Pennsylvania hotels

Pennsylvania is really a state of 2 halves, with the plains of the Great Lakes and the Atlantic coastal fringe cut through by a swathe of steeply forested Appalachian ridges. It’s been central to the story of America, from the earliest days of the Revolution to the ringing of its Liberty Bell. No wonder they call it the Keystone State. It’s also a state where history is very much alive, from the buggy-riding Amish communities of Dutch Country to its still-brewed rustic beers.

Hotels in Pennsylvania

As one of the earliest-settled U.S. states, the imprint of history can be found in many of the hotels in Pennsylvania. There are elegant 19th-century converted townhouses, charming rural bed and breakfasts, and grand luxury premises furnished with an historic refinement. The main cities boast the best in contemporary accommodation too. You’ll enjoy fitness centers, sophisticated dining, and high-tech features at the top class business hotels in Pennsylvania. Or you may prefer to relax and unwind at a Pennsylvania spa resort, nestled among its secluded woodlands.

Things to see in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania, with its vital role in the shaping of America, has many attractions which focus on symbols of its illustrious history. The Liberty Bell is one such icon, hanging right next to Independence Hall in Philadelphia. It was here that the Independence of the U.S. was declared and the Constitution signed. A less hopeful chapter of history is commemorated at the Gettysburg Battlefield, a bloody turning point in the Civil War. Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Museum of Natural History delves somewhat further back—over 60 million years—with its immersive Jurassic dinosaur exhibits. The Heritage Center Museum of Lancaster is a great place for discovering more about the culture of the “Plain Folk,” such as the Amish. Though, of course, you’ll gain much insight from simply watching the Dutch Community at work and play in the surrounding small towns. And for a touch of fun, don’t neglect Hershey Park, an amusement park that combines thrills, spills, and famed candy.

Where to stay in Pennsylvania

The 2 big cities of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia dominate the choice for accommodation in Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh has become the prime destination for many business visitors, as it’s moved beyond its industrial past to become a major commercial center. It also possesses a distinctive patchwork quilt of ethnic and architectural districts. Philadelphia exudes a wonderful colonial charm, and is an excellent base for those families wanting to discover more about the country’s origins. The state capital, Harrisburg, is close to the wild drama of the Appalachian’s forested mountains, while Lancaster is a quiet town that’s at the heart of the Dutch Country.

How to get to Pennsylvania

Sitting in one of the most populous parts of the U.S., Pennsylvania finds itself very well connected by road and air to much of the eastern seaboard. There are interstate links to Philadelphia from both New York to the northeast and Baltimore to the southwest, along I-95. Pittsburgh connects to Midwest via I-70 E, and to West Virginia via I-79. For Harrisburg, the main links are south along I-81. Those wanting to travel to Pennsylvania by air will have to choose between airports in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, while Amtrak has an extensive network of 9 services crisscrossing the state.