In the February 2016 edition of Philadelphia magazine, Senior Writer Liz Spikol, who grew up in Center City, addresses the historical divide between Philadelphia and the rest of Pennsylvania. In her story “State of Confusion,” Spikol, noting the many Philadelphians she knows “who have never ventured even 50 miles beyond” the city, relates her “mission to get to know Pennsylvania better.”
Aside from a culture clash here and there, she discovered that the state “is well worth exploring,” citing its “wonderful physical geography” and likening her drive through Pennsylvania to “moving through a Ken Burns documentary about American history.”
From Altoona to Zelienople, I’ve become very familiar with the Keystone State over the past three decades, Philadelphia included. Let there be no confusion—center of myriad American firsts, starting with the nation itself, Pennsylvania is the state of inspiration.
Eastern Escapes
While multitasking is near unavoidable in today’s fast-paced world, it typically distracts from focus. Set on 330 wooded acres in the Lehigh Valley, Bear Creek Mountain Resort & Conference Center is an ideal escape for tuning out the noise.
An hour north of Philadelphia and within convenient reach of New York City (2 hours) and Washington, D.C. (3.5 hours), the full-service property, founded as a ski resort in 1967 and twice upgraded—adding conferencing and other facilities—offers 116 rooms and 26,000 square feet of meeting space.
“Our secluded setting defines the classic retreat atmosphere,” says Jeff Zellner, public relations manager for the resort. “Accommodating from 10 to 450 attendees, we offer versatile solutions for corporate meetings, expos, banquets and more.”
With flexible options such as two boardrooms, two ballrooms and a seasonal lodge, agenda-enhancing amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi property-wide, a full-service spa and year-round outdoor activities.
Many wearing bloody rags for shoes, members of the Continental Army straggled into Valley Forge for the 1777-1778 winter encampment tired, hungry and largely demoralized. After a retraining and improved conditions, they found renewed resolve and determination to go on and defeat the British at what is now Valley Forge National Historical Park. Established in 1893 as Pennsylvania’s first state park, it is open year-round and never fails to inspire.
Elsewhere in Philadelphia’s Countryside region, Bucks County’s trove of event-capable venues includes the James A. Michener Art Museum and magnificent Americana-filled Mercer Museum. Enchanting too is the Brandywine Valley, incorporating Delaware and Chester counties and home to treasures such as the Brandywine River Museum, Longwood Gardens and Hagley Museum & Library, birthplace of the DuPont Company.
In 2015, the Pocono Mountains made a splash with the opening of the massive Camelback and Kalahari waterparks. By spring 2017, the latter, presently offering 457 rooms and 65,000 square feet of meeting space, anticipates completing a second phase that will nearly double the rooms, bring its convention space to 100,000 square feet, and create the nation’s largest indoor waterpark, at 220,000 square feet.
Center Stages
From engineering marvels to entrepreneurial magic, central Pennsylvania defines the state’s ambitious spirit.
In the early 19th century, the soaring Allegheny Ridge presented a daunting obstacle to westward economic expansion. Meeting the challenge were the pioneering canal and railroad masterminds who engineered routes over, through and around the mountain. Hotbed of this ingenuity is Blair County, with Altoona as its primary group base. Explore Altoona can help arrange tours of must-sees such as the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site, Gallitzin Tunnels and iconic Horseshoe Curve, part of the Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum.
Home to well over 500 colleges and universities, Pennsylvania has cultivated bright minds for centuries. Chartered in 1855, Penn State is among the most influential. Located in the center of the state, the main State College campus is also a prestigious conference destination, with favorite venues such as the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center and Nittany Lion Inn.
Founder of America’s original chocolate company, Milton S. Hershey is also remembered for transforming his eponymous birthplace into a model factory-community complex for the ages.
Today, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, which includes Hershey Meetings, is one of the most comprehensive meetings destinations on the East Coast. Offering 665 rooms and more than 100,000 square feet of space, Hershey Lodge is Pennsylvania’s largest convention resort, complemented by multiple group-friendly venues such as Hersheypark and The Hershey Story museum.
Nearby, in the state capital of Harrisburg, the preeminent National Civil War Museum is a stirring stage for receptions for up to 600 guests. Eminently moving, too, is Gettysburg National Military Park, site of the Civil War’s bloodiest battle and inspiration for President Lincoln’s immortal Gettysburg Address.
York County, the “Factory Tour Capital of the World,” is renowned for its snack and candy manufacturers, while Lancaster County is synonymous with timeless Amish tradition and industriousness.
Western Wonders
Former steel capital Pittsburgh once ranked among the planet’s most polluted cities. Today, it is one of the greenest, thanks to a committed collaboration among the city’s major stakeholders.
From the LEED Gold- and Platinum-certified David L. Lawrence Convention Center (the world’s first green convention center) and CONSOL Energy Center (the NHL’s first LEED-certified arena) to the circa-1893 Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, where the Center for Sustainable Landscapes is one of the greenest buildings on Earth, groups can meet amid flourishing symbols of ambition and turnaround.
Inspiration of another kind comes from local son Andy Warhol, who rewrote the rules of art. Offering private rental space, his eponymous museum is among Pittsburgh’s cultural treasures.
From the somber to the iconic, draws in the scenic Laurel Highlands region southeast of Pittsburgh include the Flight 93 National Memorial and three Frank Lloyd Wright homes. Groups can tour his incomparable Fallingwater, with event space at the adjacent Barn; hold events and take tours at his nearby Kentuck Knob; and overnight (six people) at his Duncan House at Polymath Park.
Opened in 1891 following the devastating flood of 1889, the Johnstown Inclined Plane is the world’s steepest vehicular inclined plane, moving 900 feet up and down a 71 percent-grade hillside. There are group options for up to 20 or more on the funicular-style inclined plane, including going up to the observation deck and/or hiking adjacent hillside trails.
North of Pittsburgh in the picturesque Butler County town of Zelienople, the 287-seat Strand Theater is the event-capable revival of a 1914 silent-film palace. East of Pittsburgh in Indiana County, groups of up to 125 can hold functions at the Jimmy Stewart Museum, honoring the local son turned Hollywood legend. South of Pittsburgh, Washington County is renowned for its 23 covered bridges, many located in local parks with event-capable pavilions.
Offering miles of sandy beaches, Presque Isle State Park, a National Natural Landmark, is the irresistible stage for seasonal concerts and events in festive Erie. Recreation equipment rentals are available inside and outside the park, part of the 518-mile Great Lakes Seaway Trail.
