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the USA🇺🇸 | regionsPennsylvaniaIndependence Hall, Amish farmland, Pine Creek Gorge, Gettysburg ridges | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Pennsylvania
👍 Recommendedregion ranked #28
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Pennsylvania forces one decision: Philadelphia’s history and food, or the Appalachian ridges and small towns, and your patience for driving tips it. It sits in the northeastern United States, with Pittsburgh far across the state. I arrived on a ridge road, rolled down the window, and found a roadside stand selling sticky buns next to a cow pasture, which set the tone. Hikers and history nerds will love it; anyone allergic to rental cars will not.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #28 region in the USAWhat makes this region worth visiting

Pennsylvania gives backpackers two very different trips on one rail-and-bus map: Philadelphia’s Independence Hall district for American history on foot, and the Pine Creek Gorge in the north-central woods for canyon hiking and stargazing. Between them sit Amish farm country, Appalachian ridgelines and old coal and steel towns, so you can swap museums for trailheads without a flight. The Appalachian Trail crosses the whole state, which makes short section hikes easy to bolt onto city stops. Cities are well linked by Amtrak and intercity buses, and rural stretches slow you down in a good way.

💡 HighlightsWhat this place is best known for

  1. Independence Hall, Philadelphia: the room where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were debated, with the Liberty Bell across the street. Entry is free but timed.
  2. Pine Creek Gorge (Pennsylvania Grand Canyon): a roughly 800-foot-deep gorge with overlooks at Leonard Harrison and Colton Point state parks, plus a flat rail trail along the creek.
  3. Gettysburg National Military Park: the Civil War battlefield, best covered by bike or car along the marked tour route, with Little Round Top as the standout.
  4. Fallingwater: Frank Lloyd Wright’s house built over a waterfall in the Laurel Highlands, toured with a guide.
  5. Lancaster County Amish farmland: quiet back roads, buggies, roadside stands and the Central Market in Lancaster for pretzels and pickled everything.
  6. Ricketts Glen State Park:
… read more 👉
  1. Independence Hall, Philadelphia: the room where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were debated, with the Liberty Bell across the street. Entry is free but timed.
  2. Pine Creek Gorge (Pennsylvania Grand Canyon): a roughly 800-foot-deep gorge with overlooks at Leonard Harrison and Colton Point state parks, plus a flat rail trail along the creek.
  3. Gettysburg National Military Park: the Civil War battlefield, best covered by bike or car along the marked tour route, with Little Round Top as the standout.
  4. Fallingwater: Frank Lloyd Wright’s house built over a waterfall in the Laurel Highlands, toured with a guide.
  5. Lancaster County Amish farmland: quiet back roads, buggies, roadside stands and the Central Market in Lancaster for pretzels and pickled everything.
  6. Ricketts Glen State Park: a loop trail past more than 20 named waterfalls, slippery and spectacular.
  7. Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia: a crumbling, vaulted prison with Al Capone’s cell, atmospheric even for people who dislike museums.
  8. Hawk Mountain Sanctuary: a rocky lookout on the Appalachian ridge where thousands of raptors pass in autumn. Few outsiders know it.
  9. Centralia: a mostly erased coal town where an underground mine fire has burned for decades.
  10. Bushkill Falls: boardwalk trails through eight falls in the Poconos, a local family favorite.
Pennsylvania visitors should book Independence Hall timed tickets (small fee online in peak season) and Fallingwater tours ahead.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Pennsylvania

Badass Women's History Walking Tour of Philadelphia

Badass Women's History Walking Tour of Philadelphia

5.0(116) 1h 45m
From €54
per personViator
Yo! A Private Rocky Balboa Driving Tour of Philadelphia

Yo! A Private Rocky Balboa Driving Tour of Philadelphia

5.0(71) 4h
From €540
per personViator
Seamus Walks Old City Philadelphia

Seamus Walks Old City Philadelphia

5.0(59) 1h 30m
From €32
per personViator
Pittsburgh Sweet Treats Food Tour: Donuts, Pastries, & More

Pittsburgh Sweet Treats Food Tour: Donuts, Pastries, & More

5.0(48) 2h
From €64
per personViator
Philly Gayborhood and LGBTQ History Walking Tour

Philly Gayborhood and LGBTQ History Walking Tour

5.0(45) 1h 30m
From €54
per personViator
South Philly Supper Club

South Philly Supper Club

5.0(37) 2h 30m
From €135
per personViator
Philly Signature Guided Brewery Tour

Philly Signature Guided Brewery Tour

5.0(32) 3h 30m
From €95
per personViator
Its Always Sunny Shared Walking Tour of South Philly

Its Always Sunny Shared Walking Tour of South Philly

5.0(30) 2h
From €35
per personViator
Private Philadelphia French/English Historical and Architectural Walking Tour

Private Philadelphia French/English Historical and Architectural Walking Tour

5.0(26)
From €408
per personViator
2 Hour Private Sightseeing Charter Boat Cruise

2 Hour Private Sightseeing Charter Boat Cruise

5.0(22) 2h
From €349
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

⌛️ 5 daysWhat you can realistically do in a week

Day 1: Philadelphia: Start here because trains and flights arrive in volume, and the sights cluster within walking distance. Spend it on the Old City and market food, since you won’t need wheels.
Day 2: Gettysburg: Pick up a rental car, because public transport thins out fast beyond the city. The battlefield suits a slow loop with stops.
Day 3: Hawk Mountain Sanctuary: A detour off the main drive: a short climb to a rocky lookout that adds wide views without costing an extra night.
Day 4: Ricketts Glen: Drive north to the waterfall loop, which is the physical heart of the trip.
Day 5: Pine Creek Gorge: Finish at the canyon overlooks. My pick for the day that justifies everything is Day 4, when the falls roar beside you.

