If travel is on your New Year’s resolution list, add a PA road trip to your itinerary. Whether you’re looking for an urban escape, a suburban exploration or a bit of country relaxation, Pennsylvania’s got it covered. Here’s a plan for rolling through the hills and highways of PA and hitting some of the Keystone state’s most epic sites.
1. Philadelphia
Philly is Pennsylvania’s largest city, one that played a huge role in the birth of the USA. Here you’ll find Independence Hall, where both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were written. Take a tour of the place, then head over to see the Liberty Bell, located right across from Independence Hall, where it’s been since it finished its unity-building tour of the nation in 1915. You’ll want to sink your teeth into a Philly cheesesteak while you’re in town. Jump in line at Pat’s King of Steaks for the original and most famous version of the sandwich.
Planning on catching a show while you’re in town? You won’t have to go far to reach bed if you stay at Hyatt at The Bellevue Philadelphia. This theater district hotel houses an upscale restaurant and even an indoor basketball court.
2. Pittsburgh
Lots of us still think of steel when we think of Pittsburgh, but not much of its gritty, industrial past remains now. Contemporary Pittsburgh is a handsome city of rivers and bridges set among the hills of the Appalachians. Pay a visit to America’s most famous pop artist, Pittsburgh native Andy Warhol, at the Andy Warhol Museum. The museum covers all facets of his life and work, with paintings, drawings, videos and prints on display. For a beautiful view of the city, take a ride up the red Duquesne Incline funicular railway to Mount Washington. At the top, you can look out over the cityscape and the triangle where the rivers meet, then have lunch at one of the stylish neighborhood’s eateries.
Look out for Hipmunk deals at Fairmont Pittsburgh, a well-appointed downtown 4.5-star hotel in Pittsburgh’s Central District. On top of the convenient location, the hotel has top-notch amenities, including two restaurants, a health club, a sauna and a steam room.
3. Lancaster
Set in a rural district of picturesque farms and rolling hills, Lancaster is famed for its Pennsylvania Dutch-speaking Amish community. Life goes by at a slower pace here, and locals getting around in horse-drawn buggies are a common sight. To get an insight into the Amish lifestyle, there are plenty of farm tours and buggy rides to choose from.
Stay at the Lancaster Arts Hotel to enjoy comfortable hospitality and appreciate the works of respected local artists in the hotel’s renowned gallery.
4. Hershey
Yup, like the chocolate! Milton Hershey put this town on the map when he opened his chocolate company in 1903. You can taste the goods and get a chocoholic education at Hershey’s Chocolate World. If you visit Hershey in summer, you can follow the local crowd to Hersheypark to cool off on the water slides, lazy river and wave pool.
For charming, country-style decor and delicious home-cooked meals, book in at the1825 Inn Bed and Breakfast. This friendly B&B has the most beautiful grounds and a nice, big porch to take your coffee on in the morning.
5. Harrisburg
Half an hour from Hershey is the PA state capitol, Harrisburg. It’s a small, pretty city with an old-world feel, thanks to its many original buildings. The bloodline of the city is the Susquehanna river, which is best enjoyed with a visit to City Island, a recreational area with nature trails, batting cages and a swimming beach. From City Island, you can catch a ride on the Pride of Susquehanna paddle wheeler for a narrated sightseeing tour.
You’ll want to stay near the river, so we suggest going with the Hilton Harrisburg. It’s clean, modern and has four excellent in-hotel restaurants, as well as a pool.
Ready to get started? Email hello@hipmunk.com to start planning your next trip!