All United States Pennsylvania

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Pennsylvania

421 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Pennsylvania

Updated October 22, 2024

Email

Cities

Top Cities
All Cities
  1. Allentown
  2. Altoona
  3. Ashland
  4. Bedford
  5. Bensalem
  6. Bethlehem
  7. Braddock
  8. Chadds Ford
  9. Coudersport
  10. Donora
  11. Doylestown
  12. East Stroudsburg
  13. Emmaus
  14. Erie
  15. Everett
  16. Farmington
  17. Gettysburg
  18. Hanover
  19. Harrisburg
  20. Irwin
  21. Jim Thorpe
  22. Johnstown
  23. Kennett Square
  24. Kutztown
  25. Lancaster
  26. Landenberg
  27. Latrobe
  28. Lehighton
  29. Lititz
  30. Malvern
  31. Monroeville
  32. Morrisville
  33. New Hope
  34. Philadelphia
  35. Pittsburgh
  36. Pittston
  37. Pleasantville
  38. Reading
  39. Ronks
  40. Scranton
  41. Sharon
  42. Somerset
  43. South Park Township
  44. State College
  45. Upper Darby
  46. Wellsboro
  47. West Chester
  48. Wilkes Barre
  49. Williamsport
  50. Windber

Unusual Attractions in Pennsylvania

See All 421 Things To Do in Pennsylvania

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Pennsylvania

See all 21 Places to Eat in Pennsylvania
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Atlas Obscura Itineraries

6 Fascinating Medical Marvels in Pennsylvania

In the 1700s and 1800s, Philadelphia was the center of medical scholarship in the United States. The city not only attracted the brightest minds, but also the most curious cases and characters. From the oldest quarantine facility in the country to a museum that memorializes a traveling dental circus, here are six places to marvel at the trials, errors, and triumphs of medical history in Pennsylvania.

View Itinerary

Explore Pennsylvania

Museums 50
History 40
Architecture 39
History & Culture 33
Statues 21
Abandoned 21
Art 20
Collections 20

Pennsylvania Leaderboard

Recent Pennsylvania Activity

Stories About Pennsylvania

Creeping in the dark woods is a hideous beast—but don't say that to its face.

Appalachia’s Ugliest Cryptid Drowns In Its Own Tears

A new festival looks to draw out and soothe the squonk in all of us.
by Jess Simms
Punxsutawney Phil has predicted a longer winter nearly every Groundhog Day.

A Primer on Both Groundhogs and Hedgehogs

Just in time for their moment in the sun (or not).
by April White
Chris Scott writes that peach cobbler figured in his "happiest food memories," just as it does for many Southern children.

The Sweet and Sour Origins of Amish Soul Food

In Pennsylvania Dutch Country, African Americans have created a distinct and delicious cuisine.
by Sam Lin-Sommer
Punxsutawney Phil is far from the only weather-predicting marmot on Groundhog Day.

The Alternative Groundhogs Vying for Punxsutawney Phil's Weather Forecasting Job

Don't forget about Big Al the Alligator and Scramble the Duck's predicting powers either.
by Jennifer Byrne
A baled Christmas tree is loaded at the Omni Farm in West Jefferson, North Carolina.

What’s the Real Christmas Tree Capital of the World?

At least a half dozen communities in North America have claimed the title. 
by Justin Franz
The still-operating Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in Colorado is part of one of America's longest-lived narrow gauge networks.

The Historians Saving America’s Pint-Sized Railroads

From Maine to Alaska, narrow gauge is all the rage, including one of the most historic, Pennsylvania’s East Broad Top.
by Justin Franz
Groundhog Day weather predictions in 1975.

When Groundhog Was on the Menu in Punxsutawney

From picnics to club dinners, the critter has a long culinary history in Pennsylvania.
by Diana Hubbell

Podcast: The Pennsylvania Firefly Festival

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
by The Podcast Team

Lists Featuring Pennsylvania

Blue Sky Mausoleum.
Darwin Martin House Complex.
Skylights on the exterior porch made of red cypress.
A restored Wright house on the Burnham Block.

A 12-Stop Road Trip of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Most Surprising Designs

A UFO-inspired church, a futurist gas station, and more deep cuts.

12

Including Blue Sky Mausoleum, The Darwin D. Martin House, and Kentuck Knob

See Fewer Ads

Become an Atlas Obscura member and experience far fewer ads and no pop-ups.

Learn More