Thriving Downtowns to Explore in Pennsylvania

Philadelphia

Pennsylvania is a busy and historical state with numerous towns and cities worth exploring. While Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are the two biggest and most famed destinations in this state, there are many more towns to visit.

Many of Pennsylvania’s most appealing cities and towns have busy downtown areas with shops, restaurants, and attractions. These places attract visitors due to their vibrant culture, architecture, and commercial opportunities. Let’s look at some of the downtowns in Pennsylvania towns and cities worth visiting.

Philadelphia

Doylestown

Doylestown is a historic Pennsylvania community that sees many visitors every year looking to enjoy the town’s museums and historic homes. But don’t skip out on the downtown. The Doylestown downtown is a large area filled with independent shops and restaurants. Whether you want to go out for a meal, browse boutique shops, or leaf through books at an independent bookstore, Doylestown has it all.

Bethlehem

Bethlehem is one of the larger cities in Pennsylvania. It is known for its holiday season festivities, making it a popular Christmas destination. But visiting Bethlehem any time of the year is made better because of the city’s historic downtown. Here, you’ll find antique shops, the Moravian Book Shop, the oldest bookstore in America, and gourmet dining options. It has tons of exciting options to explore.

Image source: @GetDowntownBethlehem (Facebook)

York

York is a mid-sized city in Southern Pennsylvania, home to around 45,000. This pleasant town has an incredible colonial history that is visible in its downtown architecture. The downtown has colonial buildings still standing  and museums dedicated to the town’s history, such as the Historical Society Museum. The downtown also has excellent dining options, as the nearby vineyards ensure high-end wine tastings nearby.

Media

Media is a small, quaint, and pleasant suburb of Philadelphia home to around 5,000. Media has excellent shopping and dining options and highly-regarded live entertainment venues that draw many visitors to the area. A trolley runs through the downtown, so you can better explore all it offers.

Bellefonte

Bellefonte is another example of a historic Pennsylvania small town. This community of around 6,000 has Victorian-era homes and buildings that line its streets and a quaint downtown that is the heart of the community. The downtown is filled with antique shops, gift stores, galleries, and other cultural attractions. You’ll also find cozy dining destinations and trendy clothing stores.

Image source: @DowntownBellefonte (Facebook)

Phoenixville

Phoenixville is a Philadelphia suburb with colonial architecture and a top-notch dining scene. It was a former steel mill community but has been revitalized with a thriving downtown in recent years. Phoenixville’s lively main street is known for its many brew pubs, busy restaurants, and the historic Colonial Theater.

Kennett Square

Kennett Square is a suburb of Philadelphia with an outsized agricultural impact. The farms surrounding this small town are responsible for producing more than half of the United States’ mushroom yield. Kennett Square’s busy main street area is centered around State Street. This area features locally-owned businesses, farm-to-table restaurants and produce, and pleasant shops to explore.

Chambersburg

Chambersburg is a city in the south-central region of Pennsylvania that is famed for its history and architecture. Chambersburg played a significant role in the Civil War and has many old buildings and homes still standing. The quaint downtown is lively throughout the year, with many shops and restaurants. There are pleasant public parks, local cafes, and even wine shops.

Image source: @DowntownCburg (Facebook)

Downingtown

Downingtown is a Pennsylvania community near Philadelphia that was settled in the 18th century. This small town has many historic buildings on the National Register of Historic Places and a bustling downtown. The quaint downtown is lined with locally-owned restaurants and shops that include fine dining options, antique stores, vintage clothing, and more.

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