13 Best Roadside Attractions In Pennsylvania to Make Your Drive More Fun
Pennsylvania knows how to turn a simple drive into something memorable.
One minute you are cruising along, the next you are pulling over for a giant sculpture, a quirky museum, or a photo worthy oddity that makes you laugh out loud.
Roadside attractions here feel delightfully unpredictable, bold signs, oversized landmarks, and offbeat stops that break up the miles in the best way.
This is road trip energy at full volume, where curiosity beats convenience and the detour becomes the highlight.
Across the state, these attractions add personality to highways and back roads alike. Some celebrate history in unusual ways, others lean playful and imaginative, but all of them invite you to slow down and step out of the car.
Pennsylvania has a knack for blending humor, nostalgia, and creativity into places that make you glad you did not just pass by.
The journey feels lighter when there is something unexpected waiting around the bend.
I always know a roadside stop is worth it when I catch myself grinning before I even get back in the car. If I am still talking about it miles later, that quick pull over turned into the best part of the drive.
1. Hershey’s Chocolate World, PA
The sweetest smell in Pennsylvania wafts through Hershey, where chocolate isn’t just a treat but a way of life.
This massive attraction sits at the heart of the town that Milton Hershey built, offering free tours that show exactly how those beloved chocolate bars come to life.
The singing cows alone make this stop worthwhile. You’ll ride through a simulated factory, watching the chocolate-making process unfold while animated characters explain each step.
Best part? Free samples at the end.
The massive gift shop sells every Hershey product imaginable, plus unique items you won’t find in regular stores.
Beyond the tour, you can create your own candy bar, take chocolate tasting classes, or grab a meal at the food court.
Find it at 101 Chocolate World Way in Hershey, right next to Hersheypark if you want to make a full day of it.
2. Haines Shoe House, PA
Imagine living inside a giant boot. That’s exactly what Mahlon Haines had in mind when he built this three-story shoe in 1948 near Hallam, York County.
The eccentric shoe salesman wanted a memorable advertisement for his business, and boy, did he succeed.
Standing 25 feet tall and 48 feet long, this wooden wonder looks like something straight out of a fairy tale.
I stopped here on a summer road trip with my kids, and their jaws dropped when they spotted it from the highway.
The interior is just as wild as the outside, with rooms shaped to fit the shoe’s unusual curves.
Today, most visits are quick photo stops from the roadside, and the inside is reserved for overnight stays, not public tours. It’s at 197 Shoe House Road in York, impossible to miss once you’re nearby.
3. Ringing Rocks Park, PA
Not every rock concert requires a stage and amplifiers. Upper Black Eddy in Bucks County hosts nature’s own musical performance at this seven-acre boulder field where rocks actually ring like bells when you strike them with a hammer.
Scientists still debate exactly why these particular diabase boulders produce such clear tones while similar rocks elsewhere stay silent. The mystery adds to the charm.
When I visited with friends last fall, we spent an hour hunting for the best-sounding stones, each one producing a different pitch.
Bring your own hammer (seriously, everyone does) and create your own symphony. The park also features a beautiful waterfall if you follow the trail beyond the boulder field.
Located at 1581 Ringing Rocks Road in Upper Black Eddy, this geological oddity makes for an interactive stop unlike any other.
4. Crayola Experience, PA
Easton houses a four-story temple to creativity where crayons reign supreme. More than just a museum, this interactive wonderland lets visitors make their own crayons, name custom colors, and explore dozens of hands-on activities that celebrate art and imagination.
Watch live demonstrations of crayon-making on the factory floor, where machines wrap thousands of crayons daily. The melting and molding process is surprisingly mesmerizing.
Kids can star in their own coloring page, melt crayons into spin art, or paint with melted wax in ways that would horrify most parents at home.
My daughter spent three hours here and still didn’t want to leave. She named her custom crayon “Sparkle Dragon Purple” and treasures it to this day.
You’ll find this colorful paradise at 30 Centre Square in Easton, right in the downtown area with plenty of parking nearby.
5. Reading Pagoda, PA
A seven-story Japanese pagoda sitting atop Mount Penn seems wildly out of place in Pennsylvania, and that’s precisely what makes it fascinating.
Built in 1907 as a mountaintop resort that never quite took off, this crimson tower has become Reading’s most recognizable landmark.
The pagoda was originally designed to attract tourists to a planned mountaintop hotel, but financial troubles destroyed those dreams.
Lucky for us, the structure survived and now offers breathtaking views of the city and surrounding Berks County countryside. On clear days, you can see for miles in every direction.
Enjoy the overlooks outside, and check current updates for indoor access and hours during ongoing restoration work.
You’ll find it at Skyline Drive in Reading, easily accessible by car. The sunset views from up here are absolutely worth the drive.
6. Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland, PA
Snakes get a bad rap, but this Allenwood attraction might just change your mind.
Founded in 1964 by legendary herpetologist Clyde Peeling, this specialized zoo focuses exclusively on reptiles and amphibians from around the globe.
Giant tortoises lumber across outdoor enclosures while venomous snakes coil behind secure glass.
The daily shows are both educational and thrilling, with handlers explaining snake behavior while safely working with some of the world’s most dangerous species.
Don’t miss the alligator feeding if you time your visit right.
The zoo takes conservation seriously, participating in breeding programs for endangered species. Kids who think they hate reptiles often leave begging their parents for a pet lizard.
Located at 18628 Route 15 in Allenwood, Union County, this roadside gem proves that cold-blooded creatures can warm your heart.
7. Pymatuning Spillway Area & Trail, PA
Where ducks walk on fish sounds like the setup to a joke, but it’s the genuine reality at this Crawford County spillway.
