If you’re craving a little adventure, plan a memorable road trip through Pennsylvania! One of the best ways to experience The Keystone State is through its small towns, and we’ve put together a road trip that does just that. Our small-town road trip in Pennsylvania will take you to 10 of the charming communities that make our beautiful state so special. (Of course, Pennsylvania is home to many, many amazing small towns — this is just a place to start!) Pack your bags, pack some snacks, gas up the car (or charge your EV), and hit the road — let’s go on one of the best road trips in Pennsylvania.

(View this Google Maps link for the full directions for the road trip mapped out below.

Google Maps
1. Ligonier
Flickr/Jon Dawson
Ligonier, PA 15658, USA
Flickr/Jon Dawson
Our first stop on one of the best road trips in PA is a tiny town with less than 2,000 residents, Ligonier welcomes visitors with the friendliness and warmness for which small-town America is known. The tiny town, which dates back to the 1760s, offers plenty of historic sites to visit, small shops, and locally-owned restaurants.

Check out this drone footage of Ligonier by @brandonyeagerteam-houseroc3602:
2. Hollidaysburg
Flickr/David Clow
Hollidaysburg, PA, USA
Flickr/David Clow
Less than 6,000 people call Hollidaysburg home. Just south of Altoona, Hollidaysburg promises a plethora of outdoor activities, including hiking to the overlook at Chimney Rocks Park, which offers stunning views of the small town below. Hop aboard the Everett Railroad steam train for a scenic train trip.
3. Elizabethtown
Flickr/Jon Dawson
Elizabethtown, PA 17022, USA
Flickr/rorowe8
Stroll through the small town of Elizabethtown, widely regarded as one of the best places to live in Pennsylvania. With a population of less than 12,000, while browsing the quaint shops like the Masonic Village Farm Market, stop for a relaxing drink at Moo Duck Brewery, or hike the Conewago Recreation Trail. This is one of the best small towns in Pennsylvania.

Check out this drone footage of Elizabethtown by Michael Mowery:
4. Lititz
Facebook/Lititz Springs Park
Lititz, PA 17543, USA
Flickr/Rodrigo Bernal
Known as America's coolest small town, Lititz promises unique adventure at every turn, whether it's learning how to twist your own pretzels at Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery, snapping photos of the resident ducks at Lititz Spring Park, or wandering through the Saturday Farmers Market.
5. New Hope
Flickr/acoolerclimate

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New Hope, PA 18938, USA
Flickr/acoolerclimate
Nestled in Bucks County, New Hope welcomes visitors with its many eclectic attractions. Shoppers can spend hours browsing at Rice's Country Market, can learn about the town's haunted history by joining Ghost Tours of New Hope, or can hop aboard The New Hope & Ivy Railroad for a scenic journey through the heart of Bucks County.
6. Jim Thorpe
Flickr/Kevin Thomas
Jim Thorpe, PA, USA
Flickr/Pauline Rosenberg
Travel back in time when you visit Jim Thorpe, a small town that looks as though it's jumped off the pages of a fairy tale. Jim Thorpe offers visitors the perfect afternoon of strolling down quaint streets, visiting cozy shops, and trying out delicious restaurants. Entertainment and outdoor activities, such as hiking and whitewater rafting, are also popular with visitors as well as townspeople.
7. Bloomsburg
Flickr/Doug Kerr
Bloomsburg, PA 17815, USA
Flickr/fishhawk
Bloomsburg welcomes visitors with the old-fashioned hospitality for which small towns are famous. Embrace the cultural diversity on which the town prides itself by attending local festivals, such as the Renaissance Jamboree or the Ice Cream and Cake Festival. The Haas Gallery of Art is another popular Bloomsburg attraction.
8. Eagles Mere
Flickr/Doug Kerr
Eagles Mere, PA, USA
Flickr/Lora Brueck
"Let's not forget the town that time forgot," the small town of Eagles Mere's motto, fits the tiny community to a T. Eagles Mere provides the perfect backdrop any time of the year with old-fashioned tobogganing in the winter and the annual Water Carnival every summer.

Check out this video of Eagles Mere by Cole Ciarlello:
9. Smethport
Flickr/OZ in OH
Smethport, PA 16749, USA
Flickr/Doug Kerr
Embrace every aspect of small town life in Smethport, starting with a walking tour of the picturesque town. Dripping with history, Smethport is home to several museums, including the McKean County Historical Museum and the Old Jail Museum.
10. Wellsboro
Flickr/Bruce Faling
Wellsboro, PA 16901, USA
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn
The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, perhaps one of the state's most amazing natural wonders, calls Wellsboro home so hop on an old-fashioned covered wagon or ride the rails for spectacular views of the Pine Creek Gorge.

Ready for a road trip? This small-town road trip in Pennsylvania will take you through some of the state’s most amazing small towns. Then – if you’re up for it – start planning a haunting road trip that will take you through some of Pennsylvania’s most storied ghost towns.

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Small Town Road Trip In Pennsylvania

Sarah | April 24, 2021

What are some road trips in Pennsylvania I can do on one tank of gas?

Here are some road trips in Pennsylvania that can be done on one tank of gas:

  • Philadelphia's Magic Gardens is a home-turned-museum that's a true artistic masterpiece.
  • Hersheypark is the state's most iconic attraction and a chocolate lover's happy place.
  • Coral Caverns, is a unique underground adventure that will surely inspire.

 

Check out these 10 one-tank trips that allow for a quick, low-cost adventure.

What are some of the smallest towns in Pennsylvania?

Some of the most charming small towns in Pennsylvania include:

  • Baileyville
  • Hartstown
  • Brave
  • Albrightsville
  • Marklesburg.

 

In terms of small-town charm, these 10 places are a delight and offer great opportunities for exploring and really getting away from it all. In terms of population, here are some of the tiniest towns in Pennsylvania.

Are there any inexpensive road trips in Pennsylvania?

Check out these 11 inexpensive day trips in Pennsylvania. With a mix of scenic parks and unique attractions, you don't need to break the bank to see the very best The Keystone State has to offer. For example, admission to Gettysburg National Military Park, one of the state's most historic places, is free (the museum inside, however, does charge admission). And admission to all of Pennsylvania's state parks is free, too!

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