You Can Visit The Small Town Near Pittsburgh That Inspired The Movie Groundhog Day
By Beth Price-Williams|Published June 21, 2019
×
Beth Price-Williams
Author
A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.
Pennsylvania certainly has become a trendsetter. Just look at our beloved Punxsutawney Phil, the first groundhog to annually predict whether we’ll have an early spring or six more weeks of winter. Since the inception of Groundhog Day in 1887, other cities have introduced their own versions of Phil. Nothing beats the original, though. And, this Hollywood film, set in Punxsutawney near Pittsburgh, shines the spotlight on Groundhog Day in a unique way.
Give a nod to Pittsburgh as it briefly appeared in the popular 1993 Hollywood film "Groundhog Day," as Bill Murray drove through town on his way to...
In fact, if you visit Punxsutawney, carve out time to visit the Punxsutawney Weather Discovery Center, an family-friendly, interactive attraction.
Advertisement
Of course, most of the country, if not the world, knows the charming town of just over 5,000 residents because of its adorable, furry weatherman Punxsutawney Phil.
And, Murray's character, a weatherman just like Phil, in "Groundhog Day," traveled to Punxsutawney on Groundhog Day to cover whether Phil would see his shadow or not.
While Punxsutawney inspired the film, the scenes were actually shot in areas of Illinois designed to look like the small Western Pennsylvania town.
But, in a frustrating twist of fate, Murray would wake up on Groundhog Day every day - reliving the popular, uniquely-Pennsylvania holiday day after day.
All eyes turn to Punxsutawney on Groundhog Day every February, but the town also hosts a variety of other events throughout the year, including the Punxsutawney Groundhog Festival, held every Fourth of July.
Today, and for many years, Pittsburghers and travelers from around the country flock to Punxsutawney to visit the small town that inspired the movie Groundhog Day.
Learn more about Punxsutawney Phil by clicking here for the website of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. Or, go
here for Facebook.
Have you been to Punxsutawney near Pittsburgh? Share your experience in the comments! And, did you know these nine movies and TV shows were filmed in and around the Burgh? Click here to read more.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
