Philadelphia
One of the United States’ oldest cities, Philadelphia is where Georgian-style buildings sit with reverence alongside sleek skyscrapers. Celebrate the City of Brotherly Love’s role in the founding of a nation by visiting Independence National Historical Park. It’s home to the iconic Liberty Bell, which was used to ring in the changes to early laws and alert the townsfolk.
Downtown, grab a world-famous Philly cheesesteak sandwich and run up the 72 steps outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art, made famous by the 1976 film, Rocky.
Pittsburgh
Known as the Steel City – a nickname adopted by its NFL team – Pittsburgh forged a world-beating reputation from centuries of manufacturing. These days, Pittsburgh more closely identifies with the tech industry, with firms including Apple, Facebook and Google among the top employers.
Celebrate the city’s industrial heritage with a tour of the Carrie Blast Furnaces, a National Historic Landmark. Then, take the scenic route up Mount Washington aboard the Duquesne and Monongahela funicular railways.
Harrisburg
Harrisburg’s history stretches back 5,000 years and, since 1812, it’s been the state’s capital. Explore its history in full at the State Museum of Pennsylvania before taking in the State Capitol, the National Civil War Museum and Wildwood Park.
Gettysburg
The town of Gettysburg is known across the US and world for the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg, a turning point in the American Civil War. The Battlefield Historic District is just south of the town, along Baltimore Pike (heading south-east) or PA-134, Taneytown Road (south). There are plenty of hotels in and around the town, a short drive from the museum’s parking lots.
Hershey
The home of Hershey’s chocolate, where the motto is: The Sweetest Place on Earth. Take a tour of the factory, experience thrills at the chocolate-themed Hersheypark, unwind at Hershey Gardens, and – above all else – enjoy a bar of chocolate.
Allentown
Allentown and wider Lehigh Valley is a playground for exploring. The city is characterized by its old industrial buildings and Victorian-style homes, while the region’s rural skies belong to Blue Mountain and its ‘Great Wall’ which forms part of the Appalachians.
Erie
Erie is situated on the shores of its namesake, one of North America’s magnificent Great Lakes. The vibrant downtown atmosphere and scenic stretches of coast make Erie one of the must-see scenic stops on your drive. Presque Isle State Park has more than 20 miles of recreational trails and plenty of picturesque beaches.
Scranton
Another of the region’s industrial capitals, Scranton got its name from two brothers who opened Lackawanna Iron & Coal during the mid-19th century. The company then contributed to the great railroad boom, which helped transport tools and materials north.
Scranton was nicknamed the Electric City for its pioneering use of electricity to power its trolleys around town. The city still pays homage to its old transport links with the Trolley Museum, and Steamtown National Historic Site, a heritage railroad on the site of the old railyard. Ride on a real steam train and see some amazing scenery.