As the United States celebrates its 250th birthday, places like the Susquehanna River Valley in central Pennsylvania are the perfect place to vacation.
Small, thriving towns offer a sense of nostalgia we seem to crave. And within those towns, you’ll discover things like a niche zoo that celebrates everything reptile, even dinosaurs, and the oldest family owned amusement park in the country.
On a visit to the Susquehanna River Valley last year, in preparation of our nation’s 250th birthday, I got to experience the very best this historic region has to offer.
Take a journey with me, and then, plan your own visit to central Pennsylvania where time slows down just a bit. Enjoy a vacation that offers time to breathe and unwind as you rediscover the quiet ingenuity that defines the true American spirit.
Our first stop is in Allenwood, Pennsylvania at Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland.
Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland
What’s more American ingenuity than a specialized, AZA accredited reptile zoo that stems from a childhood fascination with lizards? Clyde Peeling opened Reptiland way back in 1964, which makes this niche zoo older than me!
Peeling’s lifelong love of reptiles led him to open a zoo dedicated solely to reptiles, with the hope that people who visit would come to love and appreciate them better with understanding. Clyde Peeling’s reptile land remains dedicated to that mission today.
Home to a variety of snakes, alligators, tortoises, lizards and frogs, visitors will see more than 40 species in the indoor exhibit gallery.
Dinosaurs Come to Life is a fun, animatronic outdoor exhibit, particularly enjoyable for young kids. Though, this no so young lady learned a bit and found myself smiling as we “met” the dinosaurs of old.
And last, but by no means least, Parakeet Landing is an incredible, immersive experience where visitors can feed the hundreds of birds who call this place home.
Like me, you might wonder where all these creatures came from. Many of the reptiles at Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland are rescues, some from homes where the owner couldn’t handle them as they grew and some who were injured in the wild and came here for rehab.
Visiting Clyde Peeling’s reptile land:
- Address: 18628 US-15, Allenwood, PA.
- Hours, rates and show times: Varies by season, visit website.
- Tips for your visit:
- Allow 2 hours when visiting,
- Parking is FREE!
- Outside picnic areas are available, but food is not allowed inside the park.
Just 30 minutes from Clyde Peeling’s reptile land, go back in time to the mid-1800s when buggies were the nation’s hot rods!
Mifflinburg Buggy Museum
At the Mifflinburg Buggy Museum, you’ll learn about early industry in the United States, started decades before the “official” industrial revolution. As you tour the museum, you’ll also learn how ingenuity allowed this industry to stay relevant long after the horse and buggy days ended.
George Swentzel built the first buggy in Mifflinburg in 1845. Over time, he trained apprentices who opened their own buggy shops and trained more apprentices, and so on and so on. In the 1880s, Mifflinburg became “Buggy Town,” known far and wide for its quality buggies and expert buggy restoration. Buggy making continued right up to 1940, with many buggy makers pivoting to make auto bodies for Ford and Chevrolet.
The Mifflinburg Buggy Museum honors the town’s buggy making heritage as well as the artistry, talent and skill that made it famous. On your guided tour, you’ll learn about the skill and resourcefulness that defines Mifflinburg to this day.
I was truly impressed by the ingenuity of these “factories” that predate electricity and the precision of this art form, because these buggies, once a functional necessity, are works of art.
Visiting the Mifflinburg Buggy Museum:
- Address: 598 Green Street, Mifflinburg, PA.
- Hours: May-October, Saturdays and Sundays, 1:00-4:00 p.m. Contact the museum to arrange tours at other times).
- Admission: $10 for ages 17+ and $5 for ages 6-16.
- Tips for your visit:
- The museum is open afternoons only.
- The museum is spread among a few buildings requiring walking outdoors. It’s not far, but there is a hill to consider for those with mobility issues.
- Onstreet parking is available and free.
- Allow 1.5 to 2 hours depending on your interest. The guides are knowledgeable and accommodating.
After a day of museums, enjoy a delicious dinner at the Rusty Rail Brewing Company, another shining example of American ingenuity.
