Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has been at the forefront of the American experience since well before the ink dried on the Declaration of Independence during that hot Philadelphia summer in 1776. As the United States prepares to toast its semiquincentennial in 2026, few destinations present better options to celebrate all things America. Founding fathers. Pop royalty (Taylor Swift) and actual royals (Grace Kelly). Little League baseball. The biggest name in condiments and the sweetest place on Earth. Craft brews and salty snacks. Hoagies and Pierogis. Museums, monuments and manufacturing centers. Small towns, world-class cities, three UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 124 state parks—there's plenty to explore in "Penn's Woods".
Get ready for a year of big events in 2026, particularly if you're a sports fan. You'll find everything from the NFL Draft to MLB All-Star Game to the globe's biggest sporting event, the World Cup. Here's our guide to the pursuit of happiness in Pennsylvania during this landmark year.
Pennsylvania earned its nickname—the Keystone State—due to its position as the political, economic and geographic center of the original 13 colonies. At its heart was Philadelphia, then the colonies' largest city. While many of the first battles of the Revolutionary War were fought in New England, the fighting words and funds came from Continental Congresses held in Philadelphia—setting up boycotts of British goods, raising an army and, yes, signing the Declaration of Independence in July 1776.
History buffs wishing to follow in the footsteps of Benjamin Franklin and other founding fathers don't have to walk far in Philadelphia's Old City. Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Constitution Center, Betsy Ross House and the Museum of the American Revolution are within a few blocks of each other. Events celebrating America's 250th birthday are already under way in the Philadelphia area, culminating in the 16-day Wawa Welcome America festival (June 19-July 4) with concerts, block parties, parades and fireworks across the city.
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Independence Hall, Philadelphia
Game day at Acrisure Statdium | credit: Pittsburgh Steelers
Pack Saddle Covered Bridge, Somerset County
Duquesne Incline, Pittsburgh
Washington's Crossing reenactment
Ohiopyle State Park
Beyond the city, two nearby sites will give you a better appreciation for America's underdog origins. Washington's Crossing Historic Park in Bucks County marks the spot where George Washington led his ragtag army of rebels across the icy Delaware River on Christmas night in 1776 to surprise and rout British forces in Trenton and Princeton, New Jersey. Northwest of the city lies Valley Forge National Park, where Washington's Continental Army endured the brutal winter of 1777-1778 with insufficient food and shelter, yet somehow emerged stronger—a turning point for the young nation.
Best Bet 2026
Pennsylvania was chosen as a Travelzoo Best Bet for 2026. Only ten worldwide destinations were selected for this honor, based on factors like increased interest among Travelzoo members, sustainability considerations or landmark events for the new year. See the full list here.
Best Bet 2026
Pennsylvania was chosen as a Travelzoo Best Bet for 2026. Only ten worldwide destinations were selected for this honor, based on factors like increased interest among Travelzoo members, sustainability considerations or landmark events for the new year. See the full list here.
Whitewater Rafting on the Youghiogheny River
Philadelphia
Valley Forge National Historical Park
You can't leave town without hitting up South Street for a cheesesteak "wit or witout" and stopping into a corner Wawa for a hoagie. Leave room for dinner, as the city's culinary game continues to impress, with Philly restaurants and chefs earning 80+ James Beard nominations in the last six years. The stars will soon be out; the Michelin Guide releases its first reviews of the city's dining scene in November 2025.
Pennsylvania was named by King George II, combining the name of the colony's founder, William Penn, with sylvania, the Latin word for "woods." Despite having never seen the land, the British royal nailed the name. "Penn's Woods" is a four-season destination, with forested mountains and verdant valleys crisscrossed by rushing rivers and dotted with pristine lakes. Across 124 free state parks, travelers can find all kinds of outdoor experiences.
When it comes to rafting, the options range from wild and mild. The Youghiogheny River (locals call it the Yough) in Ohiopyle State Park offers Class III to V rapids and one of the best whitewater experiences in the eastern U.S. On the opposite end of the state, the Delaware River provides a gentler float through scenic stretches such as the Delaware Water Gap, which is especially pretty in the fall months as orange and yellow foliage blankets the surrounding hillsides.
Best Bet 2026
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historic pursuits | cities & towns | outdoors
Pennsylvania has continued to play a central role in just about every chapter of the American story. As the first state north of the Mason-Dixon Line and a hotbed of abolitionist sentiment, numerous "stations" on the Underground Railroad throughout Pennsylvania helped enslaved people escape to freedom. When the Civil War marched into the state, the Battle of Gettysburg marked the beginning of the end for the Confederate cause, as the Union lines held firm against on-rushing rebels at Cemetery Ridge. Annual reenactments bring the battle to life, but downloading a self-guided driving tour of the battlefield lets visitors stop at Little Round Top and Devil's Den to better understand those three bloody days in July 1863.
Pennsylvania's rich deposits of oil and coal fueled an industrial boom in the late 19th century, making Pittsburgh one of the wealthiest cities in America at the time. Steel from mills in Bethlehem and Pittsburgh built landmarks like the Empire State Building and Golden Gate Bridge, and later armed the Allied war machine during World War II.
Gettysburg National Military Park
In a quiet field in southwestern Pennsylvania lies one of the state's more haunting historic sites: the Flight 93 Memorial. It's here that one of the hijacked planes crashed on September 11, 2001, after passengers fought back against the terrorists. The memorial's 93-foot-tall Tower of Voices features 40 distinct wind chimes—one for each of the passengers and crew who died that day.
