The 10 Best Roadside Attractions Near Wellsboro

A map tp the 10 best roadside attractions near Wellsboro, Pennsylvania

Wellsboro is one of the most popular tourist towns in the PA Grand Canyon, and thousands of adventurous visitors flock there every year to explore the Pine Creek Gorge.

Hiker at Burdic Run Falls in Tioga County Pennsylvania
Triumphant hiker at Burdic Run Falls in the Pine Creek Gorge.

But what if you’re not so adventurous, or simply can’t get around like you used to?

Looking out over Pine Creek from Colton Point State Park
Looking out over the Pine Creek Gorge from a roadside vista at Colton Point State Park.

Not to worry – I’ve put together a list of 10 of the best roadside attractions near Wellsboro that just about anyone can enjoy, regardless of age or physical abilities.

Fountain in the park along Main Street in downtown Wellsboro.
Fountain in the park along Main Street in downtown Wellsboro.

I’ve even created a downloadable version of the route map that you can send directly to your phone!



This 35 mile road trip starts with several historic sites in downtown Wellsboro, and proceeds to some amazing locations in the surrounding parks, forest, and Tioga County countryside.

The Middle Ridge UMC Church outside Wellsboro.
The Middle Ridge UMC Church outside Wellsboro, AKA “The Little Red Church”.

So grab a friend and lets get started exploring the best roadside attractions near Wellsboro!

Enjoying the morning at Leonard Harrison State Park near Wellsboro.
Enjoying the morning at Leonard Harrison State Park.

1. Nessmuk’s Grave in the Wellsboro Cemetery

104 Nichols St, Wellsboro, PA 16901

Why start a road trip visiting a gravesite?!

Gates of the Wellsboro Cemetery.
Gates of the Wellsboro Cemetery.

Well this is no ordinary gravesite were talking about, this is the final resting place of the legendary outdoorsman and author George Washington Sears, better known by his pen name “Nessmuk”.

Nessmuk's gravesite in the Wellsboro Cemetery.
Nessmuk’s gravesite in the Wellsboro Cemetery.

Who exactly was Nessmuk and why should you care?

Nessmuk historical marker at Leonard Harrison State Park.
Nessmuk historical marker at Leonard Harrison State Park.

If you spend any amount of time exploring the PA Grand Canyon, you’ll see references to Nessmuk on lakes, mountains, trails, camps, and a variety of businesses.

A Nessmuk quote on a display at Colton Point State Park near Wellsboro.
A Nessmuk quote on a display at Colton Point State Park.

As an outdoor writer for Forest and Stream in the 1880s, he popularized the concepts of canoe camping and ultralight backpacking.

Headstone at Nessmuk's grave in Wellsboro Cemetery.
Headstone at Nessmuk’s grave.

He borrowed his pen name “Nessmuk” from a Native American who had befriended him at an early age, and he lived most of his adult life in Wellsboro, until his death in 1890.

Nessmuk's tombstone in the Wellsboro Cemetery.
Nessmuk’s tombstone in the Wellsboro Cemetery.

2. The Wellsboro Diner

19 Main St, Wellsboro, PA 16901

Based on aesthetics and the nostalgia factor alone, the Wellsboro Diner is a roadside attraction well worth a visit.

The Wellsboro Diner in downtown Wellsboro, PA.
The Wellsboro Diner first opened for business in 1939.

A throwback to the 1940s with a no-nonsense menu and dining car-style interior, I try to stop here every time I’m in Wellsboro.

Enjoying lunch at the Wellsboro Diner after hiking the Turkey Path at Leonard Harrison State Park.
Enjoying lunch at the Wellsboro Diner.

3. The Penn-Wells Hotel

62 Main St, Wellsboro, PA 16901

The Penn-Wells Hotel is another great nostalgic roadside attraction in downtown Wellsboro, a historic and beautifully-maintained establishment built in 1869.

The Penn-Wells Hotel in downtown Wellsboro was built in 1869.
The historic Penn-Wells Hotel.

4. The Tioga County Courthouse

118 Main St, Wellsboro, PA 16901

Fortunately, I’ve only ever had occasion to view the imposing Tioga County Courthouse from the OUTSIDE, but the Federal-style entrance coupled with the Corinthian-style columns and portico makes for a grand scene along Main Street.

The Tioga County Courthouse, a roadside attraction in downtown Wellsboro, PA.
The Tioga County Courthouse.

5. The Green

117 Main St, Wellsboro, PA 16901

Located directly across Main Street From the Tioga County Courthouse, The Green is a public park featuring several statues, historical monuments, and a fountain.

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod plaque and fountain in downtown Wellsboro.
Wynken, Blynken, and Nod fountain in downtown Wellsboro.

The Wynken, Blynken, and Nod statue/fountain in the center of the park is based on an 1889 bedtime story about three children sailing among the stars on a boat made out of a wooden shoe.

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod bedtime story plaque in downtown Wellsboro, Pennsylvania.
Wynken, Blynken, and Nod bedtime story plaque next to fountain in downtown Wellsboro.

Another memorial in the park is dedicated to local industrialist John Magee.

John Magee Monument in the park in downtown Wellsboro.
John Magee Monument on The Green in downtown Wellsboro.

Several war memorials on the Green pay tribute to soldiers from the Wellsboro area from various eras and conflicts.

Civil War Memorial on the Green in downtown Wellsboro, PA.
Civil War Memorial on the Green in downtown Wellsboro.


6. Middle Ridge UMC Church

 9 Copp Hollow Rd, Wellsboro, PA 16901

“The Little Red Church” was built in 1897, modeled after a Dutch church and painted red to resemble brick construction.

