Highest-rated free things to do in Pennsylvania, according to Tripadvisor
Highest-rated free things to do in Pennsylvania, according to Tripadvisor
It is incredibly expensive to be an American. While workers in the United States have seen an 80% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven't caught up with the ever-growing cost of living, according to a 2024 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1970 and 2022, the national consumer price index increased by over 500%, while wages only grew by 80%.
That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. The number of cost-burdened households in the U.S. reached an 11-year record in 2022, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. In June 2024, Redfin reported that the median U.S. home sale price hit an all-time high of $394,000.
It's no wonder that maintaining savings, paying down debts and mortgages, and regular expenses are taking precedence over vacations. But not everything that's enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's a roster of completely free things to do in Pennsylvania.
Think about the most common items on a vacation getaway itinerary: sightseeing, touring landmarks, or completing a nature walk. Or, maybe you're just aiming to relax and want some peace and quiet. Whether you're a history buff or aching to dip your toes in some cool water, you can find all this and more without swiping your credit card or crossing state lines.
To help you find your next free activity, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated free things to do in Pennsylvania using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of June 12, 2024.
Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!
#30. Dingmans Falls
- Rating: 4.5/5 (473 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#29. Amish Country
- Rating: 4.5/5 (599 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#28. Philadelphia Visitor Center
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,470 reviews)
- Address: 599 Market St. 1 N. Independence Mall West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#27. SteelStacks
- Rating: 4.5/5 (660 reviews)
- Address: 101 Founders Way Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#26. Penn State University
- Rating: 5/5 (632 reviews)
- Address: 201 Old Main University Park State College, Pennsylvania
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#25. Point State Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (952 reviews)
- Address: 601 Commonwealth Place Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#24. Harrah's Philadelphia
- Rating: 4/5 (14,828 reviews)
- Address: 777 Harrahs Blvd. Chester, Pennsylvania
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#23. Cathedral of Learning
- Rating: 4.5/5 (979 reviews)
- Address: 4200 5th Ave. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#22. Valley Forge National Historical Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,493 reviews)
- Address: 1400 North Outer Line Drive Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#21. Gettysburg Museum of History
- Rating: 5/5 (1,347 reviews)
- Address: 219 Baltimore St. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#20. Kinzua Bridge State Park
- Rating: 5/5 (683 reviews)
- Address: 296 Viaduct Road Mount Jewett, Pennsylvania
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#19. Peddler's Village
- Rating: 4.5/5 (878 reviews)
- Address: Routes 202 and 263 Lahaska, Pennsylvania
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#18. Ohiopyle State Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (785 reviews)
- Address: 124 Main St. Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#17. Elfreth's Alley
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,188 reviews)
- Address: 124-126 Elfreths Alley Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#16. Independence National Historical Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,010 reviews)
- Address: 143 S. 3rd St. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#15. Randyland
- Rating: 4.5/5 (423 reviews)
- Address: 1501 Arch St. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#14. Ricketts Glen State Park
- Rating: 5/5 (857 reviews)
- Address: 695 State Route 487 Benton, Pennsylvania
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#13. King Of Prussia Mall
- Rating: 4.5/5 (978 reviews)
- Address: 160 North Gulph Road King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#12. Flight 93 National Memorial
- Rating: 5/5 (2,077 reviews)
- Address: 6424 Lincoln Hwy Stoystown, Pennsylvania
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#11. Bicycle Heaven
- Rating: 5/5 (1,011 reviews)
- Address: 1800 Preble Ave. RJ Casey Industrial Park Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#10. Rocky Statue
- Rating: 4/5 (3,262 reviews)
- Address: 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy Center City Phila Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#9. Lancaster Central Market
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,059 reviews)
- Address: 23 North Market St. Lancaster, Pennsylvania
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#8. Mount Washington
- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,035 reviews)
- Address: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#7. Strip District
- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,024 reviews)
- Address: between 11th & 33rd Streets Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#6. Liberty Bell Center
- Rating: 4.5/5 (4,915 reviews)
- Address: 526 Market St. Between Market and Chestnut Streets Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#5. Knoebels Amusement Resort
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,542 reviews)
- Address: 391 Knoebels Blvd. Elysburg, Pennsylvania
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#4. Presque Isle State Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,228 reviews)
- Address: 301 Peninsula Drive Suite 1 Erie, Pennsylvania
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#3. Gettysburg National Military Park
- Rating: 5/5 (8,482 reviews)
- Address: 1195 Baltimore Pike Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#2. Independence Hall
- Rating: 4.5/5 (9,138 reviews)
- Address: Chestnut St. between 5th and 6th Streets Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#1. Reading Terminal Market
- Rating: 4.5/5 (4,888 reviews)
- Address: 1136 Arch St. #400 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Read more on Tripadvisor
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Zuri White-Gibson, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states and Washington D.C.
