In-State Road Trips Feature Recreation, Fun
By Annette Reiff
The Patriot News

Last month, 21st Century Auto Insurance surveyed seven travel and tourism executives in Pennsylvania to determine the state’s top 21 road trips. The insurance company commissioned the poll in connection with its recent business expansion into the commonwealth.

Last week we listed seven of the winners that provided a variety of ideas for summer travels. We’ll finish this week with an additional nine winners and their Web sites for more information.

Harrisburg, www.visit hhc.com. According to the survey, Harrisburg has become “an urban metropolis.” Who knew? Why not take a vacation day and play tourist at home. Visit The National Civil War Museum in Reservoir Park and Wildwood Lake Sanctuary behind HACC. Tour the state Capitol and the admission-free State Museum on Third Street. Ride the Pride of the Susquehanna riverboat and take in a baseball game on City Island.

Mill Run, www.paconserve .org/fallingwaterhome.htm. Mill Run might not mean anything to you, but it’s on the list because it’s the location of Fallingwater, one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpieces. Driving directions from Harrisburg to the house, in the southwestern part of the state, are included on the Web site, along with information on tours (make reservations at least two weeks in advance during July, August or October) and prices. This one is not to be missed.

Pocono Mountains, www.800poconos.com. The Poconos aren’t just for skiers and snowboarders. In four counties and four state parks in the northeastern part of the state, the mountains offer theater, rafting, music festivals and more throughout the summer.

Covered Bridges Drive, www.experiencebuckscoun ty.com. The tour of covered bridges is a trip through Bucks County in southeastern Pennsylvania. Each of the 12 bridges is off the beaten path and can be reached by car, foot or bike. For a few hours, you can live life as it was lived in the olden days.

Elysburg, www.knoebels .com. Elysburg in Northumberland County is on the list thanks to the classic Knoebels Amusement Resort. Admission to the park is free. Depending on the day of the week, visitors can buy a Pay-One-Price Plan or pay for rides as they go.

Cook Forest, www.cook forest.com. Cook Forest is a 7,000 acre state park in northwestern Pennsylvania where visitors can ride horses, canoe, hike, take scenic drives and more.

Strasburg, www.strasburg pa.com. Strasburg is a mecca for train buffs, with the Strasburg Rail Road, which offers visitors a 45-minute ride on a vintage train through parts of Lancaster County, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, and The National Toy Train Museum.

Pottsville, www.schuyl kill.org. OK, so maybe you already figured out that Pottsville in Schuylkill County, northeast of Harrisburg, is on the list because it’s home to the Yuengling Brewery, the country’s oldest brewery. But did you know that Pottsville is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year? You can’t get much more eclectic than this celebration with a luau, a cruise weekend, a golf tournament, a ballet, a Big Band concert, a parade featuring the Penn State University Blue Band and more.

Valley Forge, www.valley forge.org. The 3,600-acre Valley Forge National Historical Park in southeastern Pennsylvania offers an education about the difficult winter of 1777-78 when General George Washington fashioned his troops into a fighting force during the American Revolutionary War. A Welcome Center, an 18-minute film and tours through the area provide hours of fascinating history.

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