This Underrated Town in Pennsylvania Beats the Famous Ones

There are more than 2,500 municipalities in the Keystone State, so naturally, the famous ones tend to get most of the hype and glory when people are planning trips to Pennsylvania. However, there is one small town hidden among the little-known communities, Wellsboro, that might very well beat the historically famous locations like Lancaster and Jim Thorpe with details like gas lamps on the streets and Victorian architecture prominent throughout the walkable downtown blocks. When you visit Wellsboro, it can feel like you are stepping back in time, and this is only one of the many reasons it could be a better tourist destination than famous stops.

Landmarks That Set Wellsboro Apart

If you do not live in north central Pennsylvania, you might not have any idea about the single most-visited landmark in Tioga County: The Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. Is it as massive and sprawling as its actual namesake in Arizona? No, but it does have a staggering 1,000-foot drop, accessible via the Turkey Path in Leonard Harrison State Park. Technically, it's called Pine Creek Gorge, but most have taken to the nickname instead.

Back in town, nature and human touch blend at The Green, Wellsboro’s little central park. Locals gather here, and honestly, it’s where the town’s personality shines. Right in the middle, you’ll spot the Wynken, Blynken, and Nod Fountain—a bronze tribute to Eugene Field’s old poem. Three kids sail a wooden shoe, and somehow, it fits.

Walk Through Downtown

Main Street in Wellsboro feels like something out of a Hallmark Christmas movie, with authentic, working gas lamps lighting the street every night of the year. Dunham’s Department Store sits at the heart of it all and has been a community centerpiece for a long while. This isn’t just a store; it’s one of the last family-run department stores in America. You’ll find hunting jackets a few steps from fine china, so there is quite literally something for everyone in your group when you explore the shelves and racks within the building.

Just down the road and still on Main Street, you can find even more nostalgia in the form of a store specializing in board games, comics, and toys. Pop’s Culture Shoppe has a lot to offer just about anyone, especially if you are looking for some rare collectibles and fun souvenirs from your trip to Wellsboro. There is even a whole demo area so you can try out some of the games and learn something new from the friendly staff here.

A Sweet Little Trip from Town

When you take a little farther drive down Route 6, you can find the factory for Highland Chocolates. This nonprofit organization helps individuals with mental disabilities keep jobs and manage their responsibilities. There’s a storefront for the chocolates on Main Street, but the factory is where the magic happens, and you can watch the work being done through fun viewing ports. Unsure what to get? The popular option is the Cherry Springs Dark Skies Bark with dark chocolate and cherries, a nod to the state park to the west.

Experiencing the Flavors of This Quaint Community

If you were curious as to where you might find the ‘Best Burger in PA,’ you should be sure to stop by the Wellsboro House Restaurant & Brewery for unique selections like the Turducken Burger or the Full Moon Over Kansas City burger. This place is set up in a refurbished 1860s building, and you'll get hearty portions and comforting dishes here almost any time of day. This is a must-stop if you are trying to get a feel for Wellsboro and get a bellyful of food while you are at it.

For a classic morning ritual, the Wellsboro Diner offers a seat at a gleaming chrome counter that has been serving the town since 1939. Known for its iconic porcelain-enameled exterior and its legendary prime rib sandwiches, the diner is where the town's pulse is loudest. Whether you’re ordering a stack of pancakes or a slice of homemade peach pie, the service is fast, the coffee is hot, and the vibe is pure Americana.

Cozy Places to Sleep

Few places in town embody the community's quaint, historic nature quite like the Penn Wells Hotel, also on Main Street. This has been here since 1869 and still echoes the region's prosperous logging era, when some of the wealthiest tycoons in northern Pennsylvania made their fortunes. You can still see the lobby, covered in lavish mahogany, and the memorable Mary Wells Dining Room inside, which pays homage to America’s Gilded Age.

The Towns Nearby Worth Exploring

One of the lovely aspects of stopping to explore Wellsboro for several days is that you can venture beyond the municipal limits to discover the history, entertainment, and unique experiences local communities also offer. Take a short drive, fifteen minutes to the east, and you will reach Mansfield, home of the Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. This lively and youthful town also has an interesting role with Draper’s Super Bee Apiaries, the business in neighboring Millerton that has been responsible for supplying the White House with honey for a quarter of a century.

When you are back in Wellsboro, head west; you will soon reach Coudersport. This is another small town you might miss when traveling the main highways, but it is the gateway to Cherry Springs State Park, the site of some of the best stargazing on the East Coast and recognized as an International Dark Sky Park.

Head north, and you will reach the New York state line within a short drive and then the town of Corning. Here, you are going to get a different dose of history than you found in the logging community of Wellsboro, as Corning was famous for its glassworks. Check out 3,500 years of history and demonstrations of this trade at the Corning Museum of Glass here in the community.

This Underrated Town Beats the Famous Cities

Wellsboro has never been one of the famous locations throughout the Keystone State that people think about when naming the top tourist stops. However, with its unique history, gas-lit lamps, historic buildings, and an impressive selection of dining and shopping spots, it should be on your radar as an underrated gem. Whether it is the natural wonders around the town or strolling down Main Street to get a bite of a strange burger, there is a genuine authenticity to the community that you are not likely to find elsewhere in Pennsylvania.