Believe it or not, The Station Inn was first constructed in 1866, only a year after the Civil War ended. It’s safe to say we’ve seen our share of travelers over the years! And that close proximity to travelers has exposed us to some of the very best Pennsylvania road trip ideas (especially for people who love getting an up-close look at some trains along the way).
Fortunately for you, we’ve written down a ton of our favorite ideas, and we’ve boiled them down into 10 destinations we think you’ll truly love.
Table of Contents
Our Top 10 Pennsylvania Road Trip Ideas
- The Horseshoe Curve
- The Station Inn
- Pennsylvania Grand Canyon
- Hershey Park
- Mt. Washington, PA
- Gettysburg
- Knoebels
- Ohiopyle & Fallingwater
- Amish Country
- Route 6
The Station Inn: Your Home Away From Home
Our Top 10 Pennsylvania Road Trip Ideas
Here are some of the best places to visit all over Pennsylvania (including some you may have never heard of before):
1. The Horseshoe Curve
When it comes to railfan road trip destinations in Pennsylvania, it’s hard to outmatch The Horseshoe Curve. As a historic engineering marvel (and as a key part of the legendary Pennsylvania Railroad), the Horseshoe Curve attracts countless visitors every year.
There, you’ll see three major lines with dozens of passing trains every day, all of them cutting through the rugged Allegheny mountains. While you’re visiting, be sure to stop in the Railroaders Memorial Museum, where you can learn about the local railroad industry and the famous Horseshoe Curve.
2. The Station Inn
We’ll admit we’re biased, but The Station Inn is every bit of an exciting destination for railfans as The Horseshoe Curve (and it’s only a 20-minute drive away).
Built along Norfolk Southern’s main line, we watch dozens of trains pass by every day—and you can have a literal front-seat view from our porch.
It’s such a great location, we have fans from all over the country who travel here every year to get away for a weekend or a few days!
And while you’re here, there’s way more to do than watch trains or visit The Horseshoe Curve and Railroaders Memorial Museum.
The Altoona-Johnstown area is packed with interesting attractions, such as:
- The Cassandra Railfan Overlook, which offers an up-close view of trains on Norfolk Southern’s Pittsburgh line.
- The Boxcar Restaurant, which is a casual, railroad-themed restaurant in Lilly, PA.
- The Johnstown Flood Museum, which tells the story of the devastating 1889 flood.
Book a room with us to reserve your stay!
3. Pennsylvania Grand Canyon
The PA Grand Canyon might just be Pennsylvania’s best-kept secret. Formally known as Pine Creek Gorge and tucked inside Tioga State Forest, the canyon formed over the last 20,000 years after glacial meltwater reversed the direction of Pine Creek.
The Pennsylvania Grand Canyon offers breathtaking views (it’s more than 800 feet deep and 4,000 feet wide) and plenty of hiking opportunities, so it’s a terrific road trip destination for couples and families who love the outdoors.
Be sure to stay in nearby Wellsboro, PA—a cozy, tourist-friendly town known for its gas lamps along Main Street.
4. Hershey Park
With our proximity to Pittsburgh, most folks in our region visit Kennywood when they’re looking for thrill rides. But the best park in all of Pennsylvania is Hershey Park, a candy-themed destination featuring more than a dozen roller coasters and other heart-pumping attractions.
Hershey Park first opened in 1906 to entertain employees at the nearby chocolate company, and some of its most popular attractions more than 100 years later include:
- Storm Runner, which launches from 0-72 mph in only two seconds.
- Fahrenheit, which has a hill so steep, it registers as 97 degrees.
- Skyrush, which emphasizes hills that deliver zero-gravity sensations.
Railfan Tip: Of course, we should also mention the trains at Hershey Park! Be sure to hop on the Dry Gulch Railroad to loop around the park and catch a glimpse of the rides, roller coasters, and shops. A trip on the Hersheypark monorail will also take you out and over Norfolk Southern’s busy Harrisburg Line!