🌤️ When to go?Choosing the right time of year

  • Fall: Late September to October brings 8 to 20°C (46 to 68°F) and blazing foliage along the Appalachian ridges, with the heaviest crowds and pricier lodging on weekends.
  • Summer: 22 to 31°C (72 to 88°F), long daylight, humid, and the best season for river tubing and camping.
  • Spring: 5 to 18°C (41 to 64°F), rainy, muddy trails, thin crowds, cheap beds.
  • Winter: -6 to 3°C (21 to 37°F), short days, snow, skiing, and bargain rates.
Book fall weekends in the mountains weeks ahead, or shift to a weekday.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: good for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: good for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: good for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
united-states-region-pennsylvania
© Google | Manav Suresh

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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas and accommodation options

Philadelphia is the easiest base, with the densest hostel scene and nightlife in Old City, Center City and Fishtown, all walkable and safe in busy hours. Pittsburgh suits budget travelers in Lawrenceville and the South Side, where cheap bars and coffee shops fill the hills and rivers. State College brings a young, social college-town feel with lively weeknights. For outdoors, Wellsboro near Pine Creek Gorge and Lancaster for Amish country offer quiet small-town stays and friendly campgrounds. Expect dorm beds around US$35 to 60.
Best hostels in the USA


Best quality hotels in the USA

🚌 Getting aroundGetting around like a local

Pennsylvania has no backpacker transit network to speak of, so a ride on a local city bus costs about US$2 to 3, paid in cash (exact change, because drivers do not make change) or by tap card in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Between cities, most backpackers use buses and trains, and both run reliably on the main corridors. Out in the mountains, you will quickly learn that a car is a love language here.
  • Amtrak Keystone and Pennsylvanian: Philadelphia to Harrisburg takes about 1.5 hours for US$15 to 30, and you get outlet-free sunlit farmland through the window.
  • Intercity buses: Greyhound and Megabus link Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh and State College for US$10 to 40, 5 to 6 hours from end to end, and you arrive with a free nap.
  • SEPTA and Pittsburgh Regional Transit: Trains, subways and
… read more 👉
Pennsylvania has no backpacker transit network to speak of, so a ride on a local city bus costs about US$2 to 3, paid in cash (exact change, because drivers do not make change) or by tap card in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Between cities, most backpackers use buses and trains, and both run reliably on the main corridors. Out in the mountains, you will quickly learn that a car is a love language here.
  • Amtrak Keystone and Pennsylvanian: Philadelphia to Harrisburg takes about 1.5 hours for US$15 to 30, and you get outlet-free sunlit farmland through the window.
  • Intercity buses: Greyhound and Megabus link Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh and State College for US$10 to 40, 5 to 6 hours from end to end, and you arrive with a free nap.
  • SEPTA and Pittsburgh Regional Transit: Trains, subways and buses cost US$2 to 3 a ride, and they put you within walking distance of cheesesteaks and murals.
  • Ridesharing: Uber and Lyft cover towns, US$15 to 40 for short hops, and they rescue you from trailheads at dusk.
Split a rental car with other travelers for rural stretches like Pine Creek Gorge, and you reach overlooks no bus has ever heard of.

🍲 FoodEating & Drinking in Pennsylvania

Start with a Philly cheesesteak, griddled beef and onions dripping into a crusty roll, plus a soft pretzel from a corner stand. Pittsburgh counters with pierogies and the famous sandwich stacked with fries and slaw. In Lancaster County, shoofly pie and chow-chow come from farm stands and the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia, where lunches run US$8 to 15. Wash it down with local craft beer or birch beer soda. Tip 15 to 20 percent at sit-down places, and expect a BYOB culture in some Philadelphia restaurants.

FAQTraveler FAQ

Plan 5 to 7 days for Pennsylvania if you want its main hits. Two days cover Philadelphia’s Independence Hall and Reading Terminal Market, one day suits Lancaster and Amish farmland, and two days handle Pittsburgh. Add 2 more for Pine Creek Gorge or the Poconos if you like hiking.
Getting around Pennsylvania without a car works best between the big cities. Amtrak links Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Pittsburgh for roughly US$15 to 60, and buses run US$10 to 40. Within Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, local transit costs about US$2 to 3 a ride, but rural areas like Wellsboro need a rental or a shuttle.
Pennsylvania is known for Philadelphia’s role in American independence, with Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. It also has cheesesteaks, Amish farmland near Lancaster, and Pittsburgh’s bridges and steel heritage. Outdoor fans know it for the Appalachian Trail, Pine Creek Gorge and brilliant October foliage.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other American regions near Pennsylvania

Explore more nearby:

  • Maryland—Chesapeake crabs, Baltimore harbor, Assateague horses, canal towpath| 179 km away
  • New Jersey—Jersey Shore boardwalks, Pine Barrens canoeing, Victorian Cape May, Delaware Water Gap| 212 km away
  • Delaware—Tax-free shopping, Rehoboth boardwalk, tidal marsh, cypress swamp| 229 km away

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We 💚 feedbackIs it worth it?

Pennsylvania works best paired with a neighbor on one loop: pair Philadelphia with New York or Washington by train, then rent a car for the mountains. I would skip trying to see everything and pick one wild corner.

✈️ When did I visit the USA?
In January 2023 I visited New York. Many years before, before digital cameras existed, I discovered most of the national parks in the West.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in the USA, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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