Pennsylvania

 

Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, Philadelphia (Phil Roeder, Wikimedia CCA 2.0)

Let’s Visit Pennsylvania

Highlights

The Boardwalk, Hershey Park (Rj1020, Wikimedia Commons)

Let’s learn more about some fascinating places worth seeing in Pennsylvania.

  1. Liberty Bell (Philadelphia)
    Known as a symbol of American independence, the Liberty Bell is famous for its distinctive crack and its role in the abolitionist movement.
  2. Independence Hall (Philadelphia)
    The birthplace of the United States, where both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated and signed.
  3. Gettysburg National Military Park (Gettysburg)
    Famous as the site of the Battle of Gettysburg, a turning point in the Civil War, and where President Abraham Lincoln delivered his Gettysburg Address.
  4. Hersheypark (Hershey)
    Known for its amusement rides and chocolate-themed attractions, Hersheypark is part of the town founded by the Hershey chocolate company.
  5. Fallingwater (Mill Run)
    An architectural masterpiece designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, Fallingwater is famous for its integration with the natural landscape and is a National Historic Landmark.
  6. Philadelphia Museum of Art (Philadelphia)
    Famous for its vast art collection and iconic steps, which were immortalized by the Rocky films, making it a cultural landmark.
  7. Amish Country (Lancaster County)
    Known for its preserved Amish lifestyle, the area is a popular destination for those interested in experiencing traditional Amish culture and crafts. More than 75,000 Amish residents live in the county.
  8. Valley Forge National Historical Park (King of Prussia)
    Famous for being the winter encampment site of the Continental Army during the American Revolution, where soldiers endured harsh conditions.
  9. Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens (Pittsburgh)
    A stunning Victorian greenhouse with diverse plant collections, it is famous for its beautiful seasonal flower shows and sustainable gardening practices.
  10. Eastern State Penitentiary (Philadelphia)
    Once the most famous and expensive prison in the world, Eastern State Penitentiary is now a historic site, known for its eerie, crumbling architecture and as a popular destination for ghost tours. The prison once held Al Capone.

Intriguing mysteries and weird facts

Punxsutawney Phil. Groundhog Day (Anthony Quintano, Wikimedia CCA 2.0)

Discover these little-known facts about Pennsylvania.

  1. Pennsylvania is home to the first baseball stadium.
    The first-ever stadium built specifically for baseball, Forbes Field, opened in Pittsburgh in 1909
  2. The Mushroom Capital: Pennsylvania produces over 40% of the country’s mushrooms, earning it the title of “Mushroom Capital of the World“.
  3. Punxsutawney Phil predicts the weather.
    Pennsylvania is home to Groundhog Day, where the famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, predicts if there will be six more weeks of winter.
  4. The first American flag was made here.
    Legend says Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag in Philadelphia in 1776, making it a key part of U.S. history.
  5. The largest chocolate factory in the world is in Pennsylvania.
    Hershey, Pennsylvania, is home to the largest chocolate factory on the planet, where millions of chocolate bars are made each year.
  6. Frankenstein’s Monster: Mary Shelley wrote part of her famous novel while staying in Lake Geneva, Pennsylvania.
  7. Pennsylvania has a Firefly Festival.
    Every summer, people gather to see synchronous fireflies at the annual Pennsylvania Firefly Festival in the Allegheny National Forest.
  8. Centralia is a ghost town with an underground fire.
    Centralia has been burning underground since 1962 due to a coal mine fire, forcing most of the residents to evacuate, leaving the town eerily deserted.
  9. The World’s Largest Ball of Twine: Located in Coudersport, Pennsylvania, this giant ball of twine weighs over 17,000 pounds.
  10. There’s a shoe house you can visit.
    In York, Pennsylvania, you can find the Haines Shoe House, a giant shoe-shaped house built in 1948 as an advertisement for a shoe company.

Notable People

Here are 10 famous men and women from Pennsylvania.

Famous Men

Benjamin Franklin (Joseph-Siffred Duplessis ,1725–1802, Wikimedia Commons)
  1. Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790)
    A Founding Father, inventor, diplomat, and writer, Franklin is one of the most influential figures in American history, playing a key role in the American Revolution and the drafting of the U.S. Constitution.
  2. Andrew Carnegie (1835–1919)
    A steel magnate and philanthropist from Pittsburgh, Carnegie became one of the wealthiest individuals of his time and is known for his contributions to libraries, education, and the arts.
  3. Joe Biden (born 1942)
    The 46th President of the United States, born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Biden served as Vice President under Barack Obama and has had a long career in U.S. politics.
  4. Arnold Palmer (1929–2016)
    One of the greatest professional golfers in history, Palmer was born in Latrobe and became a major figure in the sport, popularizing it worldwide.
  5. Kobe Bryant (1978–2020)
    Born in Philadelphia, Bryant was one of the greatest basketball players in NBA history, winning five championships with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Famous Women

