Looking for Suggestions for Places to Visit a Short(ish) Drive from State College, PA

[tarheelmjfan]

We're currently in State College for DH's job & are having a really difficult time finding a place to stay that's within the company's budget. We have weekday accommodations, but weekends are an issue. This weekend we're going to Pittsburgh. That leaves us looking for somewhere to go next weekend. We're considering Lancaster, but I'm open to other suggestions that may be closer. We enjoy both cities & quaint small towns, as long as there are places to eat (other than fast food) & a few things to do nearby. FWIW, we're more into attractions than nature.

 

[CynBeth]

I don’t know the distance from where you are but what about Hershey? We are an hour and a half to 2 hours away and have visited for a weekend a few times over the years and there used to be a Day’s Inn pretty close to things and just like Disney they have a few of their hotels as well. There is Hershey Park which you also get admission to Zoo America along with Chocolate World which has different attraction offerings such as a slow ride showing how chocolate is made, trolley tour, 4D show and shops and food among other things. Also the Hershey Gardens, Hershey Museum, and the Hershey Experience. There used to be a car museum as well. I think there were also outlets and different restaurants.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I don’t know the distance from where you are but what about Hershey? We are an hour and a half to 2 hours away and have visited for a weekend a few times over the years and there used to be a Day’s Inn pretty close to things and just like Disney they have a few of their hotels as well. There is Hershey Park which you also get admission to Zoo America along with Chocolate World which has different attraction offerings such as a slow ride showing how chocolate is made, trolley tour, 4D show and shops and food among other things. Also the Hershey Gardens, Hershey Museum, and the Hershey Experience. There used to be a car museum as well. I think there were also outlets and different restaurants.

It appears Hershey is a little closer. We will consider that. I remember riding the trolley tour & visiting the park several decades ago. I don't remember the other things.

 

[MillauFr]

Bellefonte, PA should fit the bill. They will pay you to move there....

https://www.lockhaven.com/news/local-news/2022/04/pa-wilds-remote-work-initiative-launches/

 

[disny_luvr]

I live in Hershey and it would be a good option. Gettysburg is another idea, too. Jim Thorpe comes to mind as well as Wellsboro, but definitely check both of those places out first before you commit to them. DH and I like those places, but they are more nature than attractions although Jim Thorpe does have a nice train and the Harry Packer Mansion, which inspired the design of the Haunted Mansion. Both towns are quaint though.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Bellefonte, PA should fit the bill. They will pay you to move there....

https://www.lockhaven.com/news/local-news/2022/04/pa-wilds-remote-work-initiative-launches/

He's actually working in Bellefonte. Obviously, the people living there aren't into the airbnb, VRBO thing. We've tried, but can't find a place to stay there. The one hotel we found doesn't work for us.

I live in Hershey and it would be a good option. Gettysburg is another idea, too. Jim Thorpe comes to mind as well as Wellsboro, but definitely check both of those places out first before you commit to them. DH and I like those places, but they are more nature than attractions although Jim Thorpe does have a nice train and the Harry Packer Mansion, which inspired the design of the Haunted Mansion. Both towns are quaint though.

Thanks for the suggestions. I've also been to Gettysburg, but DH hasn't. That's another good option. I'll research the others.

 

[Smugpugmug]

I went to college in Lancaster and TBH if it's a far drive for you, I wouldn't visit. The downtown area is fine, but nothing particularly special. Not sure I would describe it as a quant small town. The downtown area and the area around the college is a standard college town. I do remember there being a nice farmer's market where local Amish farmers would come and sell their produce, if that's something you're interested in. Outside of that is Amish country. There are tours you can do to visit the Amish communities but those always rubbed me the wrong way. You don't need to do those tours to see them - I saw them all the time at the nearby mall, Walmart and Costco.

I agree with the other posters about Hershey. Hershey park is a lot of fun and even if you don't go to the park, you can visit the factory and go to Chocolate World.

 

[AppleDumpling]

Besides Hershey, I’d recommend Knoebels, an old-fashioned amusement park in Elysburg. It’s about an hour and a half drive, slightly closer than Hershey.

