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1869
Penn Wells Hotel
Wellsboro, Pennsylvania
62 Main Street, Wellsboro, Pennsylvania 16901
Original Property Opened in 1869
Historic Hotels of America member since 2017
ghosts
Built in 1869 and renovated in the 1920s, the Penn Wells Hotel graces Wellsboro’s quaint, gas-lit Main Street. The Philadelphia Inquirer in the 1920s called the Hotel “the Gem of the Roosevelt Highway,” recognizing its location on the Historic Route 6 corridor between New York and Chicago. The Hotel is noted for its mahogany woodwork, high ceilings, wood-burning lobby fireplaces, and for hosting famous guests like Groucho Marx and Joan Crawford. The surrounding area offers miles of scenic and secluded hiking and biking trails, including those located at the Pine Creek Gorge and the acclaimed Pine Creek Rail Trail. The Hotel’s grand dining room features historic photos and is the venue for fine-dining service, weddings, and groups.
Discover
- Step back in time in the beautifully preserved and maintained Penn Wells Hotel lobby, which has been welcoming guests since 1869. Once a mid-way stopping point for train and later bus service between New York City and Chicago, the Philadelphia Inquirer called the Penn Wells Hotel the “gem of the Roosevelt Highway.”
- Discover a piece of Americana in the lobby: a one-of-a-kind, seven-by-eleven foot American flag made of 1,438 glass Christmas bulbs produced in Wellsboro’s Corning Glass Works plant. The flag was designed to honor area veterans and also to represent the local plant, which was, at the time, the world’s largest manufacturer of Christmas tree ornaments.
- Learn more about Wellsboro’s history in the hotel’s grand dining room, which features 70 black-and-white photos that date from the 1800s through the 1960s. Those brilliant images highlight the landmarks and people of the Wellsboro area. Make sure to pick up a copy of the printed guide at the front desk to begin the tour.
Explore
- Enjoy the natural beauty of the Pine Creek Gorge, also known as the “Pennsylvania Grand Canyon.” By any name, this 47-mile-long, roughly 1,000-foot-deep gorge is a vast wilderness landscape of breathtaking beauty. The canyon is surrounded by 165,000 acres of Pennsylvania state forestland, leaving an unspoiled view as far as the eye can see. Within the canyon are hundreds of miles of some of the best walking and hiking trails for novice and experienced hikers.
- Explore the great outdoors—cycle, walk, run, cross-country ski, or ride on horseback on the Pine Creek Rail Trail. Named by USA Today as one of the “10 great places to take a bike tour” in the world, the 65-mile rail trail follows Pine Creek through the canyon and offers unspoiled views, including views of several bald eagle nesting areas.
- Gaze at the stars from the darkest night sky viewing spot on the East Coast at Cherry Springs State Park. This International Dark Sky Park will take star gazing to a whole new level. The park provides extensive free programs throughout the summer, enabling visitors to speak with park guides and use the park’s telescopes.
Experience
- Experience Wellsboro’s historic downtown district, which boasts a wonderful selection of independent shops and restaurants. Over 500 historic structures date from 1835 to the 1950s, and include the Wellsboro Diner, Tioga County Court House, and the 1920's-era Arcadia Theatre.
- Shop at Dunham’s Department Store, one of the last remaining family-owned Main Street department stores in the United States. Dunham’s was established in 1905 and offers a full department store, hardware store, furniture department, and café, and serves as the hub for Wellsboro’s shopping district of independent stores.
- Ride Tony’s Tioga Trolley Tours for a historic tour of Wellsboro, or take a sightseeing tour of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. Trolleys depart from the front of the Arcadia Theatre beside the Penn Wells Hotel.
Taste
- Dine in the hotel’s Mary Wells Dining Room, known for generations for its traditional Sunday brunch, Friday night fish fry, and Saturday night prime rib dinner specials. Drink one of the Pennsylvania microbrews served on bottle or tap in the off-lobby Penn Wells Lounge, including The Penn Wells Amber Lager.
- Taste old-school American fare in the iconic Wellsboro Diner, serving big portions and friendly service since 1939. Drop by for some coconut custard pie and coffee.
- Head across the street from Penn Wells Hotel to Café 1905, located inside Dunham's Department Store, for a quick bite to eat in a charming small-town setting.
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National Trust for Historic Preservation Month Rate – Save 20% Off Best Available Rate
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