Working Vacation: Pennsylvania
Things to Do When You're Traveling Through - Restaurants, Sites in Pennsylvania
Kutztown
This small community is between Allentown and Reading. Heather Zimmerman is the director of Kutztown Folk Festival. This year’s festival is July 2-10.
Zimmerman recommends these restaurants:
Saucony Creek Brewery & Pub
15032 Kutztown Road, Kutztown, PA 19530
“They offer locally crafted beer and locally sourced, unique food,” Zimmerman said.
K’Town Pub Taphouse & BBQ
257 W. Main St., Kutztown, PA 19530
“Local pub offering popular local fare in a friendly atmosphere, local craft beers,” she said.
Kutztown Tavern
272 W. Main St., Kutztown, PA 19530
Zimmerman said it is a “local microbrewery with great pub fare.”
Cool sites Zimmerman recommends:
Crystal Cave
963 Crystal Cave Road, Kutztown, PA 19530
Renninger’s Antiques & Farmers Market
740 Noble St., Kutztown, PA 19530
She said this is a “huge antique market, fresh local produce, home to many shows and events.”
Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center
22 Luckenbill Road, Kutztown, PA 19530
kutztown.edu/about-ku-our-campus/maps/pennsylvania-german-cultural-heritage-center
“Specialty museum and folklike center preserving the Pennsylvania Dutch culture and traditions,” Zimmerman said.
Rodale Institute
611 Siegfriedale Road, Kutztown, PA 19530
She said the institute is “dedicated to farmer training, consumer education, research, and the modern organic movement.”
Mount Gretna
The Pennsylvania Chautauqua Society founded Mount Gretna in the 1890s. This year’s Mount Gretna Outdoor Art Show is Aug. 20-21.
“Mount Gretna is Pennsylvania’s Chautauqua. This summer, artists can walk the grounds to discover QR codes posted at historical markers,” Royer said. “The signs will provide an audio tour of the town’s history. They were installed by a local resident for an Eagle Scout project.”
Royer recommends these restaurants:
Mount Gretna Hideaway
40 Boulevard Ave., Mount Gretna, PA 17604
“The Hideaway has an outdoor deck, unique atmosphere, varied menu, and is walking distance from the Mount Gretna Outdoor Art Show,” Royer said.
Mount Gretna Craft Brewery
2701 Horseshoe Pike, Palmyra, PA 17078
“Artfully crafted beer, creative menu in a ‘ruggedly refined’ neighborhood gathering place,” she said.
The Jigger Shop
202 Gettysburg Ave., Mount Gretna, PA 17064
“Old fashioned, nostalgic, fountain ice cream parlor,” Royer said.
A cool site Royer recommends:
Governor Dick Tower & Lebanon Valley Rails to Trails
3283 Pinch Road, Mount Gretna, PA 17604
“Hiking, bouldering, nature, and historical markers,” Royer said.
Phoenixville
Located about 30 miles northwest of Philadelphia, Phoenixville is known for having an artsy vibe.
MacLaren recommends these restaurants:
Sedona Taphouse
131 Bridge St., Phoenixville, PA 19460
sedonataphouse.com/welcome-to-sedona-taphouse-phoenixville
“Appetizers are incredible,” MacLaren said. “Lots to choose from. Drinks are great.”
Il Granaio
184 Bridge St., Phoenixville, PA 19460
“Best traditional Italian food. Great service — you’ll have five waiters,” MacLaren said.
A cool site MacLaren recommends:
Pawlings Road Trailhead
1350 Pawlings Road, Phoenixville, PA 19460
schuylkillriver.org/map/trailhead/pawlings-road
“Great hiking in a unique atmosphere with a 250+ year-old sycamore.”
In nearby Newtown Square, MacLaren recommends:
Teikoku Restaurant
5492 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA 19073
“Best sushi in the state, entrees are excellent, and they have a fancy cocktail bar,” MacLaren said.
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania’s largest city is full of history with numerous museums, vibrant neighborhoods to visit, and lots of restaurants.
Joan Denenberg handles marketing and retail strategy for the Manayunk Development Corp. Its annual Manayunk Arts Festival is June 25-26.
Denenberg recommends these restaurants:
Photo courtesy of the Video Content Factory
Jake’s and Cooper’s
4365 Main St., Philadelphia, PA 19127
“Great wine,” Denenberg said.
The Goat’s Beard
4201 Main St., Philadelphia, PA 19127
She loves the vibe at this place.
The cool sites Denenberg recommends:
Manayunk Canal Towpath
This section of the Schuylkill River Trail begins at Lock Street and runs behind Main Street through Philadelphia’s Manayunk Neighborhood, ending in the Shawmont Neighborhood.
manayunk.com/visit-us/trails-recreation.html
“Great for biking and hiking,” Denenberg said.
Manayunk Neighborhood
It is nestled along the banks of the Schuylkill River.
She describes it as a “funky, hip town.”
Rickie Leiter lives in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The artist’s mediums include mixed, jewelry, polymer, and mosaic. She loves visiting Philadelphia, describing it as an “artist friendly city, supportive of crafters and artisans.”
