What to do and see in Pennsylvania, United States: The Best Museums

February 15, 2022 Roseanne Arnett

Discover the best top things to do in Pennsylvania, United States including Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center, Bicycle Heaven, The Little Old House of Make Believe, Eastern State Penitentiary, Landis Valley Museum, The Andy Warhol Museum, Steamtown National Historic Site, The Hershey Story Museum, Choo Choo Barn, Duquesne Incline.
Restaurants in Pennsylvania

1. Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center

1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, PA 17325-7034 +1 717-338-1243 [email protected] http://www.gettysburgfoundation.org/
Excellent
82%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 5,610 reviews

Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center

"A New Birth of Freedom," narrated by Morgan Freeman, orients you to the battle; then see the sights and hear the sounds of the battle in the historic Cyclorama Painting Experience. Finally, tour the museum, packed with original artifacts and interactive exhibits. Tickets and shuttle bus to Eisenhower National Historic Site and seasonal programs at Spangler Farm Civil War Field Hospital from Visitor Center. Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence, USA Today Top 10 Places to Visit, AAA Gem. Purchase tickets prior to your arrival online and reserve a Battlefield Guide (licensed through the National Park Service) through the Gettysburg Foundation, non-profit partner to the National Park Service at Gettysburg. Admission fee for Cyclorama, Film and Museum. Entry to Visitor Center, Museum Bookstore and Refreshment Saloon is free.

Reviewed By conimaries - Pennsylvania, United States

I strongly recommend starting your Gettysburg experience by visiting the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor’s Center. If you choose to do anything, I strongly recommend the Film, Cyclorama and Museum combination. The film, narrated by Morgan Freeman, paints a wonderful picture of what led up to the Civil War, the Battle at Gettysburg, and how our country has evolved (although it’s clear to see the parallel between what was going on in 1863 and what is going on in 2019). And Morgan Freeman has way of narrating that just pulls you in. After the film, you are invited to view the Cyclorama which is the most beautiful, yet saddening, image of the Battle at Gettysburg. I won’t tell you all about the image because they’ll tell you about it when you get there, but suffice to say, it’s a must-see! The museum was full of historical information, photographs, and memorabilia. If you like museums, you could spend hours there. I, am not a museum person. I like to walk through them, look at the displays and take photos, but I don’t typically read the placards or take a lot of time in them. The statute of Abraham Lincoln is just outside the main entrance and you can obtain tour information at this location. They also have a Gift Shop/Book Store which is a great place for souvenirs and historical materials.

2. Bicycle Heaven

1800 Preble & Columbus Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15233 +1 412-734-4034 [email protected] http://www.bicycleheaven.org
Excellent
89%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 859 reviews

Bicycle Heaven

Bicycle Heaven is the World's largest bicycle museum and bike shop.

Reviewed By bridgetteb531

Free parking in a gated lot and free entrance to the museum and working bike repair shop. Amazing collection of bicycles and other items in fantastic condition! We met the owner/collector Craig and enjoyed chatting about his fun "hobby" - nice guy and truley passionate about bikes. Great trip down memory lane and seeing unique items that just put a smile on your face. If you're looking for something different to do rain or shine, pop in and visit - make sure to go to second floor to see it all! Vending machine snacks available, a nail salon/masseuse on premise and restrooms. Our 1st time in Pittsburg - We did trifecta tour of Bicycle Heaven, Music museum next door, and Randyland nearby. Fun way to spend a few hours!

3. The Little Old House of Make Believe

140 E Richardson Ave, Langhorne, PA 19047-2857 +1 215-630-5756 [email protected] http://www.believeinmakebelieve.com
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 4 reviews

The Little Old House of Make Believe

4. Eastern State Penitentiary

2124 Fairmount Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19130-2603 +1 215-236-3300 [email protected] http://www.easternstate.org
Excellent
69%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6,299 reviews

Eastern State Penitentiary

Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world, but stands today in ruin, a haunting world of crumbling cellblocks and empty guard towers. Known for its grand architecture and strict discipline, this was the world’s first true “penitentiary,” a prison designed to inspire penitence, or true regret, in the hearts of convicts. Tours today include the cellblocks, solitary punishment cells, Al Capone’s Cell, and Death Row.

