When I was a little girl, we often traveled with my grandparents (Nana and Papa) to many locations, including:
- Wildwood, New Jersey
- Erie, Pennsylvania (where my Nana was born)
- Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio (where my Nana’s very best friend lived)
- Traverse City, Michigan
- Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
- Aurora, Ohio, on Geauga Lake (where SeaWorld used to be but is now permanently closed)
- Algonac, Michigan (where my Papa loved to fish off the piers)
On our way down to The Jersey Shore, we would meet up with some other good friends of my grandparents who lived in Pennsylvania – nowhere near anything fun to do, so they often followed us around for vacation. As I look at the map of Pennsylvania, I notice that it is primarily a land-locked state except for the northern-westernmost part of the state that sits along the shores of Lake Erie.
From what it looks like on the map, I think living on Lake Erie in Pennsylvania would be a cool experience, offering the unique charm of lakeside living along with stunning views and a refreshing breeze. Possibly less expensive than living on Lake Michigan in Bay Harbor, for example.
The proximity to The Great Lake would provide endless opportunities for boating, fishing, as well as enjoying the experience of lakeside living. While the area might be prone to flooding, Erie, Pennsylvania’s beautiful environment and vibrant community just might outweigh the occasional natural challenges.
Although my Nana enjoyed visiting the Hersey Chocolate Factory in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and Gettysburg, we usually skipped that stop when my cousin and I were with them. We loved to swim, camp, and ride the rides on the Boardwalk in Wildwood, so the sooner our grandparents could get us there, the better their day went without us whining, “Are we there yet?”.
According to US News Travel, they say the following are the best places to visit in Pennsylvania:
- “Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey
- Gettysburg National Military Park (the site of the Civil War’s bloodiest battle), Gettysburg
- Pittsburg – Andy Warhol Museum
- The Poconos Mountain range in northeastern Pennsylvania is home to several state parks featuring forests, waterfalls, lakes and streams, making it an ideal place to hike, ride horses, swim, hunt and camp in summer
- Philadelphia – Liberty Bell (which abolitionists, women’s suffrage supporters and other groups have used in their causes as a symbol of liberty) and Independence Hall (where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were debated and signed)
- New Hope, bordered by the Delaware River to the east, exudes both scenic beauty and small-town charm
- Ricketts Glen State Park is one of the state’s most picturesque locales
- Lehigh Valley’s – History buffs can learn about Colonial days at historical sites like the 1750 Smithy and the Bachmann Publick House. Outdoor enthusiasts will find ample opportunities for hiking, biking, skiing and white-water rafting
- Lancaster – home to the nation’s oldest Amish communities
- Valley Forge National Historical Park to spend your next vacation learning about American history
- Delaware Water Gap each summer to hike and admire the area’s green forests and waterfalls
- Poconos – Lake Wallenpaupack,”.
What is Pennsylvania best known for?
Besides being one of the first thirteen colonies where a lot of The United States’ laws and policies were established and written, in the industrial age, Pennsylvania was a leader in manufacturing like my home state of Michigan was as well. While we were manufacturing railroad cars, automobiles, and appliances, they were producing the steel we needed to make those products. Both states are known for their hard-working people, resilience, and innovative thinking.
On the history of Detroit Michigan’s industrial evolution, The Detroit Historical Society writes, “In addition to heavy industry, Detroit was also known for making a host of other consumer goods. Turning lumber from northern Michigan into boards was still an important industry, as well as making leather and fur goods and clothing, cigars and tobacco products, boots and shoes, soap and candles, seeds, and pharmaceuticals. Dexter Ferry founded the D. M. Ferry & Co., a flower and vegetable seed producer, in Detroit in 1879. People can still buy seeds from the company today. Many common products and businesses that are familiar today got their start in the late 1800s, including Vernor’s ginger ale, Sander’s ice cream shops, Hudson’s department store, Stroh’s beer and Kresge 5 and 10 (now known as Kmart).
Detroiters were hard workers. The new industries required both skilled and unskilled workers. Many of the foreign-born immigrants found jobs in factories. Women would sew or make cigars, and men would work long hours in the factories. A normal work week was ten hours a day, six days a week. Most laborers earned about $1.00 per day. The city also had many professional jobs. Hundreds of doctors, lawyers, dentists, barbers, merchants, and clerks worked in offices spread across the city,”.
Explore PA History notes the following, “The Rustbelt runs right through Pennsylvania, the former heartland of American heavy industry. Throughout most of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, coal, iron, steel, railroads, and petroleum formed the basis for giant industries that dominated the economic landscape of the state. However, in addition to these industries, Pennsylvania was home to a remarkable diversity of enterprises that served the commonwealth, the nation, and the world.
This unusual feature of Pennsylvania industry was the result of many factors some of which dated back to the founding of the colony by William Penn, who promoted its rapid development by allowing settlers from many regions in Europe, especially Germany. By the mid-18th century Pennsylvania was perhaps the most diverse society in the world. What united most of these colonists was an enterprising spirit, which, when combined with a lot of hard work, made Pennsylvania into a prosperous place containing a large number of businesses that produced a wide variety of goods,”.
What is Pennsylvania known for making
In addition to being powerhouses in the industrial age, Pennsylvania and Michigan brilliantly adapted to the demands of modern manufacturing. Pennsylvania embraced innovation in high-tech industries like robotics and pharmaceuticals, while Michigan, the birthplace of automotive giants, pioneered advanced automotive technologies, including electric vehicles.
Both states have consistently demonstrated leadership in manufacturing, contributing significantly to America’s economic growth. Their ability to evolve and integrate new technologies into traditional manufacturing sectors has set them apart as leaders in today’s dynamic global market. This blend of historical prowess and forward-thinking strategies continues to inspire industrial progress.
Furthermore, as Detroit is known for cool products like Vernor’s or Sander’s, Pennsylvania also has a fun side, and it isn’t just about raw goods and long, laborious hours in a factory. In fact, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce notes that, “Pennsylvania is home to the coolest products made in America. From Hershey Bars to Harley Davidson Motorcycles, Zippo Lighters to Yuengling Lager, Crayola Crayons to Martin Guitars, the Keystone State is king in manufacturing – and we love to celebrate it!”
Where to vacation in Pennsylvania
In conclusion, Pennsylvania offers a diverse vacation experience, blending history, nature, and modern allure. From the shores of Lake Erie to historical sites like Gettysburg, visitors can enjoy both adventure and relaxation.