Wednesday 19 September 2012

Five places in Pennsylvania I really want to visit


Only one of these photos was taken in St.Andrews
Some of my friends and family are quite surprised that I made the giant leap from St.Andrews, Scotland, to nowhere, PA. So far moving and living here has been challenging but satisfying, and I'm excited to get stuck into the local Fall events. I've even made a calendar marking all the local Fall Festivals, pumpkin chucks, apple cider tasting and hay rides so I don't miss anything!

But there are also loads of non-Fall related places I'm still yet to explore. So, in no particular order, here's a shortlist of places in Pennsylvania I can't wait to check out:

1. Hershey Park
I described this to my younger sister as "a theme park where the theme is chocolate" and I don't think there's much more I need to say about it. I love chocolate, and I love theme parks. Hershey isn't the only theme park around here that looks great though. There's also Dorney, Knoebels, and over the state border in NJ there's Six Flags, home to the the USA's tallest roller coaster. They all do Halloween events that look like a total scream, and if I had the money I'd do them all.

2. Crayons and Potato Chips
Okay, cheating a little again with two very different factory tours in at number two. First off we have the Crayola experience, where it seems you can draw and play with melted crayons, see how they're made and learn the history of the famous brand. I know I'm way too old for this, but admit it, you want to come with me.

The second factory is the Herr's Potato chip factory. I'd reckon I eat enough of these potato chips to warrant me a free tour, but the tours are already free. Not only that, there seems to be some 'zany' chipmunk characters involved, and the site promises 'technological wizardry'. Intrigued?

3. Lancaster
Lancaster county is the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country. By 'Dutch' the Pennsylvanians actually mean 'Deutsch', and by that they mean the German immigrants, culture and influence on this region of the US. This includes the Lancaster Amish and Mennonite communities, and there seems to be a huge focus on tourism to see these 'plain' farms and homesteads. But a trip to Dutch Pennsylvania also includes pretzel bakeries, the history of the German settlers, and some great gastro-attractions, including the Turkey Hill ice cream experience.

4. Gettysburg
We took a trip to Valley Forge on July 4th, but still have not ventured to Gettysburg, the civil war site famous for a short but nevertheless important speech. I think that while living in PA, a visit here is a must, and will help cement my understanding of how this country came to be what it is today. Fellow blogger Katherine of Of Corgis and Cocktails recently visited the site, and you should check out her stunning and moving photos.

5. Centralia
A completely different kind of attraction altogether. Centralia is a ghost town. It has no zip code (according to wiki it was 17927 until 2002 when it was revoked). The town was blighted by an underground mine fire in the 1960s, which still burns today. Most people left in the 1980s, though a few remain, and although there's little there, the road is torn in two by the still smoldering fire. Apparently the horror movie Silent Hill was partially based on the spookiness of the town. I've read that during snow storms the heat of the fire melts the snow, and steam can be seen rising from underground. For a fan of urban decay photos, that's a site I'd love to see and something I can only imagine would be a fantastic location for a fashion editorial. Who'd like to take me and my trusty DSLR here for Halloween?

What have I missed from this list? What other quirky sites should I check out? What are the hotspots (literally or otherwise) in other states?


12 comments:

  1. If you haven't already head towards Fallingwater and the whole Ohiopyle/Laurel Highlands area in general - it was where we were originally going to have our honeymoon but getting married in December we didn't fancy missing all the things to do because of shorter days. My guys originally from Pittsburgh [well a tiny town outside] and it's not too far from there - the countryside is very English. Pittsburgh itself is worth a visit too with the Andy Warhol museum.

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    1. That looks like a beautiful part of the world, thanks! I do want to take a trip over to Pittsburgh one day, once I get my husband over the Philly/Pitt (Eagles/Steelers) rivalry to drive me out there!

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  2. Intercourse and Blue Ball just to even get the bumper sticker is worth it and a good laugh :-)

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    1. I actually can't believe I haven't done that already. I love funny placenames. Just like getting a wedding photo taken on Butts Wynd in St.Andrews, because it was funny.

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  3. Go to Scranton! Even though The Office isn't filmed there, it would still be cool to visit. I'd never heard of Centralia before. The photos on the link you posted were very creepy! Love that kind of thing.

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    1. Haha, good idea! I also want to do a UK placename tour of America (along with all the other tours of America I want to do). How many Oxfords, Glasgows, and Essexes can I rack up?

      And yeah, I can't wait to visit Centralia, it's one of those offbeat places I'll have to drag my husband to.

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  4. Come down into Virginia! If you're interested in history, visit Williamsburg, one of the first towns in America. Other than a colonial-style town, complete with reenactments and historic hobbies, is Busch Gardens Europe. BG is a (Europe) themed park with roller coasters and a fantastic Halloween theme during these fall months. (The only other Busch Gardens is in Tampa, Florida and is Africa/safari themed.) I prefer BG to most theme parks I've visited, besides Disney of course! You can make a whole weekend out of a trip to Williamsburg, and you can see Richmond and Washington DC along the way.

    I personally live in Roanoke, which is the other end of the state, and nothing beats these Appalachian mountains! We're a small town, but worth a day trip if you are passing through.

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    1. I've been to DC, so to take a trip to VA proper would be brilliant, thanks for the tips. Checking out the BG website now - a theme park tour of America would have to go on my list of 'tours of America' to do.

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  5. Well, I don't know if I want to live in the USA, but to make a trip around it and visit all the great places of cours!^^ I have to remember this list when time comes ;)
    Sandra

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    1. There are so many places in the USA I want to visit, I'd have to do a list for each state!

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  6. I LOVE Hershey Park! I went to sleepaway camp in PA, and they'd always schedule the Hershey Park trip for a few days after Parents' Visiting Day - that way, kids wouldn't try to leave with their parents! it was SO fun.

    Also, Gettysburg is amazing if you're a history person. but I'm with Emily - if you come to VA for even more!

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  7. Hello! I recently learned of your blog from Selena at 'Oh, the places we will go!' and I'm so glad she recommended it to me! I'm originally from Pennsylvania, although western PA, but I went to university in Gettysburg. I'm not sure if you have made it yet, but I definitely recommend it (and I second the commenter about the Laurel Highlands as it reminds me so much of Yorkshire, UK where I live with my British husband now). It is a stunning place full of history and lots of character. Anyway, looking forward to following your blog now! x

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