

Soak in the historic Victorian architecture in the Old Mauch Chunk Historic District that has eight sites listed on the National Historic Register. One of the best ways to enjoy Jim Thorpe is to walk along the winding streets that gave it its nickname of the "Switzerland of America." You can also meander along one of the many hiking trails to enjoy the scenic views of the gorge and the Lehigh River. The small town of Jim Thorpe was originally called Mauch Chunk, a name given to a nearby mountain by the Lenni Lenape Indians, meaning "Mountain of the Sleeping Bear." The town is nestled in the Lehigh Gorge, so it has beautiful scenery to accent the history, which the town represents. Jim Thorpe Historic Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania It is a reminder of their heritage when the town was first established by Moravians, who wanted a region that was accepting of all religions.ģ. Notice the Moravian star, which hangs from most homes, hotel porches, and churches.

Walk off the Lititz treats as you tour the neighborhoods in the Dutch Country town and admire the unique architecture of the homes and buildings reminiscent of the town's settlement in the 1720s. Then, balance your salt with some sweet flavor at the Wilbur Chocolate Factory, which has been operating since 1894. Stop by for a tour and a lesson on pretzel twisting. It is known as a foodie town and probably most known for the Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery, which was the first commercial pretzel bakery in the United States. On your small-town visit, Lititz should be at the top of the destination list. You may have never heard of Lititz, Pennsylvania but you have probably enjoyed some of the great American treats that came from here. If you want to add a quirky stop to your itinerary, you can say that you visited the Johnstown Inclined Plane, which is in the Guinness Book of World Records as the "steepest vehicular inclined plane in the world," built in 1891.Ģ. You can also catch a performance by the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra or plan your trip around the nationally recognized Folk Festival, which draws all ethnicities to the region each year. Johnstown has a strong arts scene, so you will enjoy visiting the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, one of five such galleries in southwestern Pennsylvania.

The Heritage Discovery Center is another must-visit attraction that sheds light on the town's immigrant communities and the iron and steel industries in the area. Your visit to the town should include a stop at the Johnstown Flood Museum, which tells the stories of how the area was transformed after 20 million tons of water destroyed this steel town. Most people have probably heard of it because of the tragic flood that happened as a result of a bursting dam in 1889. Situated among the Allegheny region in Pennsylvania is the quaint town of Johnstown.
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Taking a small-town visit through the Alleghenies, or rolling with the windows down on the Dutch Country roads will give you a different kind of experience than what you might ever expect from Pennsylvania.įind new places to visit and things to do with our list of the best small towns in Pennsylvania. There's no doubt that Pennsylvania's big cities like Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Allentown have visitor appeal, but planning a trip around the small towns in the Keystone State will give you a whole new perspective.įrom the deep historical roots of American history in Gettysburg and outdoor adventure tucked away in Mother Nature's mountain paradise to the quirky fame of Punxsutawney, which gets most of its attention on Groundhog Day predicting the arrival of spring, there are so many surprises awaiting in Pennsylvania's small towns.

There are so many exciting ways to explore Pennsylvania, from the outdoors to museums to quiet drives through the mountains, and tucked in-between are small towns that are worthy of visiting. Author Joni Sweet traveled to many small towns in Pennsylvania while on assignment for PlanetWare in 2022. Author Anietra Hamper lives in Ohio and enjoys visiting Pennsylvania.
