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Pennsylvania
Curated by Our Guild Explorers · Updated August 2026
The Keystone State · Capital: Harrisburg · The Northeast
Founding history in Philadelphia, Amish country and Gettysburg's fields.
Why go
What makes Pennsylvania worth the trip.
Philadelphia
Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and cheesesteaks.
Amish country
Lancaster's horse-and-buggy farmland.
Gettysburg
The pivotal Civil War battlefield.
Pennsylvania on the map
The capital and the places worth building a trip around. Click a marker for a quick note and hotels.
Pennsylvania — State Facts
A short history
Pennsylvania's land was home to the Lenape, Susquehannock, and Iroquois nations before William Penn founded the colony in 1681 as a haven for religious tolerance, particularly for Quakers. Philadelphia quickly grew into colonial America's largest city and intellectual capital, hosting the First and Second Continental Congresses, where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776 at Independence Hall.
Pennsylvania became the second state to ratify the U.S. Constitution in 1787, and the 19th century brought industrial dominance in steel, coal, and railroads, with Pittsburgh emerging as a steel-making powerhouse. The 1863 Battle of Gettysburg, the Civil War's turning point, unfolded on Pennsylvania soil and remains one of the most visited battlefields in the country.
Today Pennsylvania blends its founding-era heritage with a diversified economy in healthcare, education, and finance, while Pittsburgh has reinvented itself from steel city to a hub for technology and medicine. Lancaster County's Amish and Mennonite communities preserve a traditional agrarian way of life just hours from Philadelphia's cheesesteaks and Independence Hall, giving the state a striking range of experiences in a compact area.
Independence Hall in Philadelphia is where both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated and signed, and the Liberty Bell sitting nearby actually cracked sometime in the early 1800s, long after its original Revolutionary fame. Gettysburg, meanwhile, was the turning point of the Civil War in July 1863.
Where to go
The signature places to build a trip around.
Harrisburg
Pennsylvania's capital on the Susquehanna River.
Selected hotels
Philadelphia
The birthplace of the nation and a great food city.
Selected hotels
Pittsburgh
Three rivers, bridges and a striking skyline.
Selected hotels
Lancaster County
Amish farms, markets and covered bridges.
Selected hotels
Gettysburg
The battlefield and its sweeping memorials.
Selected hotels
Order your cheesesteak 'wiz wit' at a real Philly counter, that's whiz cheese with onions, and just go with it, don't overthink the order. Out in Lancaster County, get off the main tourist road and drive the smaller lanes at dusk, that's when you'll actually pass a horse and buggy instead of a tour bus.
When to go
Spring through autumn; foliage is superb in October.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Cold with regular snow, especially in the Poconos and western hills.
Spring (Mar–May)
Mild and blooming, a pleasant time for Philadelphia and Gettysburg.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Warm and humid, busy season for cities and battlefield visits.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Spectacular foliage, especially in October, and comfortable touring weather.
Pennsylvania FAQ
What is the capital of Pennsylvania?
Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania.
What is the largest city in Pennsylvania?
Philadelphia is the largest city in Pennsylvania.
When did Pennsylvania become a state?
Pennsylvania became the 2nd U.S. state on December 12, 1787.
What is Pennsylvania known for?
Pennsylvania is known for founding history in Philadelphia, Amish country and Gettysburg's fields.
When is the best time to visit Pennsylvania?
Spring through autumn; foliage is superb in October.
Plan your Pennsylvania trip
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