13 Pennsylvania Weekend Getaways Worth Taking This Memorial Day
Memorial Day weekend is practically built for a quick escape, especially when Pennsylvania has so many places that can turn three free days into something refreshing.
A good getaway does not need to be complicated. It just needs a change of scenery, a little fresh air, good food nearby, and enough room to let the holiday feel like a real pause.
Maybe the mood calls for mountains, lake views, small-town strolling, historic streets, cozy inns, or a quiet cabin where the loudest plan is morning coffee outside.
The best trips make the weekend feel longer than it is, giving you memories without requiring a full vacation.
I have always loved getaways that feel easy to say yes to, and a Pennsylvania Memorial Day trip sounds like the perfect way to start summer with a lighter mood.
1. Jim Thorpe, Carbon County
Carved into the side of the Lehigh Gorge, Jim Thorpe is one of those towns that makes you feel like you have accidentally stumbled into a European village somewhere in the Alps, except you are firmly in Carbon County, Pennsylvania.
The streets are lined with Victorian architecture, independent boutiques, and cozy cafes that make wandering around feel like a reward in itself.
Outdoor lovers will find plenty to keep them busy, including white-water rafting on the Lehigh River, biking the Lehigh Gorge Trail, and hiking through Hickory Run State Park nearby.
Jim Thorpe also carries a rich history tied to the coal mining era, and the Asa Packer Mansion is a fascinating stop that gives real context to the town’s past.
Memorial Day weekend tends to bring festivals and live entertainment to the area, so the timing could not be better. Jim Thorpe is compact enough to explore on foot, making it ideal for a relaxed but genuinely memorable long weekend.
2. Gettysburg, Adams County
Few places in the United States carry as much historical weight as Gettysburg, and visiting the Adams County town over Memorial Day weekend feels especially meaningful given the holiday’s roots in honoring those who served.
The Gettysburg National Military Park stretches across thousands of acres and tells the story of one of the Civil War’s most pivotal battles through monuments, preserved landscapes, and informative ranger-led tours.
Beyond the battlefield, Gettysburg the town itself offers charming streets packed with museums, ghost tours, and locally owned restaurants that serve up hearty Pennsylvania comfort food.
The Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center is a smart first stop, providing solid context before you head out to walk the grounds.
Spring wildflowers bloom across the fields in late May, making the scenery surprisingly beautiful alongside the solemnity of the site.
Gettysburg rewards slow, thoughtful exploration, so plan to spend a full day or even two soaking in everything this remarkable destination has to offer.
3. Hershey, Dauphin County
The sweet smell that reportedly drifts through the air in Hershey, Dauphin County, is not just a rumor.
This town was literally built around chocolate, and that sugary legacy has turned it into one of Pennsylvania’s most entertaining destinations for families and friends alike.
Hersheypark is the obvious headliner, offering a full lineup of roller coasters, water rides, and themed areas that keep visitors busy from morning until the park closes at night.
Beyond the rides, the AACA Museum in Hershey is a surprisingly excellent stop for car enthusiasts, housing a jaw-dropping collection of antique automobiles.
Hershey Gardens, which sits on 23 acres near the Hotel Hershey, is gorgeous in late May when the roses and tulips are in full bloom.
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of Hersheypark’s peak season, so booking accommodations well in advance is a very smart move.
Hershey manages to be both kitschy and genuinely fun, which is a combination that is harder to pull off than it sounds.
4. Lancaster, Lancaster County
Rolling green farmland stretches in every direction around Lancaster, making it one of the most visually striking destinations in all of Pennsylvania, especially in late May when everything is lush and alive.
Lancaster County is home to one of the largest Amish communities in the world, and the chance to see traditional farming practices, handmade quilts, and horse-drawn buggies up close is genuinely eye-opening.
The Central Market in downtown Lancaster is one of the oldest continuously operating farmers markets in the country, and it is absolutely worth a morning visit for fresh produce, baked goods, and locally made crafts.
