Tripadvisor

Whether you’re a history buff or aching to dip your toes in some cool water, you can visit all these Pennsylvania landmarks this summer without having to swipe your debit card.

Whether for the weekend around town or to add to your out-of-town itinerary, free things to do are good. With the ever-rising costs of gas and food, the idea of disposable income can feel like a distant fantasy.

The cost-of-living continues to rise across the country, forcing each dollar earned to stretch further. While vacations are undoubtedly beneficial for mental health, maintaining savings, paying down debts amid inflation, and regular expenses likely take precedence. But, not everything enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there’s probably a roster of completely free things to do in your current area.

Think about the most common entries on a vacation getaway itinerary: Sight-seeing, touring landmarks, or completing a nature walk. Or, maybe you’re just aiming to relax and want some peace and quiet.

The truth is: Whether you’re a history buff or aching to dip your toes in some cool water, you can find all this and more without swiping your card. Find and plan your next highly rated free activity in Pennsylvania on Tripadvisor, as compiled by Stacker. Tripadvisor rankings factor in the average rating and number of reviews.

Tripadvisor

#30. Penn State University

– Rating: 5.0 / 5 (630)
– Type of activity: Educational sites
– Address: University Park, State College, PA 16802
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#29. Cathedral of Learning

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (972)
– Type of activity: History Museums
– Address: not available
– Read more on Tripadvisor

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#28. D.G. Yuengling and Son Brewery

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (633)
– Type of activity: Breweries
– Address: 5th & Mahantongo Sts, Pottsville, PA 17901
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#27. Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (969)
– Type of activity: Historic Sites • Religious Sites
– Address: 18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103-1204
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#26. City Hall Visitor Center

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,397)
– Type of activity: Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
– Address: 1 Penn Square Room 121, Philadelphia, PA 19107
– Read more on Tripadvisor

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#25. Ohiopyle State Park

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (768)
– Type of activity: State Parks
– Address: Dinner Bell Rd, Ohiopyle, PA 15470-1029
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#24. Pennsylvania State Capitol

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (966)
– Type of activity: Government Buildings
– Address: Third Street ird Street d Street Street reet et, Harrisburg, PA 17101
– Read more on Tripadvisor

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#23. Point State Park

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (939)
– Type of activity: Historic Sites • State Parks
– Address: 601 Commonwealth Pl Bldg A, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#22. Kinzua Bridge State Park

– Rating: 5.0 / 5 (666)
– Type of activity: State Parks
– Address: Write a review
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#21. Ricketts Glen State Park

– Rating: 5.0 / 5 (848)
– Type of activity: State Parks • Waterfalls
– Address: 695 State Route 487, Benton, PA 17814-7505
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#20. Gettysburg Museum of History

– Rating: 5.0 / 5 (1,328)
– Type of activity: Speciality Museums
– Address: 219 Baltimore St, Gettysburg, PA 17325-2315
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#19. Elfreth’s Alley

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,170)
– Type of activity: Historic Sites
– Address: 126 Elfreths Aly, Philadelphia, PA 19106-2006
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#18. King of Prussia Mall

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (973)
– Type of activity: Shopping Malls
– Address: 160 N Gulph Rd, King of Prussia, PA 19406-2941
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#17. Harrah’s Philadelphia

– Rating: 4.0 / 5 (14,826)
– Type of activity: Casinos
– Address: 777 Harrahs Blvd, Chester, PA 19013-4505
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#16. Gettysburg National Cemetery

– Rating: 5.0 / 5 (1,968)
– Type of activity: Cemeteries
– Address: 97 Taneytown Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325-2804
– Read more on Tripadvisor

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#15. Valley Forge National Historical Park

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,465)
– Type of activity: Historic Sites • National Parks
– Address: 1400 N Outer Line Drive, Valley Forge, PA 19406-1000
– Read more on Tripadvisor

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#14. Independence Visitor Center

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (2,456)
– Type of activity: Visitor Centers
– Address: 599 Market Street 1 N. Independence Mall West, Philadelphia, PA 19106-1518
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#13. Lancaster Central Market

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,029)
– Type of activity: Flea & Street Markets
– Address: 23 North Market Street, Lancaster, PA 17603
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#12. Bicycle Heaven

– Rating: 5.0 / 5 (955)
– Type of activity: Speciality Museums
– Address: 1800 Preble Ave RJ Casey Industrial Park, Pittsburgh, PA 15233
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#11. Rocky Statue

– Rating: 4.0 / 5 (3,227)
– Type of activity: Monuments & Statues
– Address: 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy Center City Phila, Philadelphia, PA 19130-2302
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#10. Independence National Historical Park

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (2,995)
– Type of activity: Historic Sites • Historic Walking Areas
– Address: 143 S 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106-2818
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#9. Strip District

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (3,001)
– Type of activity: Neighborhoods
– Address: between 11th & 33rd Streets, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#8. Flight 93 National Memorial

– Rating: 5.0 / 5 (2,021)
– Type of activity: Speciality Museums • Points of Interest & Landmarks
– Address: 6424 Lincoln Hwy, Stoystown, PA 15563-8704
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#7. Mount Washington

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (3,029)
– Type of activity: Neighborhoods • Mountains
– Address: not available
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#6. Liberty Bell Center

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (4,840)
– Type of activity: Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
– Address: 6th Street Between Market and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19106
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#5. Knoebels Amusement Resort

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (2,430)
– Type of activity: Amusement & Theme Parks
– Address: 391 Knoebels Blvd, Elysburg, PA 17824-7127
– Read more on Tripadvisor

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#4. Presque Isle State Park

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (3,207)
– Type of activity: Parks
– Address: 301 Peninsula Dr Suite 1, Erie, PA 16505-2065
– Read more on Tripadvisor

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#3. Reading Terminal Market

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (4,803)
– Type of activity: Flea & Street Markets
– Address: 12th and Arch, Philadelphia, PA 19107
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#2. Independence Hall

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (9,076)
– Type of activity: Historic Sites • Government Buildings
– Address: Chestnut Street between 5th and 6th Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19106
– Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#1. Gettysburg National Military Park

– Rating: 5.0 / 5 (8,422)
– Type of activity: Battlefields • Parks
– Address: 1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, PA 17325-7034
– Read more on Tripadvisor