When visitors think of places to visit in Pennsylvania, a few typical cities and towns spring to mind: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Hershey, Lancaster, etc. There are tons of great towns in our state, though, that often are overlooked. Here are some of the best places to visit that may have slipped your attention.
1. Annville
Annville is a small town in Lebanon County. It's worth visiting because of its awesome historic district, which includes the Allen Theatre and MJ's Coffee House, St. Anthony Coptic Church, and a Queen Anne- style lighthouse.
2. Shartlesville
Shartlesville is home to the unforgettable Roadside America, which is an elaborate miniature town and train display that would rival any other in the world. Just outside of town is the Mountain Springs Arena, which holds tons of fun events.
3. Emmaus
The tiny town of Emmaus is tucked away next to Allentown in the Lehigh Valley. It is the home to the real life family that "Marley and Me" was based off of, and in 2009 "Money" named it one of the best 100 places to live in the U.S.
4. Franklin
Franklin is a fun town because of its arts and crafts culture. Every year, Franklin holds Applefest, the largest craft festival in western PA. It is also home to DeBence Antique Music World, which is a groovy musical instrument museum, and the Franklin Silver Cornet Band, one of the oldest town bands in the country.
5. Ardmore
One of the burgeoning towns on Philadelphia's main line, Ardmore is a prime culinary and shopping destination. Suburban Square is basically an area containing all the excitement of a mall, without the bother of walls or a ceiling. Kate Flannery is from Ardmore, too, which is pretty cool.
6. Phoenixville
Phoenixville's Colonial Theatre was featured in the 1958 sci-fi classic "The Blob," and ever since the town holds Blobfest each year. The town also celebrates First Fridays, and each year has a Firebird Festival, in which they burn a large wooden phoenix to commemorate the "rebirth" of the town.
7. Jim Thorpe
Jim Thorpe is known as the "Switzerland of Pennsylvania," due to its charming architecture, small-town vibe, and mountainous terrain. It is a destination for many outdoorsmen and women who enjoy whitewater rafting and hiking.
8. Titusville
Titusville is home to the modern oil industry; in the late 1850s it became the target of an oil rush after Seneca Oil Company drilled a commercially successful well. Today, Titusville is home to the Drake Well Museum and the annual Oil Festival each August. Visitors can also take a scenic railroad to the nearby Oil City.
9. Ephrata
Ephrata holds the state's biggest street fair each summer. It is also home to the Eicher Arts Center, Ephrata Cloister, and Ephrata Performing Arts Center.
10. Ohiopyle
Ohiopyle is a tiny town with a huge tourist industry. People come from all over the state to enjoy the outdoors activities available here, such as camping, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, hiking, and more.
What else would you add to this list? Share your thoughts below.
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