Headed to the Keystone State but don’t know what to do in Pennsylvania? Luckily we have the inside scoop and know there are lots of great things to do in Pennsylvania with kids!
There are so many great attractions in Pennsylvania for families like big city experiences and museums in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, history lessons at Gettysburg National Military Park, and the best skiing in the Mid-Atlantic in the Pocono Mountains.
There are also many Pennsylvania that are fun and thrilling, from train rides to amusement parks. And of course, we can’t forget Mother Nature and all she has to offer in the Keystone State.
Here are our top picks for fun things to do in Pennsylvania with kids. From the shores of Lake Erie to Independence Hall, we have you covered.
Fun Things to do in Pennsylvania with Kids
Explore Pennsylvania Dutch Country
A drive through Pennsylvania quickly reveals that this state has a wealth of farmland. There is no better place to experience the bounty of this harvest than in Lancaster’s Pennsylvania Dutch Country. In the summer months there are roadside markets selling fresh fruit, pies, and breads.
The Amish are the backbone of this community and you would be remiss if you didn’t take time to visit Amish Farm and House, the Amish Village, and the Lancaster County’s Amish Quilt and Craft Museum to catch a glimpse of what life is all about.
Be watchful for horses and buggies as you cross the street- those suckers are fast! Several companies offer guided buggy rides through Amish farmland which is a nice way to enjoy the working farms iin these rural communities.
For the full PA Dutch experience, visit a smorgasbord like the Hershey Farm Restuarant or Miller’s Smorgasbord, to eat the most filling meal of a lifetime. Kids love being able to choose from at least a dozen pie and dessert options after finishing their fried chicken. Ever wanted to try shoofly pie? Here’s your chance!
Strasbourg Railroad
While eating is certainly the best way to enjoy the farmland of Lancaster County, it’s not the only way. Hop on a steam train at the Strasburg Railroad and watch the countryside go by. This is one of the oldest continuously operating railroads in the United States with a history dating all the way back to the 1830s.
There are various train excursions to choose from the most popular is the 45-minute scenic journey on a steam train. If you visit during the Christmas season, definitely try to book the popular holiday train.
For even more fun things to do in Pennsylvania with kids, leave the train behind at Cherry Crest Adventure Farm to enjoy their play areas, bouncing pillows, and seasonal corn maze. There are kid-friendly classic like a petting zoo, wagon rides, and a hay shute slide. This is an especially popular spot in the fall- and you don’t want to miss the piglet races!
See what other awesome spots made our list of the best pumpkin patches in Pennsylvania.
Looking for more fun things to do in Lancaster County? Check out Visit Lancaster, Pennsylvania’s Dutch Country, for Family Fun on the Farm.
Appreciate the Charm of Bucolic Bucks County
Along the Delaware River opposite the state of New Jersey lies Bucks County, a favorite weekend getaway destination for many Pennsylvania and New Jersey families. The rolling hillsides and quaint villages could not feel further from big city of Philadelphia, which in reality, is just an hour away.
In Doylestown, there is a curious group of castles housing a unique collection of tools and other items from the 19th Century pre-industrial age. Around the turn of the 20th century, Henry Mercer devoted his life to curating this collection.
Now there are nearly 50,000 items housed in the Mercer Museum, a six-story concrete castle dreamt up by Mercer himself. Be sure to pick up a scavenger hunt! They have several that are specifically designed for different age groups.
Longwood Gardens
To the south of Philadelphia in the Brandywine Valley, Longwood Gardens is simply one of the most stunning gardens in the world. In the summer, the main fountains put on a show with lights, music, and over 1500 jets of water aiming skywards.
In the winter, the gardens are lit up for the season with millions of lights. The children’s garden inside the conservatory building delights little ones with water fountains, labyrinths, and secret stairways year round.
Find family-friendly lodging near Longwood Gardens. As a Booking.com affiliate, Trekaroo is thrilled to be able to offer our readers the lowest rates.
Presque Isle State Park
Did you know that Pennsylvania has it’s own beach? On the shores of Lake Erie, Presque Isle State Park has more than 10 beaches for families to enjoy in the summer months.
Water activities abound in the lake and lagoons and you will find lots of boaters, akyakers, and paddleboarders on the water in the summer months. In addition to beaches, this 3,200-acre park has marshes, wetlands, and woodlands as well.
