Camping Gems - Pennsylvania

Lake Arthur
This is an ideal place for fishing, boating, running, or just lying on a beach. You can rent a canoe, paddleboat, motor boat, pontoon, or sailboat for an afternoon of boating, enjoy a picnic lunch near the shore, or put your own craft into the water by using one of the eleven easy-access public boat launches with docking facilities.  Lake Arthur is the largest man-made lake in Pennsylvania, boasting 42 miles of scenic shoreline.

Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River, Pike and Wayne
Rolling hills, riverfront villages, and bald eagles perched on trees form a vibrant backdrop as the Delaware River snakes gracefully through the rural countryside. You'll find plenty of room for canoeing, kayaking, rafting, tubing, fishing, and eagle watching.

Erie Maritime Museum, Erie
Climb aboard the reconstructed ship Flagship Niagara and step back to September 10, 1813 when Commander Oliver Hazard Perry led nine ships out to whip the British Lake Erie fleet at Put-In-Bay, near present day Sandusky, Ohio. While there be sure and pick up a copy of the Niagara brochure.  It lists a more detailed history, notes ship's specifications, and talks about the restoration process. (150 E Front St., 814-871-4596)

Living Treasures Animal Park, Donegal and Moraine
Wolves, lemurs, zebras, bears and a host of other animals are all congregated at Living Treasures Animal Park. Show the kids something they will never forget by taking them to visit the petting zoo, where they can have a hands-on experience with goats, pigs, miniature horses, and wooly lambs.  Then tour through the rest of the park, viewing tigers, kangaroos, peacocks, camels, and baboons. 

Pennsylvania Covered Bridges
Historic, romantic covered bridges are fun to discover.  Head to Lancaster County for a well-preserved collection, set in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country.  Pay a visit to the Harrington Bridge (built in 1870) on LR 25088 northeast of Cherry Hill between Springfield and Conneaut.  While you're in the area, see the Carmen Bridge (1870) on TR 338. Another charming bridge is the Brotherton Crossing Bridge (1875) east of Waterford on Niemeyer Road.

Path of Progress National Heritage Tour Route, Hollidaysburg
The Path of Progress is a 500 mile driving route that winds through the hills and valleys of nine scenic southwestern Pennsylvania counties.  Your route will link key historical sites and give you a good sense of Pennsylvania's industrial, cultural, and economic heritage.

Lake Shore Railway Historical Society Museum, North East
You'll get to see dining car china, silver, timetables, lanterns, telegraph equipment, a Pullman Sleeping car, a diner car, a coach car, a baggage car, a caboose, and a freight car. Outside you'll find a Heisler steam locomotive built in Erie in 1937 and a 1940 gasoline mechanical locomotive. (Wall St. at Robinson, 814-725-1911)

Hershey
Chocolate lovers won't want to miss a visit to the "sweetest place on earth."  This is where you'll find Hershey's Chocolate World, where you can take a chocolate making tour ride, get a free sample, and give in to temptation in the gift shop. To learn more about Milton Hershey and the town he founded, visit the Hershey Museum and enjoy the beauty of his 23-acre Hershey Gardens and its 7,000 roses, native plants, and Butterfly House.

North Country National Scenic Trail
This amazing trail stretches from North Dakota to New York, winding past the best scenic highlights of the northern states. In Pennsylvania, y'll trek through the rolling hills and stream valleys of the Allegheny National Forest, cutting across the northwestern corner of the state. Watch for black bears!

Gettysburg
After you visit the Gettysburg National Military Park, take some time to get to know the town of Gettysburg.  It's full of fun attractions that help you get closer to history, such as the battle re-enactment at the Battle Theater. Or try the National Civil War Wax Museum with its 200+ life-size figures, animated Lincoln giving the Gettysburg address, and battle room auditorium. If you'd like to ride the rails with a Lincoln re-enactor or experience a Civil War raid, call the Gettysburg Scenic Railway.