These 5 central Pennsylvania day trips are worth the drive before summer ends
With students going back to school and Labor Day quickly approaching, summer is nearing its unofficial end. However, if you’re still craving a last-minute road trip to cap off the season, there are plenty of options in central Pennsylvania.
The Keystone State offers a great mix of activities and experiences in Centre County and beyond, ranging from trips along historic railroads to guided tours of horse and buggy museums. Those in central Pennsylvania can make plans for a wide range of trips just an hour or two away from home.
Before summer ends, here are five central Pennsylvania day trip ideas, each offering something different without breaking the bank.
East Broad Top Railroad
Located just about 38 miles south of Centre County, this historic railroad in Rockhill Furnace offers plenty of activities and experiences for locomotive junkies of all ages. A roughly 75-minute drive from State College, for example, sets up a viable road trip option.
Founded in the early 1870s, the East Broad Top Railroad operated until 1956, after which it became a notable tourist attraction and, in 1964, a national historic landmark. The railroad ceased operations in 2011, but reopened in early 2020 under the EBT Foundation Inc., a nonprofit group that works to preserve and restore the railroad’s trains with the goal of “returning to regular service in the near future,” according to its website.
The East Broad Top Railroad once serviced many iron furnaces and coal mines throughout a 33-mile stretch in Huntingdon County. The railroad is notable for being among the earliest pioneers of narrow-gauge technology, now standing as the oldest narrow-gauge railroad in the U.S.
Visitors to the East Broad Top Railroad can embark on a one-hour, 9-mile trip aboard a steam-powered train. Tickets start between $14 and $19 for children and $20 and $25 for adults, though prices range between the train’s cabins and seating types. Children age 1 and younger can ride for free on an adult’s lap.
The railroad also offers guided tours, vintage trolley rides, picnic areas and more. Rides and tours are generally available between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday until late October, according to the railroad’s website.
For more information on the historic railroad, visit eastbroadtop.com.
Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland
Out in Allenwood, this reptile-themed zoo is roughly an hour-long drive from State College via state Route 80.
Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland, which opened in 1964, operates as a year-round attraction for those interested in learning more about amphibians and reptiles. The park became an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in 1986 and offers an indoor exhibit gallery featuring more than 40 species in naturalistic habitats, plus several outdoor exhibits, live shows and encounters offering chances to interact with animals up close. Other park features include behind-the-scenes tours, animatronic dinosaur exhibits and a walk-through aviary.
Reptiland is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. between Memorial Day and Labor Day, reducing hours to 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the rest of the year. Admission rates start at $20 for guests ages 12 and older (including seniors), while visitors ages 3 through 11 can get in for $16. Children ages 2 and younger receive free admission.
Visit reptiland.com to learn more about Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland.
Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Once known as the Lumber Capital of the World, this Lycoming County city is nestled between the Susquehanna River and Bald Eagle Mountain just about an hour from State College.
During the summer, Williamsport rises to international prominence as the annual host of the Little League Baseball World Series, which attracts Little League teams from around the globe. This year’s baseball tournament is slated to conclude with the championship game Sunday, though plenty of matchups are offered leading up to the conclusion as teams from the U.S. and beyond compete to advance in their respective brackets.
The Little League International Complex offers free admission, and there is no cost for Little League Baseball World Series tickets (though stadium seating may be scarce).
Additionally, Williamsport offers the World of Little League Museum, which is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. The museum charges $8 for adults, $5 for seniors and $4 for children ages 4 through 16. Veterans and children ages 3 and younger, as well as anyone wearing an official Little League patch, can get in for free.
If America’s pastime doesn’t pique your interest, there’s plenty of other things to do in Williamsport. The town is a popular hunting destination and also offers several performance centers, art museums, breweries, state parks and outdoor trails beside the Susquehanna River. One notable attraction is the Thomas T. Taber Museum, which chronicles the history of north-central Pennsylvania and includes a collection of more than 300 toy trains.
Lincoln Caverns & Whisper Rocks
Back in Huntingdon County, this tourist destination has offered an up-close look at some of Pennsylvania’s most unique geologic features for nearly a century.
Lincoln Caverns sits just about a 45-minute drive from State College, making it a great pick for travelers from Centre County. Those who visit the site can tour two crystal caverns, Lincoln Caverns and Whisper Rocks, and learn more about their distinct features, including crystals and stalactites. Visitors can also pan for gemstones, take a break at a picnic pavilion or stay the night at the nearby Warrior Ridge Campground.
Tickets for tours of both caverns start at about $20 for adults and $13 for children ages 4 through 12. Discounts are offered through combo tickets and through reduced prices for seniors and young children.
Visit lincolncaverns.com to learn more about the site’s tours and year-round offerings.
This cave was discovered during construction of a PA highway. Now thousands visit every year
Mifflinburg Buggy Museum
This small-town museum offers a charming look at one of the most distinct vehicles on some of Pennsylvania’s roadways.
The Mifflinburg Buggy Museum, located roughly an hour’s drive from State College, tells the story of the small town’s rise to prominence as “Buggytown, USA.” The area earned its long-lasting reputation between roughly 1880 and 1915, during which it became a major manufacturer of horse-drawn carriages and sleighs.
Today, the museum offers a guided tour through several historic buildings and sites, including what is billed as the only intact 19th-century carriage factory in the country. According to its website, the Mifflinburg Buggy Museum charges admission for guided tours, while donations are accepted and encouraged for those who access the visitor’s center.
The Mifflinburg Buggy Museum is open between 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from early April and late October. Its visitor’s center remains open for certain events between November and March.
Head to mifflinburgbuggymuseum.org to learn more about the museum’s offerings, events and more.
