Pennsylvania is 46,055 square miles of beautiful land and inland waters to view and explore. Being the 33rd largest state in the United States, Pennsylvania has many hidden wonders that attract everyone from the honeymooners, to the fisherman, to even the nature lovers.
My first suggestion is Kennywood Park. This amusement park that was founded in 1898 as a small trolley park, has flourished into a 107 acre park full of hundreds upon thousands of things to do. This park is easy to get to and if you ask anyone in the Pennsylvania area, they will be able to point you to West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. Only ten miles from Pittsburgh’s skyline, you can begin to see the 228 foot drop to the Phantom’s Revenge coaster as well as The Pitfall, which stands 251 feet high and will take you for a thrilling drop at 65 mph.
Kennywood Park has something for everyone, whether you are a roller coaster fanatic, a little tyke, or just there for the food.
Kennywood was one of the first amusement parks to have a special area dedicated to children. Miniature versions of the bigger rides were shrunk down for Kennywood’s smaller fans and placed in an area called Kiddieland.
If you want food, Kennywood has the best French fries from their famous Potato Patch as well as awesome homemade fudge! If either of those doesn’t satisfy your craving, there is over 30 snacks and refreshment stands throughout the park. Kennywood is known for being a family oriented park and does not permit alcohol in the park, but who needs alcohol when you got so much to do! For just $31 per person or $19 per person if you are under 46 inches tall, you got a Funday Pass that will keep you entertained till dusk.
While you are still in the Pittsburgh Area, take a drive to Schenley Park, not far from Kennywood, where you can relax and take a walk through Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. These buildings will educate you and entertain you as you view the plethora of formal gardens and various species of exotic plants. There is a thirteen room conservatory on the grounds as well as a Victorian greenhouse. There are 13 indoor room gardens and 6 outdoor gardens.
Two of my favorite gardens are the Aquatic Garden and the Victoria Room. The Aquatic Gardens are two pools outside of the Victoria Room that have a gorgeous variety of tropical water plants and floating water plants. The Victoria Room is full of dark foliage plants with interactive lighted fountains and jets that reflect that of the Victorian era.
The next stop will definitely have to be only about an hour’s drive south of Pittsburgh to Hopwood where the largest cave in Pennsylvania sits called Laurel Caverns. This Cavern is one of my favorite places to visit, as well as an awesome sight for less than $10 per person. It literally sits out in the middle of nowhere and descends downward over 46 stories. The bottom 29 stories are open to those more adventurous explorers who enjoy rough a three hour hike through rough terrain.
One of my favorite parts of the cave is within on of the chambers; there is a light show that is sequenced with music. The colors reflecting off of the stalagmites are incredible! One thing that you do have to be prepared for when entering these caves is the temperature. The caverns hold an average of 52 degrees Fahrenheit year round. So bring a jacket, it will be a bit cool.
You may also want to bring a flashlight and wear comfortable hiking shoes. There is a tour that you can go on to explore the caves, however there are no lights in certain parts of the cavern and the staff will worn you that you will get wet, dirty, and sore from the hike about the 430 acre geological park with 2.8 miles of passages and catacombs to explore.
One other part of the Cavern that is worth checking out is the part called Devil’s Staircase. It has been a while since I have been there, however it is just a part of the cavern that is lighted in red and there is a fence by the Devil’s Staircase. So if you are afraid of heights, this is a fence you do not want to look over. But if you do, looking straight down, if you can get past the extreme height of the drop, and I do mean extreme, you will see a small creek running through the pit of the cavern as well as some spectacular scenery!
From Hopwood you definitely need to take a little bit of a road trip, only about 3 hours to Hershey Pennsylvania. If you love chocolate, you have to go here! The Hershey’s Chocolate World. It is definitely the sweetest place in the world! Your senses will go crazy! No dieting allowed when you visit, there is no way you can resist! The best thing I can suggest is to go on the tour that is available. You will actually watch and learn as you see the transformation of the cocoa beans to the yummy milk chocolate. There is also an option that you can visit a part of the factory that lets you create your own chocolate mix, chocolate sundaes, and chocolate cupcakes!
Before you even think of leaving you have to top off your visit with taking a stroll to the food court that is available and try a tasty truffle at the Artisan Confections store. These truffles are an experience in itself! And you can’t forget to treat yourself to a little bit of ice cream at the Hershey’s Ice Cream Shop, they have the most enticing milk shakes I have ever tasted!
I’m sure you’re wanting to take a rest from all this fun and traveling. While in Hershey I would suggest to stay at Hotel Hershey. Rates start at $400 per night, but the accommodations are out of this world! The hotel serves gourmet cuisines and gives you access to a famous dining room that has irresistible chocolate desserts, a café that features contemporary cuisines, a lounge that offers live entertainment and signature chocolate martinis, and you can’t forget about the beanery and creamery where you can indulge in chocolate pastries and hand dipped ice cream.
This town is very chocolate oriented. It even offers 24 hour in room dining including serving chocolate desserts. Speaking of chocolate, not only does Hershey want you to indulge in the decadent tastes of chocolate, they also want you to bathe in it! Hotel Hershey has a spa that includes luxury treatment like a whipped cocoa bath, a chocolate bean polish or even a chocolate fondue wrap!
Who ever thought chocolate could be so good!
Our next stop is 2 hours from Hershey about nine miles south of Scranton Pennsylvania, its not much, but it is awesome. I’m talking about Archbald Pothole State Park. The 150 acre park contains a geological feature that formed during the Wisconsin Glacial Period. A pothole that is 38 feet deep and could hold about 140,000 gallons of water. During the said ice age, water that was melting from ice fell into a crack in the glacier and created enough force that a whirling motion took place and created the hole after time. You will know when you see the hole, for it has a concrete platform around it and a plaque stating what it is.
And last but certainly not least as we make our way eastward across the beautiful state of Pennsylvania, is the Philadelphia Zoo. This zoo is amazing! It is the first zoo in America as well as one of the region’s foremost conservation organizations. The zoo has over 42 acres of Victorian gardens and is home to over 1500 rare and endangered animals. The zoo has about 15 different animal exhibits. My favorite is Big Cat Falls. This exhibit highlights the Puma, Snow Leopard, Amur Tiger, Amur Leopard, African Lion, and the Jaguar, along with many other big cats.
For the more daring and adventurous types, there are rides and attractions that consist of 3-D simulators, camel rides, horseback rides, pony rides, and a balloon ride.
I think this trip is a success! Remember, if you are driving on this trip, backtrack and revisit Hershey, PA! Grab another treat for the road!
