Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania. Whether in bustling Philadelphia or serene and simple countryside, there's something to catch your eye everywhere you go. Philadelphia lives up to a bold historical reputation- a city of gorgeous architecture both colonial and modern, parks a plenty, and the famed Philly Cheesesteak. On the other end of the spectrum, pristine Amish farmland. Rural roads dominated by winding hills and horse and buggy, big and beautiful barns scattering the countryside, and the horns of trains ring through tranquil blue skies. Though wildly different settings, the things they share in common- history, food, and beauty- make the state well worth a visit.
Highlights
Independence Hall
Info
Known For-
OLD HISTORY
AMISH
COOL BUILDINGS
The Best Of Amish Country-
Rail
Strasburg Rail runs right through Lancaster, and who can resist old trains?
Listen to the charming bells and whistles, the glorious horns, and clanking along the tracks as you smell old wood, antique cabins, and smoke.
Farmland
Miles upon miles of antiquated farmland, with the most dedicated men and women tending to them. There's cows, corn, barns, and by God, horse and buggy everywhere.
Food
Fresh farm ingredients means the best food around- and the best of the best is found at Hershey Farms. Imagine breakfast buffets like no other, with an insane variety of options all around (not to mention the best milk).
The Best Of Philly-
History
Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, and the Museum of the American Revolution loom large in a city dominated by the Founding Fathers and one of America's most pivotal eras.
Food and Drink
Can't go wrong with a Philly Cheesesteak.
Otherwise, there's lots of places for ice cream/dessert, a good drink (Mac's Tavern), and you can always grab a good bite at Reading Terminal
Night-time
The crowds are down, and it's (mosty) safe to walk and have the city to yourself (the good parts). The lights and fountains around LOVE Park were probably the coolest part, and it's definitely worth stopping at the historic sites again.
Zoo
I'm a big zoo guy, and Philadelphia Zoo was easily one of my favorites. Loads of African wildlife, a red panda feeding, and tunnels that let the animals climb right above you made it a trip worth remembering.
Memories
01.
Spring Break 2012
Rural PA doesn't sound like the most exciting vacation destination, even at 14. And in a sense, it's not. But it doesn't have to be grand to be a great family memory. Renting a cozy home for a week, touring Amish farms, embarking on scenic train rides, and enjoying the thrills of Hershey Park (or at least the chocolate), this ended up being an incredible memory of one of my Mom's last vacations with us.
03.
The Philly Cheesesteak
Sometimes a food is so iconic to a region, you've got to try it local. In the case of the Philly Cheesesteak, trying one in its host city was easily a primary goal of my trip. With a plethora of options, Jim's South St. ended up being the venue of choice, and while I'm admittedly bland when it comes to toppings, the sandwich is a sight and smell to behold. Long story short, it lives up to the hype.
02.
Nighttime Philly
There's something unique about exploring a city for the first time- and something even more unique about doing in the dark. You're not really sure what the scene is like or where to go (or not), and yet, there's a freeness in exploring without the crowds and taking in all the lights. There's no line at Liberty Bell, you get to stop for drinks at any open pub, and of course, there's always ice cream to be had. While I'd maybe not recommend exploring an unknown city to everyone alone at night, I will say that for me, it was a wonderful time.
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