Pennsylvania Quick Facts

Uniquely Pennsylvania: Hershey, named after and created by Milton Hershey, founder of Hershey Chocolate
Must-See: Fallingwater, stunning home designed and built by Frank Lloyd Wright
Most Unusual: Punxsutawney, the site of the yearly Groundhog Day prediction
Highest Point: Mount Davis, 3,213 feet
Food to Try: Pilly Cheesesteak and Shoofly Pie

What to Do in Pennsylvania:

1 Enjoy one of Philadelphia's famous cheesesteak sandwiches

2 Explore the Rockville Bridge in Harrisburg, the longest stone arch bridge in the world

3 Experience American history at Independence National Historic Park

4 Relax during a stay in the beautiful Poconos

5 Celebrate Groundhog Day with Punxsutawney Phil in the "Weather Capital of the World"

Off the Beaten Path | Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is a state filled to the brim with exciting attractions. It is deeply rooted in the history of our country. There are fun family-friendly attractions, natural scenery and much more. The following attractions are only a few of the places you will want to see during a visit to Pennsylvania

The Appalachian National Scenic Trail

The Appalachian Trail is one adventure that every visitor to the east should experience. The Trail stretches from Mount Katahdin in Maine to Spring Mountain in Georgia, following the crests of the Appalachian Mountains. There is a large stretch of the Appalachian Trail that passes through Pennsylvania and it is worth some time to hike along this stretch. In general the Pennsylvania stretch of the trail is rocky and moderately difficult, excepting the southern part which has gentle grades and is fairly easy.

Fallingwater

Fallingwater is a must see destination for any architecture buffs or art lovers. The house was designed by the famous American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Fallingwater is one of the most stunning examples of Wright's work. It exemplifies his ability to incorporate nature with architecture organically. Visitors to the house see it in its original state, with the original furniture designed by Frank Lloyd Wright as well as the original art and furnishings.

Hershey, Pennsylvania

Hershey, Pennsylvania is a town where visitors can enjoy a complete chocolate experience. The town was founded by Milton Hershey, the same man that founded Hershey Chocolates. He originally built the town as a model town and community for the employees of his company. Visitors to Hershey can enjoy the amusement park, Hershey Park. Hershey also has pleasant resorts, golf courses and other amazing accommodations. Visitors can find The Hershey Story, which highlights the history of the man and the town, as well as Hershey Gardens and the Hershey Theatre.

Independence National Historic Park

Located in Old City Philadelphia, this 45 acre park is the home of the Liberty Bell as well as Independence Hall. Within this World Heritage Site you will be able to learn about the creation of both the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution right in the same place. Franklin Court, also in the Historic Park is the site were Benjamin Franklin's home once stood. Visitors to Independence National Historic Park can enjoy all of this history and 18 other historic structures.

Lancaster Amish Country

Lancaster Amish Country is a truly unique destination within Pennsylvania. In this part of the country the Amish community speaks the very unique language of Pennsylvania Dutch, which is an exclusively Amish language. Visitors to the Amish community in Lancaster Country can tour the one-story schoolhouse where the Amish children have been educated for generations. In addition, you can walk across a 200 year old wood covered bridge.

Mount Washington and the Inclines

If you want to see Pittsburgh, the top of Mt. Washington is an excellent spot. Mount Washington was known as "Coal Hill," since it was originally a site for many coal mines. Mt. Washington stands above the city of Pittsburgh at 367 feet high, and visitors to the top of Mt. Washington can also see the three rivers. At night you can see a full panorama of Pittsburgh. The very best way to get to the top of Mt. Washington is to take one of the two inclines from the bottom. The two inclines are the Mon Incline, which travels from the Station Square shopping complex, and the Duquesne Incline, which still has its original wooden cable cars and its top station features photos and displays of the city's history.

The Pocono Mountains

The Poconos stretch across four counties and encompass 2,400 square miles of wilderness. Within these mountains there are many opportunities for recreation and viewing preserved natural beauty. Visitors to the Poconos will also find plenty of culture, from art galleries to naturalist museums and music festivals. If you want to combine mountain recreation with aquatic recreation you will find lakes, rivers and waterfalls within the Poconos.

Pennsylvania | Fun and Funky Things to Do

Pennsylvania is filled with amazing attractions. For visitors looking for the quirky, interesting and even strange attractions, the following certainly fit the bill.