Rusty Rail Brewing Company
Long ago, before Rusty Rail Brewing was even a thought, buggies put Mifflinburg on the map. When buggies gave way to the horseless carriage in the early 1900s, the people of Mifflinburg pivoted. Several local buggy makers formed the Mifflinburg Body Company to make car bodies for companies like Ford and Chevrolet. This ability to adapt provided employment for 300 people in the Susquehanna River Valley.
The company grew and adapted with industrial demands, again pivoting during World War II to build cargo trailers for US military efforts around the world. But, like many small town factories, industry moved to big cities where there was a built in workforce to meet the demand and space for larger factories. But, the past is not forgotten.
It lives on today at Rusty Rail Brewing Company which reminds us of
rugged workers who got by on the determination in their hearts, the strength of their backs and the dirt on their hands. We proudly dedicate every ounce of our beer to those whose efforts have forged the American work ethic. So grab a cold one and pay tribute to the past by making the most of the present!
Of course, there’s a great brew menu with a number of award winning brews.
You’ll get great pub food, too, including some unique offerings, like the soup flight which includes tasting portions of five house made soups.
PRO TIP! Save room for dessert and get the Wolf King Hazelnut Cake. Made with the brewery’s own Wolf King Imperial Stout, the cake is tender and delicious, paired with nutella buttercream and a hazelnut crunch, it might ruin you for all other chocolate cake.
Dining at Rusty Rail Brewpub:
- Hours: Open weekdays from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with extended hours on Friday and Saturday. Sundays, they serve brunch from 11:00 to 2:00 and dinner from 3:00 to 8:00.
- Address: 5 North Eighth Street, Mifflinburg, PA
- Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Historic Hassenplug Covered Bridge
While you’re in Mifflinburg head just north of town to drive over the historic Hassenplug Covered Bridge on N. 4th Street, the oldest existing covered bridge in Pennsylvania. It is believed to be the second-oldest covered bridge in the United States. In a country only 250 years old, this is a treasure for sure.
Do you know why we have covered bridges at all? Their roofs protect the wooden trusses from rot so the bridges last longer. Now that’s ingenuity!
While the oldest covered bridge in the world is in Switzerland, built in 1333, the Hassenplug Bridge dates back to 1825. And it’s still safe to drive across today!
Early American ingenuity and the celebration of the industrial age with a tasty chocolate stout cake is fun, but a visit to the Susquehanna River Valley would be incomplete without a couple days at Knoebels Amusement Resort.
Knoebels Amusement Resort
This was my third visit to Knoebels. I still get a giddy, childlike feeling when I step under the arch into the amusement park.
Knoebels, celebrating its 100th season this year, is still owned and run by the Knoebels family. What started as a swimming hole and picnic pavilion, has grown into a full amusement park with 100 rides and attractions.
Knoebels reminds me of the stories my grandparents told of Euclid Beach Park on Lake Erie in Cleveland. I could “see” my grandma, dancing to the music at the bandstand and riding the carousel.
My first visit to Knoebels, I met an older gentleman enjoying dinner on a bench under a shade tree. He told me he comes every year on his anniversary in honor of his wife. Even though she died, he keeps going, getting their favorite dinner, watching people and riding the Grand Carousel in her honor. The park’s slogan is “Where time stops and tradition keeps going.” This sweet man gets it.
The Knoebel family’s commitment to affordable, quality fun has kept this park going for 100 years. As always, parking and admission are free. Guests can buy all day ride bands or tickets to pay for rides as they go. Families can bring a picnic to enjoy or purchase food at one of many kiosks throughout the park. The frozen cheesecake is DELICIOUS!
And the rides? Knoebels has been collecting those like most of us collect cherished memories. Many of the rides come from other independent parks that closed, like the Grand Carousel, preserving history while giving us a chance to enjoy the fun today.
