WHAT TO SEE IN PENNSYLVANIA

• Pittsburgh: the once-glorious steel factory town of Pittsburg has emerged from its industrial recession and rebranded itself as a cool hub of art, creativity, and fun. Today, its broad rivers run clear and the artwork collected in the Carnegie Museums rivals anything in America. Native son Andy Warhol’s museum is one-of-a-kind, while current art runs deep in the trendy downtown areas of the Strip District, Theater District, and Station Square. Few cities have weathered economic depression as impressively as Pittsburgh. Come see what all the fuss is about.
• Philadelphia: America was largely forged in the City of Brotherly Love, where history runs deep and fascinating Old City looks as fine today as it did in 1776. Besides the top-drawer American history on display, visitors can indulge in equally engaging cuisine, shopping, and nightlife in Center City. The Independence National Historical Park contains 40 vital historic landmarks, while urban Fairmount Park has 100 miles of walking trails. Catch a Phillies baseball game or a legendary cheesesteak in South Philly. The Italian Market is one of America’s oldest, and the Philadelphia Trolley Works is just about the coolest way imaginable to tour this world-class city.
• Gettysburg National Military Park: the 20,000-acre battlefield at Gettysburg was the site of the turning point in the US Civil War. The three-day battle was one of the bloodiest in American history and marked the moment when the South started to lose the war. Gettysburg has a great visitor center with museum-quality exhibits and helpful rangers. You can take a guided tour of the battlefield and myriad historic buildings or explore the grounds yourself. Each July 1 to 3 a three-day reenactment is held, a major event that is the busiest time of the year here. It’s well worth planning a visit around, just book your lodgings well in advance.
• Hershey: anyone who is a fan of chocolate will be very familiar with the name Hershey. From kisses to peanut butter cups, this Pennsylvania company is a fascinating example of the all-American success story. Milton Hershey built a whole town to service his factory workers, and it thrives today on tourism as much as industry. Hersheypark, a ride-filled family amusement park, and Hershey’s Chocolate World, which tells the story of Hershey’s treats, are two of the region’s most entertaining attractions. Catch a concert at Giant Center or stroll the 23-acre Hershey Gardens with its seasonal displays.
• The Poconos: the Poconos and the Endless Mountains are major mountain regions in the northeast of the state. A handful of small towns and quiet resorts provide accommodation for folks looks to escape the bustle of nearby cities and get back in touch with nature. Ten ski resorts are here, along with miles of trails for recreation all year round. The hiking and biking are superb, as are the fishing and boating on the lakes and rivers. The easy access to the Poconos makes it one of the region’s most popular getaway destinations, particularly for couples seeking a romantic weekend.
• Lancaster County: though best known for its large Amish community, this area of Pennsylvania, also known as Dutch Country, overflows with charming small towns, pastoral scenery, and European heritage. Tour a genuine Amish Farm and House in Lancaster, learn how pretzels are made in Lititz, home of America’s oldest pretzel company, and shop for amazing handmade Amish quilts in New Holland or Intercourse. Lancaster County is a road trip dream if you don’t mind sharing the tarmac with a few horses and buggies.
• Independence National Historical Park: the amazing American heritage of Philadelphia has been wonderfully preserved right in the heart of the city. Of the 40 buildings and landmarks officially protected, half are open to the public, including the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. The United States was born at this very spot in 1776, and this 45-acre historic park is a marvelous place to wander. Most attractions are free, though you need a (free) ticket for the big stars like Independence Hall. You simply can’t leave Philadelphia without spending an afternoon reliving the birth of a nation.

WHEN TO GO TO PENNSYLVANIA

The best period to visit Pennsylvania is from June to September.

Pennsylvania’s weather can be changeable, with moderate amounts of rain throughout the year. Summers are long and warm with occasional heat waves. The southeastern corner of the state has the warmest climate whereas the mountainous area of Pennsylvania is considerably colder. Winter temperatures can drop significantly and come with periods of snowfall, especially in the western part of the state. The best time to visit is during autumn. In September the temperature drops down to 21˚C (70˚F). By October, the weather drops again with a high of 15˚C (60˚F).

Required clothing

Warm winter clothes are needed in the coldest months. In preparation for the winter weather wear warm pants, long sleeve shirts, a winter coat, and boots. Light-to-medium weights are advised for the summer. Tank tops and shorts are acceptable for this kind of weather.

WHAT TO DO IN PENNSYLVANIA

Order a cheesesteak, properly

Pull up to the window at a Philadelphia cheesesteak shop and politely ask, “May I please have a cheesesteak sandwich with provolone cheese and no onions,” and you may get the same treatment as visiting fans at an Eagles game. Ordering at Pat’s, Geno’s, Jim’s, and Tony Luke’s require a very specific — and succinct — order, consisting of only two words Ask for a cheesesteak  “wit” onions, or “without,” and you’ll be just fine. Though some places will require you to specify which kind of cheese first: provolone, American, or Whiz. Consult the “helpful” guides on the wall, or suffer the wrath of a line of hungry Philadelphians.