Crayola Factory, Easton

Although this destination is not the actual manufacturing plant, it is a fun place to learn all about Crayola Crayons. The visitor center has all sorts of interactive and creative activities. Throughout the visitor center children and adults alike will find all sorts of fun realities and history of Crayola Crayons. Best of all, visitors can learn about how Crayola Crayons are made.

Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia

Visiting a former penitentiary may not be the first place you consider visiting while on vacation, but a visit to Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia is different and interesting way to learn about local history. Eastern State Penitentiary opened in 1829 and closed in 1971 due to overcrowding. The penitentiary was re-opened as a tourist attraction, but it was kept in its current condition. Visitors can take guided tours or simply walk through to explore the exhibits and art installations at the penitentiary.

Crystal Cave Park, Kutztown

This cave was discovered in 1871, and it is an amazing underground natural wonder. Visitors to the cave can take tours of the cave, where they can see the calcium crystals and the formations created by water flowing down the walls of the cave. On the 125 acres of Crystal Cave Park, visitors can also enjoy the restaurant, miniature golf course and the sluice, where visitors can purchase some dirt and pour it down the sluice to discover gemstones, emeralds or fossils.

Cabela's, Hamburg

This Cabela's retail store isn't a regular Cabela's retail store. Within the 250,000 square foot location visitors will find some very interesting displays in addition to the usual outdoor merchandise. There are displays of animals, re-creations of natural habitats, aquariums and trophy animals.

Punxsutawney

Punxsutawney is the site of the famous yearly Groundhog's Day weather prediction. Visitors to Punxsutawney do not have to visit on February 2 to enjoy the fun of the local Groundhog's Day prediction. Visitors can see statues of Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog, throughout the town. A visit to Gobbler's Knob, where Punxsutawney Phil makes his yearly weather forecast is also great fun. Of course, the best attraction is Punxsutawney Phil himself. He spends his year with other groundhogs in the Groundhog Zoo in their natural habitat.

Pennsylvania's Best Campgrounds

Campers Favorite Campgrounds in Pennsylvania + Great Tips for the perfect Pennsylvania Camping Trip.

Rhode Island Quick Facts

Uniquely Rhode Island: Crescent Park Carousel, a Victorian carousel and the official Rhode Island State Symbol of Folk Art
Must-See: Roger Williams National Memorial
Most Unusual: Belcourt Castle
Highest Point: Jerimoth Hill, 812 feet
Food to Try: Coffee Milk and Johnnycakes

What to Do in Rhode Island:

1 Walk on one of Rhode Island's Heritage Trails

2 Take a Trolley Tour of Providence

3 Visit the Fort Adams State Park to learn about some Rhode Island history and enjoy some summer concerts

4 Have some fun in the sun at one of the state's beautiful beaches

5 Explore one of the lighthouses open to the public on the coast, including the lighthouses on Block Island

Off The Beaten Path | Rhode Island

Rhode Island is a state filled with exciting attractions. In addition to the many miles of excellent coastline, Rhode Island is filled with historical sites. Visitors to the state can enjoy beach activities, nature hikes, biking and much more. Here are few excellent destinations for visitors to enjoy in Rhode Island.

Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor

This National Heritage Corridor preserves the Blackstone River corridor, which stretches from Worcester, Massachusetts to Providence, Rhode Island. This area is rich in history, and visitors to the National Heritage corridor have the opportunity to learn all about the influence this region had on the Industrial Revolution, the first successful textile mill and more. Visitors to this area can explore Pawtucket and the original Slater Mill, Cumberland/Lincoln, Woonsocket, Uxbridge, Northbridge, Whitinsville and the Whitin Machine Company, Worcester and many attractions throughout the area.

Block Island and Mohegan Bluffs

Block Island is just a short ferry ride away from the coast of Rhode Island. The island features amazing bluffs, beautiful hills and plenty of opportunities for recreation. Located on the southern end of Block Island, the Mohegan Bluffs are coastal cliffs, which drop about 200 feet into the ocean. Visitors to Block Island can explore the trail system on the island, the beaches and much more.

