Pennsylvania
Discover Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is a state in the eastern United States. It is known for its Revolutionary War-era historical sites like Valley Forge, its large cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, its farming regions (some occupied by the Amish), and a (once)-strong industrial history. With equally large swaths of cities and towns as fields and mountains, Pennsylvania is a rich and varied state, as well as a worthy travel destination. Pennsylvania is a geographically diverse state with a Great Lake on one shore and a major seaport on the other. The climate of Pennsylvania is pleasant, with cold, often snowy winters, mild to hot, humid summers, gorgeous green springtimes, and spectacular displays of colorful autumn foliage.
What to Experience in Pennsylvania
Taste of Pennsylvania...
However, Pennsylvania is home to many other beers. It is the birthplace of Rolling Rock — "#33". Serious beer drinkers, however, probably know Pennsylvania for its wide selection of craft breweries. Hundreds of fine ales are produced each year. Some great labels that every visitor should try include Yards, Sly Fox, Victory, Lancaster, Troegs, Philadelphia Brewing Company, and Stoudts. Pennsylvania's alcoholic-beverage laws are not only restrictive but confusing. There is a good reason that the last thing you usually pass before driving across the state line from most neighboring states is a liquor store. Pennsylvania has many country inns in the Northeast and some grand old hotels in big cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. And naturally, you'll also find branches of national chain hotels and motels at various price points throughout the state. As there are many universities in the state, you may also want to inquire about whether you can stay in a dorm during intersessions or in the summer, as you might be able to save money that way. Pittsburgh and some parts of Philadelphia are very liberal in terms of politics and culture. Outside of these areas, political and cultural attitudes vary significantly between individuals, especially in the Lehigh Valley which is not LGBT friendly. Many rural areas are more conservative and vote Republican. Outside of Greater Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and the Lehigh Valley, crime is not a major problem in Pennsylvania.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsPennsylvania is a densely populous state in a densely populous part of the country, with many roads in and out. Interstate highways lead most traffic into the state. Major national interstate highways leading to Pennsylvania include I-95 S from New England, I-95 N from the American South, and I-70 E, I-80 E & I-90 E from the American West and Midwest. Specifically, clockwise from north of Harrisburg: Also, U.S. Routes 219, 15, and 220 (soon to be I-99) all enter the state at alternative points from both the north and south. State-operated Welcome Centers and Comfort Facilities are found just inside the borders at all major crossings into Pennsylvania. Amtrak offers a total of nine different passenger train lines in or across the state of Pennsylvania....
Regions
Explore AreasPennsylvania is a geographically diverse state with a Great Lake on one shore and a major seaport on the other. The climate of Pennsylvania is pleasant, with cold, often snowy winters, mild to hot, hu…...
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Information on Pennsylvania transit can be found here. In addition to the Interstate highways that enter Pennsylvania and travel throughout: There also exists a wide network of state highways and municipal roads that reach into the mostly forested and farmed rural areas. The more mountainous of these areas should be traversed with caution by visitors as they can be drastically winding, narrow, or steep (or all three!) in parts. Speed limit signs are almost exclusively posted in miles per hour, "mph". Seatbelt use is mandatory, and a second ticket and fine will be issued to those who are pulled over for speeding, etc. if not worn. Pennsylvania has not yet enacted a ban on hand-held cell phone usage while driving, except for commercial truck drivers. The cities of Philadelphia, Allentown, Bethlehem, Erie, Harrisburg, and Wilkes-Barre have enacted bans. Texting while driving is illegal statewide.
Where to Stay
Pennsylvania has many country inns in the Northeast and some grand old hotels in big cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. And naturally, you'll also find branches of national chain hotels and motels at various price points throughout the state. As there are many universities in the state, you may also want to inquire about whether you can stay in a dorm during intersessions or in the summer, as you might be able to save money that way. Pittsburgh and some parts of Philadelphia are very liberal in terms of politics and culture. Outside of these areas, political and cultural attitudes vary significantly between individuals, especially in the Lehigh Valley which is not LGBT friendly. Many rural areas are more conservative and vote Republican. Outside of Greater Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and the Lehigh Valley, crime is not a major problem in Pennsylvania. Gang activity is high in the larger cities, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown and Reading.
Money & Budget
Pennsylvania imposes a 6% sales tax on non-essential goods, including some foods, but not clothing and other essentials. However, Pennsylvania is home to many other beers. It is the birthplace of Rolling Rock — "#33". Serious beer drinkers, however, probably know Pennsylvania for its wide selection of craft breweries. Hundreds of fine ales are produced each year. Some great labels that every visitor should try include Yards, Sly Fox, Victory, Lancaster, Troegs, Philadelphia Brewing Company, and Stoudts. Pennsylvania's alcoholic-beverage laws are not only restrictive but confusing. There is a good reason that the last thing you usually pass before driving across the state line from most neighboring states is a liquor store.
Language & Talk
Most Pennsylvanians speak American English, although pound-for-pound its variety of regional dialects and accents is richer and more rugged and blunt than any other state in the nation. The Western Pennsylvania ("Pittsburghese"), Central Pennsylvania, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Southeastern Pennsylvania (centered in Pennsylvania Dutch Country and heavily influenced by that language; see below), and Philadelphia dialects are all audibly distinct from each other. People from the Appalachian Mountains speak with a distinctive accent that is similar to a Southern accent. Travellers may well notice these different speech patterns, but it's highly doubtful they'll present any communication problem for anyone with a workable level of English proficiency.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Outside of Greater Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and the Lehigh Valley, crime is not a major problem in Pennsylvania. Gang activity is high in the larger cities, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown and Reading. You know you are in a rough area when you see graffiti, abandoned houses and vehicles, and shoes tossed over telephone wires, known as shoefiti, to mark that drugs are for sale. Street drag racing and prostitution are also problems in the state's urban areas. As with most locations in the United States, a major cause of injury and death in Pennsylvania comes from automobile accidents. Drivers can be down-right hostile on some of the more notorious urban freeways, such as the Schuykill Expressway in Philadelphia (usually it's a parking lot anyway), route 22 in Allentown, the 376 in Pittsburgh and on the Interstate 95 corridor in the southeast section of the state. The roads in Pennsylvania are notoriously bad, so be careful.
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh by night, Duquesne Incline in front.
a view of a city
A good time to be outside.
green grass field near lake under blue sky during daytime
green and brown trees near lake during daytime
Pennsylvania State Capitol signage wtih capitol building in background
a view of a valley with trees in the foreground
Shot along the Schuylkill River, with the Philadelphia Art Museum and the center city skyline as the backdrop.
Roberto Clemente Bridge Pittsburgh, PA
Roberto Clemente Bridge, Pittsburgh, PA. Me and my fiancee took a day trip to Pittsburgh from Buffalo. we always enjoy this city because it is unique. The citie's downtown is shaped by bodies of water, turning the city into a peninsula. Naturally, we (Buffalo) are a food town, so when we visit different towns or cities, we have to try out historical restaurants that are embedded into that citie's culture. Primanti Bros. was the first place we went to eat. I had their Double Roast & Cheddar that was loaded liberally with french fries and cole slaw. Delicious to say the least. I love Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh by night, Duquesne Incline in front.
a view of a city
A good time to be outside.