Get Your Horse-ridin’, Star-gazin’, Restaurant-hoppin’, Canyon-watchin’, Window-shoppin’ Fix All in One Place

You just might fall in love with this little town called Wellsboro.

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Somewhere in the Pennsylvania outback, along U.S. Route 6, lies an inconspicuous town neighboring rolling fields of farmland and humbling mountains. When you reach it, you'll feel as if you’ve discovered a beautiful secret place in the middle of nowhere. It’s a slower-paced life that quiets the mind, comforts the eyes, and itches the soul in all the right places. And come nighttime, the skies nearby are the darkest you’ll find on the east coast. 

Wellsboro is a borough in Tioga county home to just about 3,500 residents. Black gas lamps dot the grassy median dissecting Main Street. Sophora japonica, a type of deciduous tree whose leaves look like paint-spatters, hug the quaint businesses lining the road that’s the focal point of town. 

Taking a stroll down this road is its very own attraction. Karen’s Country Store is an endearing shop. Throughout the year you might find various antiques, jewelry, seasonal items, home decor, souvenirs, maple syrup, honey, and, of course, jam (frog-, bear-, and toe-flavored). Right next door is the Main Street Creamery, a homey ice cream shop that smells absolutely delicious. The bees nearby always seem to buzz with delight when customers sit down at the outdoor tables. Don’t worry, they’re friendly and just want a taste. 

There’s so much to eat in this little town. From local cafés and bars to pizza places and steakhouse restaurants. There’s Chinese, Italian, Mexican, and All-American cuisine up for grabs in the span of a few blocks. And before you think that this town really is in the middle of nowhere, never fear - for there’s a CVS, Rite Aid, Dunkin’ Donuts, McDonald’s, and UPMC hospital all within walking distance. There are department stores stocked with all the gear anyone might need and plenty of bed and breakfasts, inns, and hotels in the area. You’d never have to leave if you didn’t want to. 

On the corner of East Avenue sits Pop’s Culture Shoppe, an unimposing store with large windows displaying books, toys, and games. They’re open daily except on Sundays, and on Fridays, their store hours are “10-late” according to the sign on their entrance. Tucked in the back of the store is Pop’s playroom, where you’ll find stacks upon stacks of board games of all kinds, packed like tetris blocks on long brown bookshelves. 

You can sit down at one of the tables and play games free of charge. It’s where my family and I sat and played a game I’ll never forget: Ghost Blitz. It’s not the game, necessarily, that made it unforgettable. It was just the nature of sitting down with them in that little game shop, in that little town, in a part of the state I’d never known existed. It was the laughter and spontaneity of the moment.

The Wellsboro Diner across the street was built in 1939 and is almost like a time machine, with its red and white checkered floors, cream-white booths, stools at the countertop, and a retro red sign on its exterior. It’s noted to be among some of the best classic diners in the U.S.

Down the street you’ll find the over-a-century-old Arcadia Theatre. Beware, the seats don’t recline like the ones in some modern theatres, but the experience is surely more memorable. Its original one-screen room used to seat nearly a thousand people (I can only imagine the view from the last row), and tickets from its first-ever showing cost as little as 15 cents. What a time to be alive. 

One of the strangest, most beautiful sights I saw in town was St. Paul’s Episcopol Church on Pearl Street, a historic building with Romanesque architecture. At first glance, it looks like a tiny medieval stone castle smack dab in the middle of the neighborhood. Or maybe I’m just being dramatic. It’s eye-catching, nonetheless. The church’s first services began back in 1838. It continues to be a place of worship and even has a neat thrift store in the basement where you’ll find used items like clothing, shoes, and books. Each odd find seems to contain its own little personality. It’s there where I was able to stock up on some Lisa Gardner mysteries.

The Pine Creek Gorge, most famously known as the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, takes second place in the most fascinating sights I saw outside the town’s limits. This 47-mile-long and about a thousand-foot-deep valley (1,450 feet at its deepest point) is carved through the Tioga State Forest. The magic of Wellsboro became that much more real once I laid my eyes on the natural wonders just a stone’s throw away.

Leonard Harrison State Park and Colton Point State Park surround the canyon on both sides. Leonard Harrison State Park, located on the East Rim, tends to attract more tourists as it is more developed. Colton Point State Park, located on the West Rim, has been described as more primitive… but I mean, what else can you expect from a national forest and canyon? Both parks offer opportunities for rafting, kayaking, horse-riding, wagon rides, hiking, biking, birding, hunting, and fishing (wow I’m out of breath). There are numerous trails and overlooks to explore, some of which cater to families with young children and others that can satisfy experienced hikers. 

I’d like to think of myself as a person who likes to hike, but I’m sort of a fake fan. The two times I’ve been to the canyon with my family, we took the easiest trail and stopped by the most convenient overlook on the roadside. Let’s just say that looking at nature is rewarding in and of itself, so not having to climb a steep cliff and sacrifice my life didn’t make the view any less breathtaking.

If you drive further out, about 45 minutes west, you’ll stumble upon my first place pick: Cherry Springs State Park, an 82-acre international dark sky park in Coudersport, PA. It’s a sad fact that I’ve never seen the sky darker in my life than when I visited the park at age 21. I’d never seen the Milky Way with my own eyes, and I almost thought that the spread of stars overhead were fog. Then I realized, nope, that’s just the universe! Light pollution is such a bummer.

The park has a place for casual star-gazers, overnight campers, or even more serious sky-watchers and astronomers. Although white light isn’t prohibited in the Night Sky Public Viewing Area, the use of red filters are encouraged to preserve the night sky. Basically, don’t be that jerk after dark in the parking lot with your headlights on for an extended period. 

My only complaint with the park was the outhouse, which I can confirm was very spooky. But it was so worth every second of star-gazing. When it was time to leave for the 45-minute drive back to town, I couldn’t peel my eyes from the incredible view before me.

After our trip to Cherry Springs, returning to Wellsboro felt like home. Every time we visit, we even make sure to book the same hotel room. So I can confidently say that although people frequently flock to beaches or big cities for vacation, there’s something extraordinary about the countryside. 

Next time you’re planning a getaway, consider Wellsboro as your destination. And see what other secrets you

can find.

Where the heck is Wellsboro, anyway?

• 5 hours east of Cleveland, OH

• 3.5 hours southeast of Erie, PA

• 2.5 hours south of Rochester, NY

• 4 hours northeast of Pittsburgh, PA 

• 4 hours northwest of Philadelphia, PA

Top Picks in Wellsboro:

• Lodging: Penn Well’s Lodge

• Grocery Store: Top’s market

• Park: The Green

• Restaurant: The Roost

• Ice Cream: The Main Street Creamery

• Theatre: Arcadia Theatre

• Games: Pop’s Culture Shoppe

Top Picks near Wellsboro:

• Trail & Overlook: Barbour Rock Trail (1.3 miles out-and-back. Leads to the popular Barbour Rock Overlook)

• Horse-riding: Triple D Farms

• Star-gazing: Cherry Springs State Park, Night Sky Public Viewing Area