Lancaster city itself has grown into a surprisingly vibrant arts and dining scene, with galleries, murals, and restaurants filling the walkable downtown area.
Strasburg Railroad nearby offers a charming steam train ride through the countryside that kids and adults both tend to love.
Lancaster rewards curiosity, and the more you explore beyond the main roads, the more rewarding and layered this destination becomes.
5. Erie, Erie County
Sitting right on the southern shore of Lake Erie, Erie is the kind of city that tends to surprise people who have never been.
Most visitors show up expecting a quiet lakeside stop and leave genuinely impressed by how much there is to do.
Presque Isle State Park is the crown jewel of the area, a beautiful sandy peninsula that curves into Lake Erie and offers swimming, kayaking, cycling, and some of the best birdwatching in the entire state.
The Tom Ridge Environmental Center at Presque Isle is a well-designed museum that explains the ecology of the peninsula in a way that is engaging for all ages.
Erie’s downtown waterfront has been steadily revitalized, and the Erie Maritime Museum, home to the reconstructed US Brig Niagara, is a fascinating historical attraction right on the water.
Memorial Day weekend typically brings festivals and outdoor events to the Erie waterfront.
The sunsets over Lake Erie from Presque Isle rank among the most stunning I have personally witnessed anywhere in Pennsylvania.
6. Pittsburgh, Allegheny County
Pittsburgh has one of the most dramatic city skylines in America, and the view from Mount Washington looking down at the confluence of three rivers is the kind of sight that makes you stop mid-sentence and just stare.
The city in Allegheny County has completely reinvented itself over the past few decades, trading its steel industry identity for a thriving scene of museums, street art, incredible food, and world-class universities.
The Carnegie Museums complex in Oakland includes both a natural history museum and an art museum that are genuinely worth half a day each.
The Strip District is Pittsburgh’s lively market neighborhood, packed with produce vendors, specialty food shops, and coffee spots that make for a great morning outing.
Frick Park offers over 600 acres of trails right inside city limits, which is perfect for a Memorial Day morning hike before exploring the rest of Pittsburgh.
The Duquesne Incline funicular still runs up to Mount Washington and remains one of the most fun ways to see the city.
7. New Hope, Bucks County
Right along the Delaware River in Bucks County, New Hope has built a reputation as one of Pennsylvania’s most artsy and offbeat small towns, and that reputation is fully earned.
The main street runs parallel to the river and is lined with galleries, vintage shops, quirky boutiques, and restaurants that all seem to have their own distinct personality.
New Hope has a long history as an artists’ colony dating back to the early 20th century, and that creative spirit is still very much alive in the local galleries and public art installations scattered throughout town.
The New Hope Railroad offers a scenic train excursion that winds through the Bucks County countryside, which is especially picturesque in late May.
A short walk across the Delaware River bridge leads to Lambertville, New Jersey, a charming sister town that doubles the shopping and dining options without adding much effort.
New Hope is compact enough to explore in an afternoon, but interesting enough to keep you happily distracted well into the evening.
8. Hawley, Wayne County
Hawley is one of those small towns that feels like it was designed specifically for a long weekend of doing absolutely nothing stressful, and that is exactly what makes it so appealing for Memorial Day.
Sitting near Lake Wallenpaupack in Wayne County, Hawley serves as a gateway to one of Pennsylvania’s largest lakes, where boating, fishing, paddleboarding, and kayaking are all popular warm-weather activities.
The town itself has undergone a quiet but impressive revitalization, with the Settlers Inn serving as a beautifully restored property that anchors the local hospitality scene with genuine warmth and excellent food.
The Hawley Silk Mill has been converted into a mixed-use space with shops and studios, and it offers an interesting look at the town’s industrial past repurposed for creative modern use.
Prompton State Park and Promised Land State Park are both within easy driving distance of Hawley, offering hiking and swimming options that complement a lake-focused trip.
Hawley manages to feel both relaxing and genuinely interesting, which is a rare combination for a town this size.
