Simple pleasures create budget-friendly getaways along the state's Lake Erie shores and at historic Pennsylvania Dutch communities, where savoring the simple life at farmers markets, bakeries and country shops won't drain the wallet. A tent, a fishing line and a good pair of walking shoes are all that's needed for active outdoor vacations at one of Pennsylvania's 120 state parks. Opportunities for free amusement, factory tours, museum experiences and learning activities inspire shoestring vacations throughout the Keystone State.
Tenting tops the list for economical Pennsylvania outdoor vacations. Bald Eagle State Park at Howard nestles at the base of scenic Bald Mountain. It offers a host of recreational activities for the price of a campsite. The 5,900-acre park includes a 1,730-acre lake for beaching, boating and fishing. Walk on the wild side along the park's 14 miles of trails. Spanning 7,572 acres, Raccoon Creek State Park in Hookstown is one of the state's largest parks. The 101-acre Raccoon Lake also allows swimming and boating as well as the opportunity to catch walleye, perch and trout. Settle in at the budget-friendly Sioux Rustic Campground, then choose your adventure. More than 40 miles of hiking trails, 17 miles of mountain bike trails and equestrian trails connect campers to the park's lands. Hardy winter campers enjoy ice fishing, ice skating and snowmobiling.
Knoebels Amusement Resort at Elysburg bills itself as America's largest free-admission park. Its 50 rides include a grand, old-fashioned carousel and two roller coasters. As of 2014, all day-ride passes cost $4. A free carousel museum and mining museum dedicated to the anthracite coal mining industry complement paid attractions that include golf and mini golf, movies and coin games. Primitive camping keeps the budget in check at Hersheypark in Hershey. The park in the town famous for chocolate entertains with 65 rides, including 20 kiddie rides and 12 roller coasters. Make a splash at the Boardwalk's 14 water attractions. Along with camping options, sweet deals on admissions cut costs. They include season passes, sunset admission rates, and ride, dine and play packages. Hersheypark Camping Resort has tent sites as well as full-service pull-through sites, and throws in free shuttle service and discounts for Hershey attractions.
Explore Lancaster County's Pennsylvania Dutch Country on the cheap, packing vacation days with the sights, sounds and tastes of the county's free attractions. Tour Herr's snack factory in Nottingham. The hour-long family-friendly tour showcases the technology behind making snack chips. Visit Eldreth Pottery in Oxford to see handcrafted American pottery created. Chocolate factory tours, vineyards, galleries, Demuth Museum and other Lancaster County attractions provide cost-free experiences. Hayloft Candles in Leola sells handcrafted candles and homemade ice cream, and has a petting zoo for rewarding family time. For active recreation, Refreshing Mountain Christian retreat at Stevens has two kid-friendly canopy zipline tours with a total of 12 ziplines for thrilling rides through Lancaster County treetops.
Erie beckons with beaching, botanicals and museums. The free day-use Presque Isle State Park has nine beaches, four boat launches and 11 miles of trails for outdoor play. The park's Tom Ridge Center provides no-cost nature education and a 75-foot-tall observation tower. In town, art fans enjoy free admission to Erie Art Museum every Wednesday and second Sunday. There's no fee at Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park for discovering 225 tree varieties. Erie lodgings include campgrounds, chain hotels and resorts such as Lakeview on the Lake, where private cottages with knotty-pine interiors won't drain your wallet.
