PA Counties

8 Must-See Attractions in Columbia County

Rusty Glessner

Collage of attractions in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, including the historic Jackson Mansion, the East and West Paden twin covered bridges, Bill’s Old Bike Barn motorcycle museum, and Knoebels Amusement Resort with its mascot Kozmo.

If you’re looking for the best things to see and do in Columbia County, you’re in the right place!

Map of Pennsylvania with Columbia County highlighted in red, showing its location in the east-central region of the state.

The county was established in 1813 and is named in honor of America and Christopher Columbus.

Columbia County historical marker in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, describing the county’s formation in 1813, its county seat, and notable historic sites, with downtown Bloomsburg buildings and traffic in the background.

The county seat is Bloomsburg, the largest town in Columbia County.

Historic Columbia County Courthouse in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, featuring a tall red-brick clock tower, arched entrance, and American and Pennsylvania state flags flying in front of the building.

The county is best known for a mix of historic landmarks, natural beauty, and unique attractions.

Statue of Liberty replica on the front lawn of the Jackson Mansion in Berwick, Pennsylvania, with the grand Second Empire/Italianate stone mansion serving as a backdrop under a partly cloudy sky. — The Jackson Mansion in Berwick, Columbia County.

From state parks to museums to “America’s Best Free-Admission Amusement Park,” here are 8 of the best things to see and do in Columbia County.

Simply click on the blue text links on the map above or in the descriptions below to read more in-depth information about each destination.

The Phoenix at Knoebels is a historic wooden rollercoaster built in 1947.

1. The Jackson Mansion

Visiting the Jackson Mansion in Berwick is like stepping back into the elegance of the Gilded Age.

Collage of four images featuring the Jackson Mansion in Berwick, Pennsylvania, including its grand stone exterior, an opulent green-walled parlor with chandeliers and ornate furnishings, an elegant Victorian bedroom with white and gold accents, and a richly decorated room with stained glass windows and a portrait of Colonel Clarence G. Jackson.

This stunning Victorian home tells the story of Colonel Clarence G. Jackson, a Civil War hero, local businessman, and one of Berwick’s most influential 19th-century figures.

Victorian bedroom at the Jackson Mansion featuring Colonel Clarence G. Jackson’s ornate wooden bed with red and white patterned bedding, period furnishings, and intricate wallpaper under a decorative painted ceiling.

From its towering stone façade to the richly furnished interior rooms, the guided tours of mansion offers an immersive glimpse into the life and legacy of the Jackson family.

Front view of the Jackson Mansion in Berwick, Pennsylvania, with a tour hours sign for the Berwick Historical Society displayed along the walkway leading to the grand stone home adorned with patriotic bunting.

2. The Berwick Historical Society Museum

The Berwick Historical Society Museum showcases local Columbia County history with exhibits on military, businesses, schools, and everyday life in Berwick.

Collage of four scenes from the Berwick Historical Society Museum in Columbia County, PA, featuring the American Car and Foundry Military Room with World War II memorabilia, vintage Wise Potato Chips advertising and photos, a display of historic Berwick dairy bottles, and the exterior view of the historic David A. Sadock House that serves as the museum’s home.

Housed in the historic David Sadock House, directly across the street from the Jackson Mansion, the museum features two floors of themed rooms highlighting different aspects of Berwick’s history.

Upstairs hallway at the Berwick Historical Society Museum in Columbia County, PA, lined with framed historic photos, vintage school pennants, and display cases, leading to exhibits featuring period clothing and portraits from Berwick’s past.

3. The Stuart Tank Museum

The Stuart Tank Museum is dedicated to telling the story of Berwick’s pivotal role in World War 2, when over 15,000 Stuart tanks were built in the town between 1941-1944.

A collage of five photos showcasing the Stuart Tank Museum in Berwick, Pennsylvania, featuring an interior view with a Stuart tank and military mannequins, the museum's exterior with an 'OPEN' flag, a historical marker detailing the factory's production during WWII, and additional displays including a black and white photo of a Stuart tank and a variety of military memorabilia.

The Columbia County museum is a treasure trove of history, especially for those intrigued by military history and Pennsylvania’s contributions to American freedom.

An exhibit at the Stuart Tank Museum in Berwick, Pennsylvania, featuring memorabilia related to Fred Shepperly, a Parts Manager at the American Car & Foundry, including a mannequin in military uniform, a Japanese flag, an informational poster with Fred's photo, and a wooden plaque with the Great Seal of the United States.

4. Bill’s Old Bike Barn

Bill’s Old Bike Barn in Bloomsburg is a sprawling 55,000 square foot museum and treasure trove of all things Americana.

A collage of four photos presents a visual tour of Bill's Old Bike Barn in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. The first photo features the museum's rustic exterior sign surrounded by a collection of vintage memorabilia, including a boat and an old-fashioned bathtub. The second image showcases the interior with an array of colorful motorcycles, a large Captain America shield, and vibrant neon signs. The third photo offers a glimpse of a carnival-themed display with a merry-go-round, neon lights, and an array of classic bikes. The final image captures a charming indoor street scene with replica buildings, including a post office and a quaint cobblestone path lined with vintage motorcycles, giving visitors a sense of walking through a nostalgic small town.