Finally, Pennsylvania is a state of famous firsts—everything from the first zoo (Philadelphia Zoo, opened in 1874) to the first Mother's Day celebration, and even the invention of the Slinky.
Flight 93 National Memorial | credit: Brenda Torrey
Don't make the mistake of thinking you've seen Pennsylvania after visiting those two major cities, however. A proper road trip across the state reveals quaint towns and small cities, covered bridges and country roads.
If you're planning to make the five-hour drive from Philly to Pittsburgh, consider that the snacks you grabbed along the way likely came from south-central Pennsylvania's "Snack Belt," where around 80% of the pretzels sold in the U.S. are produced. You'll also find a plethora of potato chip purveyors packed into the same patch of PA. If you have a sweet tooth, detour to Hershey, the self-proclaimed "Sweetest Place on Earth." Roll down your windows when driving along Chocolate Avenue—the aptly named main drag. If the wind is right, you might catch the scent of cocoa wafting from the nearby Hershey's plant. Stock up on sweets at the factory store, then match your sugar rush with one of adrenaline on the roller coasters at Hersheypark.
credit: Hersheypark
This part of the state is full of farmland and home to Pennsylvania Dutch Country, where the Amish—who settled here in the 18th century—continue to live simply, foregoing many modern conveniences. Give yourself extra time driving around Lancaster County; you may be sharing the road with horse and buggy drivers. As you near Pittsburgh, the rolling hills give way to small mountains in the Laurel Highlands, a destination offering both outdoor adventure (skiing, hiking and white-water rafting) and quieter pursuits—including four Frank Lloyd Wright homes. Fallingwater is the most famous, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that appears to float over a rushing creek, framed by the surrounding forest.
Pittsburgh is a city of invention, evolving from an 18th-century frontier outpost to an industrial boomtown in the 19th and 20th centuries, and now into a modern hub of medicine and technology. The creative spark runs deep here: it's the hometown of pop-art legend Andy Warhol, who transformed everyday objects into symbols of American culture—including Pittsburgh's biggest icon, the Heinz ketchup bottle. The Andy Warhol Museum, home to the world's largest collection of his works, stands as a fitting tribute to a city that has always thrived on reinvention.
As immigrants rushed to fill good-paying jobs in the steel mills and factories, a food culture emerged that blended Old World influences with American ingenuity. The massive mouthful from Primanti Brothers stacks the sandwich and the sides (fries and cole slaw) together so you can eat it with one hand—and a dozen napkins. Some versions even add pierogies, a pan-fried Polish dumpling that can be found on menus across the city (and racing around the field after the fifth inning of Pirates games.)
A second road trip option heads north from Philadelphia to the riverside town of New Hope, known both for its LGBTQ+ community as well as boutiques, art galleries, cafes and country B&Bs. Continue on into the Pocono Mountains, a popular getaway filled with ski slopes, secluded cabins and mountain lakes. On the northern end of Lake Wallenpaupack sits Hawley, where lazy summer days are best capped with an ice cream cone from Dairy Twist.
For one last swing at Americana, head a few hours west to Williamsport, birthplace of Little League Baseball. Each August, the Little League World Series still unfolds at Lamade Stadium, as 20 teams of 12-year-olds play ball under the lights. Admission to the event is free, whether you sit in the grandstands or park your picnic blanket on the grassy hill beyond the outfield fence.
Pennsylvania's two largest cities—Philadelphia and Pittsburgh—anchor the eastern and western corners of the state. The two cities share a blue-collar work ethic, riverfront settings and rabid love of their sports teams. But they are also decidedly different.
Philadelphia is home to a treasure trove of historic sites that could fill several days. But don't miss out on Philly's other charms—including must-see museums, like the Rodin Museum, the Barnes Foundation and, of course, the Philadelphia Art Museum. (Run up the 72 stairs for a selfie with the Rocky statue and a sweeping view of the city skyline.) In this sports-crazed town where "Go Birds" works as both greeting and goodbye, 2026 brings in an enviable lineup of big events: NCAA March Madness (March 20-22), the PGA Championship (May 11-17), the FIFA World Cup (June 14-July 4) and the MLB All-Star Game (July 12-14).
Running like a spine through the state, the Appalachian Mountains provide year-round recreation—including approachable skiing in the winter months and challenging hiking trails when the temperatures climb. That includes 229 miles of the Appalachian Trail, passing over rocky ridges and river valleys. For cyclists, the Great Allegheny Passage offers a ride to remember, tracing the route of the old Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad through the Laurel Highlands. Along the beginner-friendly 150-mile route, you'll ride through old railroad tunnels, over viaducts and past scenic views.
Hawk Mountain, Appalachian Mountains
Museum of the American Revolution
Fallingwater, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright
The Amish Village, Lancaster County
Lamade Stadium, Williamsport
Hawley
New Hope
Andy Warhol Museum
Pittsburgh Riverside
Believe it or not, Pennsylvania even shares an international border with Canada in the state's far northwestern corner. Presque Isle State Park is set on a peninsula reaching out into Lake Erie, with a sandy shoreline and calm waters perfect for swimming, sailing or launching a kayak. Not far away, the Allegheny National Forest stretches more than a half a million acres, forming the western end of the Pennsylvania Wilds, a sparsely populated region (unless you count the elk herds). Tucked amid these forests is the small town of Punxsutawney, best known as the home of the world's foremost four-legged weather forecaster, a groundhog named Phil.
Groundhog Day celebration in Punxsutawney
Presque Isle State Park
Camelback Resort in the Poconos
historic pursuits | cities & towns | outdoors
historic pursuits | cities & towns | outdoors