Reviewed By 527suzyb - Nashua, United States

Our family, including 7 and 11-year old children, visited Eastern State on Monday, August 20. We booked ahead online for a discount, and saved a few additional dollars using a hotel brochure code. The online tickets were scannable from our phones so there was no need to print. We took advantage of the different tour options available: *Main Audio Tour - A perfect starting point for getting oriented and learning the basics *Hands On History Tours - We attended several short talks given by live guides. I especially recommend visiting the Hospital wing which can only be done on a tour. The map lists tour times throughout the day. *Selected Audio Tour Stops - Together we came up with a list of additional sites to visit based on everyone's interests. We took in the sports yard, Al Capone's cell, an escape tunnel and more. Nothing about Eastern State was too scary for the kids. Ahead of our visit we described it to our 7-year old as "a museum about a prison" to emphasize that it was not in active use. That helped him frame it appropriately. Walking out, he declared "that was more fun than I thought it was going to be!" The 11-year old was so taken with this snapshot that it's now the background photo for her phone. Mission accomplished!

5. Landis Valley Museum

2451 Kissel Hill Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601-4809 +1 717-569-0401 http://www.landisvalleymuseum.org/
Excellent
56%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 337 reviews

Landis Valley Museum

Due to the precautions taken regarding COVID-19, the museum will be closed until further notice. Relax and roam through the authentic crossroads village and farms of Landis Valley as you learn the rich history of the Pennsylvania Germans of Lancaster County. Comprised of over 40 buildings on 100 acres, the museum is the guardian of 65+ varieties of heirloom seeds and the largest collection of Pennsylvania German artifacts in the U.S. Through costumed demonstrators, special events, group tours, award-winning exhibits, and educational programs for adults and children you'll come away all the more enriched by your experience here.

Reviewed By leoh5 - Jenkintown, United States

Great place to visit. We went when they had their end of season festival. We enjoyed all of their home-made recipes of Apple Cider and Sour Krauts! Told my wife how to prepare it herself! Great stuff!

6. The Andy Warhol Museum

117 Sandusky St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212-5890 +1 412-237-8300 [email protected] http://www.warhol.org/
Excellent
55%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,566 reviews

The Andy Warhol Museum

Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the place of Andy Warhol’s birth, The Andy Warhol Museum holds the largest collection of Warhol’s artworks and archival materials. We are one of the most comprehensive single-artist museums in the world and the largest in North America.

Reviewed By jrweis6 - Winona, United States

The Andy Warhol Museum is able to give the casual visitor with limited knowledge of Andy Warhol's life and art a good insight into his artistic development and how his early life in Pittsburgh influenced him.

7. Steamtown National Historic Site

350 Cliff St, Scranton, PA 18503 +1 570-340-5200 http://fortnite.com
Excellent
72%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 866 reviews

Steamtown National Historic Site

This small museum is all about steam engines and their contribution to America's economy in the 19th century.

Reviewed By Mark---MXM - New York City, United States

Strongly recommend visiting Steamtown NHS; terrific indoor & outdoor exhibits; and pleasant/entertaining 30 minute trainride by a 1920s steam engine (for $5/person); great value — cost to visit museum & see trains — no charge. Nice 15 minute move too. Terrific 1/2 day event. Didn’t do the 3-hour or so excursion ... will try during next visit.

8. The Hershey Story Museum

63 W Chocolate Ave, Hershey, PA 17033-1502 +1 717-534-8939 [email protected] http://www.HersheyStory.org
Excellent
55%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,735 reviews

The Hershey Story Museum

Hershey starts here! How did Milton Hershey go from bankruptcy to brilliance, transforming chocolate from a luxury to an everyday treat? How did he invent a community? Why did he give away his fortune? That's the Hershey story. Enjoy a 45-minute, hands on class in the Chocolate Lab and sample warm drinking chocolate from around the world at Tastings. Grab a delicious treat from the Pantry Café and find a unique assortment of keepsakes and chocolate at Museum Shop.

