also hosts the annual Wildflower Music Festival . Info : 570.253.1185 , www . dorflinger . org
Eckley Miners ’ Village Mining Museum , Weatherly
Visit and explore a genuine relic of the American Industrial Revolution . This planned town that once housed anthracite coal miners is now dedicated to preserving their story . Tours available . Info : 570.636.2070 , www . eckleyminersvillagemuseum . com
Electric City Trolley Station and Museum , Scranton
Celebrating Scranton ’ s pioneering electric trolley line , this museum explores the history of the trolley . Interactive exhibits , artifacts , and trolley rides await curious visitors . Info : 570.346.7186 , www . ectma . org / museum . org
Everhart Museum of Natural History , Science and Art , Scranton
Collects more than 60,000 specimens documenting Pennsylvania ’ s natural history , including the largest collection of birds in NE Pennsylvania . The museum is also home to a variety of artworks , focusing on nature . Info 570.346.7186 , www . everhart-museum . org
No . 9 Coal Mine & Museum , Lansford Travel by train 1,600 feet into the heart of a former coal mine , and learn what life was like for the miners during its hundred-year history . The museum also includes mining equipment and artifacts on display . Info : 570.645.7074 , www . no9mine . com
Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum & Iron Furnaces , Scranton
Get an intimate perspective on the lives of Pennsylvanians who lived during the height of the coal and railroad booms . View historical artifacts , and tour the iron furnaces that , in 1865 , were responsible for the largest U . S . iron output to date . Info 570.963.4804 , www . anthracitemuseum . org
Sculpted Ice Works Factory Tour and Natural Ice Harvest Museum , Lakeville
This museum preserves the history of the ice harvest industry , once a pillar of the Poconos economy . Also home to custom ice sculptures , which visitors can view in-production . Info : 570.226.6246 , www . sculptediceworks . com
Steamtown National Historic Site , Scranton Built on the former railroad yards , Steamtown NHS seeks to preserve the storied history of the rail industry . Guided tours , educational films , rotating exhibits , and train rides available . Info : 888.693.9391 , www . nps . gov / stea
Tioga Point Museum , Athens Eclectic historical museum , collecting approximately 14,000 Native American artifacts , as well as Samurai Weaponry , Revolutionary War memorabilia , rare books , and more . Many exhibits focus on local history . Info : 570.888.7225 , www . tiogapointmuseum . com
Wyalusing Valley Museum , Wyalusing Museum dedicated to the rich history of the Wyalusing Valley region . Exhibits include war memorabilia , farming , implements , and a historic fire engine . Info : 570.746.3979 , www . wyalusingmuseum . com
Zane Grey Museum , Lackawaxen Part of the National Park Service ’ s Upper Delaware
46 . | EXPLORE PA 2017
Scenic and Recreational River Park , the former of Lackawaxen-based Western author Zane Grey is now a museum dedicated to his life and work . Visitors can see photographs , manuscripts , and other artifacts related to his writing . Info : 570.685.4871 , www . nps . gov / upde
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Autumn Timber Festival , East Stroudsburg A unique fall event at Shawnee Mountain Ski Area , featuring lumberjack demonstrations , performing dogs , and chainsaw sculpting demonstrations . Attendees can enjoy the beautiful colors of the changing foliage surrounding them while taking in a concert or patronizing one of the many food and craft vendors ( Oct ). Info : 570.421.7231 , www . shawneemt . com / s _ autumntimberfestival . html
Endless Mountain Maple Festival , Troy Celebrate the annual maple harvest with this two-day festival featuring pancake-eating contest , tractor shows , and of course , maple products judging ( Apr ). Info : 570.297.3648 , www . maplefestivalpa . cin
Great Brews Classic Beer Festival at Split Rock Resort , Lake Harmony Two-day beer-tasting festival , featuring seminars and classes from beer experts , live music , and a variety of food vendors . Overnight packages available ( Nov ). Info : 800.255.7625 , www . slitrockresort . com / beers . asp
Pennsylvania Apple ‘ n ’ Cheese Festival , Canton
