Pennsylvania is proud of its legacy as the “Keystone State"—the economic and political hub among the founding states of America due to its central location. In modern times, the state’s rich history and culture have become major draws for tourists. Indoor enthusiasts have plenty of places to go, such as Independence Hall in Philadelphia where the original Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were signed. Pittsburgh, on the other hand, is home to four Carnegie Museums, such as Andy Warhol Museum and Carnegie Science Center. Pittsburgh’s Acrisure Stadium is also home to NFL’s six-time Super Bowl champions, Pittsburgh Steelers, so catch a game if you don’t mind a mix of outdoor and indoor exposure.
If you’ve already got a Pennsylvania trip in the works, why not add a few more attractions to the itinerary? Check out our list of the best things to do indoors in Pennsylvania, USA.
1. Immerse yourself in science at The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia
Named after intrepid scientist and Founding Father Benjamin Franklin, The Franklin Institute seeks to inspire curious minds and future generations that will shape America. Guests have a variety of exhibits and experiences that await them. Fels Planetarium features astronomy shows using cutting-edge technology, while Sir Isaac’s Loft will let children study gravity by experiencing it. And don’t forget about Ben Franklin’s study of electricity presented in an exhibit with its own Tesla coils and generators.
The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia
Address: 222 N 20th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, United States
Website: The Franklin Institute
Opening hours: 9:30am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 25 USD for adults (ages 12 and above); 21 USD for children (ages 3-11)
2. Learn more about the country's foundations at Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia
Independence National Historical Park is the estate that surrounds Independence Hall, where the original Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were first signed. The park is also home to many other attractions, such as Great Essentials Exhibit where visitors can find the earliest ever copies of the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the US Constitution. Other notable buildings are Old City Hall and Congress Hall.
Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia
Address: Philadelphia, PA 19106, United States
Website: Independence National Historical Park
Opening hours: varies per building
Price: Free admissions for the park grounds; Independence Hall costs 1 USD and requires reservations
3. Catch a glimpse of Earth's long history at Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh
Explore Carnegie Museum of Natural History and discover all sorts of exhibits, ranging from cold and stony dinosaur fossils, scaly and slimy reptiles and amphibians, and even a hall full of bugs and arachnids. Feel free to grab a selfie alongside the life-sized reconstructions of both prehistoric and present animal species all the way from mammoths to golden eagles. Kids can also enjoy a hands-on paleontology experience at Bone Hunter’s Quarry where they can try to dig out fossils.
Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh
Address: 4400 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States
Website: Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Opening hours: Fri - Wed: 10am - 5pm; Thu: 10am - 8pm
Price: 25 USD for adults; 20 USD for seniors; 15 USD for children 3-18; Free for children under two
4. Grab your favorite treats at Hershey's Chocolate World, Hershey
Sweets lovers visiting Pennsylvania, rejoice! Hershey’s Chocolate World will take you on a fantastic family tour of how your favorite chocolate snacks are made. Take a tour of the factory to see the amazing machinery that makes your favorite type of Hershey’s snack. Avail of the special packages so you can sign up for experiences such as making your own chocolate bar or a personalized one-pound Reese’s peanut butter cup. Don’t forget to shop for souvenirs, be they candies or clothing.
Hershey's Chocolate World, Hershey
Address: 101 Chocolate World Way, Hershey, PA 17033, United States
Website: Hershey’s Chocolate World
Opening hours: varies per day
Price: from 42 USD
5. Attend exciting events at Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, Harrisburg
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts is an event venue for all sorts of functions, ranging from concerts to films. The spaces are also a great choice for conventions and seminars or e-sports tournaments. Harsco Science Center provides STEM-based activities so kids can discover the wonders of science first-hand. Live performances from music artists and comedians are also available at Sunoco Performance Theater, so be sure to check its calendar when planning your trip.
Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, Harrisburg
Address: 222 Market St, Harrisburg, PA 17101, United States
Website: Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts
Opening hours: Science Center: Thu - Sun: 9:30am - 3pm; Medical Digital Cinema: Thu - Sun: every hour starting 10am, last show at 2pm
Price: varies per show
6. Marvel at treasures from ages past at Philadelphia Museum of Art
Philadelphia Museum of Art is a treasure trove of classical, ancient, and modern artworks not just from America, but also from all over the world. Marvel at the works of masters such as James Abbott McNeill Whistler, Louise-Elisabeth Vigée-Lebrun, and José Maria Velasco. Also in the museum are priceless treasures of ages past, brought from countries such as Japan, China, and India. There’s also multiple souvenir stores if you’d like to grab a gift or two inspired by the museum’s collection.
