12 Pennsylvania Outdoor Attractions Families Will Love This Memorial Day
Memorial Day feels better when everyone gets outside before the long weekend slips away.
Pennsylvania has the kind of family-friendly outdoor attractions that can turn free time into fresh-air fun, with parks, gardens, lakes, trails, wildlife stops, picnic spots, and scenic places where kids and adults can both find something to enjoy.
The best outings do not need to be complicated. A pretty view, room to wander, snacks in the bag, and a few easy surprises can turn a regular holiday into a memory that actually sticks.
It is the perfect mix of sunshine, movement, curiosity, and togetherness without the pressure of a packed schedule.
I have always liked family days that feel relaxed instead of overplanned, and a Pennsylvania outdoor adventure sounds like the right way to welcome summer.
1. Hersheypark, Hershey
Few amusement parks can claim bragging rights quite like Hersheypark in Hershey, where the sweet smell of chocolate and the sound of roller coasters collide in the best possible way.
With over 70 rides on offer, including 14 roller coasters and 20 kiddie rides, there is genuinely something for every age and bravery level in the family.
The 11-acre Boardwalk water park is included with admission and opens right on Memorial Day weekend, making the timing absolutely perfect for a splashy summer kickoff.
Younger kids tend to gravitate toward the gentler rides, while older siblings and adults can tackle the more intense coasters without anyone feeling left out.
Your admission ticket also covers a visit to ZooAmerica, an 11-acre wildlife park right on site, so you get two full experiences for one price.
Hersheypark really does pack a full day, and honestly, probably two, into one unforgettable family outing in Pennsylvania.
2. Ohiopyle State Park, Ohiopyle
Carved out of the rugged Laurel Highlands in southwestern Pennsylvania, Ohiopyle State Park is the kind of place that makes outdoor lovers feel like they have hit the jackpot.
Over 80 miles of trails wind through the park, ranging from the easy and scenic Ferncliff Trail to more challenging routes that reward hikers with sweeping views of the Youghiogheny River gorge.
The natural waterslides at Meadow Run are a highlight that kids absolutely rave about, where smooth rock formations create a completely free, totally natural slide experience right in the creek.
Older kids and teens can try whitewater rafting on the Youghiogheny River, which offers rapids suitable for beginners with a guide as well as more challenging sections for experienced paddlers.
Evening campfire programs add a cozy, community feel to an overnight stay, and camping reservations fill up fast for Memorial Day, so booking early is a must at Ohiopyle State Park.
3. Presque Isle State Park, Erie
Stretching out into Lake Erie like a long sandy arm, Presque Isle State Park in Erie, is the closest thing to a coastal beach vacation you can find without leaving the state.
The park has 13 distinct beaches, each with its own character, from calm swimming areas perfect for toddlers to stretches that attract serious kayakers and paddleboarders looking for open water.
Hiking trails loop through the peninsula, passing through diverse ecosystems that include sandy dunes, wetlands, and woodlands, making it a surprisingly rich spot for birdwatchers and nature lovers.
Boat tours depart from the marina area and offer a fun way to see the park and Lake Erie from the water, which is a genuinely different perspective that kids tend to love.
Fishing is also popular along the shores and piers at Presque Isle State Park, so packing a rod could turn a regular beach day into a full outdoor adventure for the whole family.
4. Penn’s Cave And Wildlife Park, Centre Hall
There is only one all-water cavern in the United States where visitors tour entirely by boat, and Penn’s Cave in Centre Hall, near State College, holds that impressive title.
The guided boat tour takes families through a stunning underground world of stalactites, stalagmites, and glassy underground pools, all lit dramatically to highlight the natural rock formations along the route.
Even kids who are not usually fans of geology tend to get genuinely wide-eyed as the boat glides silently through chambers that feel almost otherworldly beneath the Pennsylvania countryside.
Above ground, the Farm-Nature-Wildlife Tour adds another layer of excitement, where bison, elk, mountain lions, and other North American animals can be seen on a separate fully guided bus tour through Penn’s Cave’s preserved pastures, mountain trails, and forests.
Penn’s Cave keeps consistent underground temperatures year-round, so bringing a light jacket is smart even on a warm Memorial Day, and it makes for a refreshing midday stop on a hot afternoon.
5. Bushkill Falls, Bushkill
Called the Niagara of Pennsylvania, Bushkill Falls in Bushkill delivers on that bold nickname with eight distinct waterfalls spread across 300 lush acres in the Pocono Mountains.
Boardwalk trails wind through the property at varying difficulty levels, so families with young children can take the shorter, flatter routes while older kids and adults can tackle the longer loops that lead deeper into the forest.
The main falls are genuinely impressive, dropping dramatically through a rocky gorge framed by hemlocks and ferns, and the mist that rises up from the base feels refreshing on a warm Memorial Day afternoon.
Beyond the waterfalls, Bushkill Falls also offers paddle boating, gem mining, and a Native American exhibit, which turns a waterfall hike into a fuller half-day experience for curious kids.
Packing a picnic is a smart move at Bushkill Falls, since the grounds include shaded picnic areas that make for a relaxed lunch stop right in the heart of the Poconos.
6. Lake Tobias Wildlife Park, Halifax
Getting nose-to-nose with a bison from the back of a safari truck is not something most kids forget anytime soon, and Lake Tobias Wildlife Park in Halifax, makes exactly that kind of moment possible.
Located near Harrisburg, this interactive park runs safari tours that bring visitors right into open fields where herds of bison, zebras, camels, and other animals roam freely and occasionally walk right up to the vehicle.
The petting zoo section lets younger children hand-feed goats, deer, and other friendly animals, which tends to be a highlight for the littlest members of the family who want a more hands-on experience.
