Standing high along Erie’s bayfront, Bicentennial Tower is a landmark on the tourist-friendly Dobbins Landing. Lake Erie, Presque Isle State Park, and the city all are in view from this dual-decked observation tower. The tower’s lower observation deck is free, making it a must-do on any Erie itinerary.
One of the grandest historic homes in Pennsylvania’s Poconos region, the Asa Packer Mansion Museum was built by the eponymous former railway magnate, philanthropist, and founder of Lehigh University. Constructed more than 160 years ago in the Victorian Italianate style, it boasts exceptional period interiors and splendid hilltop views overlooking the quaint town of Jim Thorpe and the Lehigh River.
The David Wills House in Gettysburg is a historic site where Abraham Lincoln spent the night before delivering the Gettysburg Address. Visitors come here to see exhibits about Lincoln’s visit, the aftermath of the Battle of Gettysburg, and the creation of the National Cemetery. The house offers a fascinating glimpse into Civil War history and Lincoln’s legacy.
A major museum in Pennsylvania’s state capital of Harrisburg—and one of the country’s biggest museums dedicated to the Civil War—the National Civil War Museum offers a deep exploration of this tumultuous period of American history. Home to thousands of artifacts and extensive galleries, it’s ideal for history buffs, students, and lifelong learners.
Cullari Vineyards is the first and only winery in the Hersey, Pennsylvania area. Run by a couple with Italian heritage, the wines are made according to traditional practices with modern technology. Grapes used in production include hybrid and vinifera, such as merlot and chardonnay. One of Cullari's most popular wines is an award-winning Coco Nostra chocolate wine—fitting for the “sweetest place on Earth.”
One-part traditional theme park and one-part county fair, Knoebels Amusement Park promises plenty of family fun. An institution for close to a century, you can enjoy a picnic under the pavilions; explore mini-museums on mining and Americana; visit a bald eagle habitat; or just wander the park, which is nestled into a hardwood forest in Elysburg, Pennsylvania.
For visitors looking beyond the historical attractions of downtown Philadelphia, the hip and vibrant Manayunk neighborhood is a must-visit. Situated along the Schuylkill River and the historic Manayunk Canal, this formerly industrial area is now a trendy destination packed with waterfront bars, cafés, and art galleries among the rowhouses and Victorian homes.
One of Philadelphia’s leading universities, founded in 1891, Drexel is a global R1-level research university. Headquartered in a 74-acre campus in University City, Drexel also operates several public museums, including the Academy of Natural Sciences and the Leonard Pearlstein Gallery.
The Erie Zoo, which recently celebrated its 100th anniversary, is a welcoming attraction devoted to wildlife and conservation that’s grown to house over 400 animals. When you’re not listening to lion roars or spotting snakes slithering, you’ll notice a comparable diversity of flora throughout the site’s botanical gardens.
The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) at the University of Pennsylvania has long been a trailblazer. This small-but-mighty contemporary art space has made a name for itself by showing art-world heavy-hitters before they were big—we’re talking Andy Warhol, Laurie Anderson, Cy Twombly, and Robert Mapplethorpe. Today, the ICA still showcases of-the-minute temporary exhibitions and is open to all.
From the first horseless carriages to the first electric cars, the America on Wheels Museum is filled with educational transportation exhibits. With two floors of galleries and interactive exhibits, the museum provides history and entertainment. Come to see vehicles of all kinds while learning about the evolution of transportation.
Established in 1854, Gettysburg’s Evergreen Cemetery is a historic burial ground. Here, you can see the graves of notable figures, including Jennie Wade, the only civilian killed during the Battle of Gettysburg, and the site’s original gatehouse, which still houses the cemetery’s caretaker. The cemetery is also adjacent to the Gettysburg National Cemetery, where President Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address.
Fort Hunter Mansion and Park reflects centuries of Pennsylvania history, all in one location. Poised overlooking the Susquehanna River, with views of the Blue Mountains, the landmark was founded as an 18th-century fort during the French and Indian War. Later transformed into a manor by a former Revolutionary War soldier, the site today includes a number of historic buildings and sprawling parklands.
The Erie Maritime Museum charts Lake Erie’s seafaring past, mainly focusing on its history from the War of 1812 onward. Civilian and military history is documented through exhibits, including the US Brig Niagara, a War of 1812 ship that scuttled (deliberately sunk) in 1813 and raised in 1913. The museum is in the old Pennsylvania Electric Company building.