Taylor Swift (iHeartRadioCA, Wikimedia CCA 3.0)
  1. Grace Kelly (1929–1982)
    Born in Philadelphia, Kelly became a Hollywood star and later married Prince Rainier III of Monaco, becoming Princess Grace.
  2. Tina Fey (born 1970)
    A comedian, writer, and actress from Upper Darby, Fey is best known for her work on Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock, as well as for writing Mean Girls.
  3. Marian Anderson (1897–1993)
    Born in Philadelphia, Anderson was a groundbreaking African American contralto singer who became an international star and a key figure in the civil rights movement.
  4. Taylor Swift (born 1989)
    Born in Reading, Swift is a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter known for her crossover from country music to pop and for her global impact on the music industry.
  5. Betsy Ross (1752–1836)
    Famous for sewing the first American flag, Ross was born and lived in Philadelphia, playing a symbolic role in American history.

Date of Ratification of the Articles of Confederation/
Admission to the Union

December 12, 1787 (2nd)

State Capital and Government

Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg (Ruhrfisch, Wikimedia Commons)

Area and Total Population

Area: 44,742 Total Population: 12,787,000

Major cities and their population

City Population
Philadelphia 1,550,000
Pittsburgh 303,000
Allentown 125,000
Erie 93,000
Scranton 76,000
Harrisburg 50,000

Education

University of Pennsylvania (Bryan Y W. Shin, Wikimedia CCA 3.0)

Educational Resources

Twinkl. Pennsylvania

Fairs and festivals

Flag

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania flag consists of a blue field with the state coat of arms in the center of the shield. The state originally authorized its use in 1799, The current design was enacted by law in 1907.

A black work horse in harness appears on either side of the state coat of arms. At the top of the shield sits a bald eagle. Underneath the eagle, a sailing ship under full sail, a plow, and three sheaves of wheat appear–highlighting the significance of commerce, labor, perseverance and agriculture to the state.

A stalk of Indian corn and an olive branch appear on either side at the bottom of the shield. A red scroll below the coat of arms reads: “Virtue, Liberty and Independence,” which is the state’s motto.

Geography

Location

Pennsylvania (Tubs, Wikimedia CCA 3.0)

Glimpses Into History

William Penn and King Charles II. The Birth of Pennsylvania, 1680 (Jean Leon Gerome Ferris, 1863–1930, Wikimedia Cmmons)
  • Pennsylvania history

Breathtaking Landscapes

Check out these amazing landscapes and wildlife of Pennsylvania.

National Landmarks

Statue of Benjamin Franklin, Philadelphia (Matthew Marcucci, Wikimedia Commons)

National and State Parks

Keystone State Park (NewAlexPA, Wikimedia CCA 4.0)

Sports

Professional Sports Teams

Philadelphia

Jalen Hurts, Quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles (All-Pro Reels, Wikimedia CCA 2.0)

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Washington Capitals (Keith Allison, Wikimedia CCA 2.0)

NCAA (National Collegiate Athletics Association) Division I Teams

Penn State Football Stadium (Jeremiah Orr, Wikimedia CCA 2.0)

State Motto

Virtue, Liberty and Independence”

State Nicknames

  • The Keystone State
  • The Quaker State

State Symbols

See State symbols. Pennsylvania

Seal

The state seal consists of a shield containing a ship under full sail, a plow and three sheaves of wheat. A stalk of Indian corn and an olive branch appear on either side of the shield.

It was authorized by the General Assembly of Pennsylvania in 1791.

License Plate

State Animal

White-tailed deer (Katy Cain, Wikimedia Commons)

State Bird

Pennsylvania Ruffed Grouse (MDF, Wikimedia CCA 3.0)

State Flower

Mountain laurel (Kurt Stuber, Wikimedia CCA 3.0)

Tourism: Enjoy some incredible vacations

Traditional Anish Buggy Lancaster Countyi (The Cade Expert, Wkimedia CCA 3.0)

Watch a video

Evergreen Cemetery, Gettysburg (Northern Aggression, Wikimedia CCA 3.0)

Weather

Autumn in Pennsylvania (Surfsupusa, Wikimedia CCA 4.0)

More Resources For The Best Things To Do

Allentown

Erie

Harrisburg

Riverfront Park Harrisburg (Samuel Sonne, Wikimedia CCA 2.5)

Philadelphia

Philadelphia Museum of Art (Meihe Chen, Wikimedia CCA 4.0)

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Russell (Sekeet, Wikimedia CCA 2.0)

Reading

The Reading Pagoda (Jack at Flickr, Wikimedia CCA 2.0)

Scranton

Courthouse Square, Scranton (Ajay Suresh, Wikimedia CCA 2.0)