Leiter recommends these restaurants:
LaScala’s Birra
1700 E. Passyunk Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19148
“Vast menu, terrific pizza, and main entrees,” Leiter said.
Marra’s
1734 E. Passyunk Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19148
“Old school Italian — good prices for large servings of excellent food,” she said.
Mike’s BBQ
1703 S. 11th St., Philadelphia, PA 19148
“The rubs and sauces! Smack my lips!” Leiter said of this place.
Photo courtesy of East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District
Cool sites Leiter recommends:
East Passyunk Neighborhood in Philadelphia
visitphilly.com/areas/Philadelphia-neighborhoods/east-passyunk
“Cultural, food, shops, friendliness,” she said in describing the neighborhood.
Maria Veneziano owns Renaissance Craftables. Its Haddonfield Crafts & Fine Art Festival is July 9-10. Veneziano said, “A visit to the Poconos in summer or winter is always special. If in Philadelphia, take a nice stroll or bike ride along Boathouse Row and take in the world-renowned Philadelphia Museum of Art.” She also recommends Philadelphia’s Manayunk Neighborhood, saying, “Restaurants and bars abound, and it has great nightlife. Visit in June for the annual, two-day arts festival!”
Veneziano recommends these restaurants:
Jim’s Steaks
400 South St., Philadelphia, PA 19147
“Skip tourist traps Geno’s and Pat’s — this place on South Street has the best cheese steaks in town!” Veneziano said. “Take it from a local.”
Zahav
237 St. James Place, Philadelphia, PA 19106
“Always a great meal. Make your reservations early or get there when they open and sit at the bar,” she said.
Amada
217-219 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19106
philadelphia.amadarestaurant.com
“Chef Jose Garces’ signature tapas spot. You won’t be disappointed,” Veneziano said.
The cool sites Veneziano recommends:
Photo courtesy of National Park Service
South 9th Street Italian Market
919 S. 9th St., Philadelphia, PA 19147
“Open air market not to be missed (think: Rocky!),” she said. “If you’re in town in May, hit the annual festival!”
Liberty Bell
526 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19106
nps.gov/inde/learn/historyculture/stories-libertybell.htm
“History! And it’s free,” Veneziano said.
National Liberty Museum
321 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19106
She said it has a “great glass collection with a social justice theme.”
Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens
1020 South St., Philadelphia, PA 19147
“Artist Isaiah Zagar’s awesome mosaic wonderland,” Veneziano said.
Saya Okayama is a mixed media artist who lives in Marlton, New Jersey.
Okayama recommends these restaurants:
Royal Izakaya
780 S. 2nd St., Philadelphia, PA 19147
“Authentic Japanese foods in a hidden spot,” Okayama said.
HipCityVeg
127 S. 18th St., Philadelphia, PA 19103 (also at 121 S. Broad St. and 214 S. 40th St.)
“Quick stop for vegan foods,” Okayama said. “Enjoy takeout at Rittenhouse Square.”
Terakawa Ramen
204 N. 9th St., Philadelphia, PA 19107 (also 125 S. 40th St.)
“Best Ramen,” Okayama said.
Rick Bryant is the executive director of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, planned for July 14-17, in State College. He said there are lots of opportunities for outdoor recreation in Pennsylvania, and there are many county fairs and outdoor festivals in the state.
Bryant said the Pennsylvania Turnpike is America’s oldest superhighway, and the Johnstown Flood Museum is worth a visit as the short film there won an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short. In Hershey, the streetlights are shaped like Hershey Kisses, making it “worth a visit for that reason alone,” he said.
Bryant recommends this site:
Independence Hall
520 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19106
nps.gov/inde/planyourvisit/independencehall.htm
“Site of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution,” Bryant said.
Jewelry artist Hali MacLaren lives in Phoenixville.
MacLaren recommends these sites:
Philadelphia Museum of Art
2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19130
“Great collection of ancient weapons and artifacts. It will take a few days to see everything. The Egyptian section is my favorite,” MacLaren said.
Mütter Museum
19 S. 22nd St., Philadelphia, PA 19103
“Strange and unnatural biological rarities museum,” MacLaren said.
Hershey
Hershey is located just east of Harrisburg. “Hershey — the sweetest place on earth — is a short drive from Mount Gretna and a wonderful place to visit if you are a chocolate lover,” said Kerry Royer, director of the Mount Gretna Outdoor Art Show. She recommends restaurant row.
Cool sites Royer recommends:
Hershey’s Chocolate World
101 Chocolate World Way, Hershey, PA 17033
“Free place to visit to learn about chocolate making,” Royer said.
Hersheypark
100 Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, PA 17033
She said it is a wonderful amusement park.
The Spa at the Hotel Hershey
100 Hotel Road, Hershey, PA 17033
Go there for a chocolate massage, Royer said.
Pittsburgh
This city in western Pennsylvania is at the junction of three rivers. It has museums, a conservatory, botanical gardens, professional sports teams, plenty of restaurants, and local breweries.