Pine Creek Gorge
The state has its own grand canyon too! The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, aka: Pine Creek Gorge, stretches for over 45 miles in the northern part of the state. Northern Pennsylvania is even home to a large herd of free-roaming elk.
Raystown Lake Region
Many families head to Pennsylvania’s mountains to relax and reconnect. There are countless mountain lakes, protected forests, and state parks that provide camping and cabins for families.
A Trekaroo favorite is the Raystown Lake Region in the picturesque Allegheny Mountains. It offers tranquil forests, mountain biking, scenic overlooks, and outfitters that provide everything a family needs out on the lake.
Looking for more things to do when you visit Erie, PA with kids? Check out Summer Family Fun on the Lake in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Take A Steam Train Ride Back to the Age of Coal in Scranton
From a train that takes families into the Lackawanna Coal Mine in Scranton to Strasburg Railroad’s coal burning steam train, the train rides of PA are fun reminders of the state’s industrial past.
At Steamtown National Historic Site, families can exploring a living history museum that is focused on the history of steam railroading in the USA. It is located on the former yards of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad, which was an important fixture of region’s coal mining and railroad industries.
Park rangers offer guided tours of the large railroad yard and there are steam and diesel-powered locamotive rides as welll.
At the Lackawanna Coal Mine visitors can take guided tours to learn about coal mining. Experienced coal miners lead these tours 300 feet below the surface so that visitors can learn about the history of working in a coal mine and the technology used today.
The heritage of the industrial age of coal and steel in Pennsylvania has left dozens of train rides in Pennsylvania for families to enjoy.
Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railways
Families looking to soak in the state’s beautiful fall foliage will want to book a ride on the scenic Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway. The route takes passengers along the Lehigh River and into Lehigh Gorge State Park which is aflame with vibrant foliage in Autumn.
Pennsylvania Trolley Museum
Choo choo” obsessed tots who can ride Pittsburgh’s retired trolleys at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum. This museum was founded back in 1949 and is dedicated to the history of electronic traction vehicles. It does have an operational trolley line as well as dozens of exhibits on historic rtolleys and even horse drawn streetcars.
Go Skiing or Tubing in the Poconos Mountains
Kids from all over the Mid-Atlantic states grow-up learning to ski in Pennsylvania. Why? Ski PA has a Snowpass program where fourth and fifth graders can ski for free at Pennsylvania Ski Resorts. Due to the Pocono Mountains’ convenient location, many kids from this region learn to ski on these mountains.
The Pocono Mountains are beautiful in any season, and they boast more than five ski areas and resorts.
Two of Trekaroo’s favorite slopes are the Blue Mountain Ski Area and Camelback Mountain Ski Resort, which both also offer tubing. Camelback actually offers an amazing 42 lanes of tubing fun! It’s one of the best things to do in Pennsylvania with kids.
The family fun in the Pocono Mountains does not end on the mountaintops. There are also indoor and outdoor water parks where families can play.
Camelback Resort offers a 13-slide Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark at its Camelback Lodge, in addition to its legendary Camelbeach Mountain WaterPark.
No matter the season, you wouldn’t want to spend your entire Pocono Mountains vacation inside at a water park. Get outdoors and enjoy the kid-friendly hiking trails at Bushkill Falls or Hickory Run State Park!
Ready for a getaway from the kids? Check out these romantic hotels in Pennsylvania.
Explore Pittsburgh
Famously sitting at the confluence of three rivers, Pittsburgh has one of the most distinctive skylines in all of the eastern United States. The castle-like PPG Place rising above the Allegheny River and golden Fort Duquesne Bridge.
There is no better view of the city than from Mount Washington. It is easily reached by the Duquesne Incline or Monongahela Incline from Station Square on the South Shore of the Monongahela. From the top of either incline, Pittsburgh locals will proudly point out Heinz Field where their Steelers play football.
Fortunately, there’s so much more to Pittsburgh than football. Pittsburgh is home to a fantastic collection of museums due in part to the legacy of Carnegie and the city’s steel empire.
The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is perfect for both grown-up Mister Rogers Neighborhood fans and little Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood viewers featuring puppets from the original show. It also has a full complement of high quality, interactive science and art activities.
