Looking for some fun in Pennsylvania in winter? We’ve got you covered!
The winter blues can set in quickly when the holiday season ends and the calendar flips to January. But just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean we can’t have any fun!
You’ll need to find something to do to keep your sanity (and the kids happy). Luckily, there are plenty of things to do in Pennsylvania in winter, both inside and outside.
We’ve found plenty of winter activities in PA that are fun for the whole family. Whether your family enjoys being outdoors, visiting museums, or indoor waterparks, the list below will help you plan your winter weekends and days off.
Don’t let the weather get you down. There are plenty of fun things to do and places to visit in Pennsylvania during winter. So, let’s dive in and learn more!
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10 Best Things to Do in Pennsylvania in Winter
1. Indoor Waterparks
Location: The Poconos
The Poconos is a fantastic destination for families who are looking to make a splash during winter, thanks to its numerous indoor waterparks! And most of them you can visit for just the day or an overnight stay.
Although Pennsylvania has several options, we loved visiting both Camelback’s Aquatopia and Great Wolf Lodge.
Debating between Great Wolf and Camelback? Read our comparison here!
Great Wolf Lodge’s family-friendly waterpark offers a variety of thrilling water slides, a lazy river for relaxation, and even an interactive kids’ play area.
Meanwhile, Camelback’s Aquatopia takes the indoor waterpark experience to a whole new level with its themed water attractions, like Kartrite’s Quest and the Lost River.
Beyond the water fun, both destinations offer cozy accommodations, delicious dining options, and plenty of family-friendly activities. No matter where you choose, make sure to pack what you need!
🤩 Book your stay at Camelback or Great Wolf Lodge
2. Sesame Place
Location: Langhorne
Although Sesame Place is typically a summer destination, it is also fun to visit in the winter!
In December, Sesame Place offers its fun holiday event, A Very Furry Christmas. The park is open every Friday-Sunday and the whole week between Christmas and New Year.
In 2024, Sesame Place will be open the first weekend in January. They’ll stay closed for the remainder of January and then re-open weekends for limited hours starting mid-February. Not all their rides are open during these winter months, but they’ll still offer plenty of fun!
🤩 Book an overnight stay near Sesame Place! The Spring Hill Suites and the Sheraton both have indoor pools for after-park fun!
3. Hershey’s Chocolate World
Location: Hershey
We love visiting Hershey’s Chocolate World! It’s a fun stop anytime we’re in Hershey, whether to see Hersheypark or just enjoy the many things to do in town. It’s a perfect addition to Hersheypark’s Christmas Candylane or just a fun day out in the middle of February.
There are so many fun things to do at Hershey’s Chocolate World, and you can spend an entire day there. We love the FREE chocolate factory ride, showing how Hershey’s makes delicious chocolate.
If you’re looking for more fun things to do, try making a custom chocolate bar or Reese’s cup. Or enjoy their brand new 4-D movie. Of course, you can spend a lot of time shopping at the largest Hershey’s store in the world!
We recommend combining your winter visit to Chocolate World with a stay at Hershey’s Lodge. Hershey’s Waterworks, their indoor pool/waterpark, is so much fun and is a perfect place to chase the winter blues away!
4. Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Location: Pittsburgh
Phipps Conservatory is perfect any time of year. It’s one of the best things to do with kids in Pittsburgh! However, when the winter chill sets in, it turns into a magical oasis of greenery and wonder.
Phipps Conservatory is the perfect place to visit during a Pennsylvania winter, thanks to the lush tropical gardens and exotic plants while wandering through the warm greenhouse.
In December, Phipps Conservatory hosts their Holiday Magic! Winter Flower Show and Light Garden. They also will have their Garden Railroad depicting scenes featuring all four seasons.
After exploring the gardens, bundle up to stroll around Schenley Park or visit their ice skating rink!
5. Longwood Gardens
Location: Kennett Square
Another beautiful garden to explore during winter in Pennsylvania is Longwood Gardens. We love visiting during their Christmas light display. But it’s also beautiful in January and February.
Although the outdoor gardens are dormant, Longwood Gardens is still fun for kids. They’ll love exploring the many treehouses on the property.
But the best part about visiting Longwood Gardens in winter is the huge conservatory. You can wander around and pretend you have traveled to a hot and humid location. Wear layers, as you’ll immediately take off that winter coat.
Kids will love this area, too! Inside the conservatory, they can explore the Children’s Garden, where they can enjoy secret tunnels, jumping water, and a smoke-breathing dragon.
6. Winter Ride On the Strasburg Railroad
Location: Ronks
Train rides are so fun! They are very popular during fall and Christmastime, but there is something special about riding a train through a snow-covered landscape.
The Strasburg Railroad offers train rides throughout the year, including weekends during January and February. This is the perfect time to snuggle up together on the train while watching a winter wonderland roll by!
And with the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania across the street, you can easily spend a full train-themed day together. Of course, there are even more fun things to do in the Lancaster region during the winter that you could plan a fun weekend getaway.
🤩 For a fun overnight getaway, book a night at Cartoon Network Hotel.
7. Snow Tubing
Location: Multiple
Although many people enjoy skiing as a fun winter activity in Pennsylvania, some would rather sit down while they glide down the mountain! Thankfully, there are plenty of places to go snow tubing in the state.
