Mountains, forests, cities, parks and charming small towns are all waiting to be discovered in the Keystone State of Pennsylvania. You can explore Philadelphia, the birthplace of the USA. Witness the famous Liberty Bell, walk the halls in which the Declaration of Independence was signed, or follow in the cinematic steps of Rocky Balboa at the Philadelphia Museum of Arts.

Ponder the influential works of Andy Warhol and Frank Lloyd Write in Pittsburgh, or jump into a world of chocolate-inspired thrills at Hersheypark. You can open the door to small-town America and spend a day among the Amish in Lancaster County. Stretch your legs in the country at Presque Isle State Park and Pine Creek Gorge, or go deeper underground at Penn’s Cave and Indian Echo Caverns. And take the kids to the playtime paradise of Dutch Wonderland, or fill up your bags at King of Prussia Mall.

Whether it’s the cosmopolitan streets of Philadelphia or the culture and entertainment of Pittsburgh, you’ll find that Pennsylvania’s cities are some of the easiest and friendliest in the USA.

You can learn about America's history at Philadelphia's Independence National Park and the disused Eastern State Penitentiary. Indulge your taste buds with fresh produce from Reading Terminal Market or go all-out when you tuck into a traditional Philly cheesesteak.

Culture-seekers should have Pittsburgh on their list, too. You can marvel at the art and design at the Andy Warhol Museum, or browse two-wheeled wonders at Bicycle Heaven. Visit the incredible Fallingwater house, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, or step through prehistoric worlds at the city’s Carnegie Museum of Natural History.

In the state capital of Harrisburg, you can uncover tales of America’s struggle for unification at the National Civil War Museum. Or learn the history of the USA’s favourite chocolate in Hershey, before riding the rollercoasters with the family at Hersheypark.

If you’re hiring a care, we’d recommend a little road trip. Drive just three hours from the War of Independence Historical Park of Valley Forge in the east, to the site of the Battle of Gettysburg in the west, and let the Lincoln Highway open a window on small-town America.

After wandering the rooms of Washington’s Headquarters, you can stock up on outfits at King of Prussia Mall and head to Intercourse to pick up tasty treats at the Old Country Store. Take a buggy down Main Street and step into People’s Place to discover the traditions of the Amish, Mennonites and Hutterites. And immerse yourself further in these intriguing cultures at the Amish Farm & House in Strasburg, or explore the history of Pennsylvania’s railroads in Strasburg’s museums. You can break up the journey and entertain the kids at Dutch Wonderland family amusement park, before settling in for a night of music or theatre in the little city of Lancaster.

April to June is the perfect time for a holiday to Pennsylvania. Temperatures are increasing after the winter freeze, towns and cities are not yet filled with summer holidaymakers, and the parks and gardens are filled with blooms. Spring temperatures average around 15°C, while this can double in the summer months of July and August. High temperatures combine with summer festivals to bring large crowds that can make the whole state feel vibrant and bustling.

Average temperatures stay pleasant until November, when Pennsylvania begins to tumble into winter. It’s a beautiful time of year, but you’ll certainly need the right clothes if you’re planning outdoor adventures. Both nights and days can often drop below freezing, with snowfall common in many areas.