Top Things to do in Pennsylvania
Top Hotels in Pennsylvania
- 1. Drury Plaza Hotel Pittsburgh Downtown
- 2. Motto by Hilton Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square
- 3. Mount Airy Casino Resort Spa
- 4. Independence Park Hotel, BW Premier Collection
- 5. Sofitel Philadelphia at Rittenhouse Square
- 6. Hampton Inn Philadelphia Center City-Convention Center
- 7. Sonesta Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square
- 8. The Logan Philadelphia, Curio Collection by Hilton
- 9. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, State College (Penn State Area), PA
- 10. Philadelphia Marriott Downtown
Countries
What to do and see in Pennsylvania, United States: The Best Specialty Museums
Discover the best top things to do in Pennsylvania, United States including Bill's Old Bike Barn, Bicycle Heaven, Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, National Toy Train Museum, Landis Valley Museum, Brandywine River Museum of Art, Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, The Hershey Story Museum, Steamtown National Historic Site, Choo Choo Barn.
Restaurants in Pennsylvania
1. Bill's Old Bike Barn
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 136 reviews
Sensational collection - motorcycle, military, carousel, collectibles from around the world.
Reviewed By Gaynell55
Absolutely Amazing Collection of a Wide Variety of Very Interesting Items. Not your usual set up. Bill has his own town called " Billville ". This place has something for everyone. We couldn't stop " Oohing " & "Ahhing" the entire way through the museum. We even met Bill & he was just the nicest person ever, answering questions, posing for pictures & sharing stories. This place is a true " GEM ". Guaranteed to please & only $5 admission!!!!!
2. Bicycle Heaven
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 859 reviews
Bicycle Heaven is the World's largest bicycle museum and bike shop.
Reviewed By bridgetteb531
Free parking in a gated lot and free entrance to the museum and working bike repair shop. Amazing collection of bicycles and other items in fantastic condition! We met the owner/collector Craig and enjoyed chatting about his fun "hobby" - nice guy and truley passionate about bikes. Great trip down memory lane and seeing unique items that just put a smile on your face. If you're looking for something different to do rain or shine, pop in and visit - make sure to go to second floor to see it all! Vending machine snacks available, a nail salon/masseuse on premise and restrooms. Our 1st time in Pittsburg - We did trifecta tour of Bicycle Heaven, Music museum next door, and Randyland nearby. Fun way to spend a few hours!
3. Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,082 reviews
The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania is home to a world-class collection of more than 100 historic locomotives and railroad cars, an immersive education center, a vast library and archives and a working restoration shop. Special events, museum store, free on-site parking, free WiFi.
Reviewed By places2c25 - Randolph, United States
The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania is a must see when out in Lancaster County! It's also a great tour on a hot day in the summer! It's a fascinating walk through time and to think about these enormous beauties at the height of their popularity. My husband is a train enthusiast so I enjoyed my own personal tour guide! Across the road is the Strasburg Railroad where tour rides are are available but we ran out of time. Definitely will be worth a return trip!
4. National Toy Train Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 223 reviews
Museum featuring hundreds of model trains, some specimens dating back to the 1800s.
Reviewed By gaharris10 - Yonkers, United States
The National Toy Train Museum boasts the best collection of model train sets!!! The museum is a great place to visit if you are fan of locomotives and a train set enthusiast. My wife and I had a fun time visiting this wonderful attraction!!!
5. Landis Valley Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 337 reviews
Due to the precautions taken regarding COVID-19, the museum will be closed until further notice. Relax and roam through the authentic crossroads village and farms of Landis Valley as you learn the rich history of the Pennsylvania Germans of Lancaster County. Comprised of over 40 buildings on 100 acres, the museum is the guardian of 65+ varieties of heirloom seeds and the largest collection of Pennsylvania German artifacts in the U.S. Through costumed demonstrators, special events, group tours, award-winning exhibits, and educational programs for adults and children you'll come away all the more enriched by your experience here.
Reviewed By leoh5 - Jenkintown, United States
Great place to visit. We went when they had their end of season festival. We enjoyed all of their home-made recipes of Apple Cider and Sour Krauts! Told my wife how to prepare it herself! Great stuff!
6. Brandywine River Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 802 reviews
Discover an outstanding collection of American art, including works by N.C., Andrew and Jamie Wyeth, housed in a historic grist mill with glass-walled lobbies overlooking the scenic Brandywine. During the holiday season, experience the extensive O-gauge model train display, one of the largest in the country, with five trains running simultaneously on nearly 2,000 feet of track. Enjoy guided tours of the Andrew Wyeth Studio, the N.C. Wyeth House and Studio and Kuerner Farm (April to mid-November). Museum shop and cafe.
