Shot of the Erie waterfront from the Lettie G. Howard schooner — Picture courtesy of Brian Cicioni

With regards to Pennsylvania cities, Philly and Pittsburgh are inclined to get many of the consideration. Certain, touristy locations like Hershey and Lancaster County are additionally well-liked day journeys and weekend getaways, however many vacationers’ curiosities have a tendency to finish there. So, we’re digging deeper and exploring every little thing from seashores alongside Lake Erie and biking alongside the Lehigh River to historic accommodations and the oldest public markets within the nation.

From historic mansions in Erie and Williamsport to York’s revitalized downtown, there’s a lot extra to the Keystone State than its two important cities and Hershey chocolate. Listed here are 10 smaller cities to take a look at in Pennsylvania.

Allentown

The PPL Middle in Downtown Allentown — Picture courtesy of Brian Cicioni

Greater than 120,000 individuals stay in Allentown, making it Pennsylvania’s third-largest metropolis. You may discover a wide range of leisure choices, hidden historical past and a various meals scene.

America on Wheels and the Allentown Artwork Museum are the 2 hottest museums, however there are additionally a handful of smaller, equally fascinating choices. On the Liberty Bell Museum, you possibly can see the place the one at the moment on show in Philly was hidden throughout the Revolutionary Struggle. There is a duplicate that you may ring, in addition to Allentown’s personal Liberty Bell, which dates again to 1769. For a crash course in native historical past, we advocate beginning your go to on the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum.

The Lehigh Valley has a big Syrian and Lebanese inhabitants, so you may don’t have any hassle discovering scrumptious kibbeh, falafel or shawarma. Aladdin and Damascus are two well-established native favorites. Within the years because the PPL Middle and adjoining Renaissance Allentown Lodge opened, a number of breweries, espresso retailers and New American bistros have popped up downtown. If you happen to’re anyplace close to Dorney Park, be sure you attempt Cumin N Eat. For Thai meals, try Thai Origin on town’s western edge.

Allentown is well accessible by aircraft from the Midwest and southern states. And buses run practically each hour to and from Port Authority in New York Metropolis. When you get right here, we advocate getting a automotive. The native sights are very unfold out, and lots of the finest eating places are positioned in strip malls.

Bethlehem

The Colonial Industrial Quarter in Bethlehem — Picture courtesy of Brian Cicioni

When Billy Joel sang about “dwelling right here in Allentown,” he was referring to neighboring Bethlehem. Pennsylvania’s eighth-largest metropolis makes up the B a part of ABE (Lehigh Valley Worldwide Airport), which many guests fly into. If you happen to’re in search of a mixture of historical past, tradition and delicacies, and need to keep in an city setting, Bethlehem is the Lehigh Valley’s showcase metropolis.

There are two important pedestrian-friendly areas in Bethlehem. The first one is alongside Foremost Road between Church and Broad Streets. Right here, you may discover a mixture of artwork galleries, small boutiques, historic websites and upscale eating choices. If you wish to discover Bethlehem by foot, we advocate staying on the Historic Lodge Bethlehem, which was our prime historic lodge choose within the nation for 2021. Over the previous 99 years, they’ve hosted a who’s who of entertainers, skilled athletes and world leaders. He isn’t on their listing of notable visitors, however Ozzy Osbourne was banned from right here in 1986, solely to be allowed again a quarter-century later.

You also needs to try the SouthSide Arts District. Alongside East third and 4th Streets, you may discover an eclectic mixture of Latin American eating places, Irish pubs and Asian fusion delicacies. Jenny’s Kuali is the one Malaysian restaurant inside a 50-mile radius. Their satay peanut and ginger garlic sauces are a fixture in native shops. Right here, you possibly can attempt favorites like rendang, roti paratha and chow kuey teow, in addition to a wide range of vegan dishes. Penang-born proprietor Jenny Lim has already revealed two vegan cookbooks. Reservations advisable on weekends.

There are a selection of eating choices exterior of the touristy areas. At Nonna Sulinas, you possibly can attempt a mixture of conventional Italian and nonna (or grandma) recipes from Carini, Sicily. Machu Picchu serves Peruvian requirements in a no-frills spot only a stone’s throw from the Wind Creek on line casino. Different native sights embrace the Nationwide Museum of Industrial Historical past and SteelStacks, which is a 10-acre leisure advanced on land previously owned by Bethlehem Metal.

