12 Offbeat Pennsylvania Towns To Visit In 2026
Pennsylvania is one of the most interesting and quirkiest states in the country. The state offers a variety of offbeat celebrations and attractions that appeal to almost everyone. Take Punxsutawney, for example. This small town brings in tens of thousands of tourists from across the world for its annual Groundhog Day celebration. And that is just the start. The town of Mars displays a flying saucer statue and Monroeville has a mall made famous by one of the most popular zombie movies of all time.
Punxsutawney
Perhaps no small town in America is as well known as Punxsutawney. The annual home of Groundhog Day, residents of the "Weather Capital of the World" and thousands of tourists descend on Gobbler's Knob to see a weather prediction from the groundhog Punxsutawney Phil. You can meet Phil throughout the year, as visitors can stop by his burrow at the Punxsutawney Memorial Library.
The entire town embraces this offbeat and fun celebration with plenty of groundhog-related and weather-related fun. The Phantastic Phil statues are scattered around town, with Phil dressed up in costumes associated with local businesses and institutions. The Punxsutawney Weather Discovery Center holds interactive exhibits for kids to learn more about the science of weather.
Centralia
Centralia is one of the most unusual towns to visit in Pennsylvania, with a current population of only five people. It was once a mining town with around 1,000 residents, but a mine fire in 1962 caused almost all of the population to leave. The fire still burns today, and the state claimed the entire town under eminent domain.
One of the only buildings left standing in the town is the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary church that overlooks the area on a hill. Use caution if you plan to visit, as much of the ground is dangerous with sinkholes. There is no place like it in Pennsylvania, and it is a chance to see an actual ghost town.
Jim Thorpe
Jim Thorpe is a strange town perfect for those who enjoy the quirky side of life. It takes its name from the legendary athlete Jim Thorpe, who never actually lived here. However, his remains are buried in town, making Jim Thorpe's Grave one of the first places people visit when they arrive. The grave site provides an informative look at his life and career.
Outside of its connection to the athlete, the "Switzerland of America" offers plenty of attractions. The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway runs train rides through scenic Pennsylvania, especially eye-catching in the fall. You can also catch a live music performance at the Mauch Chunk Opera House.
Strasburg
There are plenty of towns in Pennsylvania with a history built around the railroad, but few embrace it like Strasburg. Railroad lovers will enjoy this quirky town that has earned its nickname of "Train Town USA."
The star attraction in town is the Strasburg Rail Road. This is still a functioning railway that offers train rides to see the countryside of Lancaster County at a relaxed pace. Right next door is the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, which houses an extensive display of trains throughout history. If you are bringing any children who are train aficionados, don't miss the Choo Choo Barn, with extensive model train setups.
Mars
In Pennsylvania, you don't have to go to space to see Mars. The borough of Mars in Butler County has a strange name, made more bizarre by the fact that no one seems to know where it came from. The town has had the name since 1882, and today it plays up its odd name and connection to the red planet.
The most notable attraction is the Mars Flying Saucer in downtown, perfect for a photo op. The town also runs a festival called Mars New Year, which celebrates one year on Mars (687 Earth days). Many local vendors gather with Martian-themed crafts and artwork. If you're passing through for a chance to see the flying saucer, stop in at Stick City Brewing Company for live music.
Intercourse
While the name is rather suggestive today, Intercourse had a more innocent connotation when it came into use. The town's name originally evoked the idea of fellowship, coming from the town's position at a crossroads of two important roads and its role as a hub for travelers.
Today, Intercourse is a popular tourist destination due to its name and proximity to Amish Country in Lancaster County. If you enjoy rhubarb, plan a May visit for the Rhubarb Festival with jams and pies for sale. If you can't make it during festival week, the Jam and Relish Kitchen always carries jams and plenty of baked goods. Antique car enthusiasts will love Barry's Car Barn in town, with a collection of classic cars across the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s.
Doylestown
Doylestown is a town for art lovers. Like many lovers of the arts, it carries a quirky character that makes it a singular place to visit in Pennsylvania. For starters, it is one of the only places in America with a castle. Fonthill Castle used to be a private mansion (built by Henry Mercer between 1908 and 1912) and is now a museum open to the public, with architecture unlike anything else in the world. It sits right next to the Mercer Museum, which holds countless artifacts from America before the Industrial Revolution.
Doylestown, near Philadelphia, also hosts an annual Arts Festival in September, which celebrates local artists and those who have used the town for inspiration in the past.
Monroeville
Pennsylvania might not be the first state you think of when you think about movies, but the state has seen some important film history. No location is as memorable as the Monroeville Mall, the filming location for George Romero's 1978 zombie classic Dawn of the Dead. The mall has become a popular destination for fans of the film and still retains much of the look from the original shoot.
Monroeville, near Pittsburgh, embraces this weird quirk with the annual Living Dead Weekend held every year at the Monroeville Mall. The town also has a yearly gathering for those who enjoy the nerdy side of life at Steel City Con at the Monroeville Convention Center.
Kane
Kane has the unusual trait of being a hub for Bigfoot activity in Pennsylvania, with many Bigfoot hunters gathering in the town. Because the area sits in the middle of the Allegheny National Forest, many locals and visitors have claimed to see Sasquatch in the woods. The town embraces this reputation with the annual Sasquatchfest at the Kane Family Drive-In, where vendors and Bigfoot hunters descend on the city to compare findings.
When you're done searching for Bigfoot, take a chance to relax and enjoy some of the local haunts, like Twisted Vine Winery.
Hershey
A short drive from the state capital in Harrisburg is the "Sweetest Place on Earth." Hershey is famous as the birthplace of the Hershey Company, which has been producing chocolate since 1894. The company still has its headquarters in the town, and the residents embrace this unusual identity, with street lights in the shape of Hershey Kisses.
The main attraction is Hersheypark, the largest theme park in the state. It has several roller coasters, a water park, and slower-paced rides for younger children. ZooAmerica is right next door, offering children the chance to pet some of the animals. The Hershey Gardens is one of the finest botanical gardens in the state, with exotic species and well-maintained grounds.
Phoenixville
Phoenixville is another offbeat Pennsylvania town with deep film history, having served as the filming location of the 1958 Steve McQueen film, The Blob. The town celebrates this fun part of its history every year during BlobFest, with several entertaining activities and multiple screenings of the film at the Colonial Theatre.
The other major annual celebration evokes the fictional phoenix the town takes its name from. The Firebird Festival is a celebration of the local history of the area and the arts. It also celebrates how the town has risen like a phoenix after the economic downturn that came when the Phoenix Iron Works closed.
Lititz
Have you always wanted to try your hand at making your own pretzels but never had the time? A quick trip to Lititz will fix that. The town is home to the Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery, which has been baking pretzels in the community since 1861. Inside, visitors can tour the original ovens, learn more about pretzel baking in America, and shape their own pretzel with guidance from the experts.
You'll find many local businesses like that attending the annual Lititz Fire and Ice Festival every February. Experts create ice sculptures, and the vendors hand out food samples. For more quirkiness, visit the Wolf Sanctuary of PA outside Lititz, with guided tours and special events every full moon.
Check Out the Quirky Side of Pennsylvania
A mall that became famous in a zombie film, a worldwide celebration of a groundhog, a town named after an athlete who never lived there, and another that takes its name from the red planet. Pennsylvania has no shortage of weird, interesting, and quirky places to visit. The next time you are in the Keystone State, make sure to visit these offbeat towns.
