Highest-rated free things to do in Pennsylvania by visitors

Being an American can be incredibly expensive. While workers in the United States have seen a 1,015% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven't caught up with the, according to a 2025 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1973 and 2023, the national consumer price index increased by 586%.

Although Americans have about 63% more purchasing power than 50 years ago, that quickly dissipates when factoring in the increased costs of housing and education. Housing costs have jumped about 1,045%, private college tuition has risen by 158%, and public college tuition has increased by 177%.

That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. In 2023, a record-high 42.9 million households were, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies.

It's no wonder that maintaining savings, paying down debts and mortgages, and regular expenses are taking precedence. But not everything that's enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's a roster of completely free things to do in Pennsylvania.

From touring landmarks and historical sites to getting out into nature, you can find all this and more without swiping your credit card or crossing state lines.

To help you find your next free activity, compiled a list of the highest-rated free things to do in Pennsylvania using data from . Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of Aug. 18, 2025. Only locations that received at least 20 reviews were included.

Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!

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Tripadvisor

1 / 30

#30. Point State Park

- Rating: 4.5/5 (958 reviews)
- City: Pittsburgh
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2 / 30

#29. Gettysburg Museum of History

- Rating: 4.8/5 (1,351 reviews)
- City: Gettysburg
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3 / 30

#28. Penn State University

- Rating: 4.8/5 (635 reviews)
- City: State College
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4 / 30

#27. SteelStacks

- Rating: 4.6/5 (662 reviews)
- City: Bethlehem
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5 / 30

#26. Kinzua Bridge State Park

- Rating: 4.8/5 (687 reviews)
- City: Mount Jewett McKean County
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6 / 30

#25. Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul

- Rating: 4.7/5 (984 reviews)
- City: Philadelphia
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7 / 30

#24. Rittenhouse Square

- Rating: 4.4/5 (864 reviews)
- City: Philadelphia
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8 / 30

#23. Cathedral of Learning

- Rating: 4.6/5 (983 reviews)
- City: Pittsburgh
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9 / 30

#22. Dingmans Falls

- Rating: 4.7/5 (482 reviews)
- City: Dingmans Ferry Pocono Mountains Region
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10 / 30

#21. Harrah's Philadelphia

- Rating: 3.9/5 (14,837 reviews)
- City: Chester
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11 / 30

#20. Valley Forge National Historical Park

- Rating: 4.6/5 (1,517 reviews)
- City: Valley Forge
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12 / 30

#19. Ohiopyle State Park

- Rating: 4.7/5 (790 reviews)
- City: Ohiopyle
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13 / 30

#18. Randyland

- Rating: 4.6/5 (436 reviews)
- City: Pittsburgh
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14 / 30

#17. Elfreth's Alley

- Rating: 4.3/5 (1,209 reviews)
- City: Philadelphia
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15 / 30

#16. Independence National Historical Park

- Rating: 4.6/5 (3,020 reviews)
- City: Philadelphia
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Tripadvisor

16 / 30

#15. King Of Prussia Mall

- Rating: 4.5/5 (984 reviews)
- City: King of Prussia
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17 / 30

#14. Peddler's Village

- Rating: 4.3/5 (899 reviews)
- City: Lahaska
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18 / 30

#13. Bicycle Heaven

- Rating: 4.9/5 (1,023 reviews)
- City: Pittsburgh
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19 / 30

#12. Ricketts Glen State Park

- Rating: 4.8/5 (872 reviews)
- City: Benton
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20 / 30

#11. Flight 93 National Memorial

- Rating: 4.8/5 (2,122 reviews)
- City: Stoystown
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21 / 30

#10. Mount Washington

- Rating: 4.7/5 (3,042 reviews)
- City: Pittsburgh
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22 / 30

#9. Rocky Statue

- Rating: 4.2/5 (3,303 reviews)
- City: Philadelphia
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23 / 30

#8. Lancaster Central Market

- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,077 reviews)
- City: Lancaster Lancaster County
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24 / 30

#7. Liberty Bell Center

- Rating: 4.3/5 (4,973 reviews)
- City: Philadelphia
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25 / 30

#6. Strip District

- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,031 reviews)
- City: Pittsburgh
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26 / 30

#5. Presque Isle State Park

- Rating: 4.7/5 (3,247 reviews)
- City: Erie
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27 / 30

#4. Gettysburg National Military Park

- Rating: 4.9/5 (8,518 reviews)
- City: Gettysburg
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28 / 30

#3. Reading Terminal Market

- Rating: 4.6/5 (3,954 reviews)
- City: Philadelphia
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29 / 30

#2. Knoebels Amusement Resort

- Rating: 4.7/5 (2,733 reviews)
- City: Elysburg
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30 / 30

#1. Independence Hall

- Rating: 4.5/5 (9,196 reviews)
- City: Philadelphia
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This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.

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