Following is a list of typical festivals and celebrations in Pennsylvania.

• Philly Craft Beer Festival: every March the City of Brotherly Love gears up for the end of winter with its annual beer festival. You won’t find any Budweiser among the 120 different beers on tap because this event is all about small craft brewers from around the region. It takes place over a long weekend in the Philadelphia Cruise Terminal. There is also a competition to see who is brewing the best this year in all categories.
• Pittsburgh Wine Festival: for several days every May the city of Pittsburgh comes out to enjoy its wealth of quality restaurants and the state’s native wine industry. It’s something of a secret that Pennsylvania grows grapes, but there are dozens of wineries around and this event lets you get a taste of wines from some very small-scale vineyards. Backing up the wine is a great presentation of local food from the city’s top restaurants. The event is held in Heinz Field and several smaller venues, featuring seminars and other special tasting events.
• Pittsburgh Folk Festival: this annual event each May has been happening for decades and is one of Pennsylvania’s top folk festivals. It is held in Pittsburgh’s Monroeville Convention Center, where musicians from around the world come to share their unique style of native music. Craft demonstrations and cultural exhibits round off the series of musical performances, giving guests the chance to meet the artists and learn more about individual cultures.
• Battle of Gettysburg Re-enactment: from July 1 to 3 every summer the violent and decisive Battle of Gettysburg is replayed in perfect replication right on the battlefield where the action actually happened. This was one of the most important and pivotal battles of the Civil War and this huge event featured around 20,000 participants in authentic costume and weaponry. Thousands of spectators watch the events unfold, making this one of the world’s largest battle re-enactments. It’s crowded but truly fascinating to witness.
• Pumpkinland Harvest Festival: for two months between September and November the beautiful farm of Linvilla Orchards opens up its gates to welcome visitors who want to immerse themselves in everything fall. With around 100 tons of pumpkins grown here, the place is the epitome of Pennsylvania’s glorious fall season. Hay rides, straw bale mazes, and face painting are just some of the kid-friendly activities on offer. There are also fun train, horse, and pony rides around the farm.
• Philadelphia Film Festival: the city of Philadelphia hosts one of America’s most prestigious film festivals every October and November. For several weeks, venues across Pennsylvania screen new films by directors from around 50 different countries. In total, you can expect about 300 films on the docket from every category including documentaries, animation, and feature films. There is also a competition side of the festival and a special voting block for audiences only.

HOW TO REACH AND TRAVEL THROUGH PENNSYLVANIA

If you only plan to visit Pittsburgh or Philadelphia then you probably won’t need a car to get a full experience of these cities. But anywhere else in Pennsylvania requires your own wheels to really get a proper sense of the rich history and beauty of the state. Rental cars are easily arranged at any airport and in most tourist-friendly towns of note. Rent by the week for extra low daily rates. While driving within the major cities is no joy, hitting the countryside of Pennsylvania is a real treat. Many visitors would attest that driving around is a highlight of their trip.

Taxis also have their place in Pennsylvania travel, but they’re only practical within the downtown centers of the big cities like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

Pennsylvania is one of the best states to reach by train. Amtrak runs nine different lines through the state for plenty of connections to the rest of the country. Amtrak trains are a bit notorious for their delays but the seats are delightful and the scenery is always a treat. Philadelphia is the most common stop on Amtrak lines, though a dozen other cities are accessible on specific lines. Amtrak fares can be reasonable but are often a little cheaper than a regional flight.

Philadelphia is the main bus hub for the state. Greyhound, Peter Pan, Trailways, and Bieber all run regular bus services into the city from destinations all around the country. Most of these companies also run decent bus services around the state. Fares are always very affordable though the comfort level is average at best.

Main airports are:

• Philadelphia International Airport
• Pittsburgh International Airport

GENERAL INFORMATION ON PENNSYLVANIA

health tips & vaccination: none

local currency: US Dollar

local time zone: GMT-5 (-4)

electricity: [su_lightbox type=”image” src=”http://www.traveltv.me/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/A_plug.png”]type A[/su_lightbox] and [su_lightbox type=”image” src=”http://www.traveltv.me/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/B_plug.png”]type B[/su_lightbox] (120V – 60 Hz)

WHAT TO DO IN PENNSYLVANIA

Typical food in Pennsylvania

• x

Souvenirs from Pennsylvania

• x

Source

http://www.thebesttimetovisit.com/
http://www.roughguides.com/
https://www.iexplore.com/