 

[amylevan]

Somerset is fairly close. The 9/11 memorial is near there.

Johnstown has the flood museum and inclined plane.

 

[RUDisney]

How long will you be in State College?

The Bloomsburg Fair is in late September. That is at least a day's worth of entertainment.

You can come to Scranton. We have the Steamtown Museum and Historic site and Steam Trolley ride. Scranton is named The Electric City because it was the first city to have electric trolleys running on its streets. It also has several sites that you'd know from The Office. There is a really interesting Coal Mine Tour at McDade Park. You go down into the mine on a tram and are escorted by a guide through it with tales of the way that the mines were run in the early 20th century. Lots of beautiful architecture here, too.

The Poconos are just not far from Scranton. You can spend time meandering about in some small towns or at a casino.

The Little League World Series kicks off toward the end of this month in Williamsport. My BIL and his kids and my parents go to that each year. They say its a lot of fun. I'm just not that into baseball to make the drive.

You can also take the drive to Philadelphia. You don't have to stay in the city, but there is SO much to do there. You can also go to Valley Forge. It's not far from Philadelphia... maybe 20 minutes if there is no traffic on the Schuylkill Expressway.

 

[bennifer]

We were just in Gettysburg last weekend. I had forgotten how much I like it. Bedford is nice, and the Flight 93 Memorial is close. Maybe a weekend trip to Philly.

 

[DisneyHardin]

It's about a 4 hour drive, but you could do Niagara Falls one weekend.

 

[jrmasm]

Ephrata or Lititz

 

[570traveler]

Besides Hershey, I’d recommend Knoebels, an old-fashioned amusement park in Elysburg. It’s about an hour and a half drive, slightly closer than Hershey.

I second knoebels. They have cabins to rent. It’s such a nice park to just walk around and great cheap eats! We live a few minutes from there and like to drive down just to walk around and grab a quick bite.

I don’t think anyone has mentioned Altoona (Horseshoe curve and Boyer chocolate factory…DH loves mallow cups so we always stop)
Bedford a little further south could be an option as well.

Driving north on Route 15 is also nice. Wellsboro (PA Grand Canyon) and Corning, NY are two possible stops on the way.

 

[PaDisneyCouple]

Maybe head north to Corning?
And the Finger Lakes.

 

[T.G.I.Friday]

Grove City for the outlets and Volant Mills

Erie (North East has wineries)

Falling water/Ohiopyle

Deep Creek Lake (Maryland)

And there is enough to do in Pittsburgh (Kennywood, the Strip, the Zoo, Science Center) that you could spend multiple weekends exploring.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Hotels in State College are tough to comeby and very expensive for weekends unless you book way out in advance. Students are probably all out of dorms but still paying year round so you might find some willing to quietly rent per night through Facebook.

Bethlehem, PA has Musikfest now through next weekend & that's fun, lots of good concerts but tons of free music and entertainment everywhere so you can be very happy paying for a beer mug with free refills and food cart food, love the Aww Shucks Corn. Most of the regional hotels can help you sort of busses and all and there is also Dorney Park in the area which has rides and a water park, this used to be a tiny one street festival but is an extravaganza now that draws from all over.

Knobels and Hershey are really nice too and closer to you, Hershey offers upscale accommodations & Knobels can be much cheaper but a very nice day.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Wow, so many wonderful suggestions. I definitely have a lot of research to do this week. I kind of overdid it in Pittsburgh over the weekend, but I'll get back to all of you soon.

 

[surfgirl]

If you are outdoor people, what about the Grand Canyon of PA ? Lots of hiking trails...

since you are in State College, have you hiked Mount Nittany? It really is a great view.

Have you visited the Arboretum on campus? Spectacular sunsets.

 

[luv2sewtjr]

You can visit Harrisburg. There is a park that has art installations along a walking trail for a few more weeks. Minor league baseball if you’re into that. There may be something interesting at the Farm Show complex.

Raystown Lake near Huntington. Not many hotels that way, though. Juniata college students will also be returning to school soon, so that is worth remembering.