A king of England signed the charter for one of the markets on this list back in 1742. You can still buy pie there today.
That detail alone made me want to load up the car.
Then I learned about a buffet line that stretches 200 feet. There’s also a steam railroad chartered in 1832 that still carries passengers.
Pennsylvania clearly does not do small.
Thanksgiving weekend is perfect for this kind of wandering. The turkey is gone, the leftovers are stacked, and everybody is getting restless.
A good road trip fixes that fast.
I love that these trips work for grandparents, toddlers, and the teen glued to a phone. You get food, history, art, trains, and even free chocolate in the mix.
So which one gets the first tank of gas?
1. Hershey’s Chocolate World
Free chocolate is the fastest way to end a post-turkey slump. Hershey’s Chocolate World hands out a sweet sample at the end of its complimentary Chocolate Tour ride.
The ride shows how cocoa beans turn into wrapped candy bars. From November 13 through early January, it gets holiday decor and seasonal audio, so the timing is perfect.
Got a picky eater who has strong opinions about snacks? Let them build a custom bar at Create Your Own Candy Bar.
They choose the ingredients, design the wrapper, and watch it get made.
Peanut butter fans have their own stop too. Reese’s Stuff Your Cup lets you customize a peanut butter cup, which feels like a dream job for a kid.
Other ticketed options include Hershey’s Unwrapped, a theatrical tasting, and the Great Candy Expedition through colorful candy worlds. Hershey Trolley Works rolls through town and shares the story of Milton S.
Hershey.
Plan around the calendar, though. The building is closed on Thanksgiving Day, then open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from November 27 through 29.
Weekend visitors can catch character meet and greets on Saturdays and Sundays. Parking is free for the first two hours, which is plenty for the free ride and a shopping spree.
Speaking of shopping, the World’s Largest Hershey’s Store is right there. You can also grab a milkshake at Sweets and Eats, because leftovers can wait one more day.
Address: 101 Chocolate World Way, Hershey, PA 17033
2. Gettysburg National Military Park
Timing rarely lines up this well with history. Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863, just days before the modern Thanksgiving window.
That makes a late November visit feel extra meaningful. The battle itself raged here from July 1 to 3, 1863, and it became a major turning point in the Civil War.
Here’s a nice surprise for your wallet. Entering the park is free, and the grounds stay open from sunrise to sunset, even on Thanksgiving Day.
The Museum and Visitor Center closes on the holiday itself, so save it for Friday or Saturday. In November, it generally runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Inside, the Gettysburg Cyclorama steals the show. It’s a 360-degree painting of Pickett’s Charge, and it ranks as the largest oil-on-canvas painting in North America.
French artist Paul Philippoteaux created it in the 1880s. Light, sound, and a three-dimensional diorama make the scene feel close enough to touch.
Kids with wiggles can burn energy on the battlefield’s roughly 6,000 acres. You’ll pass more than 1,300 markers, memorials, and monuments, including Little Round Top and Devil’s Den.
A self-guided auto tour works well for families with napping toddlers. Licensed Battlefield Guides offer guided tours if you’d rather leave the storytelling to a pro.
Address: 1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, PA 17325
3. Lititz
Chocolate history fans, brace yourselves. Wilbur Buds were introduced in 1894, which predates Hershey’s Kisses, and they’re still made from the original recipe.
You can find them at the Wilbur Chocolate Retail Store on North Broad Street. Visitors can watch chocolatiers crafting treats in an on-site kitchen, which is basically reality TV for sweet tooths.
The store is closed on Thanksgiving Day. On Black Friday, it opens from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., so you can shop without the mall chaos.
Just down the street sits Lititz Springs Park. It’s considered the oldest public park in Pennsylvania, with public use documented since 1778.
The park features a natural spring, a creek, paved walking trails, and playgrounds. Entry and parking are free, and the park stays open from dawn to dusk.
Curious about the town’s roots? Lititz was founded as a Moravian settlement in 1756 and named after a castle in Bohemia.
The Lititz Historical Foundation runs a museum in the 1793 Christian Schropp House. It also offers guided walking tours for families who like stories with their strolls.
Downtown is packed with locally owned boutiques selling art, books, apparel, and gourmet foods. It’s an easy place to knock out a few holiday gifts before anyone notices you left.
Address: 24 N Broad St, Lititz, PA 17543
4. Bethlehem
A town founded on Christmas Eve was always going to go big for the holidays. Moravian settlers established Bethlehem in 1741, and it has carried the nickname Christmas City USA since 1937.
Thanksgiving weekend is when the season officially kicks off. The city’s annual tree lighting happens Friday, November 27, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Payrow Plaza.
After that, Historic Bethlehem hosts its Wassail Party. You might also hear trombone choirs playing holiday music, a nod to the town’s Moravian heritage.
Shoppers have two markets to explore. Christmas City Village sets up free wooden huts along Main Street on Fridays through Sundays starting November 20.
Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem runs at the SteelStacks campus with artisan vendors and ice skating. Admission is ticketed, but it’s free on Fridays from 5 to 8 p.m.
SteelStacks itself is a sight. The giant blast furnaces of the old Bethlehem Steel plant glow at night, and the Hoover Mason Trestle lets you walk right beside them.
History buffs should head to the Moravian Museum in the 1741 Gemeinhaus. It’s the oldest building in town and a National Historic Landmark.
Need a snack? Historic Hotel Bethlehem sets out Moravian Sugar Cake in its lobby daily, which is the friendliest welcome a hungry traveler could ask for.
Address: 66 West Church Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018
5. Jim Thorpe
Once upon a time, this mountain town was called Mauch Chunk, meaning Bear Place in Munsee-Lenape. It was renamed Jim Thorpe in 1954 after the famous Olympic athlete.
Back in the day, people called it The Switzerland of America. With mountains wrapping around Victorian streets, you can see how that nickname stuck.
Thanksgiving weekend lands right in the middle of Jim Thorpe Olde Time Christmas. The free celebration runs from November 6 through December 20, with festive decor and shopping.
Wander Broadway and historic Stone Row on Race Street for gifts. Jingle Bells Christmas Shoppe is a fun stop if your family collects ornaments.
Then climb Packer Hill to the Asa Packer Mansion Museum. Built in 1861, it was home to the founder of the Lehigh Valley Railroad and Lehigh University.
Heads up for families with little ones. Tours run about 45 to 60 minutes and aren’t recommended for small children, so the older crowd will enjoy it most.
Train lovers have an option too. The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway is currently boarding at the Nesquehoning Regional Railroad Station, so check details before you drive.
Address: Packer Hill Road, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229
6. Lancaster Central Market
King George II officially chartered this market back in 1742. Today, the USDA recognizes Lancaster Central Market as the oldest continuously operating public farmers’ market in the country.
A marketplace has stood on this spot since 1730. The current brick building, with its twin towers, was finished in 1889.
Thanksgiving week brings bonus hours, which is great news for last-minute cooks. The market adds a Wednesday, November 25, from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
It’s closed on Thanksgiving Day. On Black Friday, it opens 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., then reopens from 5 to 8 p.m. for the Mayor’s Tree Lighting.
Inside, more than 65 local standholders sell produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, and flowers. You’ll find Pennsylvania Dutch favorites like shoo-fly pie and whoopie pies at Marley’s Country Goods.
Not in a pie mood? Try pierogies from Inna’s Pierogi Shop or empanadas from Empanada Gourmet.
Christina’s Criollo serves Puerto Rican dishes, and Miesse Candies offers handmade chocolates. Lancaster County Coffee Roasters can fuel the parents for the drive home.
Entry is free, and parking is available at nearby garages and lots. Bring a big tote bag and an empty stomach, because the samples of temptation never really stop.
Address: 23 North Market Street, Lancaster, PA 17603
7. Shady Maple Smorgasbord
Two hundred feet of food. That’s the length of the buffet at Shady Maple Smorgasbord, which bills itself as the largest smorgasbord in North America.
USA Today readers rated it the best buffet in the country in 2024. If your family thinks Thanksgiving dinner was a big spread, this will reset their expectations.
It all started as a farm stand under a large maple tree. That stand grew into a supermarket, and the smorgasbord opened in 1985.
The restaurant is closed on Thanksgiving Day. It reopens on Black Friday with regular hours and special pricing, so plan your stretchy pants accordingly.
Breakfast offers made-to-order eggs and omelets, pancakes, French toast, and scrapple. Lunch and dinner bring a 46-item salad bar, homemade breads, fried chicken, brisket, pot roast, and turkey.
Yes, more turkey. Luckily, dessert includes pies, cakes, puddings, and a sundae bar, which kids will treat like a personal mission.
Downstairs, a 44,000-square-foot gift shop sells Amish handcrafts, home decor, and Pennsylvania Dutch foods. It’s a smart place to walk off a second plate.
Celebrating a birthday that weekend? Birthday guests eat free with the purchase of another adult meal, and groups of 15 or more can reserve on weekdays.
Address: 129 Toddy Drive, East Earl, PA 17519
8. The Crayola Experience Easton
Ever wanted to name your own crayon? At The Crayola Experience Easton, the Wrap It Up attraction lets you do exactly that, label and all.
The building packs four floors and 65,000 square feet of hands-on activities. It’s a rainy-day rescue and a leftover-fatigue cure rolled into one.
Little artists can try Drip Art, which creates melted wax spin art. Melt and Mold turns old crayons into brand-new creations.
Then there’s Scribble Scrubbies, where kids color washable pets and give them a bath. Model Magic Movie Studios lets them design a creature and watch it star in an animated episode.
Want a souvenir that looks like you? Cartoon Creator uses the CrayolaBot to sketch your face into a coloring page.
The Color Playground is a two-story climber with a melted wax tower and a paint bridge. The live Crayon Factory Show explains how real Crayola crayons get made.