The "Red Church" near Wellsboro, PA.
“The Little Red Church” near Wellsboro, PA.

7. Leonard Harrison State Park

4797 PA-660, Wellsboro, PA 16901

When most people picture the PA Grand Canyon, Leonard Harrison State Park is what comes to mind.

One of the scenic overlooks at Leonard Harrison State Park near Wellsboro.
One of the scenic overlooks at Leonard Harrison State Park.

With dozens of viewing areas close to the parking area and Visitor Center, Leonard Harrison State Park offers million-dollar views of the PA Grand Canyon in all directions.

One of the many viewing areas at Leonard Harrison State Park near Wellsboro, PA.
One of the many viewing areas at Leonard Harrison State Park.

Leonard Harrison State Park is named after a local businessman who originally owned the property and developed it into a public picnic area known as “The Lookout.”

The view from Leonard Harrison State Park near Wellsboro, PA.
The view from Leonard Harrison State Park.

Mr. Harrison donated the property to the State in 1922, and it was further developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the mid-1930s.

One of the Pine Creek Gorge overlooks at Leonard Harrison State Park near Wellsboro.
One of the Pine Creek Gorge overlooks at Leonard Harrison State Park.

8. Colton Point State Park

927 Colton Rd, Wellsboro, PA 16901

It takes two sides to make a gorge, and the west rim of the Pine Creek Gorge is home to Colton Point State Park.

View of the PA Grand Canyon to the south from Colton Point State Park near Wellsboro, PA.
View of the PA Grand Canyon to the south from Colton Point State Park.

The roadside vistas at Colton Point State Park are spectacular any time of year, but they truly shine during fall foliage season!

The view of the PA Grand Canyon from Colton Point State Park
The view of the PA Grand Canyon from Colton Point State Park

9. Four Mile Vista

Colton Road, GPS Coordinates 41.701492, -77.470999

Located along Colton Road just south of Colton Point State Park, this is an excellent roadside vista in the Tioga State Forest.

Four Mile Vista along West Rim Road, south of Wellsboro.
Four Mile Vista along Colton Road in the Tioga State Forest.

10. Bradley Wales Picnic Area and Vista

Bradley Wales Rd, Wellsboro, PA 16901

The last stop on this driving tour of roadside attractions near Wellsboro is the Bradley Wales Picnic Area and Scenic View.

Bradley Wales Road turn-off along West Rim Road south of Wellsboro.
Bradley Wales Road turn-off along West Rim Road south of Wellsboro.

This roadside vista is truly exceptional, and since it’s somewhat removed from the nearest park (11 miles south of Colton Point State Park), it feels more remote and wild.

The Pine Creek Rail Trail and Pine Creek as viewed from the Bradley Wales Overlook.
The Pine Creek Rail Trail and Pine Creek as viewed from the Bradley Wales Scenic View.

The fence around the edge of the Bradley Wales Scenic View is made from the remnants of a railroad that once traveled through here.

Salvaged railroad remnants make up the fence at the Bradley Wales Overlook near Wellsboro.
Salvaged railroad remnants make up the fence at the Bradley Wales Overlook.

Whether you look to the north or the south, the Bradley Wales Scenic View really epitomizes the rugged beauty of the PA Grand Canyon.

View to the south from the Bradley Wales Overlook near Wellsboro, PA.
View to the south from the Bradley Wales Scenic View.

Final Thoughts

From the Bradley Wales Scenic View, you can either backtrack to Wellsboro (the quickest way back to town), or you can continue south on West Rim Road another 10 miles to Route 414 and Blackwell, then north on Route 287 back to Wellsboro (the scenic route).

Blackwell Methodist Episcopal Church in Blackwell, near the Pine Creek Rail Trail trail head/parking.
Blackwell Methodist Episcopal Church in Blackwell.

In either case, you’ll have seen a diverse selection of some of the best roadside attractions near Wellsboro, all in one road trip!

Pennsylvania Grand Canyon Fall Foliage
Fall foliage view from Leonard Harrison State Park.

Winter Road Trip to the PA Grand Canyon

Just because there’s snow on the ground doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a trip to the Wellsboro area.

The snow-covered Wellsboro Diner on a winter morning.
The snow-covered Wellsboro Diner on a winter morning.

So I came up with an ideal PA Grand Canyon winter road trip itinerary to help you get the most out of your snowy visit to the Wellsboro area!

Northern view of the PA Grand Canyon on a winter day.
Northern view of the PA Grand Canyon on a winter day.

Nearby Attractions

People flock to Wellsboro every October to enjoy the autumn leaves, and if that appeals to you be sure to check out my “cheat sheet” on where to find the best fall foliage views in the PA Grand Canyon.

A collage of the best fall foliage destinations in the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon.

The Barbour Rock Trail is a relatively easy hike to an amazing vista on the PA Grand Canyon’s west rim.

Hiking to Barbour Rock Overlook in the PA Grand Canyon.
Barbour Rock Overlook in the PA Grand Canyon.

Bear Run Falls is a series of magnificent, unnamed waterfalls accessed via a 0.6 mile (one-way) off-trail hike near Colton Point State Park.

Springtime waterfalls along Bear Run In the Tioga State Forest.
Springtime waterfalls along Bear Run In the Tioga State Forest.

The Turkey Path at Leonard Harrison State Park is arguably the most famous hike in the PA Grand Canyon.

Observation area along the Turkey Path in the PA Grand Canyon.
Observation area along the Turkey Path at Leonard Harrison State Park.

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Rusty Glessner
Rusty Glessner is a professional photographer, lifelong Pennsylvanian, and a frequently-cited authority on PA's best travel destinations.