Tourism is the 2nd-largest industry in the state of Pennsylvania, which hosted about 117.5 million travelers in 2002. Of these, about 1.3 million were international visitors with the majority from Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany. Most out-of-state visitors are from New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Maryland, and Virginia. The total economic impact from travel expenditures was $34.1 billion in 2002. The industry supported over 563,440 jobs.
Philadelphia—whose Independence National Historical Park has been called the most historic square mile in America—offers the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Carpenter's Hall, and many other sites. North of Philadelphia, in Bucks County, is the town of New Hope, with its numerous crafts and antique shops.
The Lancaster area is "Pennsylvania Dutch" country, featuring tours and exhibits of Amish farm life. Gettysburg contains not only the famous Civil War battlefield but also the home of Dwight D. Eisenhower, opened to the public in 1980. Among the most popular sites are Chocolate World and Hershey Park in the town of Hershey and Valley Forge National Historic Park. Annual parades and festivals include the Mummers Parade on 1 January in Philadelphia and the Kutztown Folk Festival, commemorating Pennsylvania Dutch life, held the first week of July.
No less an attraction are the state's outdoor recreation areas. By far the most popular for both skiing and camping are the Delaware Water Gap and the Poconos, also a favorite resort region. The state park system includes 116 state parks, 20 state forests, one national forest, and 3 environmental education centers.