255 Best Sights in Pennsylvania, USA

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.

This site commemorates the location of the home of U.S. presidents George Washington and John Adams from 1790 to 1800, as well as nine enslaved Africans who worked as household staff. This outdoor monument, which is open 24 hours a day, shows video clips that bring the house's history alive. Inside, take note of the bow window, which is thought to have inspired the shape of the Oval Office at the White House, as well as the remains of a passage torn down in 1832 that connected the main house to the slave quarters.

High up on the Pocono Plateau, this park stretches across 3,000 acres of deciduous forest and has around 50 miles of hiking trails. Like much of the Northeast, Promised Land experiences four distinct seasons. In the summertime, people come to fish and swim on the park’s two lakes; snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and even ice-skating (weather permitting) are popular in the winter. There are four campgrounds, one of which is open year-round; rustic cabins from the 1930s as well as more modern digs can be rented throughout the year.

The first in a planned series of parks along the Delaware River, this green space offers dramatic views of the overhead Benjamin Franklin Bridge and allows for up-close views of the river itself. Designed by the same firm behind New York's popular High Line, the terraced promenade features lush plantings, including some three dozen trees and many perennials, as well as amphitheater-style seating near the river's edge, plenty of benches and green lawns for relaxing, and regular donation-based yoga classes during the summer months. 

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.

Set on 33 acres, Historic Rock Ford Plantation is the restored homestead of General Edward Hand, a Revolutionary War commander, George Washington's confidant, and wealthy landowner. Period antiques and folk art are displayed in the 1794 Georgian-style mansion, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. In partnership with the African American Historical Society of South Central Pennsylvania, the plantation presents programs on the legacy and stories of the slaves who lived and worked on Hand’s farm and in the household.

Created by artist A. Thomas Schomberg for the 1982 film Rocky III, the life-size statue was donated by the film’s director and star, Sylvester Stallone, to the City of Philadelphia after filming. The statue has moved around, but since 2006 it has stood at the bottom of the Philadelphia Art Museum’s steps. It continues to be one of the city’s most popular destinations, with visitors lining up patiently to get their selfie with the bronze version of the “Italian Stallion.” The city celebrates Rocky Day annually on December 3, and in 2026 celebrations around town will mark the 50th anniversary of the release of the first Rocky film. Steps from the Rocky statue, the Parkway Visitor Center kiosk sells Rocky merch among its offerings and services.  

This 1863 three-floor town house and an adjoining building are filled with Persian rugs and 18th-century British, French, and American antiques (plus an entire living room that once belonged to poet Marianne Moore), but the real treasures are the artworks, books, and manuscripts here. Amassed by Philadelphia collectors Philip H. and A. S. W. Rosenbach, the collection includes paintings by Canaletto, Sully, and Lawrence; drawings by Daumier, Fragonard, and Blake; book illustrations ranging from medieval illuminations to the works of Maurice Sendak, author of Where the Wild Things Are; the only known copy of the first issue of Benjamin Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanack; and the library's most famous treasure, the original manuscript of James Joyce's Ulysses. The Rosenbach celebrates "Bloomsday" on June 16 with readings from Ulysses by notable Philadelphians. The library has more than 130,000 manuscripts and 30,000 rare books.

In what is technically Roxborough but feels very removed from the dense row houses, visitors can explore more than 355 acres of woods and trails in what is part nature center, part education center, and part art exhibition and performance location (usually in connection with nature). Trails are free and open dusk till dawn every day, while most events and workshops have a fee. There is also access via a trail that connects to the Schuylkill River Trail.

On any given day, runners, cyclists, walkers, dog walkers, and loungers can be found at the expansive Schuylkill River Park. The park runs along the river from Lombard Street to Manning Street, spanning more than three city blocks on the edge of Center City before University City. Even during the coldest months, the park is packed with people and their dogs in the on-site dog parks, children on the playground, athletes shooting hoops at the basketball courts, and people enjoying the skyline vantage points.

