72 Best Sights in Pennsylvania, USA

The has a planetarium, a World War II submarine, more than 250 hands-on science exhibits, and a four-story Omnimax theater.

This 1,700-square-foot display of Lancaster County in miniature has 22 model trains, mainly O-gauge, with 150 animated figures in scenes such as an Amish barn raising, a three-ring circus, and a blazing house fire with fire engines. Periodically, the overhead lights dim and the scene turns to night, with streetlights and locomotive headlights glowing in the darkness.

A self-proclaimed "Kingdom for Kids," this 44-acre amusement park features rides and activities suited for families with younger children. Most rides, such as the roller coaster, merry-go-round, and giant slide, are quite tame. The adjacent water park (no separate admission), Duke's Lagoon, is open weekends, Memorial Day through Labor Day. From Thanksgiving to Christmas, the park is open for its "Dutch Winter Wonderland," with holiday-themed rides and a light show. The Cartoon Network Hotel is next door; hotel guests get special park admission discounts and early access to the park and rides.

Designed by Frederick Graff to look like a country estate, this National Historic Landmark completed in 1815 was the country's first steam-pumping station of its kind, and the assemblage of Greek Revival buildings is one of the city's most beautiful sights. The waterworks, down the hill behind the Philadelphia Art Museum, include a small interpretive center with historical features such as an 1851 turbine and family-friendly exhibits about the region's water and wildlife. A short film on the site's history, a mussel hatchery (seasonal progagation Mar.–Aug.), and changing exhibits are other attractions. Nearby paths provide good views of the waterworks.

Housed in an authentic 1876 firehouse, this museum traces the history of firefighting, from the volunteer company founded in Philadelphia by Benjamin Franklin in 1736 to the professional departments of the 20th century. The collection includes early hand- and horse-drawn fire engines, such as a 1796 hand pumper, an 1857 steamer, and a 1907 three-horse Metropolitan steamer; fire marks (18th-century building signs marking them as insured for fire); uniforms; other memorabilia; and a 9/11 memorial. There is also a gift shop on-site and online.

One of five squares William Penn placed in his original design, this park is now a family-friendly destination. In addition to the water-dancing fountain, there’s a modern playground and carousel; a food stand with burgers, fries, and shakes; and an 18-hole miniature golf course boasting scale models of Independence Hall, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Ben Franklin Bridge, and other local landmarks. The park also plays host to numerous events throughout the year, including the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival and Winter in Franklin Park.

Built in 1883 and formerly named Gazela Primeiro, this 177-foot square-rigger is the last of a Portuguese fleet of cod-fishing ships, retired from regular service in 1969. As the Port of Philadelphia's ambassador of goodwill, the Gazela sails from June to October to participate in harbor festivals and celebrations up and down the Atlantic coast. She’s also a ship school and a museum, and has been featured in movies like Interview with the Vampire. An all-volunteer crew works on maintenance while the vessel is in port. While here, you can also admire the tugboat, Jupiter, the oldest tugboat in existence, which was built in Philadelphia. 

This museum presents the story of the Civil War era and the Battle of Gettysburg through artifacts, a 20-minute film, 3D videos and photos, and interactive displays. At the front desk, you can book battlefield tours (for a fee) by Victorian carriage, horseback, electric bike, or foot. Costumed guides lead 90-minute walking tours of the town (also for a fee).

Hershey Gardens opened in 1937 with a single 3½-acre plot of roses, and over eight decades has grown to include 11 theme gardens on 23 landscaped acres. Home to more than 3,500 rosebushes and 20,000 tulips, the gardens come to life in spring as thousands of bulbs burst into bloom. Flowering displays last until fall, when late roses open. The year-round Butterfly Atrium hosts hundreds of pollinators from around the world, and don't miss the chocolate-themed Children's Garden. A garden shop is on-site.

This multimedia experience features the life and work of Milton S. Hershey, who founded the town bearing his name—and just about everything in it. On display is a working Hershey Kiss wrapping machine plus other memorabilia from the company's long history. A highlight is the Chocolate Lab, which offers hands-on workshops (for a fee). The Pantry Cafe sells tasting flights of hot chocolates from around the world as well as light fare.

Just outside the gates of Hersheypark, Chocolatetown greets visitors with a gentle amusement-style ride through the chocolate-making process. The Hyperdeck virtual reality experience transports you away from all things chocolate; outside is the 1919 Carrousel with 66 hand-carved wooden horses and Candymonium, Hersheypark's tallest, longest, and fastest roller coaster. The year-round eateries include a full-service restaurant, ice cream parlor, and confectionery shop that all focus on chocolate (Heath Bar–crusted salmon, anyone?).

The caverns are a tranquil change of pace from theme-park action, offering guided walking tours of ancient limestone caves and their formations. Historians believe that Native Americans used the caves as shelter from harsh weather. The temperature inside is naturally at 52°F year-round, so bring a sweater. The caverns are not handicap accessible, and strollers are not allowed. There's a gift shop with gemstones and souvenirs, a petting barnyard, and a picnic area.

