9 Prettiest Main Streetscapes In Pennsylvania
Founded in 1681 as a haven for Quakers, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania grew into a pivotal colony before achieving statehood in 1776. Today, its rich history underpins its small boroughs and towns, set against a backdrop of evergreen forests and the rustic Allegheny Mountains. This historic setting is predominant at the Gettysburg National Battlefield, one of many heritage sites that make the small village so memorable.
The following small cities feature some of the state’s most admired downtowns. Hershey, for example, "The Sweetest Place on Earth," honors the local figure who shaped the town at the Hershey Story Museum on Chocolate Avenue, as well as other notable downtown landmarks. Pennsylvania’s history and culture are evident in its Victorian villages, especially at the Mauch Chunk Opera House in Jim Thorpe, giving visitors a true sense of the area.
Gettysburg
Gettysburg is famous for its Civil War history at locations such as the Gettysburg National Military Park, but it is also notable for its downtown area. The district centers around Lincoln Square, an exquisite community hub lined with vintage brick buildings, including The Inn, one of four Civil War-era buildings left on the historic town square.
Walking through the incredible streetscape feels like a trip through time, where virtually every building has a story to tell. The David Willis House is one such structure, along with the Lincoln Statue in the front. Although the house is currently closed, its historical significance as the site where Lincoln finalized the Gettysburg Address makes it worth seeing to read the historical markers and see the statue.
Hershey
Known as "The Sweetest Place on Earth," the town of Hershey revolves around the iconic chocolate that has put it on the map. This story unfolds on Chocolate Avenue, where visitors can tour the Hershey Story Museum and learn about the chocolate empire Milton S. Hershey created. The entrepreneur was also a notable philanthropist, and much of Chocolate Avenue reflects his creative vision. The Hershey Theatre, designed in 1915 and opened in 1933, boasts lavish marble walls, lava rock floors, and a collection of 25 lion sculptures, the theater’s signature symbol.
Just a mile away from the main drag is The Hotel Hershey, built in 1933 amid the Great Depression. The hotel showcases a blend of Cuban and European influences, inspired by Milton Hershey’s travels abroad. These cosmopolitan touches are evident throughout many of his buildings in Hershey. These venues, alongside the family-friendly Hershey's ChocolateTown theme park, make Chocolate Avenue one of the best streetscapes in this region.
Jim Thorpe
Jim Thorpe, dubbed the "Switzerland of America," is remarkable, with its downtown area boasting Victorian-era architecture lining Broadway Street. Stroll the district and go back in time at Antiques on Broadway and The Treasure Shop, where you can shop for unique finds. Jim Thorpe looks like a Norman Rockwell painting, so it is no surprise that creativity flourishes here at venues like Mauch Chunk Opera House.
The performance theater, built in 1881, has the town's original name and is one of the oldest continuously operating theaters in the United States. The latter months are among the best times to visit, when Jim Thorpe becomes a winter wonderland during the annual Jim Thorpe Winterfest. Downtown is illuminated in white Christmas lights, adding grandeur and beauty to a town that already has plenty of both.
Kennett Square
Downtown Kennett Square is a charming historic borough in the Brandywine Valley. Often referred to as the "Mushroom Capital of the World," the town produces more than half of America's annual mushroom supply. Locals celebrate this heritage at the annual Kennett Square Mushroom Festival, a great time to visit this sleepy hamlet.
The area revolves around State Street, which draws many shoppers for its array of local shops, including Chantilly Blue and Green Eyed Lady. Modern styles enhance classic brick Colonial Revival and Federalist-style buildings. Eateries enhance the aesthetic, as at Talula’s Table, where patrons appreciate its farm-to-table sandwiches, fresh pastries, and Chester County cheeses.
New Hope
The Delaware River flows around New Hope, a town known for its arts, culture, and friendly community. Historic venues like the 1939 Bucks County Playhouse on Main Street showcase the creative talent that is an innate characteristic of the borough. Other historical structures on the main road include Parry Mansion, completed in 1784, which remains a central landmark in town.