The massive carp population has grown so dense that waterfowl literally stroll across their backs during feeding time at times, creating one of Pennsylvania’s strangest spectacles.
Pymatuning Reservoir, created in 1934, attracts thousands of visitors who come to witness this strange phenomenon.
Use fish food pellets sold nearby and follow posted rules as enormous carp surge to the surface, creating a roiling mass of fish that ducks traverse. It’s weird, slightly unsettling, and absolutely captivating.
The area also offers hiking trails, fishing spots, and a small aquarium museum. I watched a toddler squeal with delight as ducks hopped from fish to fish like stepping stones.
Find this oddity at 12318 Hartstown Road in Linesville, near Route 285.
8. Knoebels Amusement Resort, PA
Free admission to an amusement park sounds too good to be true, but Knoebels has operated this way since 1926 in Elysburg.
You only pay for the rides you actually want to experience, making it budget-friendly for families who prefer carousel spins over roller coaster thrills. This isn’t some rinky-dink carnival setup either.
The Phoenix wooden coaster consistently ranks among the world’s best, and the park features over 60 rides spread across a wooded grove that feels more like a picnic area than a theme park.
The old-fashioned charm is genuine, not manufactured nostalgia. Pack your own picnic or grab famous pierogies from the food stands.
The swimming pool is included with certain ride packages during summer.
Located at 391 Knoebels Boulevard in Elysburg, Columbia County, this throwback park proves that some things really were better in the old days.
9. Cherry Springs State Park, PA
Most of Pennsylvania’s night skies glow with light pollution, but Potter County guards one of the darkest spots on the entire East Coast.
Cherry Springs State Park has earned Gold Tier designation as an International Dark Sky Park, meaning the stargazing here rivals anything you’d find out West.
On moonless nights, the Milky Way stretches overhead like a river of light, and you can spot thousands of stars invisible from cities.
Amateur astronomers gather regularly with telescopes, and the park hosts astronomy programs throughout the year. I’ve never seen shooting stars so clearly or felt so small under such an enormous sky.
Bring blankets, warm clothes, and red flashlights to preserve your night vision. The observation field is located at 4639 Cherry Springs Road in Coudersport.
Check the moon phase calendar before visiting for the best possible views of our cosmic neighborhood.
10. Hickory Run State Park, PA
Twenty thousand years ago, glaciers left behind a calling card in Carbon County that still baffles visitors today.
Hickory Run’s Boulder Field stretches across 16 acres, covered entirely in rocks with barely any soil or vegetation breaking through.
Walking across this National Natural Landmark feels like stepping onto an alien planet. The boulders, some as large as cars, extend as far as you can see in every direction.
Geologists believe periglacial activity during the last Ice Age created this phenomenon, though the exact process remains debated.
The field sits relatively flat, making it accessible for most fitness levels, though sturdy shoes are essential for navigating the uneven rocks.
Beyond this geological wonder, the park offers 40 miles of hiking trails, swimming beaches, and waterfalls.
You’ll find the boulder field off Route 534 near White Haven. Give yourself time to explore both the rocks and the surrounding forest trails.
11. Presque Isle State Park, PA
Pennsylvania’s only seashore sits on Lake Erie, where this 3,200-acre sandy peninsula curves into the water like a scorpion’s tail.
Presque Isle offers 13 beaches, making it feel more like an ocean vacation than a landlocked state park.
The peninsula’s unique ecology supports over 320 bird species, making it a premier birding destination during migration seasons. Rent bikes to cruise the flat, paved trails, or kayak through the protected lagoons.
The 1873 lighthouse still stands as a picturesque reminder of the area’s maritime history.
Summer weekends get crowded, but the park’s size means you can always find a quieter spot. I love visiting in early fall when the water’s still warm but the crowds have thinned.
Located at 301 Peninsula Drive in Erie, this state park proves that you don’t need an ocean for a proper beach day.
12. Ohiopyle State Park, PA
Whitewater thunders through Fayette County where the Youghiogheny River drops over Ohiopyle Falls, creating some of the East Coast’s most thrilling rapids.
This 20,500-acre park serves as Pennsylvania’s adventure sports headquarters, attracting rafters, kayakers, and mountain bikers from across the region.
The Lower Yough rapids offer world-class whitewater rafting with Class III and IV rapids that’ll get your heart pounding.
If you prefer staying dry, the Great Allegheny Passage bike trail runs right through town, offering stunning river views without the splashing.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s famous Fallingwater house sits just minutes away.
Downtown Ohiopyle is tiny but packed with outfitters, cafes, and gear shops. The falls themselves are easily viewed from a short walking path.
Find this outdoor paradise at 124 Main Street in Ohiopyle. Reserve rafting trips in advance during peak summer season.
13. Leonard Harrison State Park, PA
Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon doesn’t have the Southwest’s red rocks, but this 47-mile gorge in Tioga County drops 800 feet into a forested chasm that’s equally impressive.
Leonard Harrison State Park sits on the eastern rim, offering the most dramatic overlook of Pine Creek Gorge.
The main overlook provides jaw-dropping views without any hiking required, perfect for quick photo stops.
More ambitious visitors can tackle the Turkey Path trail, which descends steeply to the creek below through a series of switchbacks.
The climb back up will test your fitness, but the waterfall midway makes it worthwhile.
Fall foliage season transforms the canyon into a painter’s palette of reds, oranges, and yellows. I’ve visited three times and still catch my breath at that first glimpse over the rim.
Located at 4797 Route 660 in Wellsboro, this natural wonder proves that Pennsylvania’s landscapes can compete with any state.