One of the most famous natural oddities in Pennsylvania is Bucks County’s Ringing Rocks. The rocks in this boulder field in eastern PA make a metallic ringing sound when you strike them with a hammer; a sound that delights visitors of all ages. However, I…
Every New Year’s Day since 1901, the Mummers Parade has been a staple of New Year’s Day in Philadelphia. From their elaborate costumes to their great pageantry and wonderful music, there’s a lot to love about this fantastic cultural event, and it’s worth ending your…
There’s no question that Eastern State Penitentiary is the creepiest place in Philadelphia. While there are other creepy spots (most notably the Mütter Museum and Fort Mifflin), nowhere comes close to the creepiness of this former prison. Opened in 1829 and not closed until 1971,…
Located just north of Philadelphia is Bryn Athyn. While some parts of this Montgomery County community look like any other Philly suburb, that certainly isn’t the case on a hill in the southwestern corner of the borough. Here, two large castle-like buildings sit next to…
Located in southeastern Pennsylvania, about a mile north of the border with Maryland, sits one of the state’s most unique landscapes: the Nottingham Serpentine Barrens. Declared a National Natural Landmark in 2008, the Nottingham Serpentine Barrens represent a unique, desert-like environment, where rare plants grow…
Going into my visit at the Antique Ice Tool Museum in Chester County, Pennsylvania, I honestly wasn’t expecting much. I assumed that I would find a collection of dusty tools in a dark show room. However, what I discovered couldn’t have been further from the…
To say that the Mercer Museum in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, is unlike any other historical society museum that I’ve visited is a bit of an understatement. In fact, the Mercer Museum might be unlike any museum I’ve ever visited, period. This is quite evident even as…
Walking down Philadelphia’s South Street today, you’ll notice many chic shops, restaurants, and bars. However, when artist Isaiah Zagar moved to the area nearly 50 years ago, South Street was a rundown area slated for demolition. Starting with the opening of an art gallery in…
Pennsylvania has many strange traditions, but very, very few are as weird as the Mummers of Philadelphia. Part fraternal order, part performing arts group, the Mummers put on a yearly parade that looks like a trippy Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. See my guide to the…
If you’ve been reading this site for a while, you know that I’ve uncovered a lot of really odd places in Pennsylvania. However, no matter how odd places like Centralia and Gravity Hill are, they pale in comparison to Ringing Rocks County Park in Bucks…