Easton

Centre Sq. in Easton — Picture courtesy of Brian Cicioni

Easton is most recognized for crayons, Larry Holmes and one among America’s oldest constantly working open-air markets. The Lehigh River bisects town earlier than flowing into the Delaware River. New Jersey is on the opposite aspect.

If you happen to’re touring with kids, chances are high you may find yourself on the Crayola Expertise. 650 crayons per minute are produced on the close by manufacturing facility. Historical past buffs ought to begin on the Sigal Museum, which chronicles the historical past of Northampton County. If you happen to’re seeking to combine some nature with the small metropolis expertise, head to the Nationwide Canal Museum. Admission features a mule-powered boat experience to the Locktender’s Home at an especially leisurely tempo. You’ll be able to cycle right here from downtown by way of the Lehigh Canal Towpath.

Buses from Port Authority cease downtown. The journey normally takes lower than two hours, and there are a number of buses operating throughout the day. Centre Sq. and many of the native sights are a pair blocks north of the cease. third & Ferry Fish Market and Maxims 22 are two of the higher-end eating choices. You may also discover Indian, Mexican and Japanese spots inside strolling distance of the Troopers and Sailors Monument, which protrudes from the fountain in Centre Sq..

If you wish to keep downtown, the Townley Home or Grand Eastonian are your finest choices.

Erie

Erie’s West Sixth Road Historic District can be recognized traditionally as Millionaires’ Row — Picture courtesy of Brian Cicioni

Erie is the one bigger Pennsylvania metropolis the place you possibly can have a seaside expertise. Presque Isle juts out into Lake Erie, formed like a large hen drumstick. The seashores face the southeast nook of Ontario, which is on the opposite aspect of the lake.

If it is your first time visiting, we advocate beginning on the Hagen Historical past Middle or Erie Maritime Museum. The previous is positioned alongside Millionaires’ Row, which is lined with historic mansions that had been constructed by the native industrialists who you possibly can find out about on the Erie County Historic Society. The Maritime Museum will give guests an total thought of Erie’s historic significance courting again to the Battle of Lake Erie. They’ve a cannon on show that was captured from the British in 1813.

Whether or not you are intrigued by ships or not, a crusing journey alongside Lake Erie is an important expertise whilst you’re on the town. The Flagship Niagara League operates 90- to 120-minute crusing journeys across the bay.

There are a handful of Nepalese and Center Japanese eating places scattered all through town. So, you may don’t have any drawback discovering scrumptious momo or kebabs at an inexpensive worth. Like My Thai can be an area favourite, the place the employees appear to know each patron by title. For ambiance, nothing can beat The Brewerie, which is positioned inside historic Union Station. Along with their full bar and native beers on draft, you possibly can attempt aptly named sandwiches like Railway Rueben and The Prepare Wreck. For an total view of the native meals scene, try Erie Meals Excursions. Their downtown tour begins exterior of Like My Thai.

We advocate staying close to the Conference Middle on the Bayfront. If you happen to keep on the Courtyard Erie Bayfront, you possibly can soak up views of the harbor whether or not you are sitting by the pool, doing all of your morning cardio, having fun with native walleye on the Shoreline Bar & Grille or stress-free in your room. There’s additionally a Sheraton on the opposite aspect of the Conference Middle.

Harrisburg

Riverside Drive in Harrisburg — Picture courtesy of Brian Cicioni

Because of frequent Amtrak service, Pennsylvania’s capital metropolis is a perfect weekend getaway for New Yorkers and a straightforward day journey from Philly. A lot of the important sights are between seventh and Entrance Road, which abuts the banks of the Susquehanna River. If you are going to go to any state capitol constructing, make it the one in Harrisburg – it was Teddy Roosevelt’s private favourite. The close by State Museum of Pennsylvania homes greater than 3 million historic objects and is a perfect place to start out your go to. If you happen to’re a practice fanatic, do not depart city with out testing the Harris Tower & Museum.

Second Road is named Restaurant Row, and the extra high-end eating choices are on this space. Yow will discover inexpensive Jamaican eating places one block east of the Amtrak station alongside Cameron Road. And there are extra Vietnamese eating places in Harrisburg than in most cities twice its measurement. For slightly little bit of every little thing, try the must-see Broad Road Market, which is without doubt one of the oldest public markets within the nation.

