{"id":1306426,"date":"2026-10-12T11:43:21","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T11:43:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?page_id=1306426"},"modified":"2026-10-12T13:57:44","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T13:57:44","slug":"pennsylvania","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/north-america\/usa\/pennsylvania\/","title":{"rendered":"Pennsylvania"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":200,"featured_media":0,"parent":1306307,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"hw-hub-state","meta":{"footnotes":"","hw_hub_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_hero_image":"","hw_hub_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_why_title":"","hw_hub_why_body":"","hw_hub_why_link_label":"","hw_hub_why_link_url":"","hw_hub_why_cards":"","hw_hub_stats":"","hw_hub_countries_title":"","hw_hub_countries_intro":"","hw_hub_featured":"","hw_hub_regions":"","hw_hub_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_hostels":"","hw_hub_when_title":"","hw_hub_when_intro":"","hw_hub_seasons":"","hw_hub_costs_title":"","hw_hub_costs_body":"","hw_hub_cost_rows":"","hw_hub_cost_note":"","hw_hub_money_reads":"","hw_hub_rail_title":"","hw_hub_rail_body":"","hw_hub_rail_link_label":"","hw_hub_rail_link_url":"","hw_hub_rail_image":"","hw_hub_routes":"","hw_hub_events_title":"","hw_hub_events_intro":"","hw_hub_events_source":"","hw_hub_events_continent":"","hw_hub_events_count":"","hw_hub_events_cache":"","hw_hub_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_events":"","hw_hub_events_pills":"","hw_hub_reads_intro":"","hw_hub_article_rows":"","hw_hub_show_read_time":"","hw_hub_all_title":"","hw_hub_all_body":"","hw_hub_all_cta":"","hw_hub_trips_title":"","hw_hub_trips_note":"","hw_hub_trips":"","hw_hub_faq_title":"","hw_hub_faq_note":"","hw_hub_faqs":"","hw_hub_cta_title":"","hw_hub_cta_body":"","hw_hub_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_hub_term":"","hw_hub_scope_rows":"","hw_hub_country_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_country_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_country_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hero_image":"","hw_hub_country_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_country_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_country_stats":"","hw_hub_country_intro_title":"","hw_hub_country_intro_body":"","hw_hub_country_facts":"","hw_hub_country_cities_title":"","hw_hub_country_cities_intro":"","hw_hub_country_cities_live":"","hw_hub_country_cities":"","hw_hub_country_trips_title":"","hw_hub_country_trips_intro":"","hw_hub_country_trip_types":"","hw_hub_country_do_title":"","hw_hub_country_do_body":"","hw_hub_country_do_points":"","hw_hub_country_do_tag":"","hw_hub_country_do_more":"","hw_hub_country_food_title":"","hw_hub_country_food_body":"","hw_hub_country_food_points":"","hw_hub_country_food_tag":"","hw_hub_country_food_more":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_title":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_body":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_points":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_tag":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_more":"","hw_hub_country_transport_title":"","hw_hub_country_transport_body":"","hw_hub_country_transport_points":"","hw_hub_country_transport_tag":"","hw_hub_country_transport_more":"","hw_hub_country_money_title":"","hw_hub_country_money_body":"","hw_hub_country_money_points":"","hw_hub_country_money_tag":"","hw_hub_country_money_more":"","hw_hub_country_safety_title":"","hw_hub_country_safety_body":"","hw_hub_country_safety_points":"","hw_hub_country_safety_tag":"","hw_hub_country_safety_more":"","hw_hub_country_entry_title":"","hw_hub_country_entry_body":"","hw_hub_country_entry_points":"","hw_hub_country_entry_tag":"","hw_hub_country_entry_more":"","hw_hub_country_season_