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Whether you are planning a return visit or your first trip, we welcome you to our community! Located in Tioga County in the north central mountains of Pennsylvania, Wellsboro is an outdoor-lovers paradise. The area also offers a variety of shopping, ranging from a department store to boutiques, antique shops, clothing stores and outfitters. The Gmeiner Art & Cultural Center’s monthly exhibits showcase beautifully handcrafted items from local artists. The Green Free Library and the Tioga County Historical Society are also interesting places to visit. The Gmeiner, Library and Historical Society are located on Main Street in Wellsboro.
Another form of entertainment is our local movie theatre, The Arcadia Theatre, which shows first-run movies and hosts dinner-and-a-movie events. Hamilton-Gibson Productions, our local community theatre, is well known for its talented musicians and performers.
The Great Outdoors
Pennsylvania is home to 2.1 million acres of certified forest land, the largest tract of certified forest in North America. Click here for state forest maps. Several state parks are located in the Wellsboro area. A source of natural beauty is the 50-mile long Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, located 10 miles west of Wellsboro. The Grand Canyon is made up of approximately 300,000 acres of mostly state-owned land. Two state parks are located here. On the west rim of the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, the 368-acre Colton Point State Park resonates with the rustic charm of the Civilian Conservation Corps era of the 1930s. The rugged overlooks offer great views of the canyon. On the other side of the canyon is Leonard Harrison State Park.
The best way to see the Grand Canyon is on foot. Leonard Harrison offers 4.6 miles of hiking trails including the popular 2-mile Turkey Path. There is also a scenic overlook and a modest waterfall. Colton Point is more rustic and wild. It also has a 3-mile Turkey Path which descends 1.5 miles to the base of the Canyon. The highlight of this trail is the 70-foot waterfall ½ mile down the path.
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Photo Copyright The Blair House by Robert J. Blair
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Another popular way to see the Canyon is on horseback and on a covered wagon. Click here for a list of all recreation members including those that offer these activities.
Also located in the area is Hills Creek State Park, covering 396 acres located midway between Wellsboro and Mansfield. State Game Lands #37, which is made up of approximately 13,000 acres, is located within walking distance of the park’s campgrounds.
Running through the base of the Grand Canyon 1,000 feet below is Pine Creek. Well known and regarded for its fishing and native trout streams, Pine Creek is also home to a variety of wildlife including deer, bear, grouse and turkey. Each year, the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon Snowmobile Club hosts its annual Upper Pine Creek Trout Tournament. Click here for more information about this event.
For additional information about fishing in the area, click here.
For additional information about fishing in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, click here.
For general information about licenses, regulations, stocking, and the variety of fish in area stream and lakes, click here.
The Pine Creek Rail Trail (also called Rails to Trails) was constructed on an abandoned railroad line. Currently 60.5 miles in length, the trail is made up of crushed limestone. Since motor vehicles and horseback riding are prohibited from the trail, it is a popular form of recreation for bicyclists, joggers, and casual walkers. Bikes are available for rent. Click here to link to our recreation members including outfitters.
The area also boasts several public golf courses, including the Tyoga Country Club in Wellsboro and Corey Creek Golf Club in Mansfield.
Winter sports such as skiing, snowmobiling and ice fishing are also popular. Since these are weather-dependent, click here for weather and snow conditions.
Events
The Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce hosts several events through-out the year. In addition, other local communities, churches, schools and civic organizations host a multitude of events. Many of these are held every year and generally speaking, are held at approximately the same time each year. Refer to our Community Calendar for a list of upcoming events.
The annual events sponsored by the Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce are listed below. Please refer to the Community Calendar for this year’s dates. Please note that these activities are very popular and can draw thousands of visitors to our area. You may wish to plan ahead and make reservations for lodging.
State Laurel Festival - June
Every year in mid-June, the community of Wellsboro celebrates the blooming of our state flower with the annual PA State Laurel Festival. This week-long series of events includes a variety of musical concerts, a pet parade, bike race, firemen's carnival, a 10-K footrace, a juried arts & craft fair, queens pageant, and the traditional two-hour Laurel Parade.