Lake Tobias Wildlife Park also has reptile shows and exotic animal exhibits that add educational value to what is already a thrilling outdoor outing in central Pennsylvania.
The park sits on a beautiful stretch of rolling countryside, and the combination of safari excitement and up-close animal interaction makes it a refreshingly different option for Memorial Day family plans.
7. Cook Forest State Park, Cooksburg
Standing beneath the ancient trees of Cook Forest State Park in Cooksburg, Clarion County, feels like stepping into a completely different era, one where the forest simply never stopped growing.
The park is famous for its Forest Cathedral, a grove of towering old-growth white pines and hemlocks that are among the tallest trees in the eastern United States and have been standing for centuries.
Families can explore the nature center for ranger-led programs, paddle the Clarion River through quiet stretches of forested scenery, or simply wander the well-maintained trail network at a comfortable pace.
A dedicated fishing pond reserved for children 15 and younger and people with disabilities makes Cook Forest especially welcoming for young anglers who are just learning the patience and skill that fishing requires.
The campgrounds at Cook Forest State Park fill up quickly around Memorial Day, so locking in a reservation ahead of time is the smartest move for families planning an overnight stay in this extraordinary natural setting.
8. Laurel Hill State Park, Somerset
Tucked into the rolling ridges of the Laurel Highlands near Somerset, Laurel Hill State Park is the kind of peaceful lakeside retreat that feels like it was designed specifically for family weekends.
Laurel Hill Lake anchors the park experience, offering a sandy swimming beach, rental paddleboats, and calm water that is ideal for young swimmers and first-time kayakers who are still building their water confidence.
Lakeside camping puts families right in the middle of the natural setting, with sites that range from basic tent spots to more comfortable options, and the morning views over the water are genuinely worth waking up early for.
Easy hiking trails and well-maintained playgrounds give younger children plenty to do between swims, while the more moderate trails challenge older kids and parents who want to stretch their legs a bit further.
Laurel Hill State Park is one of those destinations that works beautifully for a single long day trip or an extended Memorial Day weekend camping stay in the Pennsylvania highlands.
9. Prince Gallitzin State Park, Patton
Centered around the sprawling 1,635-acre Glendale Lake in Patton, Cambria County, Prince Gallitzin State Park is a full-featured summer destination that goes well beyond a simple swim and picnic.
The park’s large beach area comes equipped with snack bars and shaded picnic tables, making it easy for families to settle in for the entire day without needing to pack every single thing from home.
Boating is a major draw at Prince Gallitzin, and the lake is large enough to feel genuinely expansive, whether families bring their own watercraft or rent canoes and kayaks on site for a few relaxed hours on the water.
The Crooked Run Campground adds serious appeal for overnight visitors, with playground equipment, electric hookup sites, full hookup sites, and modern camping cottages that make roughing it a little more comfortable for families with younger children.
Prince Gallitzin State Park has a low-key, welcoming atmosphere that makes it especially easy for first-time campers to ease into the outdoor experience without feeling overwhelmed by the setup.
10. Valley Forge National Historical Park, King Of Prussia
History and fresh air make a surprisingly great team at Valley Forge National Historical Park in King of Prussia, where George Washington’s famous 1777 winter encampment has been preserved as a genuinely beautiful outdoor space.
Families can walk or bike the scenic trails that connect reconstructed soldier huts, Washington’s headquarters, historic cannons, and sweeping open meadows that give a real sense of the scale of the original encampment.
Valley Forge rewards curious kids who have studied the Revolutionary War in school, but even those who have not tend to find the reconstructed huts and the open landscape quietly compelling in a way that textbooks rarely manage.
Birdwatching is unexpectedly popular here, with the park’s varied habitats attracting dozens of species, and fishing is available along Valley Creek for families who want to add a little patience-building activity to the day.
Valley Forge National Historical Park is free to enter, which makes it one of the most accessible and rewarding outdoor options in the greater Philadelphia area for a Memorial Day family outing.
11. Cherry Crest Adventure Farm, Ronks
Right in the heart of Lancaster County’s farm country near Ronks, Cherry Crest Adventure Farm proves that a working farm can also be one of the most genuinely fun places a family spends a Saturday.
The farm is open from May through November, making Memorial Day weekend a sweet spot in the season when the grounds are green, the weather is warm, and the full lineup of activities is up and running.
An award-winning corn maze is the signature attraction, and even though corn season technically peaks later in summer, the maze structure itself is already a navigational challenge that kids and adults both take far more seriously than expected.
Hayrides, farm animals, pedal karts, and a variety of other outdoor activities fill out the day at Cherry Crest Adventure Farm, giving younger children especially a rotating set of things to explore without anyone getting bored.
The farm’s Lancaster County setting adds a scenic, pastoral backdrop that makes the whole visit feel like a genuine slice of Pennsylvania countryside life.
12. DelGrosso’s Amusement Park And Laguna Splash Water Park, Tipton
There is something refreshingly old-school and genuinely fun about DelGrosso’s Amusement Park in Tipton, a family-owned park that has been welcoming guests since 1907 and still delivers a great day out without the overwhelming scale of a mega resort.
Laguna Splash Water Park opens its gates right on Memorial Day weekend, which makes the timing almost too perfect for families looking for a splashy, sun-soaked way to kick off the summer season in central Pennsylvania.
Rides at DelGrosso’s skew toward family-friendly fun rather than extreme thrills, which means parents with younger kids can actually ride together instead of watching from the sidelines, and that shared experience makes a real difference.
A special Memorial Day bonus adds extra appeal: veterans and active service members receive a free all-day fun pass on Memorial Day Monday, which is a meaningful and well-deserved gesture from the park.
DelGrosso’s Amusement Park offers all-day fun passes at special pricing, making it one of the more budget-friendly full-day family options in Pennsylvania this Memorial Day weekend.