When the temperature drops and winter winds blow, there are plenty of Pennsylvania indoor activities to keep you warm and toasty this season. Whether you’re seeking thrills at one of PA's many indoor waterparks or relaxation at a family-friendly, year-round resorts, these top indoor attractions around the state offer the perfect escape to chase away those winter blues. Take a break from the typical snow sports, dig out your bathing suit, and leave the mundane behind as you find renewed mindfulness indoors at these cozy PA hotspots.
1. Crayola Experience® - Lehigh Valley
Easton
Call timeout on the snowball battles and spend your afternoon with the crafty experts at the Crayola® Factory. Larger than an NFL football field, the Crayola Experience® offers colorful adventures to spark your little one’s imagination. Big kids and little kids alike can express their creativity at the color factory shows, indoor chalk walks, and melted wax towers. With three to four hours of play time exploring four floors of interactive fun, you’ll forget all about the winter winds roiling outside and get lost in the power of color and creativity.
2. The State Museum - Dutch Country Roads
Harrisburg
The State Museum of Pennsylvania officially opened to the public in 1905 and continues to be a hub of info and exhibits showcasing Pennsylvania’s unique history and culture. Take a break and visit this winter to learn some new Keystone State fun facts as you stroll through the museum’s four floors of interesting displays and artifacts. No need to leave the little ones at home; the Curiosity Connection is perfect for tykes aged five and under. Now in its 57th year, “Art of the State” showcases Pennsylvania's artistic landscape, presenting 96 exceptional works from artists representing 28 counties, currently on display through Jan. 5. Be sure to check the museum’s calendar for info on the latest special exhibits and planetarium shows. They change throughout the year, so plan to visit often.
3. Turkey Hill® Experience - Dutch Country Roads
Columbia
If you’re an ice cream lover, then you’ll have a blast at the Turkey Hill® Experience. With interactive learning exhibits and a chance to personalize virtual ice cream flavors, the Turkey Hill® Experience is a must-visit all year long. Escape the wintery weather to enjoy a really cool experience as you milk mechanical cows, film a television commercial, and concoct your own ice cream based on your virtual ice cream recipe in the Turkey Hill® Taste Lab. Along the way, you’ll learn about the history of Turkey Hill® Dairy and its creative development process at this hands-on, indoor activity for families in central PA.
4. Kalahari Indoor Water Park - Pocono Mountains
Pocono Manor
You’ll forget all about the sweater weather when you visit the indoor water park at Kalahari Resorts where it’s always 84 degrees and sunny! Located in the Pocono Mountains, the 220,000-square-foot water park is the perfect place for water lovers to enjoy all day adventures. Experience wet and wild fun by body boarding on five-foot, ocean-like waves on the FLOWRIDER®, zip up and down on the water coaster Anaconda, and spiral down the 40-mph flume Zimbabwe Zipper. Your adrenaline will be pumping big time on the thrilling, near-vertical drop of the Screaming Hyena, then wind down and relax as you float down the Lazy River.
5. Aquatopia Indoor Water Park - Pocono Mountains
Tannersville
Bring the family for a weekend stay at Camelback Resort, and unleash endless water excitement and unlimited access to the epic rides at Aquatopia Indoor Water Park. This 84-degree, Caribbean-like atmosphere is the best escape from the cold. Aquatopia’s natural lighting leaves visitors basking in warmth as they explore unstoppable thrills. Mountain Mayhem will have you splashing and sliding in a fully immersive experience where you get to decide among four options of fun as multi-colored lighting effects, music, and visuals are projected into the slide.
6. Omni Bedford Springs - The Alleghenies
Bedford
Balance the cold with pure relaxation at the 30,000-square-foot Springs Eternal Spa at Omni Bedford Springs Resort. Drawing inspiration from local Native Americans, the Springs Eternal Spa treatments incorporate properties from the resort’s eight mineral springs, with their signature mineral treatments offering a purifying experience like no other. With unique and specialized amenities, such as a 60-minute luxury hydrafacial, prenatal massage, magnesia birch body wrap, and traditional spa services, it’s easy to see why guests love to unwind at the award-winning indoor attraction in PA.
7. Andy Warhol Museum - Pittsburgh and Its Countryside
Pittsburgh
Explore the legendary work of the pop art phenomenon Andy Warhol at the Andy Warhol Museum. With his iconic renderings of “Campbell’s Soup Cans” and the “Gold Marilyn Monroe,” Mr. Warhol’s creative genius has inspired artists across the world. For an affordable escape from the brisk weather, you’ll get a first-hand look at Warhol’s art collection — including over 7,000 pieces proudly displayed in his hometown of Pittsburgh, create your own Warhol-based masterpiece, and even take a screen test. To celebrate 30 years of the largest museum in the country that showcases a single artist, the temporary “KAWS + Warhol” exhibit offers a never-before-seen look at the striking parallels between KAWS and Andy Warhol, now on display through Jan. 20.
