Pennsylvania Region

Pennsylvania is a large mid-Atlantic state where the nation was founded - home to Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, the Gettysburg battlefield and Amish country.

Known for: the birthplace of the nation, big cities, and Amish country

Don’t miss: founding-era Philadelphia (Liberty Bell), Pittsburgh, Gettysburg, and Lancaster’s Amish country

When to go: spring and fall for foliage and mild weather

Pennsylvania sits at the crossroads of the northeastern United States, a landscape of rolling farmland, forested ridges and river valleys that earned it the nickname the “Keystone State.” Much of its character comes from contrasts: industrial, arts-rich cities and quiet rural pockets where traditions run deep.

The state’s signature cities - Philadelphia in the east and Pittsburgh in the west - offer world-class museums, theater and civic history, while the state capital, Harrisburg, anchors central Pennsylvania along the Susquehanna River. History is visceral here: visit Gettysburg for Civil War landmarks, explore the lakeshore at Erie, or find solitude in places like Ohiopyle and the Allegheny National Forest. The scenic Delaware Water Gap and the mountain playground of the Poconos showcase Pennsylvania’s outdoor side.

Outdoor activities are abundant year-round: hike and whitewater kayak in state parks, fish and boat on reservoirs and rivers, and in winter head to the Poconos and Alleghenies for skiing and snowshoeing. The state’s varied terrain also makes it a popular destination for cycling, rail-trail rides and paddling.

Pennsylvania’s food scene ranges from Philly cheesesteaks and soft pretzels in Philadelphia to farm-to-table fare across the countryside; don’t miss chocolate in Hershey or the hearty, home-cooked specialties of Pennsylvania Dutch Country - and the state’s breweries and wineries are perfect for a tasting trail after a day of sightseeing.

A compact state with outsized variety - visit Philadelphia for Revolutionary history and top museums, head to Gettysburg for Civil War sites, relax by the lakes at Erie or seek outdoor thrills in the Poconos and Alleghenies for hiking, skiing and paddling.

Pennsylvania’s climate varies from lake-effect snow near Erie and colder mountain weather in the Alleghenies to milder, maritime-influenced conditions in the southeast around Philadelphia. Time your trip by what you want to do - city culture, leaf-peeping or winter sports.

Visitors typically get around Pennsylvania by car - its towns and scenic regions are best reached by road - while larger cities are served by regional airports and public transit systems.

Major Highways

Major routes include I-95 along the southeastern corridor (linking Philadelphia to New Jersey and the Northeast), the Pennsylvania Turnpike/I-76 running east - west across the state, I-80 across central and northern Pennsylvania, I-81 along the ridge-and-valley corridor connecting to Maryland and New York, and I-70 in the southwest connecting to the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest.