The Best Small Towns in Pennsylvania for a Weekend Retreat
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a gorgeous state bordering the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Great Lakes, and Appalachian regions of the US. It also gave birth to the nation and has many American firsts. Among other establishments, Pennsylvania was the first state to have a university and a hospital.
Whether looking for history, outdoor adventure, or a quaint downtown with great food, you will find it here in Pennsylvania. It is a gorgeous state for a getaway any time of the year. Here are the best small towns for a weekend retreat.
Gettysburg
Gettysburg is one of the most historic towns in America and is a history buff's dream. It's known for the Gettysburg National Battlefield, pivotal in the American Civil War. The Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center, which showcases Civil War artifacts, is on the site.
The town is virtually a living history museum with daily live reenactments. There are also historic homes like the Jennie Wade House, now a museum dedicated to domestic wartime life. The Dobbin House Tavern, established in 1776, is open daily. Guided tours and a bed and breakfast inn are available to immerse yourself in history.
Ligonier
Ligonier is a small borough that was settled in the 1760s. Today, it is known for having one of the country's oldest amusement parks, Idlewild. Ligonier was named for Fort Ligonier. The British Fort was a fortification during the French and Indian War and is a historical landmark today.
The friendly town also has a popular downtown square, the Diamond. Established in 1894, the Diamond recently underwent a $3.5 million renovation, including heated sidewalks for winter storms. Ligonier is considered one of the friendliest towns in America by many. A weekend retreat is ideal for historical sites, a charming downtown, and great dining and lodging.
Lititz
Lititz was founded in 1757 and is known for its history and Georgian architecture. The Welcoming Center is opposite Wilbur Chocolate, founded in 1894 downtown. If you stop and look around, you will notice all the historic buildings surrounding you. Wilbur is on Broad Street, intersecting with Main Street, the heart of Lititz.
The oldest pretzel bakery in the US, Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery, is located here. Walking around or riding the rail trail is the best way to soak in the charm of this magnificent town. The Fourth of July is a great time to visit. Lititz holds the record for the nation's longest continuous Fourth of July celebrations.
Ridgway
The Clarion River runs through Ridgway, a town once known for Gilded Age land barons. The town became prominent in the early 20th century because more millionaires resided here per capita in the US. Ridgway is also the gateway to the Allegheny National Forest.
The Lily of the Valley National Historic District contains downtown and a substantial residential area with 730 historic structures. The tree-lined streets wrap around 19th—and early 20th-century mansions. Some antique mansions are available for visitors to rent for short stays.
Bradford
Bradford is the birthplace of the Zippo lighter and has the nation's oldest oil refinery. The 15,000-square-foot Zippo/Case Museum and Flag Store are must-sees in this historic town. Bradford Downtown Historic District is home to the Marilyn Horne Museum and Exhibit. The Art Deco museum is an immersive experience with exhibits of one of the greatest opera singers in the world.
The Allegheny Mountain Art Gallery is on Main Street, the heart of downtown. The Art Deco Main Street Movie House is popular among architecture buffs and the eclectic styles of the downtown structures. Bradford is small, charming, and full of history, and it is a delightful weekend retreat.
Bedford
Bedford is a spa town and home to the famous Bedford Resort Springs. The luxurious springs have attracted ten US presidents and drawn people worldwide. The quaint, historic downtown has four grassy squares and many boutique shops.
Downtown hosts several annual festivals like Antiques on the Square on Memorial Day. The Fall Foliage Festival draws an average of 70,000 visitors yearly. The Fort Bedford Museum is a former military fortification from the French and Indian War. It was built as a star, making it a popular stop for visitors. Bedford is a historic town with a strong sense of community, which you sense when you visit.
Carlisle
Carlisle is a historic town that was pivotal in the American Revolutionary War. The Carlisle Barracks served as the supply barracks and is today the second-oldest Army barracks in the country. The town was founded by Scots-Irish immigrants in 1751 and named after Carlisle Cumberland (now Cumbria), England.
The former prison, now county offices, was designed after the Citadel in Carlisle, England, and is a gorgeous architectural structure. Many significant figures have been in Carlisle. Molly Hays Mcauly, known as Molly Pitcher, is one such name. It is said that she took his place at his cannon when her husband died in a Revolutionary War battle. There is a monument honoring her at the Old Graveyard.
Williamsburg
Williamsburg is a small borough and home to the Williamsburg Paper Manufacturing Company. The company started in 1905 and was funded by Charles M. Schwab. The Historic District is a collection of 19th and 20th-century buildings with various architectural styles.
There is a strong sense of community that hosts annual festivals and farmer's markets as the seasons change. There are quaint and charming inns to complete your visit. The Blue Lantern Bed and Breakfast was built in 1907 and is positioned between historic High and Union Streets.
Wellsboro
Wellsboro was settled in 1806 and was a logistical shipping hub. It is home to Pine Creek Gorge, also called the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. The Pine Creek Rail Trail runs through the gorge and is voted in the top ten bicycle trails in the US.
Leonard Harrison State Park is another phenomenal outdoor attraction. Lookout locations are in place so visitors can peer over the 1,400-foot drop. The town is just as charming as the natural scenery carved by prehistoric ice glaciers. The tall, black gaslights accentuate the charm, which takes people back to a gentler time.
Pennsylvania is a gorgeous state and one of the most historic places in America. The architecture of Lititz and Carlisle is from the 19th century and older. Ridgway boasts over 700 historic structures where visitors can stay in antique mansions.
Pennsylvania's natural beauty is stunning, as evidenced by the Pine Creek Gorge and the miles of hiking and biking trails. Bradford is adjacent to the Alleghany Mountains and also has many historic buildings to visit. One cannot forget about the living history of Gettysburg, one of the most breathtaking historical towns in the nation. These eight towns are the best in Pennsylvania for a weekend retreat.