Housed in a former grand bank building, this free museum in the heart of Old City features two floors of science-focused displays that tell the interesting "stories" behind the science of everyday items like dresses and batteries. A variety of fascinating exhibits feature science instruments, art, photos, videos, rare books, product packaging, and various displays such as their collection of microscopes and chemistry sets through the years. There's always a rotating temporary exhibit as well as educational programming and a gift shop. The museum produces a popular podcast called "Distillations" that does a deep dive on many scientific topics.  This small museum is a great place to visit in between the larger historical sites.

When Second Bank president Nicholas Biddle held a design competition for a new building, he required all architects to use the Greek style; William Strickland, one of the foremost architects of the 19th century, won. Built in 1824, the bank, with its Doric columns, was based on the design of the Parthenon and helped establish the popularity of Greek Revival architecture in the United States. The interior hall, though, was Roman, with a dramatic barrel-vault ceiling. Housed here are portraits of prominent Colonial Americans by noted artists such as Charles Willson Peale, William Rush, and Gilbert Stuart. Don't miss Peale's portraits of Jefferson and Lewis and Clark: the former is the only one that shows the third president with red hair, and the latter is the only known portrait of the famous explorers. The permanent exhibition, "The People of Independence," has a life-size wooden statue of George Washington by William Rush; a mural of Philadelphia in the 1830s by John A. Woodside Jr.; and the only known likeness of William Floyd, a lesser-known signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Housed in a former ice house, the celebrates and documents the region's history, from the French and Indian War to the city's ascent as America's premier industrial center. Located in the Strip District, the center features the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, as well as exhibits on the history of glass, Lewis & Clark, and Pittsburgh's diverse ethnic heritage.

Aimed squarely at young kids and their families, this water and theme park based on the popular children's show Sesame Street provides fun places for children to crawl, climb, and jump; float, slide, and splash; and meet, greet, and perhaps hug the ageless Big Bird and his friends. Though there are dry-land activities, the highlights of the park—especially on a hot summer day—are the water rides, including the Rambling River, the interactive Count's Splash Castle, and rides at Big Bird's Beach. (Water attractions are open seasonally.) As befits a park for preteens, the rides in Elmo's World and the roller coasters—Vapor Trail and Oscar’s Wacky Taxi—are modest by theme-park standards, but they've got enough excitement for young riders. Other favorites are the daily, and nightly, parades and shows; Sesame Neighborhood, a replica of the TV street; and pricey meals with characters like Elmo and Grover. Sesame Place Philadelphia is the world's first theme park to be a Certified Autism Center; see website for information. The park's gift shop is large.  Buy tickets online in advance for substantial savings. Check ahead in case any rides or attractions are closed, and note that food is expensive and can be uneven in quality (see website FAQs for info on bringing water). No cash is accepted at the park, but you can buy a debit card at no cost. 

Costumed guides share fascinating tales at Shriver House, the home of George and Henrietta Shriver and their two children, revealing what civilian life was like during the Civil War. After George joined the Union troops and his family fled to safety, the home was taken over by Confederate sharpshooters during the Battle of Gettysburg. You can visit their attic nest, where two of them were killed during the battle, and get a look at Shriver's Saloon in the cellar. 

A nondescript hangar five minutes from the Philadelphia International Airport is home to what's been dubbed the most impressive racing car collection on the planet. Dr. Fred Simeone spent half a century amassing a fleet of more than 75 vehicles that tell the sweeping story of racing history. You can see them in action during regular “demo days,” which happen once a month on Saturdays when staffers fire up a selection of the antique roadsters and take them out for some air.

Marking the city's connections with eleven global "sister cities" such as Kobe, Japan, this small, family-focused park has a prime location near Logan Circle, the Logan Philadelphia hotel, and the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. A play area for kids features a rocky area to explore and a toy-boat and wading pond, and kids can cool off in a fountain with water jets, April through October. Sister Cities is also home to Robert Indiana's AMOR (Spanish and Latin for "love") sculpture, a companion to nearby LOVE Park's famous LOVE. The handy seasonal café (closed mid-December to early March), in a modern building with floor-to-ceiling windows, has light fare including kid-friendly items.

