Pennsylvania is one of the states with plenty of casinos, and playing online casino games is legal, so it is well-known for gambling. However, it has far more to offer than just gambling. Even if tourists do go to Pennsylvania to gamble, they will often be pleasantly surprised by how many other attractions are available, from the state’s fascinating historical sites to various natural wonders.
Independence National Historical Park
Starting at the Visitor Center on 6th and Market Streets will give you all the information you need, and you can find out which sites are open. The Liberty Bell that used to hang in the steeple at Independence Hall now has its own center where you can explore more about its history.
Next, you can tour Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were signed. There are many other historic sites to explore too, such as the City Tavern, a gathering spot for the Founding Fathers.
You can still include some gambling with a visit to the Parx Casino, which is only about 20 minutes away from Philly, or play online casino games at a PA online casino in the evenings after a day’s sightseeing.
Mercer Monuments
In Doylestown, Bucks County, are the Mercer Monuments, which you will enjoy visiting if you like quirky architecture and collections. Henry Mercer was born in Doylestown, studied law, and traveled all over Europe. He inherited a fortune from his aunt, and you can visit his grand home, Fonthill Castle, a National Historic Landmark. It consists of 44 rooms decorated with handmade Moravian tiles.
The Moravian Pottery & Tile Works is just down the road and still produces tiles using Mercer’s methods. At the Mercer Museum, you can view over 40,000 pre-industrial artifacts, and larger items such as a stagecoach and a whaleboat hang from the ceiling.
Bethlehem
In Pennsylvania, you can visit many charming small towns, and one in southeastern Pennsylvania is Bethlehem. The Moravian Church settlement is one of the best-preserved in the world, and you will also find the Moravian Bookshop, which is the oldest one in the country. The Hoover-Mason Trestle & SteelStacks is a walkway weaving through what remains of the steel plant, and the nearby SteelStacks campus hosts festivals and concerts.
If you want to do some boutique shopping, Bethlehem’s downtown district is the place to go. You will find boutiques like the StackSolesValt, where you can buy quality streetwear. It also has a thriving dining scene that ranges from historic hotel dining to upscale fusion cuisine. 1741 on the Terrace is one of the restaurants offering historic dining, and Edge Restaurant is an upscale destination that blends Asian and French cuisine.
Hickory Run State Park
This is a huge park with many hiking trails in the western Poconos region. There is plenty to do here, and you may need a few tips to pack for travel if you’re planning to camp in the campground and do some hiking. The Hawks Fall Trail is a short one, leading to the 25-foot Hawk Falls.
The water-lined Shades of Death trail is another short hike of about two miles there and back. You will pass a beautiful chapel built in the 1800s. Boulder Field is another National Natural Landmark and consists of acres of boulders. You can hike to this geological wonder or drive there. Sand Spring Lake has a beach and designated swimming area where you can swim and relax.
Longwood Gardens
Longwood Gardens in Chester County is a wonderful place to visit all year round. It was a simple arboretum in the 1700s, and it was only in the 1900s that the garden started its transformation into the spectacle it has become today. It consists of more than 1,000 acres in the Brandywine Creek Valley.
You can explore gardens, woodlands, and meadows where you will see thousands of different plant species. The core conservatory area was re-imagined in 2024, and this made some new attractions available. Many events take place at Longwood Gardens all through the year, from gardening demonstrations to musical theater.
Seven Tubs Nature Area
In the Pinchot State Forest is a 100-acre site in Plains Township with a stream called Wheelbarrow Run flowing through it. Wheelbarrow Run flows through a ravine and gets its name from a line of “tubs” gouged into the underlying bedrock by continuously flowing glacial meltwater over thousands of years.
A forest full of the flora and fauna typical of northeastern Pennsylvania surrounds the stream. You may not be able to picnic, hunt, camp, or swim, but the many hiking trails to and around the area allow you to enjoy the hilly terrain and nature. The 0.3-mile main loop trail circles ‘The Tubs’ and is suitable for hikers of all skill levels.
