Whether you’re planning a weekend adventure, entertaining the kids during school break, or simply looking for new places to explore, Pennsylvania is full of incredible day trip destinations. Our complete Day Trips Guide features dozens of family-friendly adventures across Columbia, Montour, Snyder, Northumberland, and Union counties, as well as destinations throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania, Central Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and the surrounding areas.
While every destination earned a spot on our list, we’re sharing eight day trips that we moms really enjoyed. These are the places that wowed our families, created lasting memories, and are always at the top of our recommendation list. From outdoor adventures and charming small towns to unique attractions and hidden gems, these mom-approved day trips are perfect for your next getaway.
Colleen’s Favorites
Museum of Illusions (Philadelphia)
“It’s not huge, which is actually a plus—it’s all on one floor and you can get through it in about an hour. It’s a chain museum, so you’ll find locations in other cities too, including Pittsburgh. Every exhibit is interactive, so you can linger or breeze through depending on your mood.
This was actually our second visit—we went to the one in Washington, DC last year, and the kids liked it so much this is the one they picked to revisit. There are marked spots showing where to stand for photos, which the kids get a kick out of spotting afterward.
Tickets are for a specific time slot, so book ahead. Our tip: skip peak times if you can—it’s a lot more fun when it’s not packed. And check Groupon before you buy—we’ve found deals there.”
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Hickory Run State Park: Boulder Field (Whitehaven)
“Hickory Run State Park has plenty of hiking trails, so it’s easy to make a full day of it—hike through the forest, then head over to Boulder Field. Boulder Field itself is only good for so long since it’s completely exposed with no shade and tricky to walk across, but it’s absolutely worth seeing—it’s such a unique natural wonder. Pairing it with a forest hike rounds out the day nicely.”
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Megan’s Favorites
Nescopeck State Park
“Beautiful, family-friendly state park. Lots of easy, kid-friendly hiking trails in the woods. Two lakes in the park that contain active beaver lodges with blinds for viewing. They also have a nature play area and picnic tables, so pack a lunch!”
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Steamtown National Historic Site (Scranton)
“Part of the National Parks Service, Steamtown is free entry and fun for families to explore. Kids can complete a Junior Ranger program while visiting. Short train rides are also available on site from May – November for a very reasonable fee. FYI – Steamtown is also right next to The Marketplace at Steamtown which is home to the Electric City Aquarium & Reptile Den. An accessible pedestrian bridges runs between the two locations.”
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Kristin’s Favorites
T & D’s Cats of the World
“An amazing wildlife sanctuary where animals who have been mistreated or abused are given refuge. A great place to visit with kids of all ages; they can learn all about nature, wildlife, and lots of different species. They have more than just cats, too- bears, birds, primates, and more are there.”
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Knoebel’s Amusement Resort
“Knoebel’s is the one of the best hidden gems in the country! They still offer free admission and free parking after 100 years of continuous operations. The park offers rides and entertainment for all ages, including a great little kids area, lots of roller coasters, a pool and waterpark, and some of the best carnival food you’ll ever come across! You can also bring your own food, there are lots of pavillions that offer shade and picnic tables. The park is full of trees, and is a welcome respite from the concrete jungles of other amusement parks.”
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Molly’s Favorites
PNC Field- Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Rail Riders Baseball
“Growing up in Philly, we went to lots of Phillie’s games in the city. When my son started playing Little League, we wanted to take him to a game that felt like the real thing, but wasn’t so far or expensive. Enter PNC Field! We got great seats for such a reasonable price; the stadium is clean and easy to get to, parking is inexpensive, and it was just as fun as the major leagues (without the pricetag or the headache of getting in and out of center city!) My husband even caught a fly ball for my son on his 7th birthday!”
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Claws ‘n’ Paws Wild Animal Park (Lake Ariel)
“This hidden gem in the Pocono mountains is an accessible, affordable way to see lots of different kind of animals. The entire zoo is in the woods, so there is lots of shade, plenty of beautiful trails, and is not too big that it becomes overwhelming. There are picnic tables you can bring lunch, or a small snack shop for treats, and a cute little gift shop. Our favorite part was feeding the giraffe!”
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