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The Atlas Obscura Guide To Pennsylvania

429 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Pennsylvania

Updated June 4, 2025

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Cities

Top Cities
All Cities
  1. Allentown
  2. Altoona
  3. Ashland
  4. Bedford
  5. Bensalem
  6. Bethlehem
  7. Braddock
  8. Chadds Ford
  9. Coudersport
  10. Donora
  11. Doylestown
  12. East Stroudsburg
  13. Emmaus
  14. Erie
  15. Everett
  16. Farmington
  17. Gettysburg
  18. Hanover
  19. Harrisburg
  20. Irwin
  21. Jim Thorpe
  22. Johnstown
  23. Kennett Square
  24. Kutztown
  25. Lancaster
  26. Landenberg
  27. Latrobe
  28. Lehighton
  29. Lititz
  30. Malvern
  31. Monroeville
  32. Morrisville
  33. New Hope
  34. Philadelphia
  35. Pittsburgh
  36. Pittston
  37. Pleasantville
  38. Reading
  39. Ronks
  40. Scranton
  41. Sharon
  42. Somerset
  43. South Park Township
  44. State College
  45. Upper Darby
  46. Wellsboro
  47. West Chester
  48. Wilkes Barre
  49. Williamsport
  50. Windber

Unusual Attractions in Pennsylvania

See All 429 Things To Do in Pennsylvania

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Pennsylvania

See all 21 Places to Eat in Pennsylvania
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Atlas Obscura Itineraries

6 Fascinating Medical Marvels in Pennsylvania

In the 1700s and 1800s, Philadelphia was the center of medical scholarship in the United States. The city not only attracted the brightest minds, but also the most curious cases and characters. From the oldest quarantine facility in the country to a museum that memorializes a traveling dental circus, here are six places to marvel at the trials, errors, and triumphs of medical history in Pennsylvania.

View Itinerary

Explore Pennsylvania

Museums 52
History 41
Architecture 39
History & Culture 33
Statues 22
Abandoned 21
Art 20
Sacred Spaces 20

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Recent Pennsylvania Activity

Stories About Pennsylvania

Vacant, crumbling buildings line the streets of Brownsville, Pennsylvania. A slump in the steel and coal industries hit the town hard, but property hoarding by two investors drove Brownsville to decay.

Raising a Ghost Town From the Dead

Two investors bought most of the buildings in downtown Brownsville, then let them fall into ruin. Now, the Rust Belt town's residents are fighting to bring it back to life.
by Matthew Christopher
Not only does the Albatwitch steal your apples; it throws the cores back at you.

Meet Pennsylvania's Apple-Snatching 'Little Bigfoot'

The Albatwitch will steal your fruit, then scurry back into the trees.
by Jess Simms
Bethlehem Steel was once among the largest steel-producing companies in the world. Though the company dissolved in 2003, the blast furnaces at its flagship mill in Pennsylvania remain a local landmark.

The Steel Mill That Built America

Bethlehem Steel was the birthplace of skyscrapers, bridges, and battleships. What happened after the plant's furnaces went cold?
by Matthew Christopher
Bethlehem loves its Peeps.

Why Pennsylvania Rings in the New Year With Bologna and Peeps

Instead of a ball drop, why not count down to midnight by lowering your favorite food?
by Sam O'Brien
Creeping in the dark woods is a hideous beast—but don’t say that to its face.

Appalachia’s Ugliest Cryptid Drowns In Its Own Tears

A new festival looks to draw out and soothe the squonk in all of us.
by Jess Simms
Punxsutawney Phil has predicted a longer winter nearly every Groundhog Day.

A Primer on Both Groundhogs and Hedgehogs

Just in time for their moment in the sun (or not).
by April White
Chris Scott writes that peach cobbler figured in his “happiest food memories,” just as it does for many Southern children.

The Sweet and Sour Origins of Amish Soul Food

In Pennsylvania Dutch Country, African Americans have created a distinct and delicious cuisine.
by Sam Lin-Sommer
Punxsutawney Phil is far from the only weather-predicting marmot on Groundhog Day.

The Alternative Groundhogs Vying for Punxsutawney Phil's Weather Forecasting Job

Don't forget about Big Al the Alligator and Scramble the Duck's predicting powers either.
by Jennifer Byrne

Lists Featuring Pennsylvania

Blue Sky Mausoleum.
Darwin Martin House Complex.
Skylights on the exterior porch made of red cypress.
A restored Wright house on the Burnham Block.

A 12-Stop Road Trip of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Most Surprising Designs

A UFO-inspired church, a futurist gas station, and more deep cuts.

12

Including Blue Sky Mausoleum, The Darwin D. Martin House, and Kentuck Knob

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