Bradford, Pennsylvania Travel Guide
Introducing Bradford, Pennsylvania! Bradford, located in northern PA, is home to around 7,000 residents. History and nature converge in this town, with numerous museums set amidst beautiful forests and parks. Located near Erie, PA (1hr 40min, 95 miles), Buffalo, NY (1hr 30min, 80 miles), and Rochester, NY (2hr 15min, 130 miles), Bradford is a great day trip for visitors looking to get away for the day. Learn the history, hike the trails, and taste all that Bradford has to offer!
As mentioned, Bradford is full of history. No trip to Bradford is complete without visiting the Zippo/Case Museum! Learn all about Zippo lighters and case knives, invented in Bradford. For more history, learn about a local opera singer at the Marilyn Horne Museum and learn about the oil industry at the Penn-Brad Oil Museum. Walk around the Bradford Downtown Historic District to see old buildings and the Bradford Armory. Lastly, see Luther Mills Covered Bridge!
Bradford is surrounded by the natural beauty of the Allegheny National Forest. Stop by to hike, bike, and camp in these woods. Also nearby is the Kinzua Bridge State Park. This park is known for its Sky Bridge over the Kinzua Gorge. A must see!
Bradford is also home to a branch campus of the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Pittsburgh Bradford. This campus is home to about 1400 students. Take a walk around campus or consider taking a tour. While you’re in town, consider doing a little shopping at local stores. Tin Ceiling Gift Shoppe and Main Street Mercantile are sure to have something for everyone.
Need a bite to eat? Bradford has you covered. For breakfast and caffeine, head to John Williams European Pastry Shop. For lunch, grab paninis, coffee, and board games from The Magic Bean Cafe or Mediterranean staples from Kabob’s. Need some wings? Enjoy wings and other bar food from Liberty Tavern and The Willows. For dinner, consider family favorites from Togi’s Family Restaurant or steak from Beefeaters.
There are several chain hotels in town if you need a place to stay. Want a whole place to yourself? Consider booking a Vrbo. Here are some of our favorites: Suite for 2 in the Zippo Mansion, Cute Home for 6, and Chic Home for 14.
Want to visit Bradford but not sure when? Consider coming during one of their many festivals, such as Festa Italiana, Bradford Pumpkin Fest, or Summer Nights in the Square. Whatever you’re into, Bradford, Pennsylvania has something worth seeing. We hope this travel guide gives you a glimpse into life in Bradford that can inspire a future visit.
Happy Travels!
The Modern Travel Guide