5. Mt. Washington, PA
If the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon is the best PA location for idyllic countryside views, Mt. Washington is the best PA location for idyllic city views.
Perched 450 feet above Downtown Pittsburgh, Mt. Washington offers a stunning glimpse of the entire city, allowing you to see the stadiums and museums in North Shore, the grand hospital of North Side, historic South Side, all of Downtown, sprawling Uptown, and even portions of Oakland (home to Pittsburgh University and Carnegie Mellon University).
Railfan Tip: While there are plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from once you’ve had your fill of the sights, don’t forget to ride one of the famous inclines. Originally built to transport locals (and even their horses) up and down the hillside, these classic masterpieces are now used by both commuters and tourists to travel down to Station Square, a popular destination along two busy rail lines. From atop either of the inclines, you can watch Norfolk Southern and CSX trains passing up and down the Monongahela and Ohio Valleys.
6. Gettysburg
Gettysburg is the hallowed grounds of one of the most significant events in the Civil War—and all of American history.
The three-day Battle of Gettysburg in 1863 was a turning point in the Civil War. Although more than 50,000 soldiers died in the conflict, the battle helped the Union Army regain its footing against the Confederate Army—and paved the way for the Confederacy’s eventual surrender in 1865.
Today, Gettysburg is a popular road trip destination for its historic, educational value. Book a tour of the battlefields, or explore the quaint town itself.
7. Knoebels
We know what you’re thinking: “Knoebels?” What the heck is that?
Turns out, Knoebels is one of the country’s oldest and largest free-admission amusement parks, and it’s tucked into the mountains of Elysburg, PA.
Don’t let its expansive picnic groves, lovely campgrounds, and family-friendly atmosphere fool you: Knoebels can pack a punch! With more than 60 rides (including a couple of high-speed roller coasters), Knoebels is the perfect mix of thrills and fun.
Don’t like camping? Visit Knoebels for a day trip or stay in one of the nearby towns, including Elysburg, Williamsport, or Bloomsburg.
8. Ohiopyle & Fallingwater
This one’s a twofer! Ohiopyle and Fallingwater are only five minutes apart on Route 381, making them a convenient one-two punch.
At Ohiopyle, you’ll find extensive hiking opportunities and plenty of photo ops along the waterfall—and you even walk along the Pittsburgh-to-DC GAP Trail, which was originally built as the Western Maryland Railway (and honored by way of our Western Maryland room). In the tiny village, you’ll find cute restaurants, bike rentals, and more.
Over at Fallingwater, you’ll experience one of architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s most famous homes, which is built right over its own waterfall (though this one is admittedly much smaller than the one at Ohiopyle).
Visit during business hours for a full Fallingwater interior tour, or explore the manicured grounds for some quiet time in nature.
9. Amish Country
Lancaster County is famous for Amish Country, where members of the Amish community still travel by horse-and-buggy and live without many of the modern amenities we’re all so accustomed to.
Visit an Amish-inspired restaurant for a hearty meal; stop in at a furniture store for a durable, handmade addition to your home; or simply wander through the winding roads of the Lancaster countryside, enjoying the views of the rolling hills and farmlands. And if you need some trains, the Strasburg Railroad and adjacent Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania have you covered!
10. Route 6
Route 6 actually crosses the entire United States, stretching from Provincetown, MA, to Bishop, CA. Thanks to its location in Pennsylvania’s idyllic northern countryside, Pennsylvania’s section of Route 6 has been called “one of America’s most scenic drives” by National Geographic and “Pennsylvania’s best touring route” by Harley-Davidson.
Route 6 has so much to see and do, it inspired the “Do 6 On 6”—a variety of different attractions for a variety of different interests and types of people.
The Station Inn: Your Home Away From Home
No matter where your travels take you in Pennsylvania, you’re never more than a few hours away from us at The Station Inn.
When traveling has you weary (or when you’re in the neighborhood), head to Cresson, PA, for a warm bed, a delicious breakfast, and all the trains you can see!
Book your room today!