Built between 1897 and 1912 with funds donated by foundry owner Richard Smith, this memorial to Pennsylvania heroes of the Civil War marks a major entrance to West Fairmout Park. Among those immortalized in bronze are Generals George Meade and Winfield Scott Hancock (both on horseback), and Smith himself.  At the base of each tower is a curved wall with a bench. If you sit at one end and listen to a person whispering at the other end, you learn why they're called the Whispering Benches. For information about the memorial's 14 statues and busts, see  associationforpublicart.org.

Founded in 1899, this beloved facility has more than 50 pieces of age-specific equipment for children 10 and younger. An outdoor favorite on the 6½-acre site in East Fairmount Park is the Ann Newman Giant Wooden Slide, measuring 39 feet long, 12 feet wide, and 10 feet tall. The playground, run by a nonprofit organization, includes the 16,000-square-foot Playhouse, a mansion-like building with areas such as Smithville (a miniature town), a library, and a climb-on train. Everyone using Smith must register and get a wristband to enter the site. 

“Where do all the hippies (or "hippest," depending on your source) meet? South Street.” So goes a 1963 song by Philadelphia R&B group the Orlons, helping this west-to-east strip of pavement develop a reputation as a gathering place for counterculture types. In its day, the immediate street was populated by artists and musicians and their left-of-center bars, galleries, and stores. Nowadays, this bohemian energy is far less palpable, but the section between Broad and Front streets still hosts many gems amid duller holdings like chain pharmacies and cell phone stores. Peruse the various antiques and vintage stores, clothing boutiques, bookstores, and record sellers between people-watching. There’s a vast range of culinary options, too, from classic cheesesteak shops (Jim’s and Ishkabibble’s) to Peruvian chicken at Braza’s and vegan-friendly eats at Tattooed Moms.

This seasonal oasis—referred to by some as an urban beach—is a combination of three landscaped barges, a hammock lounge, and floating gardens that hug the Delaware River. More than 50 hammocks are strung throughout the park, and there's an award-winning beer garden that pours more than 15 local brews. You can get food from the Franklin Fountain and Chickie's & Pete's as well as pizza, classic boardwalk foods, and more. There's even a boardwalk that's lined with swings, hammocks, bocce courts, Ping-Pong, shuffleboard, and shipping containers that have been converted into an arcade with skeeball, air hockey, and other classic games.

St. Peter's Church has been in continuous use since its first service on September 4, 1761. The brick Palladian-style building was designed by Scottish architect Robert Smith, also responsible for Carpenters' Hall and the steeple on Christ Church. William Strickland's simple steeple, a Philadelphia landmark, was added in 1842. Notable features include the grand Palladian window on the chancel wall, high-back box pews that were raised off the floor to eliminate drafts, and the unusual arrangement of altar and pulpit at either end of the main aisle. The design has been called "restrained," but what is palpable on a visit is the silence and grace of the stark white interior. In the churchyard lie Commodore John Hazelwood, a Revolutionary War hero; painter Charles Willson Peale; and seven Native American chiefs who died of smallpox on a visit to Philadelphia in 1793. A guide may be on hand Saturday from 11 to 1 and on Sunday from 1 to 3. Tours available on weekdays by appointment. 

on the Monongahela across the historic Smithfield Bridge, is a converted rail station from the early 20th century. Today, this is a development filled with shops and restaurants.

The Grand Concourse Restaurant. The restaurant's pleasant interior is composed of brass, wood, marble, and a glass ceiling, and the kitchen turns out inventive cuisine. 1 Station Square. 412/261–1717.

At an adjacent dock, the Gateway Clipper fleet offers riverboat cruises and shuttles to PNC Park and Heinz Field (home of major league baseball's Pirates and the NFL's Steelers, respectively). 412/355–7980. www.gatewayclipper.com.