title":"","hw_hub_country_season_intro":"","hw_hub_country_season_note":"","hw_hub_country_season_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_title":"","hw_hub_country_budget_intro":"","hw_hub_country_budget_note":"","hw_hub_country_budget_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_currency":"","hw_hub_country_events_title":"","hw_hub_country_events_intro":"","hw_hub_country_events_source":"","hw_hub_country_events_country":"","hw_hub_country_events_count":"","hw_hub_country_events_cache":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_events":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_country_hostels":"","hw_hub_c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guide","hw_hub_state_hero_h1":"Things to do in Pennsylvania","hw_hub_state_hero_intro":"Where the United States was founded: Philadelphia's Liberty Bell and cheesesteaks, Pittsburgh's rivers and bridges, Amish farm country and the battlefield of Gettysburg.","hw_hub_state_hero_image":"1307972","hw_hub_state_hero_overlay":"light","hw_hub_state_hero_cta":"See the main cities | #cities\r\nWhat it costs | #money","hw_hub_state_live_stats":"1","hw_hub_state_stats":"4\u20135 | Days to do it properly","hw_hub_state_intro_title":"The birthplace of the nation","hw_hub_state_intro_body":"Pennsylvania is where the United States began. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were both signed in Philadelphia's Independence Hall, and the Liberty Bell stands across the street. Today Philadelphia is a big, characterful and good-value city, with a famous food scene, murals on thousands of walls and the Rocky steps at the art museum.\r\n\r\nAt the other end of the state, Pittsburgh sits where three rivers meet, crossed by hundreds of bridges, with steep neighbourhoods, inclines up the hillsides and excellent museums, including one dedicated to Andy Warhol, who was born there. In between lie rolling farmland and forest: Lancaster County, home to Amish communities who still travel by horse and buggy, the Civil War battlefield at Gettysburg, and the Pocono Mountains.\r\n\r\nGive Pennsylvania four or five days: two or three for Philadelphia, and the rest for Lancaster, Gettysburg or Pittsburgh. It is easy to combine with New York and Washington DC, both within a few hours by train.","hw_hub_state_facts":"Main airports | Philadelphia and Pittsburgh\r\nTime zone | Eastern Time\r\nSales tax | 6%, 8% in Philadelphia\r\nTipping | 18\u201322% in restaurants\r\nGetting around | SEPTA and Amtrak, a car for the countryside\r\nEmergency | 911\r\nTap water | Safe to drink\r\nFrom New York | Amtrak, about 1 hour 30 minutes\r\nHow long to stay | Four to five days\r\nBest months | May, June, September and October","hw_hub_state_areas_title":"Regions of Pennsylvania","hw_hub_state_areas_intro":"Philadelphia in the east, Pittsburgh in the west, and farmland, battlefields and mountains in between.","hw_hub_state_areas_zoom":"6","hw_hub_state_hostels_pins":"1","hw_hub_state_areas":"Philadelphia and the Countryside | History, food, nightlife | The city and its surroundings, including Valley Forge and the Brandywine Valley. | 39.9526 | -75.1652 | \nLancaster County | Amish farms, markets | Rolling farmland where Amish families travel by horse and buggy. | 40.0379 | -76.3055 | \nGettysburg and the South | Civil War history | The battlefield town and the orchards around it. | 39.8309 | -77.2311 | \nThe Poconos | Mountains, lakes, skiing | Forested mountains with lakes, waterfalls and ski resorts in the north-east. | 41.1000 | -75.3000 | \nPittsburgh and the Laurel Highlands | City, rivers, Fallingwater | Pittsburgh's rivers and neighbourhoods, and the forested hills to the south-east. | 40.4406 | -79.9959 | \nThe Pennsylvania Wilds | Dark skies, forests | A huge forested region in the north, with the Pine Creek Gorge and Cherry Springs dark sky park. | 41.6000 | -77.6000 | ","hw_hub_state_itin_title":"","hw_hub_state_itin_intro":"","hw_hub_state_itin":"","hw_hub_state_do_title":"Things to do in Pennsylvania","hw_hub_state_do_body":"In Philadelphia, visit Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell in Independence National Historical Park; tickets for Independence Hall are timed and free, but book ahead in busy seasons. Run up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art like Rocky, walk Elfreth's Alley, one of the oldest residential streets in the country, and take a tour of the Mural Arts programme. Eastern State Penitentiary, a crumbling 19th-century prison, is one of the city's most memorable sights.\r\n\r\nIn Pittsburgh, ride the Duquesne Incline up Mount Washington for the view over the rivers and the city, visit the Andy Warhol Museum and spend time in the Strip District, a market area of food stalls and shops.\r\n\r\nIn Lancaster County, drive or cycle the back roads of Amish country and visit the farmers' markets. Gettysburg National Military Park, site of the turning point of the Civil War, has a museum and battlefield tours. Fallingwater, Frank Lloyd Wright's house built over a waterfall, is around 90 minutes from Pittsburgh.","hw_hub_state_do_points":"Independence Hall | Where the nation was founded\r\nEastern State Penitentiary | A haunting old prison\r\nDuquesne Incline | Views over Pittsburgh\r\nGettysburg | The Civil War's turning point","hw_hub_state_do_tag":"things-to-do","hw_hub_state_do_more":"All things to do in Pennsylvania","hw_hub_state_free_title":"And what it costs nothing to do","hw_hub_state_free_body":"Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell are free, as is most of Independence National Historical Park. Philadelphia's murals, Reading Terminal Market and the Rocky steps cost nothing.\r\n\r\nThe Gettysburg battlefield is free to walk or drive around, though the museum and guided tours charge. Pittsburgh's riverfront trails and Point State Park are free.\r\n\r\nThe Philadelphia Museum of Art has pay-what-you-wish times.","hw_hub_state_free_points":"Liberty Bell | Free\r\nIndependence Hall | Free, with timed tickets\r\nMurals | Thousands across Philadelphia\r\nGettysburg battlefield | Free to explore","hw_hub_state_free_tag":"free","hw_hub_state_free_more":"All free things to do in Pennsylvania","hw_hub_state_food_title":"Eating and drinking","hw_hub_state_food_body":"The Philly cheesesteak, thin-sliced beef with melted cheese in a roll, is the city's icon, and the rivalry between the shops in South Philly is part of the experience. Also try a roast pork sandwich with broccoli rabe, a soft pretzel and water ice in summer. Reading Terminal Market is the best place to eat a bit of everything.\r\n\r\nIn Pittsburgh, try a sandwich with the chips and coleslaw inside it, and pierogies from the city's Eastern European heritage. Lancaster County has Pennsylvania Dutch food: shoofly pie, whoopie pies and hearty farm dishes.\r\n\r\nPennsylvania has strict alcohol laws, but craft breweries are everywhere.","hw_hub_state_food_points":"Cheesesteak | Philadelphia's icon\r\nReading Terminal Market | A bit of everything\r\nPierogies | A Pittsburgh favourite\r\nShoofly pie | Pennsylvania Dutch baking","hw_hub_state_food_tag":"food","hw_hub_state_food_more":"All food guides for Pennsylvania","hw_hub_state_nightlife_title":"Going out","hw_hub_state_nightlife_body":"Philadelphia has a lively, affordable nightlife. Fishtown and Northern Liberties have bars, breweries and live music venues, Old City has bars near the historic sights, and the Gayborhood is the centre of LGBTQ+ nightlife.\r\n\r\nPittsburgh's South Side and Lawrenceville have bars and music. Sports bars fill up on game days for the Eagles, Phillies, Steelers and Penguins.