In Northeastern Philly, a neighborhood not known for its tourist attractions, is a bug lover's heaven. Revel in this ugly-yet-beautiful collection of thousands of creepy crawlers—tarantulas, giant centipedes, assassin bugs, and metallic beetles that look like pieces of gold jewelry. Started by an exterminator, the museum is home to more than 50 live species and mounted insects from around the world. The 5,000-square-foot space has one of the largest butterfly and moth collections in North America, a working beehive, a man-made (and kid-sized) spider web, and a kitchen teeming with live cockroaches. It's definitely a place for screaming kids, but it's hard not to enjoy at any age. It's easier to drive here than to take public transportation. By public transit, take the Market-Frankford subway to the end (Frankford Transportation Center); transfer to SEPTA bus 66 to Welsh Road.

A small but lively museum, on a site that holds the first American home of Haitian-born artist and naturalist John James Audubon (1785–1851), captures the wonders of the avian world and the need to protect it, as well as Audubon's mission to paint North America's birds. Kid-friendly interactive exhibits explore nests, birdsongs, feathers, and more; exhibits about Audubon's artistic process (with a copy of his massive Birds of America) will appeal to older children and adults. Outside, there's a bird-themed outdoor play space. Admission includes a tour (sign up at center for the one tour, at 1 pm) of Mill Grove, Audubon's stone farmhouse, built in 1762 and filled with displays relating to Audubon. Managed by the National Audubon Society, this site 2 miles north of Valley Forge National Historical Park is within the 200-acre Mill Grove estate and has 5 miles of marked walking trails. The center also offers birding sessions and other outdoor programs.

In 1861, pretzel maker Julius Sturgis opened America's first pretzel bakery. These days, the original site, a stone house on the National Register of Historic Places, operates guided tours and a hands-on lesson in pretzel twisting. An on-site bakeshop has souvenirs and fresh pretzels. Tours with lessons are by appointment only.

One of America's oldest amusement parks and a National Historic Landmark, contains water rides and several roller coasters—including three wooden coasters dating from the 1920s. The park is 10 mi southeast of Downtown.

One of the nation's largest shopping complexes is a tourist destination in itself, with some 400 stores and more than 50 restaurants and fast food spots. From department stores such as Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus to chain retailers both upscale (Jimmy Choo and Cartier) and more accessible (Club Monaco and Zara), there's plenty for all shoppers. Dining and drinking options include Morton's The Steakhouse, Eataly, and a Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar. There's also the store and children's play area CAMP, and Netflix House, an "experiential entertainment venue" in a former department store space, that opened in 2025. 

This 33,000-square-foot space, one of 14 Discovery Centers in the United States, is chock-full of all things LEGO, including a kid-sized race car that was made with more than 100,000 LEGO bricks. Miniland Philadelphia contains 50 of the city’s iconic landmarks brought to life with nearly 1½ million LEGO bricks—Independence Hall, Boathouse Row (with crew boats you can race), the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and Lincoln Financial Field, just to name a few. Other highlights include the interactive LEGO Ninjago Training Camp; a LEGO 4-D Cinema; a LEGO-themed pirate ship play area called Pirate Adventure Island; the LEGO Meet & Greet in the Build Challenge area, where kids can “meet” their favorite characters (weekends only); and Imagination Express, an interactive ride through a LEGO world.  Note that adults must be accompanied by a child 17 or under to visit the attractions except on occasional adult nights (check website). 

One Liberty Place is the 945-foot office building designed by Helmut Jahn that propelled Philadelphia into the "ultrahigh" skyscraper era. Built in 1987, it became the city's tallest structure; however, that distinction now belongs to the 975-foot Comcast Center. Vaguely reminiscent of a modern version of New York's Chrysler Building, One Liberty Place is visible from almost everywhere in the city. The building is now mostly home to apartments and offices, while downstairs are dozens of stores and a food court. In 1990 the adjacent tower, Two Liberty Place, opened. Zeidler Roberts designed this second building with Murphy & Jahn, which now holds the Westin Philadelphia, luxury condominiums, and a restaurant on the 37th floor.

This small but first-rate museum about Mennonite history and culture has exhibits of furniture, needlework, tools, and photographs. The highlight of the center is a reproduction of the tabernacle carried by the Hebrews on their journey through the wilderness; a 35-minute multimedia presentation tells the story. There is also an extensive bookstore and a gift shop selling international crafts. Don't miss the Fraktur—elaborate, usually illustrated, works of Gothic calligraphy on paper (think needlework samplers).

Located downtown, this eccentric museum opened in 1916. It displays a selection of the 50,000 pre-industrial, mostly American tools and objects collected by archaeologist and Arts and Crafts tile maker Henry Chapman Mercer, who worried that industrialization would wipe out evidence of the past. To house them, Mercer built a concrete, castle-like building similar to his nearby home, Fonthill Castle. The result is Instagrammable but tricky to navigate; use the museum's map. Boats, tables, chairs, and more hang from the six-story central court's ceiling; elsewhere, rooms are packed with objects organized by trade or purpose. A modern wing has a helpful introduction to Mercer and galleries for changing exhibits. The engaging The Doan Gang: Outlaws of the Revolution, about a local Loyalist family, will be on display throughout 2026. 