Coggeshell Farm Museum

Visitors to Rhode Island that want to experience the agrarian past of the state can take a trip to the Coggeshell Farm Museum. This living historical farm has interpreters dressed in reproduction clothing, historic buildings, and plants and animals like those from the late 1700s and early 1800s.  Visitors to the farm have the opportunity to experience the past in a hands on and more experiential way than at many other types of museum.

Cliff Walk

Located on the Eastern shore of Newport, the Cliff Walk is a great way to experience nature and historic Newport. The Cliff Walk travel through a National Historic District and is designated as a National Recreation Trail. Travelers on this trail will see abrupt cliffs, rough trail, seashore and much more.

Roger Williams National Memorial

This park and and memorial commemorates the importance and contributions Roger Williams made to Rhode Island and the cause of religious freedom. The park is located in Providence and is a great jumpy off point to explore the city. Visitors will find exhibits, a short film and a park. Within the park, visitors will be exploring the site of the first European settlement in Providence as well as a fresh-water spring. There are also a many nearby attractions, including the Touro Synagogue and Smith's Castle

Warwick Heritage Trail

The Warwick Heritage Trail provides visitors an excellent opportunity to explore the Warwick and West Bay region, stretching from upper Narragansett Bay to western hills and countryside of Rhode Island. This trail features a wide range of historical destinations. The John Waterman Arnold House, the Governor Sprague Mansion, and the Clouds Hill Farm are all destinations visitors can explore on this Heritage Trail.

Watch Hill

This little town is an excellent family destination, with plenty of fun family oriented activities, as well as a beautiful sandy beach.  One great attraction in Watch Hill is the Flying Horse Carousel. This carousel is the oldest of its kind in the country. The carousel's horses are not attached to the floor, instead they are attached from a frame in the center allowing them to fly when the carousel moves.

Rhode Island | Fun and Funky Things to Do

Belcourt Castle

This amazing example of Rhode Island history and architecture is a fantastic destination for all visitors. Located in Newport, this mansion was built in the 1890s by architect Richard Morris Hunt in the Louis XIII style. Visitors can enjoy the amazing architecture, gardens and collection of arts and antiques from around the world. Today, visitors can also take ghost tours of the castle.

Mercy Brown Grave

The town of Exeter has a great vampire story for those visitors interested in vampire folklore. In the 1890s, Exeter resident Mercy Brown died of consumption after her mother and sister. After her death it was believed that she was a vampire, killing her brother, who also had consumption. Mercy Brown was exhumed and when the town discovered blood in her heart, they determined that she must be a vampire and burnt her heart on a rock. The ashes of her heart were fead to her brother, however, destroying the vampire and eating the ashes did not save her brother. Today visitors can learn about her story and visit her grave in the town of Exeter.

Rhode Island International Horror Film Festival

Held each October in Newport, this film festival is devoted to playing horror films from around the world. Each year's selection of films cover all sorts of eerie topics from vampires to zombies. Visitors to Newport in October should be sure to catch one of these fantastic horror films.

WaterFire

WaterFire is an amazing artistic installation in Providence. The three rivers in downtown Providence have over eighty bonfires that are lit on certain nights during the summer and fall months. Paired with the beautiful fires on the river is music from around the world. Visitors to downtown Providence should be sure to visit during a time when the installation is lit, in order to see one of the most amazing art installations in the city.

World's Largest Bug

Providence, Rhode Island is home to the World's Largest Bug, which is a giant blue termite. The 58 foot bug weighs over two tons and is a great funky site in the state of Rhode Island. Built by New England Pest Control the attraction is often called the "Big Blue Bug," but the bug was named "Nibbles Woodaway" a few years ago. Visitors can even stop at the nearby store, New England Pest Control, which sometimes has souvenirs of the giant termite.

South Carolina Quick Facts

Uniquely South Carolina: The Old Slave Mart Museum in Charleston

Must See: Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired

Most Unusual: Button King Museum in Bishopville

Highest Point: Sassafras Mountain at 3,560 feet

Food to Try: She-Crab soup and Gullah okra gumbo

What to Do:

1 See the beauty of the Raven Cliff Falls

2 Have fun at beautiful Myrtle Beach

3 Hike the trails at Congaree National Park, which preserves the largest contiguous tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the United States

4 Learn all about the Gullah culture at a Gullah festival

5 Follow culture and explore the state on the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway

Off The Beaten Path | South Carolina

South Carolina is a beautiful state, filled with excellent destinations to visit. It is impossible to highlight all of the amazing places you could visit while on a trip to South Carolina. South Carolina has history, beautiful natural wonders and much more. Here are just a few of the places you could visit during a trip to the state of South Carolina.