The brainchild of custom bike builder Bill Morris, the museum opened in 1998 as one room, and has grown outward and upward since then, becoming the colossal showcase of vintage items you see today.

An image from Bill's Old Bike Barn museum in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, featuring a diverse collection of vintage motorcycles and carnival memorabilia. In the foreground, a classic motorcycle with a gleaming chrome finish is displayed on a wooden platform. Behind it, an array of motorcycles in various colors and styles can be seen. The room is densely decorated with neon signs, model planes, Americana, and a life-size carousel horse, all contributing to the museum's eclectic and historical ambiance.

5. Knoebels Amusement Park

Knoebels Amusement Park (which also extends into Northumberland County) is consistently ranked as the best free-admission amusement park in the United States.

Knoebels in Elysburg is one of the 10 best amusement parks in Pennsylvania.

The only things you pay for at Knoebels are ride tickets, games, food and drinks (unless you chose to bring your own, which the park allows), and souvenirs.

Knoebels is the largest free-admission amusement park in the United States.

6. Ricketts Glen State Park

Ricketts Glen State Park (which also extends into parts of Sullivan and Luzerne counties) is famed for its Falls Trail, an iconic loop hike featuring 21 named waterfalls cascading through old-growth forest.

Exploring the Falls Trail at Ricketts Glen State Park.

Beyond its legendary waterfalls, the park also holds a lesser-known but fascinating site: the abandoned Lake Leigh Dam, a relic of an ill-fated hydroelectric project that thankfully failed!

The towering concrete wall of the abandoned Lake Leigh Dam at Ricketts Glen State Park looms over a small pond surrounded by lush vegetation. The dam, weathered by time, contrasts with the vibrant greenery and golden hues of the surrounding landscape, with dense trees in the background showcasing early autumn colors. The scene captures the juxtaposition of the dam's stark structure against the serene, natural beauty of the park.

In addition to these two highlights, visitors can also discover miles of scenic trails, hidden cascades, and breathtaking vistas that showcase the park’s wild beauty.

A tranquil lakeside scene at Ricketts Glen State Park features a row of picnic tables and grills scattered under the shade of trees along the grassy shoreline. The ground is covered with fallen leaves, adding a touch of autumn color to the setting. In the background, a sandy beach stretches along the edge of the lake, which is calm and reflective. Across the water, a dense line of trees showcases a vibrant display of fall foliage, with rich reds, oranges, and yellows contrasting against the cloudy sky. The overall atmosphere is peaceful, offering a perfect spot for a leisurely picnic amidst the beauty of the fall season.

7. The Twin Covered Bridges

The East Paden and West Paden Covered Bridges in Columbia County, known collectively as the “Twin Bridges”, are one of only two sets of twin covered bridges in the United States!

Exploring the East and West Paden Twin Covered Bridges in Columbia County Pennsylvania.

Although they are called “twin bridges” because of their proximity to one another, they are in fact of different lengths and widths, and different styles of trusses were used to construct each one.

Twin Bridges County Park was created in 1963.

8. The Hooded Grave Cemetery

The Hooded Grave Cemetery in Columbia County is home to what may be the only two hooded graves that exist in the United States.

The Hooded Grave Cemetery contains approximately two dozen graves, with two of the being "hooded".

Hooded graves, or “mortsafes,” were iron cages used in the 18th and 19th centuries to keep body snatchers from stealing the recently deceased to sell to medical schools and doctors.

The Hooded Grave Cemetery in Columbia County was originally called the Old Mount Zion Cemetery.

While they were common in England and Scotland, these are believed to be the only two surviving examples in America.

The hooded graves were constructed to prevent the theft of bodies by "resurrectionists".

Nearby Attractions

7 Must-See Attractions in Schuylkill County is your guide to the best things to see and do in Columbia County’s neighbor to the southeast.

A collage of four images featuring notable attractions in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The top left picture shows the iconic D.G. Yuengling & Son brewery building, a red brick structure with white trim windows, decorated with American flags and a church spire in the background. The top right image displays a large stone with a plaque commemorating Muhammad Ali as a three-time heavyweight champion, set in a serene wooded area. The bottom left photo captures a classic car garage with shiny vintage cars, including a green 1950s convertible, surrounded by automotive memorabilia. The bottom right image depicts tourists on a coal mine tour, seated in a mine car as they descend into the dimly lit depths of the earth.

9 Must-See Attractions in Sullivan County is your guide to the best things to see and do in Columbia County’s neighbor to the northwest.

A collage of some of the best things to see and do in Sullivan County Pennsylvania.

10 Must-See Attractions in Luzerne County is your guide to the best things to see and do in Columbia County’s neighbor to the east.

Collage of Luzerne County attractions including a waterfall at Ricketts Glen State Park, a lakeside trail at Nescopeck State Park, exhibits at the Anthracite Heritage Museum, and the Seven Tubs Recreation Area entrance sign surrounded by fall foliage.

10 Must-See Attractions in Lycoming County is your guide to the best things to see and do in Columbia County’s neighbor to the northwest.

The Best Things to See and Do in Lycoming County Pennsylvania

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