\r\n\r\nBars close at 2am, and ID is checked everywhere.","hw_hub_state_nightlife_points":"Fishtown | Bars and live music\r\nGayborhood | LGBTQ+ nightlife\r\nGame days | Sports bars fill up\r\nClosing time | 2am","hw_hub_state_nightlife_tag":"nightlife","hw_hub_state_nightlife_more":"All nightlife guides for Pennsylvania","hw_hub_state_transport_title":"Getting around","hw_hub_state_transport_body":"Philadelphia's centre is walkable, and SEPTA runs the subway, buses and regional trains, including to the airport. Pittsburgh has buses and a short light rail, but a car or rideshare helps.\r\n\r\nPhiladelphia is a short Amtrak ride from New York, around an hour and a half, and Washington DC, around two hours. Amtrak's Keystone line runs to Lancaster and Harrisburg, and the Pennsylvanian runs across the state to Pittsburgh in around seven hours.\r\n\r\nA car is the easiest way to explore Amish country, Gettysburg, Fallingwater and the Poconos.","hw_hub_state_transport_points":"SEPTA | Subway, buses and trains in Philadelphia\r\nTo New York | Amtrak, about 1 hour 30 minutes\r\nTo Lancaster | Amtrak Keystone line\r\nCountryside | A car is easiest","hw_hub_state_transport_tag":"transport","hw_hub_state_transport_more":"All transport guides for Pennsylvania","hw_hub_state_money_title":"What Pennsylvania costs","hw_hub_state_money_body":"Pennsylvania is good value compared with New York and Boston. Dorm beds in Philadelphia start around $40 to $55, and a cheesesteak costs around $12 to $18.\r\n\r\nSales tax is 6 per cent, rising to 8 per cent in Philadelphia and 7 per cent in Pittsburgh. Clothing is exempt. Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.\r\n\r\nMany of the big historic sights in Philadelphia and Gettysburg are free.","hw_hub_state_money_points":"Dorm bed | From around $40\u201355\r\nSales tax | 6%, 8% in Philadelphia\r\nFree sights | Liberty Bell, Independence Hall\r\nTipping | 18\u201322% in restaurants","hw_hub_state_money_tag":"budget","hw_hub_state_money_more":"All budget guides for Pennsylvania","hw_hub_state_safety_title":"Safety and scams","hw_hub_state_safety_body":"The main tourist areas of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are generally safe. Like any big US city, Philadelphia has neighbourhoods best avoided, particularly parts of North Philadelphia and Kensington, which has a visible drug crisis. Ask at your hostel and use rideshares at night.\r\n\r\nIn the countryside, drive carefully around horse-drawn Amish buggies, which are slow and hard to see at night, and do not photograph Amish people without asking.\r\n\r\nHealth insurance is essential in the USA. In an emergency, call 911.","hw_hub_state_safety_points":"Emergency | 911\r\nKensington | Best avoided\r\nBuggies | Drive carefully in Amish country\r\nAt night | Use rideshares","hw_hub_state_safety_tag":"safety","hw_hub_state_safety_more":"All safety guides for Pennsylvania","hw_hub_state_layout":"cities","hw_hub_state_cities_title":"Where to base yourself","hw_hub_state_cities_intro":"Philadelphia for most of the trip, with Pittsburgh at the other end of the state.","hw_hub_state_cities_live":"1","hw_hub_state_cities":"Philadelphia |  | A big, characterful, good-value city full of history, murals and food. | Independence Hall; Liberty Bell; Reading Terminal Market; Philadelphia Museum of Art; Eastern State Penitentiary | 1306638\nPittsburgh |  | A city of rivers, bridges and steep neighbourhoods, with excellent museums. | Duquesne Incline; Andy Warhol Museum; Strip District; Point State Park | 1306639\nLancaster |  | A historic small city at the heart of Amish country. | Central Market; Amish farms; Strasburg Rail Road | 1306637\nGettysburg |  | A small town beside the most famous battlefield of the Civil War. | Gettysburg National Military Park; Museum and Visitor Center; Cemetery Ridge | 1306636","hw_hub_state_cities_tag":"","hw_hub_state_cities_more":"","hw_hub_state_season_title":"When to go","hw_hub_state_season_intro":"Spring and autumn are the best seasons, mild and colourful. Summer is hot and humid in the cities. Winter is cold, with snow in the mountains and skiing in the Poconos.","hw_hub_state_season_note":"Average