I'm going to get to spend only 2.5 days in central PA. I have some thoughts on places to explore but I'm wondering if there's any must sees I should aim for? This will be in May and I will be solo so if there's anyone who'd like to meet I'd be very interested!

Since it's such a short window and I've never been to PA I want to make the most of this! Exploring is all I'm doing minus a half day for a commitment.

It's really not good form to ask for locations. These are hard kept secrets and not shared lightly. I would check the DB for your location as there might be some posts, or maybe contact some people in the area for a group explore

Posted by cradcore It's really not good form to ask for locations. These are hard kept secrets and not shared lightly. I would check the DB for your location as there might be some posts, or maybe contact some people in the area for a group explore

I am realizing I worded that horribly. I have some ideas of what I'd like to explore but that's all I know and I'm wondering what local things people recommend. Sorry to have sounded like I was asking for locations of abandoned things. I'm curious about the state!

Let me rewrite that.

I have a couple ideas I'd like to explore. If anyone local is interested and available I'd love to meet up. Message me and I'll give more info.

Since all I have planned are some explore spots, what are some other things locals might recommend in central PA? I've never been and have no idea what to think about doing after some history in Philadelphia. sorry for the crappy first go of this one!

Posted by stealthwraith Let me rewrite that. I have a couple ideas I'd like to explore. If anyone local is interested and available I'd love to meet up. Message me and I'll give more info. Since all I have planned are some explore spots, what are some other things locals might recommend in central PA? I've never been and have no idea what to think about doing after some history in Philadelphia. sorry for the crappy first go of this one!

It's so hard being new and patient - I understand. I'm new too.

Especially when you have a trip planned and patience is not an option. However, some things just can't be rushed. Educating yourself is the heart of solving this dilemma.

I will attempt to be helpful. As a newbie myself, my suggestion is to read thru the threads. There are LOTS of threads dedicated to how people find places; from comparing historical maps to current ones, cruising Google Earth (I have found some gems). Google Earth is good for looking over big green spaces - think about it, if there is a building, yet no roads to it....take a closer look at the roof. You are probably on to something.

However, the one I see over and over and have had mucho luck with myself is just drive. Drive, walk, bike (best IMHO) around. Be safe, but wander. Keep your eyes open, go slow.
Now I go one step further. I use local tax records and find the owner. It takes less than five extra minutes. Someone owns it. The government will be collecting taxes OR have a lien listed against someone. Bottom line, someone has a vested interest in the place, so be courteous. I contact them and ask permission. I find that works for me best. Ask IN PERSON. Much harder to resist a puppy face if you can see it . You just sound creepy on the phone trying it LOL.

I also keep a notebook of all the places I find but still need to do research on. It is a long process (for me) to find one viable place to explore. I'm new at this though. Again, one must use patience. The way I do this a marathon, not a sprint.

As for what people think is great/worth exploring - well that's ALWAYS a matter of taste and no one can help you there. Do your research and then go where your interest leads you. I like historical sites and will go there even if the building is less interesting bc my imagination will fill in the gaps.

So my long winded suggestion - one newbie to another - is to read thru the threads. Do your research. Use patience. It takes time, but its part of the learning process. Another thing I did was get the book called "Access All Areas" by Ninjalicious. Its like an encyclopedia of UE. You can purchase off Amazon. I devoured it in one night.

Come back and share lots of pics!! Best of luck. Above ALL else - have a SAFE trip. Nothing is worth your life.

Posted by stealthwraith Let me rewrite that. I have a couple ideas I'd like to explore. If anyone local is interested and available I'd love to meet up. Message me and I'll give more info. Since all I have planned are some explore spots, what are some other things locals might recommend in central PA? I've never been and have no idea what to think about doing after some history in Philadelphia. sorry for the crappy first go of this one!

I thought of one more thing - have you read thru the threads on that region? The Northeast? I would absolutely read everything, even ones you don't think would be helpful. It will give you an overall understanding.

Again....research.....lots and lots of research. That's exactly the answer you wanted right? LOL sorry. No spoon feeding allowed. I learned that from my UER Zen Master.

If you're travelling to a new place and you don't already have a contact network there, post something in the appropriate regional forums asking if anyone wants to meet up with someone who's passing through.

Don't ask for handouts, obviously. Go ahead and mention that you already have a few leads, but were hoping to connect with the local community and have some fun.

Being new to the site you might not get a response, but it's definitely worth a shot. Networking is one of the strongest tools that this site offers, in my opinion.

Central PA is a large area. Narrow it down to a city or town.
As NotBatman suggested post in NE regional forum.

Most here don't know you well, and vice versa.
Use caution... exploring alone is safer than with a stranger.
Not saying there are ax murders here but it is the internet.
A trusted FM is the best bet that you have PM and -talk- with on the phone at least once. Too easy to hide behind text.
Best to meet at a public place and have some coffee or breakfast first, then decide if both of you are comfortable with it. No pressure.
I almost never do this... as some here know.

Follow the RR tracks. Usually interesting along major rivers and especially at RR there ie train bridges.
A good section of RR track is worth walking in its self.
In many areas there are stretches of unused lines as well.

PA peeps, stealthwraith is probably OK, I know some FMs that have PMed with them

Posted by 1footinthegrave I thought of one more thing - have you read thru the threads on that region? The Northeast? I would absolutely read everything, even ones you don't think would be helpful. It will give you an overall understanding. Again....research.....lots and lots of research. That's exactly the answer you wanted right? LOL sorry. No spoon feeding allowed. I learned that from my UER Zen Master.