Celebrating 27 years in 2016 , this annual festival features every possible variety of apple-based food , plus wine and cheese tastings , crafts , demonstrations , live music , and art shows ( Oct ). Info : 570.673.7222 , www . paapplecheese . com
Pennsylvania State Laurel Festival , Wellsboro Held annually to commemorate the blooming of the Pennsylvania state flower , the Mountain Laurel . The festival includes a two-hour parade , arts and crafts fairs , bicycle and foot races , and the crowing of the State Laurel Queen ( Jun ). Info : 570.724.1926 , www . wellsboropa . com / 461- pa-state-laurel-festival
PHILADELPHIA & ITS COUNTRYSIDE / LEHIGH VALLEY
ATTRACTIONS
Bownman ’ s Hill Wildflower Preserve , New Hope More than 800 varieties of native plants thrive on this 134- acre preserve . Tours are available covering many different aspects of the preserve , tailored to groups ’ needs and the season . Picnic areas also available . Info : 215.862.2924 , www . bhwp . org
Bucks County River Country , Point Pleasant Rent kayaks , canoes , inner tubes , and rafts , and experience the beauty of the Delaware River first-hand . Info : 215.297.5000 , www . rivercountry . net
Crayola Experience , Easton Home of the world ’ s largest crayon , plus four floors of fun activities for kids . Kids can mix up their own Crayola crayon , or create a digital movie from their own drawings . The top floor is dedicated to projects utilizing melted crayons . Info 610.515.8000 , www . crayolaexperience . com
Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor , Easton
Historic and picturesque trail walking that covers 165 miles , through the Commonwealth ’ s Delaware , Lehigh and Wyoming Valleys . The corridor passes through numerous historically significant sites touching on Pennsylvania ’ s rich industrial governmental , and natural history . Info : 610.923.3548 , www . delawareandlehigh . org
Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom , Allentown
More than 100 exciting rides , from the 200-foot drop of the Dominator to a 1921 antique carousel . The park is home to the kids ’ park Planet Snoopy and the Dinosaurs Alive adventure park and Wildwater Kingdom , which includes more than 30 water rides . Info : 610.395.3724 , www . dorneypark . com
Edgar Allen Poe National Historic Site , Philadelphia A national historic site recognizing the contributions of Edgar Allen Poe to the worlds of poetry and fiction . Located in Poe ’ s former Philadelphia home , the museum presents the writer ’ s work from many different angles , and allows visitors to experience classic works in a new light . Info : 215.597.8780 , www . nps . gove / edal
Historic Bethlehem , Bethlehem A network of museums and historic sites celebrating the 300-year history of the town of Bethlehem , focusing on both the Native Americans and Moravians who have called the town home . Classes , tours , and special events . Info : 610.882.0450 , www . historicbethlehem . org
Independence National Historical Park , Philadelphia Home of the Liberty Bell , the Benjamin Franklin Museum , and Independence Hall , site of the historic signing of the Declaration of Independence and the U . S . Constitution . The park also features numerous historic documents and artifacts from the founders of the United States . Info : 215.965.2305 , www . nps . gov / inde
King of Prussia Mall , King of Prussia More than 400 stores , including designer and luxury brands , a movie theater , and diverse dining options . Info : 610.265.5727 , www . simon . com / mall / king-of-prussia-mall
Lehigh Valley Wine Trail , Lehigh County Eight award-winning , family-owned wineries in a recently declared American Viticultural Area . Stop in for a taste of their signature wines , including approximately 50 made from the Chambourcin grape . Info : www . lehighvalleywinetrail . com
Lehigh Valley Zoo , Schnecksville Voteed “ Best Family Day Trip ” by the readers of the Morning Call in 2012 , this zoo is home to nearly 300 animals and offers numerous hands-on activites to help visitors understand and appreciate the diverse wildlife . Paddleboats and horse-drawn carriage rides also available . Info : 610.799.4171 , www . lvzoo . org
Longwood Gardens , Kennett Square Committed to “ making the impossible possible ,” this 1,077-acre public garden is a marriage of natural ad