11 Picture-Perfect Main Streets In Pennsylvania

You know a Pennsylvania main street is working when you slow down without meaning to. Lititz has America's first commercial pretzel bakery still twisting dough on East Main Street. Wellsboro lights its blocks with gas lamps that have glowed for more than a century. Latrobe claims the banana split and throws a whole festival for it every August. These eleven downtowns give your camera something honest to point at.

Lititz

In the heart of Amish country, this timeless town brings the past into the present. Lititz's history dates back to the 1700s, and the main streets tell the story. Count Nicholas Ludwig von Zinzendorf of Saxony, Germany, organized the modern-day Moravian Church, and the settlement took the name Lititz in 1756. Walking down Main Street, you will find the Moravian congregation and Linden Hall, founded by the Moravians in 1746 and considered the oldest girls' boarding school in continuous operation in the country. Across the street, explore America's first and oldest pretzel bakery, Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery, founded by the namesake when he was 26 in 1861. Dive deeper into this historical gem of a place with a trip to the Lititz Historical Society and the Mary Oehme Gardens.

Wellsboro

Wellsboro is the county seat of Tioga County in north-central Pennsylvania, with a population of just 3,437. Because of the small population, the area lacks the big chain stores and restaurants Americans are used to seeing everywhere, allowing mom-and-pop entities to thrive. Spend a day shopping and eating on Main Street at quaint shops and diners. Visit The Main Street Creamery and Highland Chocolates to satisfy your sweet tooth, and make sure to stop by the Timeless Destination for dinner. You can stay and play on Main Street, too, at the Penn Wells Hotel and The Green. If you are looking to get out of town, you are just a short drive from the Pine Creek Gorge, better known as the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. But whatever you do, make sure you make it back to Main Street for their annual Dickens of a Christmas Festival, when the whole town transforms into a Victorian age winter wonderland!

Ligonier

This colonial town has everything a small town should: a rich history, family-owned businesses, and friendly residents ready to welcome you in. On Market Street, you will find Fort Ligonier, a reconstructed fort from the French and Indian War. Continue down to The Diamond to soak up the idyllic charm of the heart of town. With a park in the center and small businesses all around, this city center cannot be missed. Grab an ice cream from the Ligonier Creamery and walk through the park. When it's too cold to eat ice cream outdoors, the Ligonier Valley Library, Abigail's Coffeehouse, and the Diamond Cafe offer peaceful places to slow down. Turn down Main Street and catch a show at the historic Diamond Theatre, see some art at the Main Exhibit Art Gallery, and stay the night at the Colonial House on Main Bed & Breakfast.

Hershey

Hershey, Pennsylvania, is best known as the home of Milton Hershey and his chocolate empire, but its main streets contribute to the town's moniker of "The Sweetest Place on Earth." Behind Hersheypark, the large amusement park and ZooAmerica, the interconnected North American zoo, is Chocolate Avenue. Chocolate Avenue features lesser-trafficked attractions such as the Hershey Theatre and the Hershey Story museum, and is lined with streetlights shaped like Hershey Kisses for maximum allure. Eat at Hershey Social Restaurant + Bar on Chocolate Ave or head to the Fresh Market at Hershey Towne Square to pick up local ingredients to master your own recipe. Exercise your mind at Escape Room Hershey, or relax your body at the MeltSpa by Hershey. In the summer, you can catch free concerts at ChocolateTown Square Park on the corner of Chocolate Avenue and Cocoa Avenue.

Towanda

Towanda, county seat of Bradford County, may be one of Pennsylvania's best-kept secrets. The adorable town sits along the Susquehanna River and boasts beautiful main streets. The Towanda Business District was entered into the National Register of Historical Places in 1992, with 441 structures contributing. Greek Revival and Queen Anne architecture abounds, with Gothic Revival, Second Empire, and Italianate styles also interspersed. Walk down Main Street to see the gorgeous Bradford County Courthouse, enjoy a cup of java at the Community Cup Coffee and Teahouse, and enjoy the small town hospitality at the Havens Main Street Diner. Go over a block to John B Merrill Parkway and cross the railroad tracks to stroll along the path beside the river. Don't quit the view just because it's mealtime; The Flying Taco Mexican Restaurant has an outdoor patio overlooking the Susquehanna. Walk across State Street after your meal and check into the Bradford Inn to spend the night for this serene and scenic getaway.