That's my dilemma. Usually I plan far in advance, research for hours and have every minute of my time planned out. This is a whim trip which isn't my style so I'm jumping into a place that simultaneously feels huge and small. What do people do there other than explore and learn about the founding in Philadelphia? The exploring I'm not worried about I'm a wanderer at heart and will be happy with whatever I find. I'm more curious about the not in a tour guide local things - for example one of my favorite insider tips ever was for a bar/pinball place where I spent my night playing frogger, ms pacman and NES donkey kong with great beer. I often travel solo and have no problem stumbling my way through but if there's bizarre museums or kitsch to see that's more what I'm seeking. I know I'll find some on my own but when people tell me they're coming to my region I usually give some insider tips of things to see or do without the tourism markup. Really not looking for abandoned stuff I have a few years worth of stuff there so I'll get a better grasp on what I'm thinking here and ask in the region instead.

Posted by blackhawk Central PA is a large area. Narrow it down to a city or town. As NotBatman suggested post in NE regional forum. Most here don't know you well, and vice versa. Use caution... exploring alone is safer than with a stranger. Not saying there are ax murders here but it is the internet. A trusted FM is the best bet that you have PM and -talk- with on the phone at least once. Too easy to hide behind text. Best to meet at a public place and have some coffee or breakfast first, then decide if both of you are comfortable with it. No pressure. I almost never do this... as some here know. Follow the RR tracks. Usually interesting along major rivers and especially at RR there ie train bridges. A good section of RR track is worth walking in its self. In many areas there are stretches of unused lines as well. PA peeps, stealthwraith is probably OK, I know some FMs that have PMed with them

Thanks Blackhawk, and you're right Central PA is broad. I have an event in Wilkes-Barr so my plans involve wandering around that area for most of my time. But I'll have a car and I like to drive so if someone is open to a mertup I'm down to travel! And have breakfast or coffee first 😀 I'm not sure what driving is like there, but on google maps most things look closer together than here and it appears traffic isn't as massive but I could be wrong (it often takes me an hour+ to go 8 miles if that helps).


And some of my best finds came along rr tracks - a decommissioned nuclear power plant comes to mind. Rather odd to find that rising from the vineyards...

I'll tap into the region and try reaching out some!

Moved thread to NE Region board. OP isn't really asking for locations per se just looking for general recommendations or meeting up opportunities during visit.

Posted by stealthwraith Thanks Blackhawk, and you're right Central PA is broad. I have an event in Wilkes-Barr so my plans involve wandering around that area for most of my time. But I'll have a car and I like to drive so if someone is open to a mertup I'm down to travel! And have breakfast or coffee first 😀 I'm not sure what driving is like there, but on google maps most things look closer together than here and it appears traffic isn't as massive but I could be wrong (it often takes me an hour+ to go 8 miles if that helps). And some of my best finds came along rr tracks - a decommissioned nuclear power plant comes to mind. Rather odd to find that rising from the vineyards... I'll tap into the region and try reaching out some!

Many good things there.
Traffic is generally very light on rural roads.

word, coal colliers

Do you fly fish? Good streams in that area. I went to college at Gettysburg and can help you out with that area if you want. Also Site R is in Adams County, and while you can't go in, there are some areas that offer cool views.

Posted by Turd Furgusen Do you fly fish? Good streams in that area. I went to college at Gettysburg and can help you out with that area if you want. Also Site R is in Adams County, and while you can't go in, there are some areas that offer cool views.

I've never tried fly fishing but I've done other fishing as a kid! I was pretty into a river runs through it as a child, lol. Site R is on my maybe list depending on timelines once I'm on the ground. Gettysburg looks like it's pretty cool and I anticipate going to centralia (which I believe is close to Gettysburg) even though there isn't much to see - I've been obsessed with the idea of the place ever since my dad told me about it as a kid! Played and watched silent hill because of this obsession!

Posted by blackhawk Many good things there. Traffic is generally very light on rural roads. word, coal colliers

Coal colliers are in my list! My great aunt got screwed in a bad marriage and left to be a coal miner so add that to my bizarre obsessions

Posted by stealthwraith Coal colliers are in my list! My great aunt got screwed in a bad marriage and left to be a coal miner so add that to my bizarre obsessions

Go but be very careful of hellholes and structural instability.
Many things to see including cool RR relics.
Danger* sells here and pics from high places in on the list.






*perceived, never do anything you're not comfortable and capable of doing.
Bug out if seems like a bad idea; it probably is.

If this helps your case:

All of the PM's I've had with stealthwraith have been positive and filled with thoughtful responses from a person whom I feel genuinely would like to learn more about and document the places that she goes. And she has been posting some kick-ass photos lately in the PSW

NE peeps: use your best judgement.

Posted by blackhawk Go but be very careful of hellholes and structural instability. Many things to see including cool RR relics. Danger* sells here and pics from high places in on the list. *perceived, never do anything you're not comfortable and capable of doing. Bug out if seems like a bad idea; it probably is.

I just read through the hell hole thread last week and I would prefer to skip those.

Posted by RescueMe1060 If this helps your case: All of the PM's I've had with stealthwraith have been positive and filled with thoughtful responses from a person whom I feel genuinely would like to learn more about and document the places that she goes. And she has been posting some kick-ass photos lately in the PSW NE peeps: use your best judgement.

Thank you rescueme1060