also hosts the annual Wildflower Music Festival. Info: 570.253.1185, www. dorflinger. org
Eckley Miners’ Village Mining Museum, Weatherly
Visit and explore a genuine relic of the American Industrial Revolution. This planned town that once housed anthracite coal miners is now dedicated to preserving their story. Tours available. Info: 570.636.2070, www. eckleyminersvillagemuseum. com
Electric City Trolley Station and Museum, Scranton
Celebrating Scranton’ s pioneering electric trolley line, this museum explores the history of the trolley. Interactive exhibits, artifacts, and trolley rides await curious visitors. Info: 570.346.7186, www. ectma. org / museum. org
Everhart Museum of Natural History, Science and Art, Scranton
Collects more than 60,000 specimens documenting Pennsylvania’ s natural history, including the largest collection of birds in NE Pennsylvania. The museum is also home to a variety of artworks, focusing on nature. Info 570.346.7186, www. everhart-museum. org
No. 9 Coal Mine & Museum, Lansford Travel by train 1,600 feet into the heart of a former coal mine, and learn what life was like for the miners during its hundred-year history. The museum also includes mining equipment and artifacts on display. Info: 570.645.7074, www. no9mine. com
Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum & Iron Furnaces, Scranton
Get an intimate perspective on the lives of Pennsylvanians who lived during the height of the coal and railroad booms. View historical artifacts, and tour the iron furnaces that, in 1865, were responsible for the largest U. S. iron output to date. Info 570.963.4804, www. anthracitemuseum. org
Sculpted Ice Works Factory Tour and Natural Ice Harvest Museum, Lakeville
This museum preserves the history of the ice harvest industry, once a pillar of the Poconos economy. Also home to custom ice sculptures, which visitors can view in-production. Info: 570.226.6246, www. sculptediceworks. com
Steamtown National Historic Site, Scranton Built on the former railroad yards, Steamtown NHS seeks to preserve the storied history of the rail industry. Guided tours, educational films, rotating exhibits, and train rides available. Info: 888.693.9391, www. nps. gov / stea
Tioga Point Museum, Athens Eclectic historical museum, collecting approximately 14,000 Native American artifacts, as well as Samurai Weaponry, Revolutionary War memorabilia, rare books, and more. Many exhibits focus on local history. Info: 570.888.7225, www. tiogapointmuseum. com
Wyalusing Valley Museum, Wyalusing Museum dedicated to the rich history of the Wyalusing Valley region. Exhibits include war memorabilia, farming, implements, and a historic fire engine. Info: 570.746.3979, www. wyalusingmuseum. com
Zane Grey Museum, Lackawaxen Part of the National Park Service’ s Upper Delaware
46. | EXPLORE PA 2017
Scenic and Recreational River Park, the former of Lackawaxen-based Western author Zane Grey is now a museum dedicated to his life and work. Visitors can see photographs, manuscripts, and other artifacts related to his writing. Info: 570.685.4871, www. nps. gov / upde
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Autumn Timber Festival, East Stroudsburg A unique fall event at Shawnee Mountain Ski Area, featuring lumberjack demonstrations, performing dogs, and chainsaw sculpting demonstrations. Attendees can enjoy the beautiful colors of the changing foliage surrounding them while taking in a concert or patronizing one of the many food and craft vendors( Oct). Info: 570.421.7231, www. shawneemt. com / s _ autumntimberfestival. html
Endless Mountain Maple Festival, Troy Celebrate the annual maple harvest with this two-day festival featuring pancake-eating contest, tractor shows, and of course, maple products judging( Apr). Info: 570.297.3648, www. maplefestivalpa. cin
Great Brews Classic Beer Festival at Split Rock Resort, Lake Harmony Two-day beer-tasting festival, featuring seminars and classes from beer experts, live music, and a variety of food vendors. Overnight packages available( Nov). Info: 800.255.7625, www. slitrockresort. com / beers. asp
Pennsylvania Apple‘ n’ Cheese Festival, Canton