8. Frick Art & Historical Center - Pittsburgh and Its Countryside
Pittsburgh
Famous industrialist Henry Clay Frick made his fortune and forged his legacy in Pittsburgh where he also was devoted to the arts — a devotion he passed on to his daughter, Helen Clay Frick who opened The Frick Pittsburgh Museums and Gardens to the public in 1970. Perfect for a cold winter day, tour the Italian Renaissance-style museum to gaze at works by some of the world’s greatest artists. The museums most recent exhibition, Pittsburgh Builds Bridges, will run through the end of March 2025. This immersive exhibit curated by artist Ebtehal Badawi. Originally, the project was an anti-bullying campaign of posters in high schools. Badawi brought more than 5,000 Pittsburghers, including artists, poets, and professional athletes, together to create murals across the city while highlighting the importance of love and acceptance.
9. Nemacolin - Laurel Highlands
Farmington
Treat yourself with calming sensations during a winter vacation at the Nemacolin where you can relax and unwind with a luxurious experience at the Nemacolin Spa. Their Woodlands Tranquility Immersion experience features an indulgent massage, body wrap, facial, and pedicure and promises an escape from your day-to-day cares and provides an ideal indoor activity in PA for adults. Plan to visit their Fitness Center, which offers sessions on yoga and meditation, along with great cardio workouts. For added entertainment, explore the resort’s stunning collection of artworks from around the world in the Nemacolin Gallery and their collection of rare and antique automobiles in the Woodlands Auto Toy Store.
10. Philadelphia Museum of Art - Philadelphia and Its Countryside
Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Museum of Art has evolved from the Centennial Exhibition of 1876 to today’s world-renowned art collection in the City of Brotherly Love. Located on nine acres above the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the museum’s vast collections showcase numerous creative masterpieces including paintings, sculptures, and decorative art from throughout the world. Art museum staff offer several tours of the building itself, its stunning collections, and individual pieces of art, and a perfect way to escape winter’s winds. On display through Feb. 9, “The Time Is Always Now” special exhibit brings to life the nuanced richness of contemporary Black experiences, celebrating their depth, vibrancy, and cultural significance through 28 different artists’ perspectives.
11. The Barnes Foundation - Philadelphia and Its Countryside
Philadelphia
Businessman and entrepreneur Albert C. Barnes was passionate about the arts and shared his passion by establishing The Barnes Foundation in 1922, welcoming all to view his spectacular art collection. Dr. Barnes was so passionate about art that he even halted work at his factory for two-hour art appreciation lessons for his workers every day. Visit “The Barnes” to view his unique, eclectic displays where paintings by noted Impressionist, post-Impressionist, and modern painters are hung beside African masks, native American jewelry, Greek antiquities, and decorative metalwork. Take a one-hour highlights tour or book a private tour for you and up to seven friends for an art-filled escape from winter’s chills.
12. iFLY Indoor Skydiving - Philadelphia and Its Countryside
King of Prussia
Winter is the perfect time for skydiving. Learn about the new sport of body flight and advance your flying skills at iFLY with its customized wall-to-wall cushioned flight chambers that create a realistic flying adventure. Whether you’re a first-time flyer or an expert, all packages include the support of a certified flight instructor. Don a flight suit, spread your wings, and soar in the 14-feet recirculating “flight tunnel” for a unique getaway from the winter’s cruel winds.
13. Zippo/Case Museum - The Pennsylvania Wilds
Bradford
Visit the Zippo/Case Museum to learn how more than half a billion Zippo windproof lighters have found their way into our pockets and our hearts, and why W. R. Case and Sons Cutlery Company handcrafted knives are the most collected in the world today. Shop the museum store where you will find hundreds of Zippo and Case products that include lighters, knives, outdoor camping products, fishing and hunting products, grills and accessories, clothing, and most importantly, hand warmers to keep your fingers warm and toasty as you leave this winter indoor activity in PA.
14. Splash Lagoon’s Indoor Water Park - Pennsylvania Great Lakes
Erie
From twisting domes of water to speedy slides, lazy rivers, and a six-foot wave pool, Splash Lagoon’s Indoor Water Park is a top destination on any water lover’s bucket list. Encounter incomparable family fun at Splash Lagoon with a host of attractions including the indoor Tree Tops Ropes Course, island arcades, and dining options conveniently located next to the water rides. Enjoy the convenience of staying in one of three lodging options, with hotels directly connected to the waterpark. After booking an overnight package, choose from family suites or accommodations designed especially for kids. Don’t stress because the winter weather closed the outdoor swimming pool. Splash Lagoon maintains its 84-degree temperature year-round to keep you splashing inside and out of the cold.
For more winter ideas in Pennsylvania, check out the VISIT PA website. Follow us on Facebook, X, Pinterest, Threads, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok to stay up-to-date on even more great ideas and places to visit around our state. Don’t forget to never miss an update and sign up for our monthly PA travel e-newsletter.