The shortest, most powerful and eloquent speech ever delivered is the Gettysburg Address, delivered by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. This city is home to the confluence of three rivers, the Allegheny, the Monongahela, and the Ohio. This natural beauty provides a perfect backdrop for the city’s thriving urban center and historical industrial past.
Hershey Park
If you love history and culture, you’ll love the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania. This museum is affiliated with the Smithsonian and houses almost 100 different vehicles dating from the 1890s to the 1980s. This museum showcases everything from classic cars to trucks and even buses.
There are many ways to experience the history and culture of Hershey. For example, you can ride a vintage trolley through the town and get a history lesson from the conductors. There are also themed trolley rides for Christmas and Halloween. The tour guides are highly rated and get rave reviews.
Another great attraction is the Cullari Vineyards & Winery. The winery produces more than 35 different kinds of wines. Its most popular wine is Coco Nostra, a chocolate-flavored wine that makes for a great souvenir. The tasting fee is only $6 and you can sample six different wines. You can even try one of their award-winning dessert wines.
The Hersheypark is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Pennsylvania. The park was built in 1907 as a public green space for employees of the Hershey Company. It’s a great mix of action and relaxation. There are plenty of roller coasters to thrill you, but the Hershey Park isn’t just for thrill seekers. You can also spend time at the spa.
Another great place to visit in Gardeners, Pennsylvania is the Founders Hall. It’s a one-of-a-kind architectural piece that’s a must-see for history buffs. Milton Hershey, a chocolate mogul, and his wife Catherine were committed to helping orphaned children. The Founders Hall Visitor Center also tells the story of the Milton Hershey School.
Presque Isle State Park
Presque Isle State Park is known for its many beautiful beaches and outdoor recreation areas. Though you’ll need to drive a bit to get there, it will be well worth it. The park’s beaches are perfect for everyone, from the beach bum to the outdoor enthusiast. The park has 11 miles of trails and a 13.5-mile multi-purpose recreation trail.
The park is also known for its boat tours. Visitors can go on a 90-minute boat tour through the bays and out onto Lake Erie. The tour includes narration about the history of the area and its sights. During the tour, you’ll be able to see the historic Presque Isle Lighthouse. This lighthouse serves as a navigational beacon for ships passing by.
During the warm months, Presque Isle State Park is an ideal spot for kayaking. There are shallow ponds and lakes in the park that make kayaking safe for even the most novice kayaker. The park offers kayaking tours that are suitable for all skill levels.
While summer is the best time to visit Presque Isle State Park, you can also enjoy the park’s beaches during the winter. During winter, the ice-covered Lake Erie makes the beach a surreal setting. Fishing is a popular activity at Presque Isle State Park. The park is home to several species of fish including walleye, bass, perch, and steelhead.
Presque Isle State Park also houses the Tom Ridge Environmental Education Center (TREC), an educational center that educates the public about the park and the wildlife and plants that live there. It is open every day from 5:00 A.M. to sunset.
Tytoona Cave
If you’re looking for an adventurous day trip, you can take a guided tour of the cave, or try a video tour. The National Speleological Society owns the cave, which is open six days a week from 6 am to 9 pm. Unlike many other Pennsylvania caves, the entrance to Tytoona Cave is wide and flat, making it easy for anyone to explore the almost 1,000-foot long passageways.
You can get to Tytoona Cave by hiking a short distance from the parking lot. Just be sure to read the signage and be careful. You should be accompanied by someone who knows what they are doing. The cave was known to settlers in the mid-1700s, and Native Americans likely used it before that. In the mid-18th century, two Native Americans killed settlers and were chased into the cave. There is also local folklore that suggests that the cave is haunted.
The NSS manages Tytoona Cave as a Natural Area, which is open to all NSS members. This means that visitors are encouraged to use it for educational purposes and research. The NSS has recently installed new steps and railing, and the cave is now open to responsible caving all year round.
Tytoona Cave is located in Sinking Valley, Blair County, between Tyrone and Altoona. It is operated by the National Speleological Society, based in Huntsville, Alabama. Visitors are welcome from six in the morning to nine in the evening. The cave is located in the same area as Arch Spring and Kettle Road, and is accessible by road or by car.
The cave’s name comes from the woman who purchased the property in 1930 for seven hundred dollars. She may have had in mind a cave when she made the purchase, but the cave didn’t open for tours until 1947. She merged the names of two towns that were close by and named the cave Tytoona, after a combination of Tyrone and Altoona. The cave was later renamed Log Jam.
Allentown
Allentown is a town that is rich in history, and is home to several attractions. There is something for everyone, including history buffs and sports enthusiasts. Fans of the Allentown IronPigs can cheer on their team at Coca-Cola Park. There is also a farmers market where residents can buy fresh fruits and vegetables.
The Allentown Farmers Market features dozens of stalls and stands. This market is held every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at the Allentown Fairgrounds. It started in 1953 and has grown to feature more than 60 vendors selling artisan and fresh produce.
Among the attractions in Allentown is the Lehigh Valley Zoo, dedicated to the safety and conservation of all animals. Another family-friendly attraction is Trexler Memorial Park, which includes a paved 1.25-mile walking trail and a pond in the center of the park. The park also features grassy areas for playing and restrooms.
For history buffs, there’s the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum. The museum contains more than 100 locomotives and railroad cars and a 1,700-square-foot miniature animated train display. Located approximately two hours north of Harrisburg, the museum also features the Pine Creek Gorge, the so-called “Grand Canyon” of Pennsylvania. Visitors can view the gorge from Colton Point and Leonard Harrison State Park.
You can also visit the Allentown Art Museum, which has been around for more than 80 years. It promotes inspiration, education, transformation, and engagement through the arts. The museum has several exhibition halls and galleries that include the Kress Gallery, which features works by renowned American painters and sculptors. You can also take in Frank Lloyd Wright’s library, which showcases expressions of American design.
Valley Forge
The National Historic Park at Valley Forge is known for its historical significance. The area was home to George Washington’s Continental Army during the winter of 1777-78. You can see where these men huddled in log cabins to survive the cold. It was also at Valley Forge that the Continental Army was trained and reconstructed to defeat the British.
If you are a history buff, you can tour the historical site and the nearby attractions. The closest hotel to the historic site is the AmishView Inn & Suites. The area has a variety of natural attractions and outdoor recreation activities. The state is so large and varied, you can plan a short excursion within a single region or spend the whole week exploring several areas.
While you are in Valley Forge, you can take a drive through the Encampment. You can opt for a self-guided, audio-only tour or take a 90-minute trolley tour. You can also check out the Visitor Center and shop for souvenirs.
For a more relaxing experience, you can spend time at the Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. Located on 848 acres in Pennsylvania, this museum preserves a collection of structures that are significant to the country’s industrial past. It features a working Anthracite furnace and a cast house. You can also take part in ranger-led programs. This attraction is best visited during the fall season.