Celebrating 27 years in 2016, this annual festival features every possible variety of apple-based food, plus wine and cheese tastings, crafts, demonstrations, live music, and art shows( Oct). Info: 570.673.7222, www. paapplecheese. com
Pennsylvania State Laurel Festival, Wellsboro Held annually to commemorate the blooming of the Pennsylvania state flower, the Mountain Laurel. The festival includes a two-hour parade, arts and crafts fairs, bicycle and foot races, and the crowing of the State Laurel Queen( Jun). Info: 570.724.1926, www. wellsboropa. com / 461- pa-state-laurel-festival
PHILADELPHIA & ITS COUNTRYSIDE / LEHIGH VALLEY
ATTRACTIONS
Bownman’ s Hill Wildflower Preserve, New Hope More than 800 varieties of native plants thrive on this 134- acre preserve. Tours are available covering many different aspects of the preserve, tailored to groups’ needs and the season. Picnic areas also available. Info: 215.862.2924, www. bhwp. org
Bucks County River Country, Point Pleasant Rent kayaks, canoes, inner tubes, and rafts, and experience the beauty of the Delaware River first-hand. Info: 215.297.5000, www. rivercountry. net
Crayola Experience, Easton Home of the world’ s largest crayon, plus four floors of fun activities for kids. Kids can mix up their own Crayola crayon, or create a digital movie from their own drawings. The top floor is dedicated to projects utilizing melted crayons. Info 610.515.8000, www. crayolaexperience. com
Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, Easton
Historic and picturesque trail walking that covers 165 miles, through the Commonwealth’ s Delaware, Lehigh and Wyoming Valleys. The corridor passes through numerous historically significant sites touching on Pennsylvania’ s rich industrial governmental, and natural history. Info: 610.923.3548, www. delawareandlehigh. org
Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom, Allentown
More than 100 exciting rides, from the 200-foot drop of the Dominator to a 1921 antique carousel. The park is home to the kids’ park Planet Snoopy and the Dinosaurs Alive adventure park and Wildwater Kingdom, which includes more than 30 water rides. Info: 610.395.3724, www. dorneypark. com
Edgar Allen Poe National Historic Site, Philadelphia A national historic site recognizing the contributions of Edgar Allen Poe to the worlds of poetry and fiction. Located in Poe’ s former Philadelphia home, the museum presents the writer’ s work from many different angles, and allows visitors to experience classic works in a new light. Info: 215.597.8780, www. nps. gove / edal
Historic Bethlehem, Bethlehem A network of museums and historic sites celebrating the 300-year history of the town of Bethlehem, focusing on both the Native Americans and Moravians who have called the town home. Classes, tours, and special events. Info: 610.882.0450, www. historicbethlehem. org
Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia Home of the Liberty Bell, the Benjamin Franklin Museum, and Independence Hall, site of the historic signing of the Declaration of Independence and the U. S. Constitution. The park also features numerous historic documents and artifacts from the founders of the United States. Info: 215.965.2305, www. nps. gov / inde
King of Prussia Mall, King of Prussia More than 400 stores, including designer and luxury brands, a movie theater, and diverse dining options. Info: 610.265.5727, www. simon. com / mall / king-of-prussia-mall
Lehigh Valley Wine Trail, Lehigh County Eight award-winning, family-owned wineries in a recently declared American Viticultural Area. Stop in for a taste of their signature wines, including approximately 50 made from the Chambourcin grape. Info: www. lehighvalleywinetrail. com
Lehigh Valley Zoo, Schnecksville Voteed“ Best Family Day Trip” by the readers of the Morning Call in 2012, this zoo is home to nearly 300 animals and offers numerous hands-on activites to help visitors understand and appreciate the diverse wildlife. Paddleboats and horse-drawn carriage rides also available. Info: 610.799.4171, www. lvzoo. org
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square Committed to“ making the impossible possible,” this 1,077-acre public garden is a marriage of natural ad