This stunning peninsula in northwest Pennsylvania draws millions of visitors every year to revel in its beaches, waterways, woodlands and wildlife. If you're headed there, don't miss out on the bevy of attractions — from wineries to amusement parks to dining with a view -- available in Erie and the surrounding counties.
If you own a bike and haven't gone for a ride in a while, the excuses just won't cut it anymore. The region is blessed with hundreds of miles of non-motorized, recreational bike paths, including plenty of flat rail trails.
While some Commonwealth communities are tackling the problem of urban food access with farmers' markets and boutique food shops, a pair of entrepreneurs are thinking big in the capital city with a new grocery store.
At the long-abandoned 7,000-square-foot Smith Paint Building in downtown Harrisburg, two men are churning out handcrafted vodka, rum, moonshine and more. They are part of a wave of micro-distilleries across Pennsylvania, spurred by an easing of the state's liquor laws.
After years as a showcase for creepy critters, the rebranded Philadelphia Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion is expanding its exhibits and its ambitions. From a room filled with 8,000 butterflies to the world's largest centipedes, this hidden gem offers up educational opportunities and fun galore -- just try to keep your kid out of the climb-through lizard terrarium.
For generations, folks have traveled to this pastoral county to witness Amish life, drive over the rolling hills, and fill their cars with handmade furniture and jars of chow-chow. You can -- and should -- still do all that, but add to your itinerary creative restaurants, local breweries and wineries, a scenic bike tour, a deep dive into Lancaster City, an afternoon on the river and much more. If you get off the beaten path, this Pennsylvania county will never stop surprising you.