Reviewed By Mira_Bihac
This Museum has works ,Art,s collection of three generations of the Wyeth family :beautiful portraits,landscapes, elegant still -life paintings.... Museum sits on 15 acre campus with trials to walk ,beautiful plants,and outdoor sculptures. You can also enjoy cafe with Windows offering breathtaking views. You can also admire museum shop with beautiful selection of gifts, books and jewelry.... Very pleasant,must see..
7. Pennsylvania Trolley Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 170 reviews
Take a three-mile trolley ride through Washington, Pennsylvania and learn all about the history of street car transportation.
Reviewed By S8567EXjohni
Two long rides: one of the "streetcar named Desire," the other on a SEPTA interurban... and a great museum, too. This place is huge 50+ cars, and they are expanding.... I'll be back
8. The Hershey Story Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,735 reviews
Hershey starts here! How did Milton Hershey go from bankruptcy to brilliance, transforming chocolate from a luxury to an everyday treat? How did he invent a community? Why did he give away his fortune? That's the Hershey story. Enjoy a 45-minute, hands on class in the Chocolate Lab and sample warm drinking chocolate from around the world at Tastings. Grab a delicious treat from the Pantry Café and find a unique assortment of keepsakes and chocolate at Museum Shop.
Reviewed By 202kristyl
We started our day at The Hershey Story right when they opened. It's a smaller sized museum, but we really enjoyed all the information. One of my children did the apprentice program, which comes with a little workbook with questions about the exhibits, and earned Hershey souvenir coin. One of my other children used the QR code reader to do a scavenger hunt of items in the exhibits. Both were given a large wooden token to swipe that would activate screens that would share narratives about Hershey's life and business. We learned a lot about this great American entrepreneur and philanthropist and left with a great respect for what he did in and with Hershey, PA. It was the perfect foundation to understand a trolley tour we took later at Chocolate World that showed the factory, community buildings, and school all built by Hershey. We didn't have time to do any of the add-on activities at The Hershey Story. We were headed to Chocolate World next. We were able to get through the whole second floor (the bulk of the museum), but had to skip the Cuba exhibit to get to CW in time for our first timed ticket there. We did the second floor in an hour and 15 minutes, but I wish we'd had a little more time. If you're just seeing this one museum, I'd give it 2 hours (or more if you're trying to do the add-on experiences). Since we did both HS and CW, I can wholeheartedly say that both are worth a visit. HS is a museum with a museum like experience. CW is mostly like a mini Disney World type experience, with the exception of the historic trolley tour, which is a great second course of sightseeing history after the first course in the HS museum. They work really well together. If you have to choose between one or the other, I'd have a hard time telling you which one to pick. If you have kids, they'll probably like CW more (although there are kids friendly add-on experiences at HS that might make up for skipping CW). I felt like the CW attractions were slightly more interesting-sounding than the ones at HS, but it all depends on your budget, schedule, and interests, I'm just glad that we go to do both. It was a lot to try and jam into one day, but it can be done. At first I was afraid I'd wasted money getting tickets for both, but I'm really glad we did both things.
9. Steamtown National Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 866 reviews
This small museum is all about steam engines and their contribution to America's economy in the 19th century.
Reviewed By Mark---MXM - New York City, United States
Strongly recommend visiting Steamtown NHS; terrific indoor & outdoor exhibits; and pleasant/entertaining 30 minute trainride by a 1920s steam engine (for $5/person); great value — cost to visit museum & see trains — no charge. Nice 15 minute move too. Terrific 1/2 day event. Didn’t do the 3-hour or so excursion ... will try during next visit.
10. Choo Choo Barn
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 473 reviews
Over 70 years in the making, this gigantic model train layout is still owned and operated by the Groff family. Master modeler, Tom Groff, designs and adds new animations, scale buildings and local scenes each year. See a fire engine race to the rescue to put out the fire at a burning house – with real water! Watch in awe as night falls over Traintown, USA. You’ll recognize local landmarks like Dutch Wonderland and the Strasburg Railroad – in detailed miniature! This is much more than a train display – it is an amazing, hand-built work of art.
Reviewed By Boomerang025
All I can say is "wow", we were not expecting such an amazing and expansive model train layout. There were so many cool details, many so intricate or seemingly natural to the surrounding elements they almost seem hidden. We did the scavanger hunt and went around a couple of times to see as much as possible. Spend as much time as you want, and come back later same day for no extra charge. Even though we did not have children, my wife and I really enjoyed it and was worth the price of admission without question.
