Fun Summer Trips in Central PA???
 

We just recently moved to central PA and are DYING for things to do. We have visited Philly several times and next week we are heading for Pittsburgh for our first visit. Are there any other trips and/or interesting destinations in Central PA that we should check out? Would prefer to drive; looking for day and/or weekend trips. Any suggestions appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Fallingwater

Rafting down the Yock. (I can't spell it: Youghegehney)

Tour Amish country near Lancaster

Go to a football game at Penn State, explore the college town.

Hershey and Hersheypark

Gettysburgh

What kinds of things do you like to do, anyway?

We have tax-free shopping down here in Delaware! :)

I was also going to mention Hershey Park and Gettysburg. I was at Hershey Park a number of years ago and really enjoyed it. I have not been to Gettysburg yet but I plan to go there soon. So many people have recommended the visit to me, though.

Thanks for all of these suggestions!

We don't have kids so we try to avoid family-oriented places/activities. When we travel, we generally focus on cultural places, historical cites, and restaurants. But we are open minded and willing to try almost anything. We just recently had a total blast at a working farm in Ireland (Airfield House), for example. I would be particularly interested in activity-oriented destinations (i.e. hikes, rafting, etc.).

I second Fallingwater and rafting the Youk. Great weekend trip.

If you enjoy historic places can't beat Gettysburg. Tour the battlefield,& eat dinner at one of the haunted resturants.

Where in central PA do you live?

Drive down into West Virginia to Berkeley Springs and Harper's Ferry. Harper's Ferry is historically very interesting. In Berkeley Springs you can do Spa treatments and stroll around the interesting shops and galleries. For a trip of a few days you could stop in Gettysburg on the way.

For destinations in the central Pa area (day trips) I would suggest any of the nearby natural areas and state parks. Alan Seager ST PK, Bear Meadows Nat area (yes there are bears), Black Moshannon ST PK, Whipples Dam ST PK. Tons of great hiking trails, especially the Bear Meadows area.

For something more cultural, I'd suggest the Boal Mansion and Boalsburg village in Boalsburg (very near State College) The Boal Mansion has been in the Christopher Columbus family forever and has many historial Columbus items as well as an historical Columbus chapel.

There are also caves in the area that you can visit. One, Penn's Cave, is a water cave and toured by boat. Indian Caverns is another good cave.

I had lived in the central PA area for 20 years (Penn State and raising family) and did many day trips of this nature.
The region has lovely natural areas all around. There used to be (and I think still is) a great outdoors store on the main downtown street--Appalachian Outdoors. They would have tons of information available for the surrounding areas--trail maps, events, etc.

These are all great ideas! Thank you SO much! I live in State College.

You can also go see the elk in western PA but wait until September when they are in the rut. Maybe you will get lucky and see one bugeling. There are trails that you can hike or just go to the lookout areas and see what you can find. We saw a big bull elk right along the road throw back his head and let out this wonderful sound! definately a treat.

I second am2pm's recommendation - go north from State College heading toward Emporium (where I grew up) and you will pass directly through the pennsylvania elk herd's home territory - they are amazing to see - and the drives through that area are truly beautiful. You could head as far north as Wellsboro, which is a beautiful little town adjacent to Pennsylvania's 'Grand Canyon', or head to St. Mary's to visit Straub Brewery - one of the oldest continually family-owned microbreweries in the US -http://www.straubbeer.com/index.html .

There was a recent article in national geographic adventure on the area and day trips - with a specific suggested route from state college - check it out here: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ad...nsylvania.html

As to some of the other recommendations that have been made, I'm personally not a big fan of Hersheypark (aside from the chocolate factory itself) but definitely agree you have to visit Amish country, Gettysburg, Harper's Ferry/Antietam areas...and glad to hear Pittsburgh is on your list - I love that city! But you have to know where to go & what to do to truly enjoy it...so definitely check out other tips on this board for that city.

Enjoy PA!

PS, if you haven't already visited visitpa.com, that site has great tips and ideas for road trips as well.

Any tips on reasonably priced motels or B&Bs in State College? Also good place to eat? We'll spend a night there in early Sept.

ozarksbill

It's not too bad of a drive from State Colllege, but Bucks County in PA has lots to do and it's beautiful here. There's tube trips on the Delaware, antique and other shopping in New Hope (plus good restaurants) and the Mercer Museum & Fonthill in Doylestown which are worth a trip in themselves.