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Address: 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130, United States
Website: Philadelphia Museum of Art
Opening hours: Thu & Sat - Mon: 10am - 5pm; Fri: 10am - 8:45pm (closed on Tue & Wed)
Price: 30 USD for adults; 28 USD for seniors; 14 USD for students with valid ID; Free for youths 18 and below
7. Step into a different era at Reading Public Museum
Reading Public Museum hosts a wide array of amazing and interesting artifacts, works of art, as well as taxidermied animal specimens. Check out the museum’s collection of fine art, some of which date as far back as the 15th century. There’s also a huge gallery of ancient arms and armor, sure to appeal to both history buffs and videogame enthusiasts. History buffs also have numerous items to read about and see, including an intact mummy from the Ptolemaic period.
Reading Public Museum
Address: 500 Museum Rd, Reading, PA 19611, United States
Website: Reading Public Museum
Opening hours: 11am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 10 USD for adults between 18 and 84; 6 USD for children ages 4-17, seniors over 65, and college students with ID; Free for children under 3
8. Make friends with gorgeous birds at National Aviary, Pittsburgh
Fancy yourself some feathered friends? Head on over to Pittsburgh’s National Aviary and meet all sorts of amazing avians. Pay your respects to Andean Condors at Condor Court or head to The Charity Randall Foundation Eagle Hall to meet Steller’s sea-eagle, one of the largest eagle species in the world. Visitors can also get various up-close encounters with the feathery residents; feed a whole colony of African grey penguins, or don a safety glove and handle some owls, falcons, and hawks.
National Aviary, Pittsburgh
Address: 700 Arch St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, United States
Website: National Aviary
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 17.95 USD for adults; 16.95 USD for seniors; 14.95 USD for children 2-12; Free for children under 2
9. Challenge your friends to a go-karting tournament at Autobahn Indoor Speedway, Lemoyne
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Summer Karting League Started. Test your driving skills against other open-wheel racing enthusiasts! We offer a junior...
Posted by Autobahn Indoor Speedway & Events - Harrisburg, PA on Monday, June 19, 2023
Reaching speeds of up to 50 mph (80.47 kmph), the go-karts and track of Autobahn Indoor Speedway will provide a remarkable adrenaline rush that racers won’t soon forget. Those who are a bit worried for their safety should feel assured since these state-of-the-art go-karts have been designed and manufactured by expert engineers in Italy. These karts are also electric, providing both an economical and environmentally safe experience. Apart from racing, Autobahn Indoor Speedway has axe-throwing facilities you can try out. Safety isn’t an issue here with vigilant coaches making sure there are no mishaps.
Autobahn Indoor Speedway, Lemoyne
Address: 1001 Bosler Avenue Old Susquehanna Sports Building, Lemoyne, PA 17043, United States
Website: Autobahn Indoor Speedway
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 10pm; Fri: 11am - 12am; Sat: 10am - 12am; Sun: 10am - 10pm
Price: from 48 USD for go-karting; from 18.75 USD for axe-throwing
10. Introduce your kids to concepts of STEM at Da Vinci Science Center, Allentown
Much like the incredible visionary it is named after, Da Vinci Science Center seeks to inspire young minds to create a better tomorrow. Kids can try an early first-hand experience in the fundamentals of engineering, design, and even electricity. There are also programs to help design vehicles, alongside an installation of a wind tunnel that simulates hurricane-force winds. If they need a breather, they can take a break and watch turtles and fish in Da Vinci Pond.
Da Vinci Science Center, Allentown
Address: 3145 Hamilton Blvd Bypass, Allentown, PA 18103, United States
Website: Da Vinci Science Center
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm
Price: subject to change
Pennsylvania is full of outdoor and indoor adventures to try
There’s no need to force homebodies out if they don’t feel like it, but that’s no reason for outdoor lovers to stay cooped up either. The Keystone State has plenty of both, so make sure to plan your itinerary to ensure everyone finds something to enjoy. To help with that, make sure to consider adding some of these best things to do indoors in Pennsylvania, USA, to your itinerary.
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