By Nicholas Katers
A Pennsylvania Tourism & Travel Guide
Pennsylvania tops annual lists for popular tourist destinations due to its diverse cities and beautiful countryside. The state's Annual Tourism Report found that Pennsylvania attracted 108 million visitors in 2007. These visitors assisted in the creation of 609,800 tourism jobs by spending their money at major cities such as Pittsburgh,
Philadelphia and Harrisburg. The Keystone State has tourist attractions for baseball fans, art lovers and history buffs alike.
PNC Park
PNC Park became the new home of MLB's Pittsburgh Pirates on Opening Day 2001. The 38,362-seat park is located along the Allegheny River in downtown Pittsburgh. Visitors to PNC Park can take 90-minute tours of the facilities including the club level, the Pirates dugout and the private suites. PNC Park pays homage to Pirates legend Roberto Clemente with the 21-foot Clemente Wall in right field. The Pittsburgh Pirates offer promotions like Skyblast, an occasional post-game fireworks show set to live music.
PNC Park
115 Federal St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212
(412) 321-2827
pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/pit/ballpark/
Susquehanna Art Museum
The Susquehanna Art Museum in Harrisburg is open afternoon hours from Tuesday through Saturday. The museum has three exhibit spaces that highlight local, national and international artists working in various media. The Doshi Center for Contemporary Arts in the museum is an ongoing exhibit of work from Pennsylvania artists chosen by local residents. The VanGo! mobile art gallery allows tourists to see paintings and small displays at Harrisburg locations from September to July. The Susquehanna Art Museum offers free admission to kids 12 and under everyday.
Susquehanna Art Museum
301 Market St.
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17101
(717) 233-8668
www.sqart.org/
Gettysburg National Military Park
The Gettysburg National Military Park is the site of the 1863 Civil War battle that turned the tide for the Union Army. Tourists can access the park's "A New Birth of Freedom" video, document displays and guided museum tours for affordable entry fees. The park offers premium events like evening bonfires and battlefield tours for modest extra fees. The David Wills House is another premium attraction at Gettysburg, which includes the room where President Lincoln wrote his Gettysburg Address.
Gettysburg National Military Park
1195 Baltimore Pike Suite 100
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325
(717) 334-1124 Ext. 8023
www.nps.gov/gett/
Independence National Historical Park
Visitors to Philadelphia can see relics of America's revolutionary past free of charge at Independence National Historical Park. Independence Hall is accessible with a free ticket acquired the day of the tour from the park's visitor center. Independence National Historic Park's Liberty Bell Park has the iconic Liberty Bell displayed in a glass case for all to see. The park includes the former homes of Benjamin Franklin and Dolley Madison to demonstrate Philadelphia's importance in the early United States.
Independence National Historical Park
143 S. Third St.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106
(215) 597-8787
www.nps.gov/inde/index.htm
Resources
About the Author:
Nicholas Katers has been a freelance writer since 2006. He teaches American history at Carroll University in Waukesha, Wis. His past works include articles for "CCN Magazine," "The History Teacher" and "The Internationalist" magazine. Katers holds a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in American history from University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, respectively.
Photo Credits:
Photo by Tony the Misfit
