Weekend Getaways for Pennsylvania History Buffs

Weekend getaways are a great way to recharge your batteries. For history buffs, the ultimate recharge weekend involves historical places and experiences. Check out these great options for weekend getaways focused on historical sites.

Railroaders Memorial Museum
The history of Altoona, Pennsylvania, is inseparable from the history of railroading. Altoona was founded in 1849 by the Pennsylvania Railroad to supply a much-needed shop and maintenance stop. Open since 1980, the Railroaders Memorial Museum presents the history of Altoona railroading, the life of railroad workers, and the workings of railroad companies. Many exhibits have motion-activated figures that explain what life was like when the railroads ruled Altoona. The top floor holds a model railroad that will delight the kid in all of us.

If you have time, check out the famous Altoona Horseshoe Curve. To get over the steep Allegheny mountains, railroad engineers designed a series of ascending curves through the Allegheny Mountains. The largest curve is the Altoona Horseshoe Curve, which was completed in 1854.

Gettysburg Battlefield
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, is best known as the site of the deadliest battle in the U.S. Civil War. If you head to Gettysburg, start your visit at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum. There, you can view a short film about the Battle of Gettysburg and visit the Gettysburg Museum of the American Civil War. The museum is home to one of the largest collections of Civil War objects. While you’re there, don’t miss the famous cyclorama painting. Stand in the center platform of the cyclorama to take in the entire painting as sound and light effects immerse you into Pickett’s Charge.

Outside of the museum, you are free to tour the battlefield. You can go on a group or private tour with one of the park’s tour guides or just drive through the park with a self-guided audio tour.

Philadelphia
If you’re a Revolutionary War buff, you must visit Philadelphia. Many of the events that led to the birth of the United States as an independent country happened in this eastern Pennsylvania city. First, take in Independence Hall. The Hall, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was the location of the critical Second Continental Congress of 1775, which included the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Guided tours of Independence Hall and a few of the adjoining buildings are available all day.

Taken down from its perch in the bell tower of Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell is now on display in a separate building. Check out the displays to learn about the bell’s history and importance. Don’t forget to take your own “Bellfie!” To learn more about the entire Revolutionary War, visit the Museum of American Revolution. This museum features films and exhibits about colonial revolutionaries and the reasons behind the American Revolution.

A quick weekend trip to any of these historical sites is a great way to get away from the daily grind. With so many interesting exhibits to see at each location, there’s something to please everyone.