Enjoy a Winter Wonderland in Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania offers an abundance of opportunities to enjoy the holiday season, from taking in a dazzling light display in Pittsburgh, to touring a historic castle in Bucks County or strolling though the Victorian streets of Bellefonte.

"Pennsylvania offers a holiday season filled with deeply rooted traditions, greeting card-like architecture, and brilliant light displays," said Mickey Rowley, deputy secretary of tourism for the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. "We would like to invite those seeking some additional holiday cheer to explore something new this year in the commonwealth. To make the holidays more affordable, we have several coupons and discounted packages under our tree at visitPa.com."

Considered to be the official kickoff of the holiday season in the Pittsburgh area, Pittsburgh Light Up Night on Nov. 21 attracts thousands of visitors to the city. Downtown is alive with carolers, tree-lighting ceremonies and the unveiling of holiday window displays. Visit Station Square for a concert or see the fireworks finale from atop Mt. Washington. www.visitpittsburgh.com.

Take in the creative holiday spirit in Pennsylvania's Great Lakes Region with a visit to Trees of Christmas: Let It Snow, presented by the Meadville Garden Club. Each room at the Baldwin-Reynolds House Museum holds a beautifully decorated live tree from Nov. 21 - Dec. 7. www.pagreatlakes.com/events

An impressive 51-acre display of lights and animation awaits visitors to the Alleghenies with a drive through Altoona's Lakemont Park and Holiday Lights on the Lake, Nov. 22-Jan. 6. www.blairchamber.com/programs/lights

Visitors to the Dutch Country Roads region will find Christmas Magic, a half mile walking trail through York's Rocky Ridge Park featuring more than 400,000 lights, holiday scenes, and five heated pavilions. Open nightly from Nov. 28 - Dec. 31, Christmas Magic was named the top special event in Pennsylvania by the Pennsylvania Recreation and Parks Society. www.yorkcountyparks.org/chmagic.html.

Take a tour through the concrete castle of visionary architect and historian Henry Mercer at Winter Wonderland: Holiday Decorations at Fonthill, Dec. 2 - Jan. 4, located in Doylestown. The impressive castle is transformed for the holidays by Victorian style decorations and themed trees. www.gophila.com

In the Northeast Pennsylvania Mountains, marvel at the Festival of Lights at Phifer Dam Park in Lehighton. Running Nov. 28 - Dec. 28, the park takes on a magical holiday glow as more than 400,000 lights and the sounds of the season fill the park. www.franklinlions.cpals.com/

"A Christmas Carol" comes to life in Wellsboro during the "A Dickens of a Christmas" Victorian Celebration on Dec. 6. This Pennsylvania Wilds festival features carolers in Victorian-period dress, horse-drawn wagon rides, and tours of the historic Victorian homes. www.wellsboropa.com/pages/dickens.

Visitors can also experience the Victorian era in beautiful downtown Bellefonte, Centre County, where ladies ride in horse-drawn carriages and men tip their hats to visitors. It all happens Dec. 12-14. www.victorianbellefonte.com/specialevents/christmas.html

The Pennsylvania Tourism Office, under the state Department of Community and Economic Development, is dedicated to fulfilling the needs and aspirations of travelers by presenting them with the information and resources they need to plan and enjoy the activities, attractions and destinations that are uniquely Pennsylvania. For more information about Pennsylvania's tourism industry, go to visitPA.com, or call (800) VISIT PA.

CONTACT: Michael Chapaloney

(717) 720-1301