The Festival was first held in 1938 and was the brainchild of a local businessman named Larry Woodin, who was hoping to boost a sagging economy by promoting the beautiful Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. The festival was originally organized by the Lions Club, but today's festival is sponsored by the Wellsboro Foundation Inc., administered by the Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce, and is organized by a committee of volunteers who work year ‘round to ensure its success. Various activities have been added throughout the years, making it a week of fun for the entire family. Whether your preferences are for classical, gospel or country music, arts and crafts or sporting events, you're sure to find something to please everyone.
Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally – September
STPR is a form of auto racing in which the cars race against the clock, one at-a-time, on closed public roads of the Pennsylvania State Forest, at times bordering on the famous "Grand Canyon of the East" near Wellsboro. Each car has a driver, plus a co-driver, or navigator, who reads from a route book and barks out instructions while the driver is negotiating the course at high speed. The teams compete on ten different roads - or stages - covering 125 miles of racing over a 14 hour period, with the team having the fastest time over the whole course winning the event. The excitement of two and four-wheel-drive cars traveling on gravel roads at more than 100 miles-per-hour - especially on a blind course where no practice has been allowed - is exciting both for spectators and competitors.
The drivers meet their crew every couple of stages for service on the cars, and drivers must obey all local traffic regulations when their cars are not actually driving on the closed stage road. Unlike traditional racetrack driving, where repetition on the same course can lead to the "best line" or "best setup" for each corner, rally drivers must react to blind conditions at racetrack speed.
For more information about STPR’s Wellsboro event, click here.
Dickens of a Christmas - December
Join us in Wellsboro on the first Saturday of December as we take a step back in time and celebrate the community's annual "Dickens of A Christmas." Wellsboro’s Main Street and the surrounding side streets will be closed to traffic and will become an early Victorian marketplace featuring all types of delectable wares for eating and drinking, as well as delightful gift items.
Beginning at 9:00 a.m., the food and craft vendors, strolling musicians and singers, dancers, and street-corner thespians will spread up and down Main Street, extending onto Waln and Crafton Street, and a portion of Central Avenue. Performers and vendors will be appropriately costumed and decorated to create a Victorian atmosphere that fits so well with our gas-lighted Main Street.
It’s not uncommon to stumble upon a little match girl, or even old Scrooge himself! The Dickens Players, "a diverse-but-talented assortment of amateur strolling performers," will be on hand to entertain and delight shoppers with their renditions of Christmas readings and carols. The Wellsboro Men’s and Women’s Choruses will perform in front of the Arcadia Theatre, and several other local musical groups will offer strolling performances.
Many local businesses host open houses with entertainment and refreshments. In addition, many of our local churches will host luncheons, concerts, tours or special services throughout the day. Hamilton Gibson Productions will present “A Christmas Carol” at the Arcadia Theater, and The Hamilton Gibson Choirs will also perform.
Each year, more than 175 craft and food vendors line the streets dressed in Victorian garb to present many unique gift-giving options which included hand-crafted Christmas ornaments, wooden toys, jewelry, quilted items, furniture, wrought iron, homemade cheese & meats, pet treats, heirloom Santas, stuffed animals and dolls for the children on your list. In addition, several indoor craft shows are held at the United Methodist Church, the Wellsboro Senior Center, and the Firemen’s Annex. Numerous food vendors are always on hand with delectable delights such as hot chocolate, homemade soups and chowders, bread pudding, hot beef sandwiches, fresh roasted peanuts, hot cider and coffee, kettle corn, baked potatoes, and apple dumplings...just to name a few.
Bring a candle and join us for the Peace Walk from Packer Park to the Green for the annual community Christmas tree lighting and carol sing. Santa always visits with special treats for the youngsters.
Parking will be available at several lots throughout the town, along with a shuttle which will be operated continuously.
Lodging
Our area has a wide variety of accommodations to meet every lifestyle and budget, from hotels and motels to bed & breakfasts and vacation rentals. Some lodgings allow pets, while others restrict children and smoking. Please click here for a list of our lodging members.
Restaurants
From continental dining to fast food, the Wellsboro area offers many dining choices. Several restaurants in the area are smoke-free, and many offer legal beverages. Some also offer brunch and smorgasbords in addition to their regular menu. Please click here for a list of our member restaurants and taverns.