There’s so much to see and do in Pennsylvania that it’s hard to squeeze everything into one trip. Luckily, with a rental car, you’ll have the best chance of exploring everything from big cities to wild countryside.
City of Brotherly Love
Without a doubt, one of the main attractions in Pennsylvania is its biggest city, Philadelphia. Yes, it’s the home of the Philly cheesesteak and the iconic “Rocky Steps”, but there’s much more on offer here, including the significant sights of Independence National Historical Park. Here you can see the iconic Liberty Bell and the Hall of Independence, where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776 and the Constitution adopted in 1787. Get a real taste of early American history in Philadelphia.
If you want to recreate Rocky’s famous run, head for the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Just don’t forget to go inside when you reach the top, as the museum is home to one of the finest collections of art found anywhere in the US.
Historic highlights
When you rent a car in Pennsylvania, you’ll also be able to take a scenic drive from Philadelphia to another important historic site, Gettysburg. This town was the setting for the defining battle of the Civil War, as well as being where Lincoln delivered his famous Gettysburg Address, and is a real must-see for any history buff.
Head to Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Centre to learn about the context of the battle and its aftermath – don’t miss the Gettysburg Cyclorama, depicting Pickett’s Charge. Walk along the battlefield itself, which is covered in monuments and statues, featuring one of the most significant collections of outdoor sculptures to be found anywhere in the US.
The Steel City
As the second biggest city in Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh is famous for three major sports teams – the Steelers, the Penguins and the Pirates – and three rivers – the Ohio, Monongahela and Allegheny.
The city is also home to two world-renowned museums, the Carnegie Museum of Art and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, where you can see spectacular collections, including the bones of dinosaurs and ancient gems forged thousands of years ago.
To get an overview of the Steel City and its waterways, head to Mount Washington, from where you can enjoy spectacular vistas from the appropriately-named Grandview Avenue. When you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the city skyline and the Pennsylvania landscape beyond.
Into the wilds
From Pittsburgh, you can take a drive to the Pennsylvania Wilds, an enormous region spanning much of the north and central part of the state. With two million acres of unspoilt mountain and forest scenery, you’ll find plenty of hiking trails as well as some great places for wildlife spotting.
Sights you can’t miss include Pine Creek Gorge, known as Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon, a 75km valley that stretches from near Wellsboro in the north to Waterville in the south. At its deepest point, the gorge is around 440m deep and more than 1.5km wide.
Some of the best lookout points can be found at Leonard Harrison State Park and Colton Point State Park, on the opposite bank. With Pennsylvania car rental, you can set your own agenda for exploring this iconic natural landmark and much more during your stay.
