After a long, cold winter, family travelers look to spring as the perfect excuse to get outside. And, in Pennsylvania, warmer days bring hands-on outdoor experiences that turn nature, adventure and learning into fun. These fresh-air options are perfect for families planning a full getaway or just a daytrip.
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
Spring migration makes Hawk Mountain an unforgettable outdoor experience for families. Kids hike to scenic lookouts (trails range from short walks to moderate hikes) and scan the sky for hawks, eagles and falcons with viewing scopes and help from educators. Children learn to identify species and track migration in real time.
Allegheny National Forest © Visit PA
Cherry Springs State Park
Cherry Springs State Park offers families a rare chance to experience one of the darkest night skies east of the Mississippi River. Seasonal astronomy programs introduce young stargazers to telescopes and night sky basics, while families can hike nearby trails and explore the surrounding Pennsylvania Wilds landscape by day.
Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park
Here, families can board a flat-bottom boat and glide through a natural limestone cavern. The all-water cave feels adventurous, but not intimidating. Beyond the cavern, the farm and wildlife park reopens for the season April 1, offering open-air habitats and outdoor exploration. Cavern tours run throughout the spring on a set schedule.
Cherry Springs State Park © Visit PA
Great Allegheny Passage
The Great Allegheny Passage is ideal for family biking, especially for young riders. Built on former rail lines, the trail offers long, flat stretches with no traffic and gentle grades.
Elk Country Visitor Center
Spring is prime time for kids to search for Pennsylvania’s wild elk around Elk Country Visitor Center. Families enjoy viewing areas and trails, the visitor center with hands-on learning with educational programs, interactive exhibits, and a 4-D theater that brings elk conservation to life. Seasonal horse-drawn wagon tours are also on offer.
Read This Next
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedCaribbean
Apr 16, 2026A New Kind of Luxury Kids’ Club Emerges in Bermuda
Family travelers looking for resorts with the ultimate Kids’ Club should consider checking out Rosewood Bermuda. The hotel has reimagined its children’s program to feature more hands-on and educational activities beyond basic crafts and movie nights.
Sponsored Content
Best of Both Worlds
Enjoy the best of both worlds when you fly with TAP Air Portugal thanks to the Portugal Stopover program. With the program, TAP passengers, whether traveling for business, leisure or both, can stop in Portugal for up to 10 days at no additional airfare on the way to their final destination. What does this mean for travelers wishing to explore by both land and sea? It means after flying to Portugal with TAP and experiencing the country in an entirely new way, travelers can then embark on scenic river and ocean cruises from Portugal’s port cities, or fly with TAP to another European destination.
Hotels
Apr 15, 20268 Hotels to Consider for International Tea Day Travel
Celebrate International Tea Day May 21 with family travel to these properties around the world offering standout tea service experiences.
Hotels
Apr 14, 2026IHG Properties for World Cup Stays
Millions of fans are expected to travel for this year’s FIFA World Cup, taking place throughout North America this summer. With 11 host cities in the United States, the event gives family travelers the perfect reason to plan a soccer-focused getaway. IHG Hotels & Resorts boasts properties in and around these host cities, ideal for multi-city World Cup travel.
Cruises
Apr 14, 2026Carnival Cruise Line’s Celebration Key is First Cruise Destination to Earn KultureCity Sensory Inclusion Certification
Carnival Cruise Line’s Celebration Key in Grand Bahama was recently certified as the first cruise destination to earn KultureCity’s prestigious sensory inclusion certification. KultureCity, a non-profit organization training staff and certifying venues with sensory-inclusive modifications, partnered with Carnival Cruise Line for six years.
Hotels
Apr 13, 2026Two Family Escapes Where the Water Park Is Included
With travel costs on the rise, family travelers may be rethinking their spring and summer getaways and seeking out destinations where the built-in entertainment is included. Instead of adding expensive tickets and excursions, look for resorts that deliver high-impact experiences with water parks and activities all included in the stay. Two options, in The Bahamas and Orlando, offer just that:
ShareThis