Pennsylvania: History and Mountains

Capital: Harrisburg

Largest City: Philadelphia

Population: 13 million

Admitted: 1787

I have always been a fan of Pennsylvania. Coming from Michigan where mountains are rare, I have always enjoyed driving through the Appalachian Mountains. My first visit to Pennsylvania was in 2015 where we briefly visited Philadelphia. While there, we saw the Liberty Bell, though we were quite surprised by all the security.

Philadelphia: The Eastern End of Pennsylvania

Since that initial visit in 2015, we have returned two more times to Philadelphia. Our second time was a longer visit in 2018. We visited Eastern State Penitentiary which is an old prison that originally opened in 1821. Actor Steve Buscemi voiced our audio guided tour.

A haunting look into the darker side of Pennsylvania's history at Eastern State Penitentiary

We also visited the Mutter Museum, which is a unique museum with a collection of medical oddities.

Of course, we also had to try a classic Philly cheese steak. It was good, though it definitely tasted like an indulgence and not something you should be eating every day.

In 2019, we went to the Philadelphia Zoo. It's most known for being the oldest zoo in the country.

Pittsburgh: The Western End of Pennsylvania

In 2023, my husband and I took a two-day trip to Pittsburgh. While we've driven around Pittsburgh, we have never gotten the full taste of the city until this visit. Highlights of our trip to Pittsburgh included:

• Randyland, a unique open-air museum with a collection of "junk" (or as some may call it, art)

• Andy Warhol Museum, which dives into the life and work of Andy Warhol

• Carnegie Museum of Natural History, a must-visit if you enjoy natural history (I always try to stop at natural history museums)

• Bicycle Heaven, my personal favorite in Pittsburgh -- it has numerous types of bicycles that make you feel like you really are in "Bicycle Heaven"

• Driving on the steepest street in the United States (with a 37% grade)

Glowing at Bicycle Heaven

The Middle

Along with Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, we've also explored parts of central Pennsylvania including seeing Amish "country," Hershey and a few museums in southern Pennsylvania including one about clocks.

Getting a completely different view of Pennsylvania as I flew in a hot air balloon over Amish Country

In October of 2021, we went to the highest point -- Mount Davis at 3,231 feet. If you are into collecting state high points, it was an easy one to get to.

In December of 2021, we went to Valley of Forge, where George Washington's Continental Army camped during the Revolutionary War, as well as Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site.

As we live one state away, we have found ourselves returning multiple times to Pennsylvania to see what the state has to offer. Each visit offers a glimpse and appreciation for one of the oldest and most populous states in the country.