If you happen to go to throughout the summer season, you must try Metropolis Island. It is a mile-long island in the course of the Susquehanna River with batting cages, miniature golf, minor league baseball and a small seaside membership. Satisfaction of the Susquehanna river cruises depart every day from Metropolis Island. If you happen to’re planning to stay to Downtown, Midtown and Metropolis Island, you will not want a automotive. However if you wish to see the Nationwide Civil Struggle Museum or the quirky Doll Home Museum, you may want one.

Lancaster

The Lancaster Metropolis Customer Middle — Picture courtesy of Brian Cicioni

Folks from exterior of Pennsylvania appear to have an countless fascination with Amish tradition in Lancaster County. Town itself has a walkable downtown, the place streets are teeming with historical past, courting again to Colonial occasions. Lancaster Metropolis was the nation’s capital for at some point again in 1777. And their Central Market normally will get the nod for the oldest public market within the county.

At the moment, you may discover a wide range of pleasant cafes, small clothes boutiques and file shops inside strolling distance of the Troopers and Sailors Memorial, which marks the geographic heart of Pennsylvania’s eleventh largest metropolis. The Lancaster Marriott at Penn Sq. is a perfect place to remain, particularly in the event you’re touring and not using a automotive. Their rooftop restaurant (The Trade) affords the best eating expertise within the metropolis. And you’ll find Uruguayan empanadas, Swedish sweet, Trinidadian consolation meals and award-winning cupcakes inside 5 minutes of Penn Sq..

Thus far, James Buchanan has been the one American president from Pennsylvania. He is buried south of downtown in Woodward Hill Cemetery, whereas his former house close to Franklin & Marshall Faculty is a museum. If you happen to’re visiting for the primary time, we advise signing up for the African American Heritage Strolling Tour to get an thought of Lancaster’s historic significance.

Studying

Studying rail automotive — Picture courtesy of Brian Cicioni

There’s extra to Studying than pretzels and pagodas. Pennsylvania’s fourth-largest metropolis is unfold out throughout ten sq. miles, with most sights positioned east of the Schuylkill River. The Berks County Heritage Middle is a perfect first cease for a Studying beginner. Right here, you may get a historic overview of the world in a serene setting alongside the Tulpehocken Creek. And you will have to stroll throughout one among Pennsylvania’s well-known coated bridges to get there.

Like many American cities that has seen main industries depart, Studying has needed to get artistic with former industrial areas. For an instance of this, try GoggleWorks, which challenges human beings to “remodel lives by way of distinctive interactions with artwork” in an 1871 goggle manufacturing facility.

If you happen to’re an aviation geek, try the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum, the place you possibly can see a Capital Airways Vickers Viscount together with an Japanese Airways Martin 4-0-4. Each plane nonetheless take to the pleasant skies at the very least every year. There’s additionally a cool firefighter museum south of downtown.

In Downtown Studying, upscale eating places like Judy’s on Cherry and Cheers American Bistro are combined in with extra informal locations like Mofongo and the basic Peanut Bar. On the latter, you possibly can throw your empty peanut shells on the ground. For the very best selection, head throughout the Schuylkill River to West Studying, which has a vibrant important avenue (Penn Ave) lined with small boutiques, award-winning cupcakes and worldwide eating places. Chatty Monks might be the quirkiest place in West Studying. Right here, you possibly can get pleasure from Belgian beers together with basic American pub meals with an Indian twist.

If you happen to’re planning to discover Studying and not using a automotive, we advocate staying on the DoubleTree throughout from the Santander Enviornment. However you will have a automotive to go to the Studying Pagoda in addition to many of the museums.

Scranton

Scranton is also referred to as The Electrical Metropolis — Picture courtesy of Brian Cicioni

Many individuals who’ve by no means visited Scranton solely understand it because the setting for “The Workplace.” Pennsylvania’s seventh-largest metropolis has a wealthy industrial historical past, a novel pizza type that locals contemplate to be the very best on the earth and the world’s solely constructing devoted to Houdini.