The nearby Carnegie Science Center also has a plenty of unique exhibits from a retired military submarine to a large model train exhibit highlighting the local landscape.
And, there’s so much more in Pittsburgh including: the historic Point State Park, the enormous Phipps Conservatory Botanical Gardens, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, and the iconic Strip District.
Before you head to Pittsburgh be sure to read our comphrensive guide to the Best Things to do with Kids in Pittsburgh. It is filled with great recommendations for families.
Made in Pennsylvania: Hershey’s Chocolate, Crayola Crayons, & More!
Pennsylvania celebrates the products that it produces like no other state. There are factory tours where families can see pretzels being produced. There are also hands on experiences that teach children how Crayola crayons are made.
At the Crayola Experience in Easton, my children named crayons for several of their friends and gave them out as gifts.
In Hershey there is even a theme park with rides named after Hershey’s candies. Oh yes, it’s clever marketing, but it’s also so much fun.
Also, I am doubtful that my children will ever forget the catchy song that accompanies the ride at Hershey’s Chocolate World. The Disney-like animated characters demonstrate how Hershey’s chocolate is made during the free educational ride.
For a more traditional factory tour experience, head to central Pennsylvania. The Julius Sturgis Pretzel Tour is a Trekaroo favorite, but you’re sure to find one that’s just right for your family in Trekaroo’s Family Friendly Factory Tours in Pennsylvania.
Visit a Pennsylvania Theme Park
The joy of a young child bravely riding a roller coaster for the first time or giving a high-five to a character they recognize from television is a priceless memory.
Trekaroo families with preschoolers love Sesame Place where tots can join a parade with their favorite Sesame Street characters and later cool off on water rides just their size.
On the western side of the state Idlewild, too, is home to a familiar PBS character — Daniel Tiger from Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.
Rounding out the assortment of amusement parks in PA that are just the right size for younger children is Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster County.
Amusement parks in Pennsylvania offer some thrilling roller coasters as well. Hersheypark certainly offers the most thrills in the state. It has over a dozen roller coasters that appeal to children of all ages from tiny tots to teens. Hershey’s SooperDooperLooper was the first looping coaster on the East Coast!
Reese’s CupFusion is sure to be a favorite with the entire family as everyone works together to protect the Reese’s Central by blasting “Mint the Merciless.” Be sure to bring your bathing suits to cool off at the Boardwalk in the afternoon.
Along the shores of Lake Erie, Waldameer World is home to the Ravine Flyer II. If you don’t blink, you can even spot the sun setting over nearby Presque Isle State Park from the coaster.
Just outside of Philadelphia, Dorney Park’s Hydra turns riders upside down a total of seven times – wow!
Visit Gettyburg to Remember the Legendary Battel and Lincoln’s Famous Address
In President Lincoln’s words, the world “ can never forget what they did here.” Simply put, that’s the reason why families must visit Gettysburg National Military Park — so that they will always remember the cost of the American Civil War.
As families tour the extensive battlefields they can walk through the cemetery where Lincoln spoke those very words. Reading the monuments the history lesson of Gettysburg becomes so much more vivid than words in a history book.
For assistance in planning your family’s memorable visit to Gettysburg, check out Trekaroo’s How To Visit Gettysburg with Kids.
Learn About the Foundations of American Independence in Historic Philadelphia
Every school child in the United States studies the Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution.
These are two of the most important documents in our nation’s history. Visiting Independence Hall and imagining what it must have been like to be among Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin debating the future of our nation, is an essential lesson in American history.
While viewing the Liberty Bell at Independence National Historical Park, children have the opportunity to ponder the Preamble of the Constitution. They can reflect on what it means when it states that the purpose of the US Constitution is to “secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.” What an invaluable lesson!
In addition to the historic sites run by the National Parks Service, there are also a couple of Pennsylvania attractions, the National Constitution Center and the Museum of The American Revolution. These museums provide background information for your family’s visit to historic Philadelphia.
This historic section of Philadelphia is only a small part of the city itself. It is also home to some of the best Pennsylvania attractions and museums, from the hands-on science at the Franklin Institute to the Please Touch Museum. For a local’s perspective on top Pennsylvania attractions for kids in Philadelphia, check out the Best Things for Families to Do in Philadelphia.
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