North East Pennsylvania ATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near North East, Pennsylvania.
1. Mazza Vineyards
PREMIUM WINE TASTING EXPERIENCE
Mazza Vineyards is one of the top-rated attractions in North East, offering visitors a chance to sample locally produced wines in a picturesque setting. The vineyard showcases Pennsylvania's growing wine industry with expertly crafted varieties that reflect the local terroir. Visitors can enjoy guided tastings, learn about the winemaking process, and purchase bottles to take home.
2. South Shore Wine Company
HISTORIC UNDERGROUND WINE CELLAR
South Shore Wine Company features a stunning stone cellar dating back to the 1860s that creates a unique atmosphere for wine tasting. The winery combines historic charm with modern winemaking techniques to produce award-winning wines. Visitors can tour the underground cellar, sample diverse wine varieties, and enjoy light fare in this atmospheric setting.
3. Heritage Wine Cellars
FAMILY-RUN WINE EXPERIENCE
Heritage Wine Cellars offers a welcoming, family-owned wine experience in the heart of North East's wine country. The winery specializes in both traditional and innovative wine varieties crafted from locally grown grapes. Their tasting room provides a casual, friendly environment where visitors can sample wines while learning about the region's viticultural heritage.
4. Courtyard Wineries
AWARD-WINNING WINE SELECTION
Courtyard Wineries delights visitors with its diverse selection of award-winning wines produced in the Lake Erie Wine Country. The winery features a spacious tasting room where guests can sample everything from dry reds to sweet fruit wines. Their knowledgeable staff provides an educational experience about the wine-making process and the unique characteristics of the region.
5. Lake Erie Smallmouth Fishing
GUIDED FISHING ADVENTURES
Lake Erie Smallmouth Fishing offers exciting guided fishing charters for anglers looking to experience some of the best freshwater fishing in the region. Professional guides take visitors to prime fishing spots on Lake Erie known for impressive smallmouth bass catches. The personalized experience caters to both novice and experienced anglers with all necessary equipment provided.
6. Presque Isle State Park
NATURAL PENINSULA PARADISE
Presque Isle State Park is a stunning 3,200-acre sandy peninsula that curves into Lake Erie, offering visitors miles of beautiful beaches and natural landscapes just a short drive from North East. The park features numerous recreational activities including swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, and bird watching across its varied ecosystems. Visitors can also explore the Presque Isle Lighthouse or visit the Tom Ridge Environmental Center to learn about the park's unique ecology.
7. Steamtown National Historic Site
RAILROAD HISTORY PRESERVED
Steamtown National Historic Site celebrates America's industrial heritage through impressive displays of historic steam locomotives and railroad equipment. The museum is housed in a former railroad yard and features a working turntable, roundhouse, and numerous historic buildings. Visitors can take seasonal train excursions, watch maintenance demonstrations, and explore interactive exhibits that tell the story of steam railroading in America.
8. Ricketts Glen State Park
SPECTACULAR WATERFALL TRAIL
Ricketts Glen State Park features the spectacular Falls Trail, a 7.2-mile loop showcasing over 20 breathtaking waterfalls cascading through ancient forest. The park encompasses more than 13,000 acres across three counties, offering pristine wilderness experiences with diverse recreational opportunities. Visitors can enjoy hiking, fishing, swimming, and camping while experiencing some of Pennsylvania's most impressive natural scenery.
9. Knoebels Amusement Resort
FREE-ADMISSION FAMILY PARK
Knoebels Amusement Resort is America's largest free-admission amusement park, offering a nostalgic family experience with classic and modern rides. The park features award-winning roller coasters, a crystal-clear swimming pool, miniature golf, and numerous food options famous for their quality. Visitors appreciate the park's beautiful wooded setting, reasonable prices, and family-friendly atmosphere that has been maintained since its opening in 1926.
10. Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour
UNDERGROUND MINING EXPERIENCE
The Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour takes visitors 300 feet underground into a real anthracite coal mine that operated from 1860 to 1966. Guided by former miners, the tour provides a fascinating glimpse into the difficult and dangerous work conditions faced by generations of coal miners. The experience includes riding the mine car down the steep slope and exploring the cool tunnels while learning about northeastern Pennsylvania's crucial role in America's industrial development.
11. Lake Wallenpaupack
SCENIC RECREATIONAL WATERWAY
Lake Wallenpaupack spans 5,700 acres with 52 miles of shoreline, offering some of northeastern Pennsylvania's best recreational opportunities. Visitors can enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, and water sports during summer months or ice fishing and snowmobiling in winter. The lake is surrounded by scenic hiking trails, picnic areas, and restaurants that provide beautiful views of this man-made wonder created in 1927.
12. Great Wolf Lodge Waterpark
INDOOR AQUATIC ADVENTURE
Great Wolf Lodge Waterpark offers an expansive indoor water adventure experience maintained at a comfortable 84 degrees year-round regardless of outdoor weather conditions. The park features thrilling water slides, wave pools, lazy rivers, and dedicated play areas for younger children all within a northwoods-themed environment. Beyond the waterpark, the resort includes themed accommodations, multiple dining options, and additional family activities like mini-golf and arcade games.
13. National Comedy Center
INTERACTIVE HUMOR MUSEUM
The National Comedy Center, located just across the state border from North East, is America's official cultural institution dedicated to comedy, featuring over 50 immersive exhibits celebrating comedy's greatest voices. Visitors can explore the art form's history through interactive displays, holographic performances, and personal artifacts from legendary comedians. The center uses state-of-the-art technology to create personalized experiences that match each visitor's unique sense of humor preferences.
14. Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum
I LOVE LUCY LEGACY
The Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum celebrates the lives, careers, and legacy of television pioneers Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz in Lucy's hometown near the Pennsylvania border. The museum features extensive memorabilia, costumes, and recreated sets from the groundbreaking "I Love Lucy" series that revolutionized television. Visitors can view rare photographs, personal belongings, and learn about the couple's significant impact on American entertainment history.
15. Worlds End State Park
PRISTINE MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS
Worlds End State Park encompasses 780 acres of rugged, mountainous terrain within the larger Loyalsock State Forest, offering some of northeastern Pennsylvania's most dramatic landscapes. The park features scenic hiking trails with breathtaking vistas, rushing mountain streams, and swimming areas in the clear waters of Loyalsock Creek. Visitors can enjoy camping, fishing, and exploring the numerous waterfalls and rock formations that make this wilderness area uniquely beautiful in all seasons.