highs for Philadelphia, rounded. Pittsburgh is slightly cooler.","hw_hub_state_season_rows":"January | 6 | 2 | Cold. Mummers Parade\r\nFebruary | 8 | 2 | Cold\r\nMarch | 13 | 2 | Cool\r\nApril | 19 | 3 | Spring blossom\r\nMay | 24 | 4 | Pleasant\r\nJune | 29 | 4 | Warm\r\nJuly | 31 | 5 | Hot. Independence Day\r\nAugust | 30 | 4 | Hot, humid\r\nSeptember | 26 | 4 | Warm, pleasant\r\nOctober | 19 | 4 | Autumn colour\r\nNovember | 13 | 3 | Cool. Thanksgiving\r\nDecember | 8 | 3 | Cold, festive","hw_hub_state_events_title":"What is on while you are there","hw_hub_state_events_intro":"Independence Day where it began, and the Mummers on New Year's Day.","hw_hub_state_events_source":"api","hw_hub_state_events_count":"8","hw_hub_state_events_cache":"24","hw_hub_state_events_cta_label":"All events in Philadelphia","hw_hub_state_events_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/events\/north-america\/usa\/philadelphia\/","hw_hub_state_events":"Mummers Parade | 1 January | Philadelphia | Costumed string bands and clubs parade through the city. |  | \nWawa Welcome America | Late June to 4 July | Philadelphia | Free concerts and events leading up to Independence Day. |  | \nGettysburg anniversary | Early July | Gettysburg | Commemorations and living history around 1 to 3 July. |  | \nAutumn colour | October | Across the state | The forests turn red and gold. |  | ","hw_hub_state_budget_title":"What your trip will cost","hw_hub_state_budget_intro":"Per night, for one person, based on Philadelphia prices.","hw_hub_state_budget_note":"Treat these as a guide. Car hire for the countryside costs extra.","hw_hub_state_budget_rows":"Shoestring | 45 | 30 | 8 | 10\r\nMiddle of the road | 80 | 55 | 18 | 30\r\nComfortable | 170 | 100 | 40 | 60","hw_hub_state_budget_currency":"$","hw_hub_state_hostels_title":"Where to stay","hw_hub_state_hostels_intro":"The highest-rated hostels across Pennsylvania's main cities, straight from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.","hw_hub_state_hostels_cta_label":"All hostels in Philadelphia","hw_hub_state_hostels_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/north-america\/usa\/philadelphia\/","hw_hub_state_hostels_source":"api","hw_hub_state_hostels_count":"12","hw_hub_state_hostels_cache":"12","hw_hub_state_picks":"","hw_hub_state_hostels":"","hw_hub_state_faq_title":"Pennsylvania questions","hw_hub_state_faq_note":"The ones we get asked most.","hw_hub_state_faqs":"How many days do you need in Pennsylvania? | Four or five: two or three for Philadelphia, and the rest for Lancaster, Gettysburg or Pittsburgh.\r\nIs Philadelphia worth visiting? | Yes. It has the country's most important historic sites, great food and better value than New York.\r\nWhere is the best cheesesteak in Philadelphia? | Everyone has an opinion. Try a few in South Philly and decide for yourself.\r\nCan I visit Amish country without a car? | Amtrak goes to Lancaster, and tours run from there, but a car or bike makes the back roads easier.\r\nHow do I get from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh? | By Amtrak's Pennsylvanian, around seven hours, by bus, or by a short flight.\r\nIs Independence Hall free? | Yes, with timed tickets. Book ahead in busy seasons.\r\nWhen is the best time to visit Pennsylvania? | May, June, September and October, avoiding the hottest summer weeks.","hw_hub_state_cta_title":"Say yes to hostels, meet the world","hw_hub_state_cta_body":"Compare hostels across Pennsylvania: live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.","hw_hub_state_cta_buttons":"Find hostels in Philadelphia | https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/north-america\/usa\/philadelphia\/\r\nGet the app | https:\/\/hostelworld.onelink.me\/IdiK\/f5a50nhd","hw_hub_state_newsletter_title":"Get the good stuff monthly","hw_hub_state_newsletter_body":"New city guides, deals and route ideas. 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