Pennsylvania: Home To Many Must-See Sports Venues
Whether you’re an avid sports fan or not, there are plenty of can’t-miss venues across the state of Pennsylvania that would make your vacation all the more memorable.
Pennsylvania is one of the few U.S. States with no gambling prohibitions, as it allows both in-person and mobile betting.
With a rich history surrounding its sports teams, many legal online casinos and sports betting apps now live in the Keystone State. The state netted $3.9 billion in gambling revenue for the 2020-21 fiscal year. That included a whopping $1.9 billion in casino slot machines.
Pittsburgh has three teams in the “Big Four” North American professional sports leagues: The NHL’s Penguins, the NFL’s Steelers and the Pirates of MLB. Philadelphia has the NHL’s Flyers, the NFL’s Eagles, the NBA’s 76ers and the Phillies of MLB.
The Steelers, who play at Heinz Field in the North Shore Neighborhood, are one of America’s most historic sports franchises.
Established in 1933, the Steelers have 33 postseason appearances to their name as well as six Super Bowls, tied with the New England Patriots for the most.
Heinz Field is renowned for its breathtaking location which provides beautiful views of the surrounding rivers. And the venue is home to one of the NFL’s most boisterous and rocking crowds, which features thousands of waving “Terrible Towels” for each home game.
Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Eagles since 2003, is widely regarded as one of the loudest and toughest environments for opposing teams to visit. The Eagles cruised to a 2017 NFC Championship victory over the favored Minnesota Vikings four years ago en route to their first ever Super Bowl.
Although the Pirates haven’t experienced much success over the past 30 years, PNC Park is also greatly regarded as one of MLB’s top stadiums. Fans who attend a game get a high quality look at the Steel City’s Skyline and surrounding Allegheny River.
The Penguins have been the class of the NHL since 2007, having not missed the playoffs since 2006. The perennial powerhouse led by Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have made the Pens one of the top must-watch teams in professional sports.
Just how hot are the Penguins in Steel City? They had a 14-year sellout streak going that only ended in October. PPG Paints Arena is another popular site for a tourist in Pennsylvania to prioritize.
Philadelphia Museum of Art & The Liberty Bell
“The City of Brotherly Love” is one of the oldest and most historic cities in the United States.
Simply put, there is no shortage of can’t-miss sites and attractions in Philly. This includes the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which opened in 1876.
Some of the museum’s more well-known and historic pieces include Pablo Picasso’s Nous autres musiciens (Three Musicians), El Greco’s Pieta, Benjamin West’s Benjamin Franklin Drawing Electricity from the Sky, Peter Paul Rubens’ Prometheus Bound and The Gross Clinic by Thomas Eakins.
According to the museum’s website, and it consists of over 240,000 different objects, and they average 800,000 visitors annually.
It’s hard not to immediately think of The Liberty Bell when you think of Philadelphia.
The Liberty Bell features the message “Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants thereof”. The Liberty Bell, made mostly of copper (70 percent), is approximately four feet in height and 2,080 pounds in weight.
Hersheypark
The headquarters for the world-famous and beloved Hershey chocolate company are in Hershey, Pennsylvania. And the city just so happens to have its own Hershey chocolate theme park.
Hersheypark, which opened its doors 116 years ago, is a must-see place for any chocolate lover. The theme park holds “four seasons of Hersheypark Happy”: Springtime In The Park, Summer Season, Hersheypark In The Dark” and “Hersheypark Christmas Candylane”
Hersheypark attracts several million visitors annually. The park is connected to the ZooAmerica, and right nearby the Hershey’s Chocolate World center.
Hersheypark includes 76 unique rides and attractions, including more than a dozen roller coaster adventures.
You can top off a Hersheypark visit with the beloved Milton’s Ice Cream Parlor that includes mouth-watering ice cream flavors such as Toasted Marshmellow, Peppermint White Chocolate Crunch, Chocolate Brownie Past, Malted Memories. and Cinnamon Cookie Butter.
Mountains, trails, paddleboards – if it’s outdoors, I’m probably obsessed with it! As an Outdoor Adventure and Travel Editor, I’m always seeking my next escapade. Through my blog, I share adventure stories, mountain-tested advice, healthy food inspiration, and training tips.
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