Among the many historic structures are the art galleries that highlight regional artists, including Arete Gallery. There is also a close-knit feeling to the area, especially at downtown gathering hubs like Vanilla Cafe and the Nektar Wine Bar. The wine bar offers Mediterranean-style small plates that are perfect for sampling while lounging on the patio.
Easton
Easton's downtown is defined by its 19th-century buildings, which have become a modern shopping destination and cultural hub. Its culture and history can be seen firsthand at the 1753 Bachmann Publick House or the State Theatre Center for the Arts. The home, just outside downtown, is one of the oldest in the county and is famous for hosting many signers of the Declaration of Independence, including Benjamin Franklin.
The theater was built in 1873 as a bank and converted to a performance hall in 1910. Today, it hosts many shows a year and, according to some accounts, is home to friendly ghosts. Downtown also has a vibrant culinary scene, from casual dining to fine cheeses at Centre Square Cheese, showcasing the diversity that makes Easton such a fantastic stop in Pennsylvania.
Bedford
Downtown Bedford is recognized as a nationally accredited Main Street Program for its contributions to the community for over 250 years. It also has a small-town atmosphere, which is on display at community events like Wheels and Wings and the Art Walk, which bring people together to celebrate its heritage. Window shopping is a favourite pastime here, with local shops and eateries like Olde Bedford Brewing Company perfect for unwinding with the locals.
The quirky Big Coffee Pot on Pitt Street, just outside downtown Bedford, is a local icon dating to 1927, when it was used as a marketing ploy for passersby on Highway 30. The 18-foot statue started as a diversion to let motorists know there was a lunch spot in town, before it converted to a bar in the mid-1930s. The Whiskey River Pub, also on Pitt Street, provides a fun, local atmosphere with a nod to George Washington's stay at Fort Bedford on his way to resolve the Whiskey Rebellion.
Lewistown
Historic downtown Lewistown stretches along the Juniata River, known for its roots as a 19th-century transportation hub via the Pennsylvania Canal. It also played a pivotal role in the Civil War, and much of it can be explored through remaining structures, such as the 1849 Lewistown Train Station. The turn of the century saw an economic boom, with the Ahrens Building and Eby's Drug Store, both available to tour today.
The district is anchored by historic Monument Square, which is easy to spot for its two monuments honoring Civil War sailors and soldiers, completed in 1906. Near the town square, on Market Square, is Wilson's Gift and Jewelry, dubbed "On the Corner, On the Square" by locals for an advertising campaign in 1971. This phrase, which has stuck around for all these years, highlights the connection between the residents and one of the best streetscapes in Pennsylvania.
Doylestown
Main Street and State Street form the core of downtown Doylestown, a district defined by traditional storefronts and the Art Deco County Theater. The nostalgic theater is part of the borough's Cultural District, along with the Bucks County Civil War Museum and other galleries. The museum houses rare artifacts and over 1,500 books detailing the county's contribution to the war.
The walkable district features several other notable attractions, including Fonthill Castle and the Mercer Museum. The castle was the home of archaeologist, anthropologist, and antiquarian Henry Chapman Mercer, who used the space to showcase his impressive collection of tiles and prints. The six-story museum, a reinforced castle built by Mercer, has become the county's cultural epicenter.
Beautiful Pennsylvania Streetscapes
Victorian villages and towns devoted to sweet confections are just two of the prettiest streetscapes in Pennsylvania. There is no shortage of history in this state, as seen in Gettysburg and Easton, adding a sense of America's birth to the scenic downtown districts. Natural elements, like the Delaware River running beside New Hope, add to a backdrop that seems lifted from a bygone era.
The region is also known for its farm-to-table approach, especially in Kennett Square, which rose to prominence for its mushroom cultivation. This "shop local" mentality is evident in each small borough, bringing an inclusiveness and small-town charm to the hamlets. These nine towns have some of the most inviting streetscapes in the Commonwealth, each reflecting the traditions and character that define Pennsylvania.