9. Wellsboro, Tioga County
Known as the gateway to the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, Wellsboro is the kind of small town that earns its reputation through sheer natural spectacle rather than any manufactured attraction.
The Pine Creek Gorge, which locals and visitors alike call the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, drops nearly 1,500 feet and stretches for about 47 miles through Tioga County, offering some of the most jaw-dropping scenery in the entire state.
Leonard Harrison State Park and Colton Point State Park both sit on opposite rims of the gorge and provide overlooks and hiking trails that put the canyon’s scale into stunning perspective.
Wellsboro itself is a beautifully preserved Victorian town with gas-lit streets that give it an old-fashioned charm unusual even by Pennsylvania small-town standards.
The Pine Creek Rail Trail runs along the bottom of the gorge and is popular with cyclists and hikers looking for a longer, more immersive outdoor experience.
Memorial Day weekend in Wellsboro tends to be lively, with the town’s main street hosting seasonal events that add a festive layer to an already excellent destination.
10. Ohiopyle, Fayette County
If a destination could be described as pure adrenaline wrapped in a state park, Ohiopyle in Fayette County would be it.
This tiny town of fewer than 100 residents hosts one of the most active outdoor recreation scenes in all of Pennsylvania.
The Youghiogheny River, which locals shorten to the Yough, runs right through Ohiopyle State Park and offers some of the best white-water rafting on the entire East Coast, with rapids ranging from beginner-friendly to genuinely challenging.
Ohiopyle Falls is a dramatic natural waterfall right in the heart of the park, easily accessible and visually stunning, especially after spring rains have swelled the river.
The Great Allegheny Passage, a 150-mile rail trail connecting Pittsburgh to Cumberland, Maryland, passes directly through Ohiopyle, making it a popular stop for long-distance cyclists.
Fallingwater, Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic cantilevered house built over a waterfall, is just a short drive from Ohiopyle and absolutely worth adding to the itinerary.
Ohiopyle rewards active travelers who like their scenery with a side of physical challenge.
11. Ligonier, Westmoreland County
Charm is not a word that gets overused when it comes to Ligonier, because the town in Westmoreland County genuinely earns it at every turn.
The central Diamond, as the town square is called, is lined with independent shops, bakeries, and restaurants that make an afternoon stroll feel genuinely satisfying.
Fort Ligonier is one of the best-preserved colonial-era forts in the country, and the museum attached to it does an excellent job of contextualizing the French and Indian War history that played out in this corner of Pennsylvania.
Idlewild and SoakZone, located just outside Ligonier, is one of the oldest amusement parks in the United States and is particularly well-suited for families with younger children who might find larger parks overwhelming.
Linn Run State Park and Laurel Ridge State Park are both nearby and offer excellent hiking through the Laurel Highlands landscape that surrounds Ligonier on all sides.
The town hosts its famous Ligonier Highland Games in September, but Memorial Day weekend still draws a cheerful crowd.
Ligonier is one of those places that feels instantly comfortable, like a town you have always known.
12. Raystown Lake Region, Huntingdon County
Pennsylvania’s largest lake entirely within the state’s borders, Raystown Lake in Huntingdon County is a serious outdoor playground that somehow still feels like a well-kept secret compared to more famous destinations.
Stretching for about 29 miles through the Allegheny Mountains, the lake offers boating, fishing, swimming, and houseboating opportunities that make it a natural fit for a Memorial Day weekend focused on being outdoors and on the water.
Seven Points Recreation Area is the main hub for visitors to the Raystown Lake region, with a marina, campgrounds, sandy beaches, and a network of hiking trails that wind through the surrounding ridges.
The Allegrippis Trails system near Raystown Lake is a nationally recognized mountain biking destination with over 36 miles of purpose-built singletrack through beautiful forested terrain.
Birding is also surprisingly rewarding around the lake, with ospreys and bald eagles frequently spotted above the water during late spring.
The Raystown Lake region offers a genuinely unhurried pace that feels like a true reset from everyday life, which is exactly what a long weekend should deliver.