Pennsylvania Vacation Rentals: An Introduction
One of the states in the eastern region of the US, Pennsylvania is also known as the Keystone State. The state is popular for its historical sites which are significant in the Revolutionary War-era as well as for its large cities and the variety that it offers for both locals and tourists. It has a wide array of activities and attractions that would surely complete anybody's holiday list.
If you are planning to visit Pennsylvania any time soon, be sure to go through the listings that we offer here for Pennsylvania vacation homes including Hidden Valley vacation rentals, Seven Springs vacation cabins, Arrowhead Lake cabin rentals, Lake Wallenpaupack vacation homes, Mount Pocono vacation home rentals and vacation homes in Lake Harmony. Also make sure that you would be checking out the Pennsylvania vacation deals and Pennsylvania vacation specials that we have which would allow you to get the best value for your travel budget.
Pennsylvania Vacation Destinations
Being a naturally scenic city with is unique combination of steep hills, bridges and broad rivers, Pittsburgh is one of the most visited destinations in the state. It has a rich history and a diverse array of cultural treasures enveloped in an urban yet natural destination. As you look for Pittsburgh vacation rentals, be sure to first check out which attractions you are interested in visiting to be able to choose one that would be strategically located near those that you want to see the most.
You can start your trip by visiting museums in the city, some of which are considered to be world class institutions. The Carnegie Museum in Oakland would be a good museum to begin with, as it is where you would be able to find the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and the Carnegie Museum of Art. Near the Carnegie Museum, you would also be able to visit the Frick Art and Historical Center, the home of the mansion of steel magnate Henry Clay Frick. Some of the other noteworthy museum in Pittsburgh would include the Senator John Heinz History Center, the Andy Warhol Museum, the Mattress Factory, the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, the Carnegie Science Center and the National Aviary.
If you are into architecture or if you just want to witness the beauty of the structures in Pittsburgh, some of the buildings with notable design and construction include the PPG Place, the US Steel Tower, the Allegheny County Courthouse and Jail, the Frick Building, the Union Trust Building, the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, the Cathedral of Learning and the Heinz Chapel.
There are also a number of parks and gardens where you can take leisurely walks, bike or sit down and have a picnic. You can visit the Schenley Park which is a 456-acre park that serves as a haven for joggers, runners and basically people who want to be surrounded by lush and beautiful greenery. You can also go to the Phipps Conservator, which features magnificent indoor and outdoor gardens that have beautiful floral displays. Other parks and conservation areas that you might want to go to include Highland Park, the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium, the Allegheny Observatory, Riverview Park and Point State Park.
As for activities, you can head out your Pittsburgh vacation home and hit the lively music scene of the city. You can go to the Cultural District in Downtown Pittsburgh to enjoy musical and theatrical performances in five theaters and institutions including the Pittsburgh Opera and the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater. You can also go to the smaller theaters such as the Quantum Theater, the Pittsburgh Playhouse, the Pittsburg Irish and Classical Theater and the Attack Theater.
Pittsburgh also holds several festivals and events that you might want to schedule your trip around on. Some of these festivals include the Three River Arts Festival, the Pittsburgh Folk Festival, the Three Rivers Regatta, the Greek Food Festival, Little Italy Days and the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix.
Known for being the birthplace of the famous chocolate candy brand Hershey's, Hershey is a great family destination which provides a host of wholesome attractions and recreational activities that both kids and adults would surely enjoy. Some attractions that you can visit after checking in to your Hershey vacation rental would include Hershey Park, Hershey's Chocolate World, Zoo America, The Hershey Story, the Cocoa Castle, Indian Echo Caverns, Hershey Gardens and the Antique Auto Museum.
Often referred to as "Philly" and called as the "Birthplace of America", Philadelphia is a large city that has a name which translates to "City of Brotherly Love". It is rightfully named as the locals are friendly and welcoming to tourists and travelers. The city is also home to a myriad of tourist spots and recreational areas that would complete your experience of Philadelphia and of Pennsylvania.
In Philadelphia, you would have the opportunity to view plenty of art works and masterpieces which have been made by famous artists and common folk alike. The city has a Mural Arts Program which has encouraged the whole city to stop graffiti and beautify public buildings and structures. You can see sculptures and glass mosaics around the city as well as statues in the city parks. You can also visit some of the museums in the city which house a wide range of collections. Some museums that you should visit include the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Mutter Museum, the Franklin Institute Science Museum, the Rosenbach Museum and Library, the Independence Seaport Museum and the Rodin Museum.
Upon stepping out of your Philadelphia vacation rental home, there are also plenty of historic sites that you can visit to learn more about the rich and colorful of the city and of the state. Some historic sites that are popular among tourists include the Eastern State Penitentiary, the Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site, the Fairmount Water Works and the Independence National Historic Park.
If you want to take a relaxing stroll amidst beautiful greenery and foliage, you can go to the parks scattered throughout the city including Clark Park, LOVE Park, Rittenhouse Square, Washington Square, Pennypack Park and FDR Park. For those who are traveling with young children, the Philadelphia Zoo would be a great attraction. It is the first zoo of the US and features a lot of animals from pumas to lions to tigers and bears. In the summer, the zoo also offers "Zoo Balloon" tours, which would allow you to have a great view of the entire city and the surrounding areas.