TRAVEL WITH KIDS:

THINGS TO DO IN PENNSYLVANIA

Pennsylvania is a wonderful state that boasts diverse landscapes ranging from farmland to mountains and national forests. It also has some great cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh that have a rich history behind them and a vibrant cultural scene. If you like the sound of that and you want to plan a trip to Pennsylvania for you and your family, here’s everything that you need to know and a list of things to do in Pennsylvania with kids.

 

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Getting There: Things to do in Pennsylvania 

While our family can easily drive to anywhere within the great state of Pennsylvania, that may not be the case for you. However, flights to Pennsylvania are fairly reasonable. If you want to get there quickly, that’s your best choice. There are several major cities where you can find multiple flights a day.

Additionally, one of the best things about the place is the beautiful and varied landscapes that you’ll find there. The best way to really appreciate that is to take a family road trip instead. As long as you don’t mind the drive and you can keep the kids entertained, it’s the best way to see this beautiful state. If you’re not keen on flying but you don’t fancy the drive either, there are good train links in Pennsylvania. 

Things to do in Pennsylvania: Where To Stay 

It all depends on what you want to do while you’re there and whether you’re going to stay in one place or move around a bit. You might decide that you just want to spend the whole trip in Philadelphia, which is fine, but there’s a lot more to see outside of that. If you’re going to visit some different areas of the state, you might be better off staying somewhere that is equidistant to a few different cities. The Clarion Hotel and Conference Center Harrisburg West is located so you can easily get to Baltimore or Gettysburg which are both great cities to visit. Harrisburg itself also has a lot of concerts and events so it’s the ideal location. 

Things to do in Pennsylvania: What To Do 

There are so many different attractions to visit in Pennsylvania so it really depends on what you and your family like to do. If you’ve got a keen interest in history, Philadelphia has some great sights to see. Independence National Historical Park includes The Liberty Bell, Independence Hall where both the Declaration of Independence and The Constitution were signed, and The Benjamin Franklin Museum. Nearby is The Constitution Center. 

For more historical sites, visit Gettysburg, Valley Forge or the Flight 93 National Memorial commemorating the flight that crashed in Pennsylvania on 911.

More Things to do in Pennsylvania: Science

One of the nations best science center is located in Philadelphia. The Franklin Institute is a hands-on center with 3 floors of exhibits. This science center also has Benjamin Franklin artifacts.

Things to do in Pennsylvania: More Fun

When traveling with children, too much history may lead to boredom. To add some needed activity to your trip, check out Sesame Place. Sesame Place is near Philadelphia and is autism certified. We will be traveling there this year and will bring you more details at a later date.

Another great place for history, fun, and sweetness is in the town of Hershey. There are several attractions that will satisfy your sweet tooth. The area history is fascinating and the kids are sure to love all the chocolate. The town even smells like chocolate.

Visit the Hershey Amusement Park. This great theme park was originally built as a recreation area for workers at the Hershey chocolate company but now it’s a popular tourist attraction filled with all sorts of different rides and entertainment for kids and adults. 

If you want to relax on the beach for the day, the Presque Isle State Park is a great destination. This beautiful park has an eleven mile long stretch of sandy beach where people like to collect the bright colored ‘sea glass’ that washes up on the shore. There are also a lot of great hiking trails around the park as well so you can experience the beautiful natural landscapes. 

Pittsburgh is another great destination in Pennsylvania. Home to a trio of national sports teams – hockey, baseball and football, a great theater district with fantastic shows, shopping, riverboats, and other boating and fishing activities, and the famed Carnegie Science Center. For the animal lover, visit the National Aviary or the Pittsburgh Zoo. Don’t forget to ride the Duquesne Incline for a wonderful view of the city.

Now you and your family can plan the perfect trip to the amazing state of Pennsylvania.