The state of Pennsylvania affords some lovely places to go to all 12 months spherical. When winter arrives and the snow begins to fall, a number of locations across the state rework into one thing actually magical.
For those who’re planning a visit through the colder months, browse our Touring Life-style checklist of must-visit cities and points of interest; they’re lovely when lined in a blanket of snow.
Ricketts Glen State Park
For the adventurous, Ricketts Glen State Park affords some of the visually hanging winter experiences in Pennsylvania. The park’s well-known waterfalls freezing into towering ice formationsthe place hikers and ice climbers are drawn. Though the paths are difficult in winter, so are the sights completely unforgettable.
“It is like strolling by a crystal kingdom,” says winter hiker Darren Fields. Crampons and warning are a should, however those that courageous the chilly are rewarded with peaceable magnificence. Ricketts Glen affords a wilder, grittier aspect of winter that is good for seasoned out of doors explorers.
Valley Forge Nationwide Historic Park
There’s something applicable about visiting Valley Forge in winter. In any case, it was through the winter that the Continental Military took its character below the management of Normal George Washington, and it’s simpler to think about these scenes throughout a winter exploration of the historic website.
Visitors can think about the desolation and dedication of the troops who wintered right here from 1777 to 1778. Along with the historic area, there are 3,500 hectares of forests and meadows which can be merely magical when the snow falls.
Seven Springs Mountain Resort is a winter playground for all ages
Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Somerset County is one in every of Pennsylvania’s premier winter sports activities locations. It options 33 slopes and routesan enormous snow tubing park, and cozy mountain huts for après-ski leisure. Households and thrill seekers alike flock right here for snowboarding, snowboarding and hearth enjoyable.
“It is the sort of place the place you possibly can ski all day and calm down with sizzling chocolate by the fireplace all night time,” says resort visitor Carla Jennings. Particular occasions like winter festivals and night time snowboarding add additional pleasure, making Seven Springs the final word winter journey middle within the Keystone State.
Bellefonte
Town of Bellefonte is a winter wonderland, however Talleyrand Park is a spotlight of a winter go to.
These fortunate sufficient to go to through the holidays can benefit from the Victorian Christmas Villagebut when not, they’ll nonetheless benefit from the lovely winter surroundings. Town middle and the outlets and eating places additionally make a go to worthwhile.
Gettysburg
The city of Gettysburg is known for Gettysburg National Military Parkand it’s fairly quiet in winter. However right here, winter guests also can ski and snow tube on the Gettysburg Liberty Mountain Resort.
The downtown space has loads of picturesque scenes which can be superbly offset by snow, and it offers visitors the possibility to eat on the state’s oldest restaurant.
Bethlehem
If a metropolis known as Bethlehem, it actually deserves a winter go to. Thought-about the Christmas Capital of America, it actually comes alive through the holidays, but it surely’s lovely all winter lengthy. Along with the vacation occasions, you can too take pleasure in snowboarding, skating and snowboarding right here.
Winter visitors can go to Bear Creek Mountain Resort or Spring Mountain Ski Space for winter sports activities or Christkindlmarkt for vacation festivities.
Fallingwater in Stewart Township
Falling water is a Frank Llyod Wright-designed constructing in Stewart Township. The structure of the constructing and its location above a waterfall make it a lovely place to discover all 12 months spherical, however a dusting of snow on the pines surrounding the water makes it actually breathtaking.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Website and guided excursions can be found every day.
Laurel Highlands invite nature lovers within the chilly season
The Laurel Highlands in southwestern Pennsylvania provide a serene and scenic winter getaway. The area is thought for cross-country snowboarding, snowshoeing and peaceable snow walks by state parks. Fallingwater, Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural masterpiece, stays open all 12 months spherical and appears lovely within the snow.
“Winter brings a silent magnificence to the Highlands: you possibly can truly hear the snow falling,” says park ranger Jill Monroe. Cozy inns and nation eating places make this a terrific retreat for nature lovers. The Laurel Highlands mix tradition, nature and leisure in a single much less crowded, peaceable winter retreat.
Ohiopyle State Park
Think about a waterfall, however frozen in time. That is typically what visitors can see as they stroll Ohiopyle State Park in winter.
Each Cucumber and Ohiopyle Falls, two of the park’s prime points of interest, are frozen within the winter months. Guests can hike and ski right here, and admission is free, which is an additional advantage.
Skating rink in downtown Pittsburgh
The ice rink at PPG Place is a distinguished function in downtown Pittsburgh, providing a novel skating expertise within the coronary heart of town.
Since its enlargement in 2015, the rink has grown to measure 120 ft by 115 ft, which is 67% bigger than New York Metropolis’s famed Rockefeller Middle rink and barely smaller than a normal Nationwide Hockey League rink.
This huge dimension gives a extra spacious and satisfying skating expertise.