The longstanding traditions and folklore that surround Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, Pa., have made it one of the nation’s most quirky and family-friendly celebrations. This former coal mining town provides visitors with the perfect setting for the famous weather forecast, while offering fun attractions for the entire family both in and around town any time of year. So, whether Phil has decided on six more weeks of winter or an early spring, be sure to explore all that Punxsutawney and the Pennsylvania Wilds region has to offer.
The Groundhog Club Headquarters and Groundhog Visitor Center
The Groundhog Club Headquarters and Groundhog Visitor Center is filled with loads of historical and rare Groundhog Club and Punxsutawney Phil items, along with beautiful murals and several interactive displays. It’s also here that you’ll find plenty of Phil souvenirs and memorabilia. Located at Gobber’s Knob, you can visit all year round, not just on Feb. 2!
The Gobbler’s Knob Trail
The Gobbler’s Knob Trail is nearly a half mile long and features the metal art created at Jeff Tech, a local vocational school. Located on the grounds of Gobbler’s Knob, the flora and fauna along the way are identified by markers and included in a brochure available at the trail’s entrance. There are picnic tables and signage that provides the history of Groundhog Day, the Inner Circle, Punxsutawney Phil, and groundhog facts to enhance the visitor experience.
Phil’s Burrow
When Punxsutawney Phil isn’t busy forecasting the weather, he can be found in his burrow, a terrarium built into the Punxsutawney Memorial Library. The clear glass walls offer a great view from both inside and outside the library. No matter what time of year, visitors can stop by and say hello to Phil and his best buddy as they play, eat and do what groundhogs do best, sleep!
Weather Discovery Center
The Weather Discovery Center provides fun and interactive hands-on exhibits for visitors of all ages. Located in a beautiful, historic former post office building in downtown Punxsutawney, the “Weather Capital of the World,” there is no better place to explore the technology and folklore behind predicting and studying the weather.
Groundhog Wine Trail
Discover a different and tasty side of western Pennsylvania by traveling along the 120-mile Groundhog Wine Trail. Take a break from the crowds and experience the 12 wineries that make up this unique trail, packed with award-winning wineries, beautiful scenery and of course, delicious wine. No matter what Phil’s weather forecast turns out to be, enjoy a delightful glass of locally made wine as the perfect way to celebrate the outcome. Don’t forget to stop by the Groundhog Winery, offering 26 different wines in the tasting room along with the winery’s mascots, Junior and Sis, rumored to be cousins of the famous Phil!
Mahoning Shadow Trail
Tracing the route of an abandoned Pennsylvania & North Western Railroad line as it winds its way through most of the greater Punxsutawney area, the Mahoning Shadow Trail is the ideal spot for an outdoor adventure with the family. This 15 mile, multi-use trail is perfect for hiking and biking, as well as cross country skiing and snow shoeing in winter. Named for the creek that runs alongside it, the Mahoning Shadow Trail offers numerous interesting features along the way, including a beautiful waterfall and historic remnants of the area’s coal-mining past.
Phantastic Phils!
There is no shortage of groundhog pride in this enthusiastic community, and they have the art to prove it. Located throughout town, the Phantastic Phils! Public art project includes 40 larger-than-life, fiberglass groundhogs all creatively painted and designed by local and national artists. Visitors can see how many they spot on their own or grab a map to visit all 40 and pick their favorite. Number 1 on the list, “Phillage,” is easy to spot, located where else but right outside Phil’s Burrow!
Punxsutawney Area Historical and Genealogy Society
Learn about Groundhog Day history and the area's rich industrial heritage by visiting the Punxsutawney Area Historical and Genealogical Society. The extensive museum complex features Native American artifacts, lumbering and area coal mining history, local railroad memorabilia, and more. Located in the Lattimer House, genealogists are often on hand to help you trace your roots in the area or find some long-forgotten ancestors.
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS:
Jimmy Stewart Museum
Indiana (28 miles from Punxsutawney)
Just a short trip from Punxsutawney, visitors will find a museum celebrating the life and career of the American film icon, Jimmy Stewart. Located in his birthplace of Indiana, Pa., the Jimmy Stewart Museum pays homage to his roles as a military hero, civic leader, family man, and movie star through interactive displays, gallery talks, and artifacts from his personal life and films. The one-of-a-kind museum dives into the world of the Oscar-winning movie star and demonstrates why his on and off-screen personality continues to serve as an inspiration to so many. The museum shows a regular weekly matinee at 1 pm every day in their vintage theater featuring Jimmy Stewart films, as well as Jimmy Stewart biographies upon request.
Cook Forest State Park
Cooksburg (36 miles from Punxsutawney)
With the Clarion River running along the border of the park and the famous stands of old growth trees, Cook Forest State Park is a wooded paradise just a short drive outside of Punxsutawney. The park is packed full of natural beauty and ecological history, including the park’s towering White Pines and Hemlocks that make up the “Forest Cathedral,” a National Natural Landmark.
Elk Country Visitor Center
Benezette (52 miles from Punxsutawney)
Located on 245 acres within the heart of Pennsylvania's elk range, the Elk Country Visitor Center is a premier elk watching and conservation education facility in the Pennsylvania Wilds and the entire Eastern United States. The Center’s state-of-art interpretive and interactive exhibits inform and educate the public about elk, wildlife conservation and green building design and make the facility popular for school field trips and family vacation travelers alike.
Can't visit Gobbler's Knob on Groundhog Day? Don’t miss our Groundhog Day live stream to watch the virtual prognostication on Feb. 2 beginning at 6:30AM! Be sure to join in the conversation by using the hashtag #GHD2024 on your social channels and following along with us on Facebook, X (Twitter), YouTube, and Instagram.