17 Pennsylvania Places to Visit For Fantastic Family Frolicking

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collage image of Pennsylvania places to vist with text overlay. Virtual & travel Based Learniing at captivatingcompass.com

Check out These Pennsylvania Places To Visit With Kids & Teens!

Pennsylvania is bursting with history and exciting places to explore and learn as a family. These 17 places to visit are great places to start building an exciting travel itinerary. If you want to travel and learn virtually, keep reading because you can explore Pennsylvania places to visit from home and have an awesome virtual travel and learning experience too. So whether you are planning a road trip, exploring the state you live in, or deciding to explore and learn virtually, these resources about Pennsylvania will have you use the world as your classroom.

Pennsylvania – Parks & Landmarks

Pennsylvania – Museums

Pennsylvania – Gardens, Lakes, And Rivers

  • Longwood Gardens: Garden in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia.
  • Bushkill Falls: A series of eight waterfalls located in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Places To Visit – Add These To The Itinerary

  • Sesame Place: Theme park in Langhorne, Pennsylvania.
  • Dutch Wonderland: Amusement park in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
  • Kennywood: Amusement park in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania.
  • Splash Lagoon: Indoor water park in Erie, Pennsylvania.
  • Fallingwater: House designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1935, located in Mill Run, Pennsylvania.
  • Pocono Raceway: Car racing track in Long Pond, Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania – Places to Visit for Virtual Travel & Learning

There is so much to do in Pennsylvania, that you might find it hard to fit it all in or afford to do it all while you are visiting. Luckily, there are great online resources at many of the museums and parks.

You can make the most of learning about Pennsylvania by taking a few virtual field trips and incorporating the Pennsylvania State Study into your pre- and post-visit activities. Kids enjoy hands-on activities and museums more when they have a little understanding of the people and places they will be visiting. Adding a good book, some digital activities to learn history, and geography, along with having fun with art are all great ways to inspire and educate.

Pennsylvania – Use The World As Your Classroom

The Pennsylvania State Study pack has everything your family needs to have fun learning about Pennsylvania at home (virtually) or on the road.

Learn About Pennsylvania’s Famous People

  • Louisa May Alcott – Writer
  • James Buchanan  – 15th President 
  • Alexander Calder – Artist
  • Rachel Carson – Chemist, Conservationist, Writer
  • Stephen Foster  – Song Writer 
  • Robert Fulton – Inventor
  • Henry John Heinz  -Entrepreneur
  • Betsy Ross  – Patriot  
  • Andrew Wyeth  – Artist 
  • Mary Cassatt  – Artist 
  • George McClellan  – Patriot  
  • Ben Franklin – Patriot, writer, scientist, Founding Father, 
  • William Penn – Founding Father

Learn About Pennsylvania’s Famous Landmarks:

  • Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site 
  • Independence Hall National Historical Park
  • Gettysburg National Military Park 
  • Eisenhower National Historic Site
  • Valley Forge National Historical Park 

You will also find resources for science, art, and geography to round out a packed week (or longer) of learning resources for kids aged 3rd grade to 12th grade.

The Pennsylvania State Study pack has all the resources in a PDF. You and your kids can pick and choose which ones you want to complete. It is a carefully curated course with videos and lessons for middle/high schoolers. There are interesting videos and selected lessons so your family can easily learn online.

collage image of tourist attractions to visit in Pennsylvania with Kids & Teens from CaptivatingCompass.com

Pennsylvania Family Travel Questions Answered

What are some of the best family-friendly destinations in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania has many great family-friendly destinations, including:
🌟Philadelphia: The City of Brotherly Love has something for everyone, including historical sites like Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, museums like the Franklin Institute and the Please Touch Museum, and family-friendly attractions like the Philadelphia Zoo and Adventure Aquarium.
🌟Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh is a great place to visit for families with children of all ages. There are plenty of things to do, including visiting the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History, taking a ride on the Duquesne Incline, and catching a Pittsburgh Pirates game at PNC Park.
🌟Hershey: Hershey is a chocolate lover’s paradise, and it’s also a great place to visit for families. There’s Hersheypark, ZooAmerica, and the Hershey Story Museum.
🌟Pocono Mountains: The Pocono Mountains are a great place to visit for families who love the outdoors. There are plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, fishing, and skiing.
🌟Gettysburg: Gettysburg is a great place to visit for families who are interested in American history. There are many historical sites to visit, including the Gettysburg National Military Park and the Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center.

What are some affordable family-friendly activities in Pennsylvania?

🌟Visit a state park: Pennsylvania has many beautiful state parks, many of which offer free admission. There are plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, fishing, and swimming.
🌟Go to the library: Libraries offer a variety of free programs and activities for families, including storytime, arts and crafts, and movie nights.
🌟Visit a museum: Many museums in Pennsylvania offer free admission on certain days of the week or during certain hours. Check the museum’s website for details.
🌟Go to a park: Pennsylvania has many beautiful parks, many of which have playgrounds, picnic areas, and walking trails.
🌟Have a picnic: Pack a lunch and head to a park or playground for a picnic. It’s a great way to save money and have fun at the same time.

Are there resources to help my family learn about Pennsylvania state history & geography?

Yes! there are a number of resources in this post that will help your family enjoy learning about Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania State Study pack is perfect for 5th-12 grade students. It meets the expectations of US state study requirements in a fun unit study.

Exploring The Mid-Atlantic States?

Maryland, Virginia, New York, & Delaware are top stops for families that love to use the world as their textbook. These posts will help you homeschool, travel, and learn together. Have fun! Below are a few more resources to help you use the world as your classroom.

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