It’s closed on Thanksgiving Day. From November 27 through 29, hours run 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Before leaving, hit the Pick Your Pack wall at The Crayola Store to build a custom set. Grab a bite at Cafe Crayola on the first floor, and use downtown garages or meters for parking.
Address: 30 Centre Square, Easton, PA 18042
9. Valley Forge National Historical Park
About 12,000 soldiers spent a brutal winter here starting December 19, 1777. Visiting in late November gives you a small taste of the chill they faced.
The encampment lasted until June 19, 1778. During that time, Baron von Steuben helped train the Continental Army into a disciplined fighting force.
Good news for holiday planners. The park grounds stay open on Thanksgiving Day, from 7 a.m. until dark.
The Visitor Center is closed on the holiday but open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. otherwise. Its orientation film, Determined to Persevere, plays every half hour.
Kids usually love the reconstructed log huts in the Muhlenberg Brigade Area. Peeking inside makes the history feel real in a way textbooks can’t match.
A 10-mile driving tour loops past major sights, including the National Memorial Arch. You’ll also see Artillery Park and the Patriots of African Descent Monument.
Got a dog who ate too much turkey too? Leashed dogs are welcome on trails, and the park offers more than 35 miles for hiking.
One note before you go. Washington’s Headquarters is closed for restoration into 2027, so focus on the huts, the chapel, and a picnic area instead.
Address: 1440 North Outer Line Drive, King of Prussia, PA 19406
10. Pennsylvania State Capitol Building
Theodore Roosevelt called it the handsomest building he ever saw. He said so when he dedicated the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building on October 4, 1906.
One look at the dome, and you’ll understand the compliment. It rises 272 feet and weighs 52 million pounds, inspired by Michelangelo’s design for St. Peter’s Basilica.
A gilded bronze statue named Commonwealth sits on top. Inside, white marble staircases, bronze doors, stained glass, and paintings make it feel like a museum.
Architect Joseph Huston designed it as a Palace of Art. The House Chamber leans Italian, the Senate Chamber leans French, and the Governor’s Reception Room leans English.
Timing matters on this trip. Tours aren’t offered on Thanksgiving Day, but weekends and most holidays bring guided tours at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.
Tours are free and last 30 to 45 minutes. Online reservations are recommended, especially for bigger family groups.
On weekends, access without a guide is limited to the Main Rotunda. Self-guided wandering isn’t allowed then, so book that tour.
Fun fact for the car ride home: Harrisburg wasn’t always the capital. The seat of government moved from Philadelphia to Lancaster in 1799, then to Harrisburg in 1812.
Address: 501 N. 3rd Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120
11. Philadelphia Art Museum
Seventy-two steps stand between your family and a movie moment. Those are the famous Rocky Steps, made legendary by the 1976 film.
Since September 2026, the Rocky Statue sits at the top of the steps. Running up and striking the pose is free, and the skyline view is a nice reward.
Of course, the real treasure is inside. The Philadelphia Museum of Art holds more than 240,000 objects from around the world.
You’ll find works by Van Gogh, Monet, and Cassatt, plus Cezanne’s The Large Bathers. It also has the world’s largest collection of Marcel Duchamp’s work.
Kids who glaze over at paintings often perk up at the armor. A 16th-century Indian temple hall, a Japanese teahouse, and a medieval cloister add more surprises.
The museum is closed on Thanksgiving Day. Friday hours stretch from 10 a.m. to 8:45 p.m., while Saturday and Sunday run 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Free docent tours usually start at the top of the hour. They’re a painless way to learn the stories behind the art without a single quiz.
Families will appreciate the coat check, free WiFi, and on-site dining. Discounted parking is available in the garage on the west side of the main building.
Address: 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19130
12. Strasburg Rail Road
Chartered in 1832, Strasburg Rail Road is America’s oldest continuously operating standard-gauge railroad. It’s also the oldest public utility in Pennsylvania, which is a fun fact to drop at dinner.
The line was nearly abandoned in 1958. A year later, it began tourist excursions, and steam has been puffing through Amish farmland ever since.
Regular rides take about 45 minutes round trip to Paradise and back. An audio guide shares history and points out sights along the way.
Thanksgiving weekend is when the holiday magic arrives. Santa’s Paradise Express runs on weekends starting November 21, plus Friday, November 27.
That trip features carolers, brass players, and a visit from Santa. Each child gets a special gift from Santa’s helpers, and live Christmas revue shows play at the Town Square Stage.
Families with sensory-sensitive kids might prefer the Santa Claus Limited on weekday evenings. The Night Before Christmas Train offers carols, milk and cookies, and a reading of the classic poem.
Little ones can ride the Cranky Cars and the Pint-sized Pufferbelly at the station. Cafe 1832 serves scratch-made American dishes right on the platform.
Still not enough trains? The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania sits directly across the street, so book holiday tickets early and make a full day of it.
Address: 301 Gap Road, Ronks, PA 17572