Across Carson Street is the Monongahela Incline, run by the Port Authority of Allegeny County. 412/442–2000.

A short walk or drive away is the Duquesne Incline. Both 19th-century funiculars edge up ever-so-steep hillsides. The view at the top is well worth the $3.50 round-trip. Several restaurants at the top have great views. 1197 W. Carson St.412/381–1665.

James Logan may not be a household name, but he was a seminal figure in pre-Revolutionary America. Equal parts visionary, opportunist, and rogue, he was secretary to William Penn and managed the daily affairs of the colony. Logan, who went on to hold almost every important public office in the colonies, designed this 1730 Georgian manor himself and named it for his father's birthplace in Scotland. He used it to entertain local luminaries and Native American tribal delegates. It was also where he kept one of the area's first libraries, at a time when books were looked upon with suspicion. British General Howe claimed Stenton for his headquarters during the Battle of Germantown. The Stenton mansion is a well-curated, stately affair filled with family and period pieces; the site also includes a kitchen wing, barn, and Colonial-style garden. Starting on the hour at 1 pm, 2 pm, and 3 pm, the guided 45-minute tour interprets the life of three generations of the Logan family and the life of the region from the 1720s through the American Revolution. Stenton has one of the best interiors of any of the Germantown homes.  Tours are offered April to late December, Tuesday–Saturday, noon–4.

Passengers can step back in time more than 175 years to ride the rails of the Strasburg Rail Road. Called America's oldest short line, the steam locomotive and vintage coaches travel a scenic 45-minute round trip through Amish farm country between Strasburg and Paradise. Eat lunch in the dining car or take an evening dinner ride that might be themed as a murder mystery or wine and cheese tasting. Tours of the mechanical shop are available for a fee, but kids are crazy for the Thomas the Tank Engine excursions. Trains usually depart hourly. 

A Polish general who later became a national hero in his homeland, Kosciuszko came to the United States in 1776 to fight in the Revolution, one of the first foreign volunteers in the war. The plain three-story brick house, built around 1776, features a series of exhibits that display artifacts from six Polish museums, depicting Kosciuszko's life in his homeland as well as some of his original possessions. An eight-minute film (in English and Polish) portrays the general's activities during the Revolution.

A craft brewery with a social mission, Triple Bottom strives to be a positive community partner. They pour lagers, pale ales, IPAs, and seasonal and special releases. Happy hour is offered Wednesday through Friday and Sunday, 3--6 pm, and there are trivia nights and drag shows.

Lancaster County--based Turkey Hill Dairy, best known for its ice cream, created this interactive extravaganza where kids can milk a mechanical cow, climb aboard a vintage milk delivery truck, and shoot a Turkey Hill commercial. In the Taste Lab you can concoct your own flavor and taste-test it; outside the lab, you can have unlimited samples of the company's flavors. Grown-ups may enjoy the displays on dairy farming and the family-owned company, but mostly this one is for the kids. Reservations are recommended for the Experience, and required for the Taste Lab.

The first U.S. mint was built in Philadelphia at 16th and Spring Garden streets in 1792, when the Bank of North America adopted dollars and cents instead of shillings and pence as standard currency; the current mint was built in 1971. During a self-guided tour you can see blank disks being melted, cast, and pressed into coins, which are then inspected, counted, and bagged. Historic artifacts such as the Key to the First Mint and the gold medal awarded to General Anthony Wayne for his capture of Stony Point during the Revolutionary War are displayed. Seven Tiffany glass tile mosaics depict coin making in ancient Rome. A shop in the lobby sells special coins and medals—in mint condition.

You can tour this 307-foot-long Balao-class submarine (with a "guppy" conversion), that was launched in 1944 and conducted search-and-destroy missions in the South Pacific. A free audio tour, available with the price of admission, tells amazing stories of what life was like for a crew of 80 men, at sea for months at a time, in these claustrophobic quarters. Then you can step through the narrow walkways, climb the ladders, and glimpse the torpedoes in their firing chambers. Tickets are available at the Independence Seaport Museum.