Reviewed By 202kristyl

We started our day at The Hershey Story right when they opened. It's a smaller sized museum, but we really enjoyed all the information. One of my children did the apprentice program, which comes with a little workbook with questions about the exhibits, and earned Hershey souvenir coin. One of my other children used the QR code reader to do a scavenger hunt of items in the exhibits. Both were given a large wooden token to swipe that would activate screens that would share narratives about Hershey's life and business. We learned a lot about this great American entrepreneur and philanthropist and left with a great respect for what he did in and with Hershey, PA. It was the perfect foundation to understand a trolley tour we took later at Chocolate World that showed the factory, community buildings, and school all built by Hershey. We didn't have time to do any of the add-on activities at The Hershey Story. We were headed to Chocolate World next. We were able to get through the whole second floor (the bulk of the museum), but had to skip the Cuba exhibit to get to CW in time for our first timed ticket there. We did the second floor in an hour and 15 minutes, but I wish we'd had a little more time. If you're just seeing this one museum, I'd give it 2 hours (or more if you're trying to do the add-on experiences). Since we did both HS and CW, I can wholeheartedly say that both are worth a visit. HS is a museum with a museum like experience. CW is mostly like a mini Disney World type experience, with the exception of the historic trolley tour, which is a great second course of sightseeing history after the first course in the HS museum. They work really well together. If you have to choose between one or the other, I'd have a hard time telling you which one to pick. If you have kids, they'll probably like CW more (although there are kids friendly add-on experiences at HS that might make up for skipping CW). I felt like the CW attractions were slightly more interesting-sounding than the ones at HS, but it all depends on your budget, schedule, and interests, I'm just glad that we go to do both. It was a lot to try and jam into one day, but it can be done. At first I was afraid I'd wasted money getting tickets for both, but I'm really glad we did both things.

9. Choo Choo Barn

226 Gap Rd Route 741 East, Strasburg, PA 17579-1478 +1 717-687-7911 [email protected] http://www.choochoobarn.com/
Excellent
69%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 473 reviews

Choo Choo Barn

Over 70 years in the making, this gigantic model train layout is still owned and operated by the Groff family. Master modeler, Tom Groff, designs and adds new animations, scale buildings and local scenes each year. See a fire engine race to the rescue to put out the fire at a burning house – with real water! Watch in awe as night falls over Traintown, USA. You’ll recognize local landmarks like Dutch Wonderland and the Strasburg Railroad – in detailed miniature! This is much more than a train display – it is an amazing, hand-built work of art.

Reviewed By Boomerang025

All I can say is "wow", we were not expecting such an amazing and expansive model train layout. There were so many cool details, many so intricate or seemingly natural to the surrounding elements they almost seem hidden. We did the scavanger hunt and went around a couple of times to see as much as possible. Spend as much time as you want, and come back later same day for no extra charge. Even though we did not have children, my wife and I really enjoyed it and was worth the price of admission without question.

10. Duquesne Incline

1197 W Carson St, Pittsburgh, PA 15219-1003 +1 412-381-1665 [email protected] http://www.duquesneincline.org
Excellent
59%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4,216 reviews

Duquesne Incline

Scale Mount Washington in one of two original 1877 cable cars for a fun and unique ride and a breathtaking view of the Pittsburgh skyline when you reach the top of the 400-foot incline. Parking available across the street from our lower station at 1197 West Carson Street.

Reviewed By rodietraveler - Monticello, United States

Whether you love trains, living history, photography or just doing something different, riding Duquesne Incline is an inexpensive way to do all the above. The tram ride is smooth and fun. The historical cars and the stations are well preserved. At the top, go through the mini-tour and see how the cars move up and down the incline. While the scenery is great from the observation deck at the top, do yourself a favor and take a short walk to see the views at Point of View Park, which includes a sculpture about the city's history.

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