Speaking of rides, everyone should try the Flying Turns wooden bobsled roller coaster! This trackless roller coaster, yes trackless, takes riders on an exciting thrill ride down twists and turns like a bobsled run! It’s a smooth ride and incredible thrill. My poor husband has heard so much about this ride but still hasn’t gotten to experience it. I must fix that — perhaps this year as we celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday and Knoebels celebrates its centennial?
Visiting Knoebels Amusement Resort:
- Address: 391 Knoebels Blvd, Route 487 Elysburg, PA
- Dates and Hours: Open weekends beginning in April, and Daily from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day weekend. Special events keep the fun going all year long. (Here’s a link to the 2026 Knoebels Calendar)
- Admission: Parking and Park Admission are free. Rides are pay as you go, though all day ride passes are available, too.
- Don’t Miss: The Grand Carousel, Flying Turns Wooden Bobsled Coaster and the Frozen Cheesecake on a Stick.
- Where to stay: Knoebels has a campground, quirky guest cottages and nearby bed and breakfast that offer ticket discounts and on site convenience, but there are other bed and breakfasts throughout the area to consider as well.
Other places to stay in the Susquehanna River Valley
I have visited the Susquehanna River Valley a few times, and prefer bed and breakfast stays in this area. Here’s one to consider, very close to Knoebels (ask the owners for the secret directions).
Sleepy Hollow Inn Bed and Breakfast
Located minutes from Knoebels, Sleepy Hollow Inn is a veteran owned bed and breakfast offering seven unique suites. The hosts, Victoria Krisanits and Faron Daniel, have more than 40 years experience in the hospitality industry. Their experience shows in the attention to detail throughout your stay.
Rooms are spacious, comfortable and very well appointed.
Breakfast is an extravaganza. If you leave hungry, you have hollow legs!
Located minutes from Knoebels, they offer weeknight specials for Knoebels. A veteran owned business, they offer veterans a BOGO stay in November with proof of military service.
- Address: 172 Sleepy Hollow Road, Elysburg, PA
- Rates: Vary seasonally and by room.
- Rooms: Explore rooms and rates to select the best one for you.
Rusty Rail Brewing Company
Remember that chocolate stout cake at Rusty Rail Brewing? Well, they’ve converted the third floor of the factory into 19 unique hotel rooms to use as your home base in the Susquehanna River Valley. Rooms range from a king hotel room to a two bedroom suite with living area and kitchen to meet a variety of needs.
- Address: 5 N 8th St, Mifflinburg, PA
- Rates: Vary seasonally and by room. Winter rates start at $159/night.
- Rooms: Located on the third floor of the Rusty Rail Brewing Company, each room has an industrial flair with warm comfort.
VRBO Whole House Rentals
Consider a whole house rental through VRBO, especially for longer stays or for multigenerational vacations. A VRBO stay lets the family spread out, cook meals together and relax on vacation. This option is especially good for family reunions or multigenerational trips.
As the United States celebrates 250 years as a nation, the charm, ingenuity and rolling hills of the Susquehanna River Valley is a great vacation option. We are a nation that grew from small towns, creative problem solving and close knit communities. A vacation here will remind you of what makes us US.
Here are more resources to help you plan a budget friendly Central Pennsylvania vacation this year:
And for nearby places in Pennsylvania, add on to your trip with stops at these amazing places nearby:
- Ricketts Glen State Park. With camping, hiking, fishing and loads of beautiful waterfalls, this is my favorite state park in Pennsylvania. And, it’s only an hour from Mifflinburg!
- Historic Pine Creek Gorge. About an hour north of Mifflinburg, Pine Creek Gorge is historically very important to the growth of big cities in the United States. Much of the lumber used in cities like New York during the robber baron era came from Pine Creek Gorge. A covered wagon tour is a fun way to learn the history as you experience it. This is also one of the few dark skies locations in the eastern United States.
- World’s End State Park and Eagle’s Mere. About an hour northeast of Mifflinburg, Eagle’s Mere is a small town with an impressive car and plane museum. The historic district is home to many stunning homes representing cottage architecture of the late 19th century and early 20th century.
