The Best Places in Pennsylvania to Visit with the Family

From chocolate-inspired theme parks to indoor waterparks, there’s so much to see and do in Pennsylvania with kids. Here are just some of the great attractions worth visiting PA for when planning a family vacation.

Hersheypark

Located fifteen miles east of Harrisburg, Hersheypark is a theme park founded by the US’s most famous chocolate company, Hershey. There are 14 rollercoasters here for thrill-seekers and an array of gentler rides for younger kids, as well as several live shows throughout the day. Make sure to also visit Hershey’s Chocolate World next door - a Willy-Wonka-style factory experience that includes more rides, chocolate-tasting experiences, a ‘create your own candy bar’ attraction and a giant Hershey’s candy store.

Cherry Crest Adventure Farm
When looking for things to do with kids in Lancaster PA, don’t overlook Cherry Crest Adventure Farm. This working farm contains all kinds of amazing attractions and activities including farm-themed games, wagon rides, playgrounds and a wide range of lovable animals including Highland cows. One of the most iconic attractions here is the 5-acre corn maze, which has three levels of difficulty: easy, intermediate and difficult. Steam trains also run through the farm multiple times per day.

Knoebels Amusement Resort

Knoebels Amusement Resorts prides itself in being one of the largest free-admission amusement parks in the country. You pay by ride, making it easier to budget. Choose from vintage merry go rounds, ferris wheels, coasters and other amusements all located in a shady forest area that makes it feel like a picnic in the woods. There are on-site campgrounds that you can stay at as well as cottages that do overnight stays, plus there’s lots of family-friendly accommodation in the nearby town of Elysburg.

Camelback Resort

Situated in the Pocono Mountains, Camelback Resort is a top destination for skiers and snowboarders in winter. It features 39 ski trails and the nation’s largest snow tubing park. You don’t have to be into snow sports or visit in winter though - the resort also features an indoor and outdoor waterpark, ziplines, treetop adventure courses and a laser tag arena. There is an array of condo-style lodges to stay in and multiple on-site family-friendly restaurants. You also have the whole of the Pocono Mountains on your doorstep to explore (although there’s enough to see and do on the resort that you might not want to leave).

Great Wolf Lodge

Another resort located in the Poconos is Great Wolf Lodge. This place is renowned for its giant indoor waterpark where you’ll find a huge selection of waterslides, wave pools and splash areas. Relax in the lazy river or brave the Wolf Tail slide with its 20ft free fall drop. The site also contains a multi-level outdoor ropes course, a mini-golf course, bowling alleys, a scavenger hunt and a mirror maze. There are also themed hotel rooms that you can stay in designed with kids in mind and several restaurants that you can dine at. Because it’s all indoors, it’s a suitable attraction for all weathers and seasons.

Nanny to Mommy