Charles Pinckney National Historic Site, Mt. Pleasant

This National Park preserves this coastal plantation in remembrance of Charles Pinckney. Charles Pinckney was an author and signer of the Constitution, however, he is known as the "forgotten founder." This park tells the story of the life of Charles Pinckney, and the plantation history. Visitors to Charles Pinckney National Historic Site can walk on the 1/2 mile walking trail to learn all about the history of the site. In addition, visitors can explore the museum at the farmhouse on the former plantation.

Old Slave Mart Museum, Charleston

The Old Slave Mart Museum is housed in a building that was once used as a slave auction gallery. Today the museum gives visitors a glimpse into the history of the slave trade in South Carolina. The Old Slave Mart museum especially focuses on the history of the building, which was once part of a complex known as Ryan's Mart.

Fripp Island

Fripp Island is one of the South Carolina Sea Islands, and it is a wildlife sanctuary. This is a popular vacation destination during the summer season, but it is uncrowded during the off-season, with only a small population of permanent residents. Visitors to the island can enjoy a beautiful vacation at the resort, while also enjoying access to the islands beaches, kayaking, and golfing.

Congaree National Park, Hopkins

Congaree National Park preserves the largest remaining example of old-growth floodplain forest. This park has an amazing array of large old-grwoth hardwoods and pines, animals and plants. Visitors to Congaree can enjoy all sorts of outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, educational and ranger led programs. One of the best ways to enjoy the wonders of Congaree National Park is by canoeing and kayaking tours, both self and ranger guided.

Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Highway

Another way to enjoy the great state of South Carolina is on the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Highway. The highway passes along the northwest edge of the state. Travelers on the highway can enjoy views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Along the way there are many points of interest, including peach orchards, Cowpens National Battlefield, towns and much more.

Table Rock State Park

Located on the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Table Rock State Park is a great location for an outdoor adventure. The park has two lakes, a lodge and many opportunities for recreation. Table Rock State Park was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, and since its creation it has been a great South Carolina destination. Visitors to the park can enjoy camping, hiking and more. Table Rock State Park is the trailhead for the Foothills Trail.

Raven Cliff Falls, Cleveland

These falls are the highest in the state. The Raven Cliff Falls drop a spectacular 400 feet. Located in Caesars Head State Park, these falls are a great destination to enjoy the beauty of South Carolina and enjoy a day of recreation. Visitors can take a nice hike on the Gum Gap/Foothill Trail to reach the top of the falls, where they can enjoy the beautiful falls.

South Carolina | Fun and Funky Things to Do

South Carolina is a beautiful state, with many amazing destinations for its visitors. For those visitors that want to see something a bit fun or a bit funky, here are a few excellent attractions.

Kingdom of Oyotunji African Village, Sheldon

Near Sheldon visitors to South Carolina can visit the Kingdom of Oyotunji African Village. Within the over 25 acres of the village there are many interesting sights, including many sculptures. Visitors also have the opportunity to learn about the culture and religion of the town.

Miniature Golf Capital of the World, Myrtle Beach

One feature of Myrtle Beach that many people may not be aware of is its many miniature golf courses. Visitors can explore the over 50 different golf courses to see the many amazing features. The range of themes stretches from volcanoes to palm trees. While exploring these features, visitors can have a lot of fun playing many games of miniature golf.

UFO Welcome Center, Bowman

Visitors to Bowman can take some time to learn about welcoming aliens to our planet. The owner has built an environment that he believes will be a welcoming environment for humans and non-humans to make contact.

Button King Museum, Bishopville

For those visitors that want to see an amazing display of buttons, the Button King Museum is an amazing destination. The museum is filled with items covered in buttons. These displays represent the collection and hobby of one man. Visitors to the museum will have a fantastic time exploring and enjoying all of the different buttons and items.

South if the Boarder, Dillon

Visitors to Dillon will be surprised by the amazing collection of Mexican themed buildings. The town has a mascot, restaurants, neon lights and much more. South of the Border is an excellent place to stop while on the road, and it is also a destination all by itself if you want to experience Mexico while still in the United States.