Northwestern Pennsylvania

Coal deposits were found in a 500 square mile area in Northeastern Pennsylvania, which were formed over 300 million years ago from the decaying plants and organic substances which once dominated the area. As time progressed, changes to the Earth’s tectonic plates and the environment caused the organic materials to carbonize and form black mineral deposits, which we know as coal today. Unlike other areas in the United States where coal is found, the region underwent a seismic process where coal formation was much more aggressive. Fold mountains created from tectonic plates converging added massive pressure resulting in coal deposits with higher levels of carbon called anthracite.

Today, the majority of coal used in production comes from Northeastern Pennsylvania. During the Industrial Revolution, anthracite coal powered homes and businesses across the Northeastern United States. Railroad transportation between Philadelphia, New York City, and other cities in the Northeast was made possible thanks to these discoveries. European immigrants from Ireland, Germany, Wales, Italy, and Poland found opportunities during this boom in coal to make a living. Despite the violence and anguish which made the lives of these immigrants harder as they risked their lives working under hazardous conditions, they managed to find joy in the hard work they brought to the table and rose up to demand better wages and safety regulations.

They were powerful enough to bring coal production, transportation, and distribution of anthracite coal during Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency (1901-1909). While the region’s coal industry isn’t the same as it once was, you’ll still see many historical remnants of an area that thrived from job opportunities in the coal industry during your visit. Stop by at the Lackawanna Historical Society  in Scranton’s Hill Section and you’ll get a glimpse into what life was like in Northeastern Pennsylvania in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries. You can also visit the Anthracite Heritage Museum where you can experience the hard work and determination of European immigrants who worked in the coal mining industry’s factories, mills, and mines.

Prepare for an incredible camping adventure by the Great Lakes, an area in Northwestern Pennsylvania with lots of opportunities to go hiking, fishing, and swimming. One of the ways you can begin your vacation in Northwestern  Pennsylvania is by visiting the Erie National Wildlife Refuge, named after a Native American tribe who lived in these parts. While you’re there, you can go birdwatching and look for scarlet tanagers and black-billed cuckoos or go hiking along the Tsuga Trail stretching 1.6 miles passing through wetlands, forests, and streams.

Test your fishing skills by catching catfish, bass, panfish, and catfish at Elk Creek, Lake Erie’s largest tributary in the Northwestern  Pennsylvania area.

To enjoy your fishing experience with comfort, Erie has several private charters and yachts you can take with experienced captains familiar with fishing techniques that work well on the lake. Of course, if you’d rather go on your own fishing expedition, you can find more information about fishing in Pennsylvania at the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission website, where finding maps, guides, and information on your preferred fishing locations in Erie and elsewhere in Northwestern Pennsylvania.

Further down in the Great Lakes area, you’ll can spend a relaxing afternoon at Pymatuning State Park, the largest state park in Pennsylvania at 21,222 acres. Here, you’ll find one of the biggest fish hatcheries in the world run by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission! You can take your whole family camping at the Linesville Campground or Jamestown Campground, both operated by Pymatuning State Park.

The Great Lakes area of Northwestern  Pennsylvania has a rich history associated with oil and petroleum production. Head to Titusville, Pennsylvania and visit the Drake Well Museum to see how the modern American oil industry was born! There’s also the Oil Creek State Park not too far from the museum with trails made for backpackers and bikers where you’ll also encounter old trains that were once used during Pennsylvania’s oil rush.

While you’re in Titusville, take a one hour train ride on the Wabash Cannonball through “the valley that changed the world” with the family. Oil City, also a major source of much of the state’s oil boom, has lots of fun attractions available, including the Venango Museum of Art and History featuring Rattlesnake Pete’s Shop, an exhibit containing artifacts from Oil City and Venango County’s history. The Oil Creek and Titusville Railroad covering approximately 17 miles taking you from Titusville to Oil City and back!

To get the most energy and excitement from your vacation, consider looking into the parks and trails in the Allegheny Mountains. The Allegheny National Forest, the only national forest in Pennsylvania, covers 513,175 acres of land. There are over 200 miles of hiking trails alone, and if you’re looking to bootstrap your adventure in NoPennsylvania, the Allegheny National Forest will give you everything and more.

Check out the Twin Lakes Hiking Trail which runs for 15.8 miles and is the second longest trail in the park. Don’t miss the nearby Twin Lakes Campground after a long day of hiking and going trout fishing at the Tionesta Creek, Wolf Run, or Crane Run, all very popular trout fishing areas. The campground is within close distance of the best fishing and swimming locations.

Gaze at the lovely beaches at Presque Isle in Erie for an unforgettable experience! Since the 1800s, Presque Isle has become an island several times because of force from the storm waves that have passed over the years. The Station Dinner Theatre, also located in Erie, is home of the longest running medieval theatre in the country. See plays, shows, and comedies and bring the whole family along for the excitement and eat delicious meals from Chef Susan Hamp!

In Meadville, you’ll find a wonderful display called Read Between the Signs, made by students at Allegheny College off Smack Highway. They took old highway signs and made themed artwork of the Meadville community and buildings. Other must-see attractions include the largest art pottery in Pennsylvania  and Waldameer WaterWorld, an amusement park with over 75 rides and a 500,000 gallon Giant Wave Pool ride! All these attractions will make your Northwest Pennslyvania vacation the most fun you’ll have in the summertime!