If you happen to’re within the historical past of heavy business in Pennsylvania, try the Scranton Iron Furnaces and the Anthracite Heritage Museum. The latter will provide you with an thought of what life was like for coal miners in Northeast Pennsylvania. Though Scranton has not had passenger rail service for many years, you possibly can nonetheless try the Electrical Metropolis Trolley Museum and the close by Steamtown Nationwide Historic Web site. Each supply brief practice rides. The previous practice station was transformed to the best lodge on the town again within the early Nineteen Eighties.

Locals take pleasure in Outdated Forge-style pizza, which has a thick crust, crispy backside and a chewy heart. They have an inclination to order cuts as a substitute of slices and trays as a substitute of pies. There are a handful of conventional Italian eating places within the downtown space too. For one thing extra fashionable, try Bar Pazzo. They’ve a Neapolitan-style oven, espresso bar and essentially the most scrumptious gelato you may get on this a part of Pennsylvania. For bar meals with a Mexican twist, try the part-video arcade and part-watering gap, Bartari.

Williamsport

Murals in Downtown Williamsport — Picture courtesy of Brian Cicioni

The Birthplace of Little League Baseball as soon as boasted extra millionaires per capita than some other American metropolis. You can begin your go to by studying about these lumber barons on the Taber Museum, which is positioned alongside West 4th Road, also referred to as Millionaires’ Row. They’ve extremely detailed life-sized figures of the primary space settlers in addition to greater than 300 mannequin practice units within the basement.

South of the Susquehanna River, which divides Williamsport from South Williamsport, you possibly can try the World of Little League Museum. Yearly, the world inhabitants doubles when the Little League World Sequence is held within the advanced behind the museum. The Baseball Corridor of Fame could also be in Cooperstown, however the Little League Museum has its personal Corridor of Excellence, which lists notable former Little Leaguers like Bruce Springsteen, Kevin Costner and two of the final three American Presidents.

There are a handful of upscale Italian eating places within the downtown space, in addition to one of many coolest one-woman present Greek eating places you may see exterior of Europe. The Olive Tree is a small, informal eating spot positioned off Pine Sq.. The hilarious enterprise hours are posted on the door; in abstract, Rao’s is not the one place that may thrive whereas being closed on weekends and solely accepting money. Inside, each image appears to have a narrative. Sophia’s meals has been served on the set of “Breaking Unhealthy,” and her 16 completely different baklava flavors may put something in Astoria to disgrace if she wished to open there.

Williamsport can be an hour exterior the PA Grand Canyon. If you wish to go to the Canyon throughout the day and have extra of a metropolis expertise throughout the remainder of your go to, you possibly can keep downtown on the Genetti Lodge. This historic property has hosted a who’s who of politicians, sports activities figures and different entertainers since opening in 1922. If you dine at their Home windows on 4th restaurant, you possibly can see the “Inspiration Lycoming” murals, which depict native historical past in Pennsylvania’s geographically largest county.

York

Beaver Road in Downtown York — Picture courtesy of Brian Cicioni

York has a walkable downtown with nice buying and eating places, in addition to quirky sights and vital historic websites. It was the nation’s capital from late 1777 to mid-1778. The Colonial Advanced and York County Historical past Middle are each ideally suited locations to start out your first go to. After you get an thought of the native historical past, you possibly can try downtown. There are dozens of cute cafes, small boutiques, yoga studios and bars inside strolling distance of Central Market.

For upscale eating, you possibly can attempt Left Financial institution, Hamir’s or Tutoni’s. For one thing extra informal, try Nema’s for Egyptian avenue meals.

As Tru by Hilton and many of the space accommodations are positioned alongside the freeway, if you wish to keep downtown, it is price checking availability for rooms on Airbnb. Outdoors of downtown, you possibly can attempt Maryland-centric soul meals with a Philly twist at Skillet2Plate or upscale pub fare at The First Put up.

Folks journey from around the globe to take a look at the Haines Shoe Home, which is positioned 6 miles east of downtown. This 25-foot-high, 48-foot-long shrine to as soon as regionally manufactured footwear will get the nod for the quirkiest attraction within the space. The foot has 5 flooring of small rooms with native artifacts and artfully designed home windows. Excursions are guided. York additionally has Underground Railroad historical past, which you’ll find out about on the Goodridge Freedom Middle & Underground Railroad Museum.