About Pennsylvania

Rife with history, Pennsylvania can claim an important role in the events leading up to the Revolutionary War. Still, this is not the only thing for which this key state is known. Book a flight or rent a car and see just how amazing Pennsylvania is.

Some of Pennsylvania's most popular cities are:

• Philadelphia
• Pittsburgh
• Harrisburg
• Hershey
• Lancaster

Nearly every city in the state has had some big role in Pennsylvania's past. As the site of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Philadelphia is the best known of these places. With sites like Philadelphia's Independence National Historical Park, Lancaster's Amish Farm & House and the Gettysburg National Military Park, there are plenty of places to explore the state's long and diverse history.

Beyond historic sites, families will have plenty to do in Pennsylvania, with an abundance of amusement parks and recreational sites. Hershey Park and Dorney Park are two of the largest of these family parks.

Pennsylvania's state parks all have no admission fee, which means you can get out and enjoy nature any time for virtually nothing. On the bank of Lake Erie, Presque Isle State Park provides great access to water activities like boating and fishing. French Creek State Park has a bigger variety of land-based activities, with miles of hiking and horse trails as well as campgrounds and small lakes.

Higher education is a huge deal in Pennsylvania's economy and culture, bringing in tens of thousands of students and providing many jobs for locals. Philadelphia is home to the University of Pennsylvania while Pittsburgh houses both the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon.

While there is plenty to do in Pennsylvania alone, there are plenty of other nearby states to add to the fun. Travel to New Jersey to have an amazing time on the beach at cities like Atlantic City and Cape May. To the south lie Maryland and West Virginia, with the gorgeous state of Virginia only a few hours' drive away.

Fun Facts About Pennsylvania

• Pennsylvania can claim such national firsts as the first baseball stadium, the first zoological garden and the first daily newspaper.
• The town of Punxsutawney is home to Punxsutawney Phil, the famous groundhog which predicts the spring weather annually.
• In 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia.
• The Pittsburgh Steelers are so called for the city's major steel manufacturing heritage.
• Between 1790 and 1800, Philadelphia served as the capital of the United States.
• During the Revolutionary War, the Liberty Bell was hidden in Allentown to prevent British troops from destroying it.