On the eastern side of the state, snow tube lovers have several options, like Camelback in the Poconos (a perfect way to cap off a day at their waterpark) or Blue Mountain, the largest snow tubing park in the country!
Head west to Pittsburgh’s Seven Springs Mountain Resort for high-speed tubing action or Hidden Valley Resort, which boasts fantastic tubing lanes to enjoy the thrill of downhill tubing with friends and family.
Don’t forget to wear layers and waterproof clothing so you can stay warm while you’re outside in the cold!
8. Ice Skating Outdoors
Location: Multiple
There is something special about bundling up and strapping on some ice skates while you glide around outside. Even on the chilliest day, you’ll warm up quickly.
There are many options for skaters across the state, offering a mix of urban and natural settings. It’s the perfect activity for a winter day in Pennsylvania.
First, in Philadelphia, skaters have two options. Dilworth Park‘s Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink offers a picturesque setting for ice skating with City Hall as the backdrop.
Additionally, the Blue Cross RiverRink at Penn’s Landing gives skaters a gorgeous view of the Delaware River. Both rinks open for the holidays and stay open through February and they are fun winter activity in Philadelphia.
In the Poconos, Skytop Lodge provides a fun rink for both its guests and outside visitors. There is more to do at this family-friendly resort, so you might want to book an overnight stay!
Ice skaters have options near Pittsburgh as well! The Schenley Park Skating Rink, nestled in the beautiful Schenley Park, is a popular spot for outdoor ice skating in Pittsburgh, providing a charming and natural atmosphere. It’s a perfect add-on to your time at the Phipps Conservatory.
Lastly, the Lodge at Nemacolin offers outdoor skating to its overnight guests and members. Book a room for a winter getaway and get in on the fun!
9. Visit a World Class Museum
Location: Multiple
Pennsylvania winters can vary from mild to downright freezing. And on those days when it is just too cold to be outside, it’s a perfect time to visit some of the best, world-class museums in the state.
In Pittsburgh, the John Heinz History Center is a perfect option for families with kids young and old. The multi-level building has several interactive exhibits about the history of Pittsburgh that everyone will enjoy.
Kids will also love the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and the Carnegie Science Center. The Natural History Museum is close to Phipps Conservatory and the ice skating at Schenley Park. You could plan a fun winter weekend getaway!
In Harrisburg, the State Museum of Pennsylvania is the perfect opportunity to learn more about the Keystone State. And in Gettysburg, the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center has a fantastic museum and a 360-degree cyclorama.
Of course, Philadelphia has several museums we love visiting with kids! Some of our favorites include the Franklin Institute, the Museum of the American Revolution, and the Independence Seaport Museum. You can’t go wrong with any of them.
🤩 The GoCity Pass includes our favorite Philadelphia museums!
10. Visit a Small Town in Pennsylvania
Winter is one of the best times to visit some of the small towns in Pennsylvania. They are typically quieter than in the summer months but still offer all of the fun!
We mentioned visiting Hershey’s Chocolate World earlier, but Hershey itself is a perfect winter destination! In addition to Chocolate World, the Hershey Story Museum and the Hershey Gardens are fun to visit in the winter. And the Hershey Lodge has a fabulous pool that’s practically a waterpark, so you’ll want to stay the night.
Jim Thorpe is another great small town to visit in the winter. Each year, they host their annual Winterfest in mid-February, with ice sculptures, magic shows, and horse and carriage rides through the town. You can also take a winter ride on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway.
11. Explore a Cave
Pennsylvania is home to several caves, and many of them stay open through the winter. Exploring a cavern is the perfect winter activity in Pennsylvania, because the caves are usually warmer inside than it is outside! Caves stay about 52 °F year-round.
Not every cave in Pennsylvania is open in the winter. Penn’s Cave in Centre Hall is closed in January and reopens in February. Lost River Caverns in Hellertown and Indian Echo Caverns in Hummelstown are open year-round. Lincoln Caverns in Huntingdon is open on select days during the winter months. They also have special events, like Batfest in February.
FAQs About Visiting Pennsylvania in Winter
What’s the weather like in Pennsylvania during the winter?
Pennsylvania experiences cold winters, with temperatures often dropping below freezing. However, some winters can be more mild. Snowfall varies by region, with more in the northern and western parts of the state.
When is the best time to visit Pennsylvania in winter?
The best time to visit is typically in December for the holiday season or in late February when the temperatures start to rise.
What should I pack for a trip to Pennsylvania in winter?
You’ll want to pack warm clothing, including layers, waterproof boots, gloves, scarves, and a heavy coat. Don’t forget sunglasses and any necessary winter sports gear.
Wrapping Pennsylvania Winter Activities
There are so many fun things to do in Pennsylvania in the winter! It’s a wonderland waiting to be explored by you and your family.
From the many indoor waterparks and resorts in the Poconos, the sweetness of Hershey, and the many things to do in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, you can’t go wrong visiting the Keystone State during the winter months.
Whether snow tubing, sipping hot cocoa by the fire, or discovering the rich history and vibrant culture, Pennsylvania has something for every member of your family to enjoy.
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