Grove City

Grove City, originally known as Pine Grove and established in 1883, is a small college town in Mercer County, about 60 miles north of Pittsburgh. Isaac C. Ketler founded The Pine Grove Normal Academy in 1876, which became Grove City College in 1884. The private Christian university boasts a beautiful campus, and Broad Street looks like a Hallmark movie come to life. Eat your fill while surveying the town at locally owned establishments like Beans on Broad and the Broad Street Grille, and be sure to soak in the architecture of the historic Tower Church. Shop at unique, local boutiques or drive out to the Grove City Premium Outlets.

Northumberland

Northumberland was first settled in 1772 when William Penn's sons transferred four tracts of land to John Lowdon and William Patterson, but it wasn't incorporated as a borough until 1828. Seated on the Susquehanna River, Northumberland became a hub for trade via the Pennsylvania Canal and Pennsylvania Railroad, and the town boomed. The people were, and still are, industrious and kind, and their main streets grew because of it. Shop at Millie Boutique + Jewelry Bar for trendy and affordable women's fashion, then show off your new style at Front Street Station for a special dining experience and live performances. Then cap off your night at Pineknotter Brewing Company for a local taste on a nostalgic main street in Pennsylvania.

Tunkhannock

Tunkhannock borough was incorporated in 1841 and derives its name from the Native American term meaning "meeting of the waters," as the Tunkhannock Creek and Susquehanna River merge at this town. Here at the meeting of the waters, Tunkhannock provides a beautiful setting for a bustling shopping district. Tioga and Bridge Streets near the water offer great shops and restaurants with a small-town vibe. Be sure to book your room and stay all weekend at The Prince Hotel, so you have plenty of time to eat your way through Tunkhannock's main streets. Twigs Restaurant & Cafe offers local brews, gluten-free and vegan options, and an outdoor patio so you can stay in the action. For lighter fare, find the Yearbook Diner a couple of doors down. Keep going to find Pesos Pizza & Southwest Grill, Tioga Bistro, Draught & Barrel, and Country Kitchen by Bre. Once you are truly stuffed, catch a movie at the historic Dietrich Theater, which also hosts a variety of classes and events.

Latrobe

If you follow football closely, you may recognize Latrobe as the home of Saint Vincent College, where the Pittsburgh Steelers hold their training camp each year. If you follow golf, you may know it as the home of Arnold Palmer. If you know your entertainment history, you may understand it to be the hometown of everybody's favorite neighbor, Mr. Fred Rogers.

But did you know that this town is home to the iconic banana split? Local "soda jerk" David Strickler invented the sundae in 1904, and it quickly swept the nation, becoming an essential part of Americana. With so much history coming out of this town of less than 8,000 people, it's no surprise its main streets are just as industrious. Meet these creative and hard-working individuals at the Ligonier Country Market on Ligonier Street in downtown Latrobe, then continue your local shopping at the Rose Style Shop on Ligonier or Eclectique on Main. Check out some art at the Latrobe Art Center, or play some pool at Latrobe Billiards. But whatever you do, make sure you return for the annual Latrobe Great American Banana Split Celebration held in August!

Punxsutawney

Punxsutawney is named for the Native American word for sand-flies, though the town is now associated with a much cuter critter. Punxsutawney Phil comes on national television every year from "the weather capital of the world" to let us know how many more weeks of winter to expect. And while Groundhog Day is quite the thing to experience in the area, the town offers more sweet experiences year-round. Punxsutawney doesn't just have one or two main streets; it's a walkable town with something to find on nearly every block. Chase down the numerous Punxsutawney Phil statues throughout the town as you explore, and be sure to stop by The Punxsutawney Weather Discovery Center. For more themed fun, check out The Burrow bar and grill and Groundhog Grindz coffee shop.

Uniontown

Uniontown is part of the Pittsburgh Metropolitan area, giving you a small-town vibe with big city energy. The history of Uniontown reaches back to before the founding of our nation, when young Henry Beeson was traveling through and fell in love with the area in 1768. Learn more about the rich history by taking a walking tour of the town. Catch a show at the State Theatre Center for the Arts on Main Street. Then fill up at one of the many local restaurants such as Meloni's Restaurant, Rizz's Restaurant and Bar, or Titlow Tavern & Grille. Raven's fans be warned: this town bleeds black and gold, and Pittsburgh is well represented, usually in the form of a neon logo hanging in the window.

Where Pennsylvania Keeps Its Character

What ties these eleven towns together is not size or setting but the fact that their main streets still do a job. Lititz and Northumberland grew up around a specific trade and kept the buildings that trade paid for. Latrobe and Punxsutawney turned a single local invention into a yearly reason for the whole town to gather. Wellsboro and Towanda hold onto the architecture and the independent storefronts that chains elsewhere replaced decades ago. Each one rewards the same thing: parking the car, walking a few blocks, and paying attention to what a working downtown looks like when a community decides to keep it.