One of the country's best arboretums, more than 3,500 trees and shrubs from around the world inhabit this 92-acre arboretum that's based on Victorian-era garden and landscape design, with romantic winding paths, a hidden grotto, a fernery, a koi pond, and natural woodland. The highlights are the spectacular rose garden, the swan pond, and "Out on a Limb," a 50-foot-high canopy where you can commune with the birds—and gleeful children. Large modern sculptures, some of which are spectacular, are sprinkled throughout the property, with outdoor sculptural exhibits during the year such as October's Scarecrow Walk. Twice annually, the popular Garden Railway exhibit features an elaborate model railroad surrounded by miniature replicas of historic Philadelphia landmarks. You'll want to drive, as the entrance is a good hike from the top of Chestnut Hill. Various tours, workshops, and events are happening year-round.

Even if you aren't in Philadelphia on January 1, you can still get a feel for one of the city’s unique traditions by stopping by this museum. Famous for their extravagant sequin-and-feather costumes and boisterous behavior, the Mummers spend all year practicing for their New Year’s Day parade down Broad Street, a tradition since 1901. With roots in old European folk performance traditions, today’s Mummers clubs fall into several different categories, including satirical Comics, musical String Bands, and theatrical Fancies. All this and more is covered at the museum, which features family-friendly exhibits on Mummers culture; there are outdoor concerts in the summer.

The has a wide variety of bird species, including parrots, bald eagles, and flamingos. Some of the raptors are in room-sized cages, but other species occupy tree-filled aviaries that visitors can walk through.

The showplace of the Train Collectors Association, this museum displays both antique and modern toy trains and is a must for toy train buffs. The museum has five huge train operating layouts, with toy trains from the 1800s to the present, plus nostalgic films and hundreds of locomotives and cars in display cases.

Pulled by an authentic steam locomotive or vintage diesel, this heritage passenger train makes a 9-mile, 45-minute (an hour in fall) scenic round-trip between New Hope and Lahaska, and standard trips are narrated. Among many special events are Halloween-theme trips, holiday excursions in December, and a Wine & Tapas train. Trips get pricey for a family and may be best for those who love old trains. Advance reservations are encouraged, and required for special events. Parking in the on-site lot is expensive, so find a spot on the street or in a town lot.

The seasonal Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, on the grounds of the Mount Hope Estate and Winery, transforms the property into a 16th-century English village ruled by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth I. The lively action includes street performers, human chess matches, jousting and fencing tournaments, knighthood ceremonies, street performances, craft demonstrations, battling pirates, jesters, medieval food, and Shakespearean plays performed on outdoor stages. Fun for all ages, but definitely more A Kid in King Arthur's Court than Game of Thrones.

Opened in 1874, the 42 acres of America's first zoo are home to more than 1,900 animals representing six continents. Small and well landscaped, it has naturalistic habitats that allow you to get close enough to hear the animals breathe, though it's easy to feel some animals might like more space. Remember to look up: some animals travel around the grounds via see-through overhead trails called Zoo360. Conservation information boards and talks by keepers are excellent. At this writing, a major Bear Country exhibit will open in spring 2026. There's plenty to see, with some areas, such as the interactive Flamingo Cove habitat, more modern than others. The Reptile and Amphibian House houses species from 15-foot-long snakes to seven Western Santa Cruz Galápagos tortoise hatchlings (born in 2025), and the 2½-acre Primate Reserve is home to species such as gorillas and orangutans. Other attractions include the McNeil Avian Center, a state-of-the-art nest for birds; and African Plains, with giraffes, rhinoceroses, and zebras. The children's zoo, KidZooU, has indoor and outdoor learning areas. The Wild Explorer VR experience (extra charge) takes visitors from the depths of the ocean to the African plains.   It takes two or three hours to explore the exhibits. Advance online ticket purchase (timed entrance) recommended for general admission.  

Philip Johnson's 1984 postmodern whose glass spires and towers were modeled after London's Houses of Parliament, exemplifies the Pittsburgh renaissance. The structure's exterior is made almost entirely of plate glass (19,750 pieces to be precise). At sunset, with orange light bouncing off so many panes of glass, the effect is magical. On hot summer days, kids (and adventurous grown-ups) can cool off by romping through the courtyard's fountains.

The first phase of The Rail Park is a quarter-mile trail that turned an abandoned, elevated train line into a public park lined with greenery and offering stunning views of the city. The project is envisioned to eventually span 3 miles from near the Art Museum into Northern Liberties. While the open part of the park is small, it's a lovely way to understand the future of the city's unused spaces. There are swings for children, bike racks, and lots of native plants.