| |
|
|
| |
Home
>
World
> North America
> United States
> Pennsylvania
|
Social Profile
Food & Drink: Various regions in Pennsylvania have their own specialities. In the Pocono Mountains area, superb local mountain trout is featured in many restaurants. Pennsylvania Dutch food is a unique variation of German cuisine, including pickles, relishes, apple butter, dumplings, pretzels, molasses and shoo-fly pie (a sweet dessert made with molasses). Seven sweet and seven sour dishes are served in a type of smorgasbord. A variety of sausages and cold cuts originate from this region, such as the delicious Lebanon bologna and dried beef. The best restaurants for this unique cuisine can be found around Lancaster.
The legal age for drinking is 21 in Pennsylvania and bottled liquor is only sold in State stores.
Theatres & Concerts: In Philadelphia, summer performances in the round are staged at the John B Kelly Playhouse. The city’s opera house and concert hall is at the Academy of Music, the home of the Philadelphia Orchestra. The huge Mann Music Center in Fairmount Park stages summer concerts. Visitors can see Broadway musicals in Pittsburgh’s Benedum Center, while the ornate Heinz Hall is home to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. In large cities and many smaller towns throughout Pennsylvania, visitors will find orchestras, playhouses and dance troupes.
Nightlife: There are numerous dinner theatres, nightclubs, jazz clubs and ethnic entertainment throughout Pennsylvania’s towns and cities.
Shopping: Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have always been famous for antiques and handicrafts. The main shopping areas in Philadelphia include New Market, Head House Square and the Bourse. The second-largest shopping complex in the USA, The Plaza & The Court at King of Prussia, lies to the north of the city. For budget shoppers, Franklin Mills (just outside Philadelphia), Grove City (north of Pittsburgh) and Reading have hundreds of factory outlets, offering the chance to pick up name-brands at reduced prices. In addition, there is no sales tax on clothing and shoes in Pennsylvania. Antiques buffs should stop in Adamstown, where over 1500 dealers display their wares every Sunday.
Special Events: The following is a small sample of events on offer in Pennsylvania for 2003: Jan 1-Dec 31 ‘Patriots - or Traitors?’ The 225th Anniversary of the Struggle for Philadelphia, Valley Forge (see www.valleyforge.org for details of events throughout the year). Jan 1-Jul 4 Celebrate York Exhibit, York. Jan 25 146th Academy of Music Anniversary Concert and Ball, Philadelphia. Feb 2 Race against Cancer (giant slalom race; proceeds to the American Cancer Society), Shawnee Mountain. Feb 16 Washington’s Birthday Celebrations, Washington Crossing. Apr 1-Aug 24 Cars at Carlisle, Carlisle. Jun 2-8 Race Fan Festival, Tannersville. Jun 8-9 Fine Art and Contemporary Craft Show, Lahaska. Jun 21 March Out of the Continental Army (battle re-enactment), Valley Forge. Jun 28-29 13th Annual Great Tastes of Pennsylvania Wine and Food Festival, Lake Harmony. Jul 25-27 57th Annual State Craft Fair, Lancaster. Sep 15-21 84 Lumber Classic (PGA Golf Tournament), Farmington.
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
Terms and Conditions apply.
|
|
|
|
|