Pen and ink artist Mary Spector lives in Tallahassee. “I grew up outside of Pittsburgh, went to Penn State, and lived in Philadelphia for six years,” she said. “I love going back to Pittsburgh to experience a city that has transitioned to a very different place than it was 50 years ago. It is cool! It is vibrant! It is everything you want in a small sized city.”
Spector recommends these restaurants:
Lucca Ristorante
317 S. Craig St., Pittsburgh, PA 15213
“Great food, service, and ambience,” Spector said.
Mineo’s Pizza House
2128 Murray Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15217
“Best thin crust pizza,” Spector said.
Jamie Murphy is a member of the Craftsmen’s Guild of Pittsburgh’s executive board. She said Pittsburgh is a “fabulous city with fabulous art fairs and music.” The guild’s A Fair in the Park takes place each September, in Mellon Park. Some of her must-sees in the state are Lake Erie and the Pennsylvania Wilds.
Murphy recommends these restaurants:
Kaya
200 Smallman St., Pittsburgh, PA 15222
“Consistently good Caribbean food,” Murphy said.
Legends Eatery
500 E. North Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Murphy said it has “consistently good Italian food, with the same chef for 15 years!”
A site Bryant recommends:
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
400 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213
“Great collection of dinosaur bones and other specimens,” Bryant said.
West Chester
This city is within Philadelphia’s metropolitan area. It has a vibrant downtown.
MacLaren’s recommendations here are:
Mercato Ristorante and Bar
33 W. Market St., West Chester, PA 19382
“Great, new age, southern Italian food,” MacLaren said.
Stroud Preserve
454 N. Creek Road, West Chester, PA 19382
“Expansive hiking with sections of wooded trails,” MacLaren said.
Kane
This small town is at the southeast tip of the Allegheny National Forest. Visit the area for outdoor recreation opportunities and Kane for shopping, food, and drinks. Marilyn Blackmore is vice president of Art in the Wilds, scheduled for June 25-26.
Blackmore recommends these restaurants:
Table 105
105 N. Fraley St., Kane, PA 16735
“Farm to table fresh seafood and Black Angus steaks in an urban atmosphere,” Blackmore said.
Texas Hot Lunch
24 Field St., Kane, PA 16735
She said it is a “Greek family restaurant famous for their secret homemade sauce.”
CJ Spirits
120 Willow Run Drive, Kane, PA 16735
“Craft distillery using local grains and Allegheny Mountain spring water with limited menu,” Blackmore said.
Cool sites Blackmore recommends:
ArtWorks on the Summit
54 N. Fraley St., Kane, PA 16735
It is an “artist-run cooperative,” she said.
Kane Depot
A Fraley St., Kane, PA 16735
Blackmore said it is a “preserved, historic railroad station and Lobo wolf center.”
More Must-sees in the State
Spector recommends:
Hymie’s Deli
342 Montgomery Ave., Merion Station, PA 19066
“One of the few true Jewish delis left,” Spector said.
Fallingwater
1491 Mill Run Road, Mill Run, PA 15464
fallingwater.org“Frank Lloyd Wright’s best house,” Spector said.
Ohiopyle State Park
124 Main St., Ohiopyle, PA 15470
dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/OhiopyleStatePark
She recommends white water rafting there. “Great guides and a way to cool off on a hot summer day,” Spector said.
Rodin Museum
2151 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19130
“I love Rodin, and it’s easier to get there than his house in Paris,” Spector said.
Seven Springs Mountain Resort
777 Water Wheel Drive, Champion, PA 15622
Spector said it is a “family friendly ski resort.”
Bryant also recommends:
Faccia Luna
1229 South Atherton St.
State College, PA 16801
“Best pizza in State College. Food is consistently good,” Bryant said.
Gettysburg National Military Park
1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, PA 17325
“Site of the most famous battle of the Civil War,” Bryant said. “Don’t miss it.”
Oil artist Maura Matthews lives in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania. “I remember when the Pennsylvania license plate said, ‘You’ve got a friend in Pennsylvania’ — and I think it’s very true. The state itself has so much to offer, and one of its best assets is the friendly, down-to-earth people!” she said.
Her must-sees are:
Herrs Snack Factory Store
271 Old Baltimore Pike, Nottingham, PA 19362
“Not a restaurant but an amazing dining experience to visit this family-run business and eat potato chips hot off the conveyor belt!” Matthews said.
Longwood Gardens
1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348
“A grand European-style garden in the United States — beautiful in every season!” Matthews said.
Blackmore also recommends:
Westline Inn
1 Westline Road, Westline, PA 16740
“French American cuisine full menu, fine dining in historic setting,” she said.
Kinzua Sky Walk and Museum
296 Viaduct Road, Mt. Jewett, PA 16740
Zippo/Case Museum and Flagship Store
1932 Zippo Drive, Bradford, PA 16701
zippo.com/pages/zippo-case-museums
“Two, iconic American products made here, along with engaging exhibits,” she said.
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