bittersweet Kitchen handles your caffeine fix and food cravings. The homey cafe has a diverse lineup of New American eats and serves organic, fair-trade coffee roasted in Central Pennsylvania.

A restored 1927 Art Deco building houses the Media Theatre for the Performing Arts and hosts Broadway-caliber productions. The Pennsylvania Veterans Museum is one block away. Here, you can see rare combat gear collections and realistic dioramas that honor the regional military.

Where The Community Gathers In The Keystone State

Walking around the most storied town squares in Pennsylvania makes you realize one thing: history isn't trapped behind a museum but built right into the pavement. From the Centre Square in Easton, which was once a venue for the reading of the Declaration of Independence, to the Memorial Square in Chambersburg that rose from the ashes when the town was burned during the Civil War, each historic town center has a story to tell, waiting to be discovered.