Pennsylvania Experts Agree Gettysburg is Top Road Trip; Hershey is Sweetest for Families; As Summer Driving Season Begins, 21st Century Auto Insurance Reveals Expert Survey of State's Top Road Trips & Family Destinations
PHILADELPHIA--May 25, 2006--Gettysburg tops the list of the Top 21 Road Trips in Pennsylvania, according to a survey of Pennsylvania-based travel and tourism experts. Issued to coincide with the start of the summer driving season, the survey, commissioned by 21st Century Insurance Group , highlights the 21 most popular driving destinations throughout the state. The survey also asked experts to rank the top three family friendly destinations, landing Hershey on the top of that list."Gettysburg has it all," said panelist Anne Druck, President, Pennsylvania Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus. "It's a place to see history come alive and it's a nice drive for most Pennsylvanians."
The Top Five Pennsylvania Road Trips selected by the expert panel are: 1) Gettysburg; 2) Laurel Highlands; 3) Philadelphia; 4) Pittsburgh; and 5) the Pocono Mountains. Also making the list: Amish Country Drive, offering a glimpse of the Amish life and many shopping opportunities; State College, famous for its striking Penn's Cave and Penn State University; and Mill Run, where visitors will find Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural masterpiece, Fallingwater.
To help celebrate its recent expansion into Pennsylvania, 21st Century Insurance surveyed local travel experts to compile a list of Top 21 Road Trips, as well as family friendly locales, within Pennsylvania. Panelists include: Anne Druck, President, Pennsylvania Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus; Michael Owens, North Penn Chamber of Commerce; Mary Solomon, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership; Jason Fink, Lycoming County Visitors Bureau; Paul Decker, Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau; Janet Cornell, Gulliver's Travelers; and Rob Powelson, Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry.
"We know gas prices are causing many people to delay or change their summer travel plans," said Patrick Light, Pennsylvania Product Manager for 21st Century Insurance. "But there are amazing places to visit in Pennsylvania, including some that are great summer drives and family friendly that are definitely worth the trip."
According to the 21st Century Insurance survey, the Top Three Family Friendly Road Trips are: 1) Hershey; 2) Philadelphia; and 3) Williamsport's Little League World Series. Hershey, Penn., is known to visitors for its amusement park and chocolate museum. Philadelphia is a popular summer destination for families, rich with American history, including the Liberty Bell and Constitution Center. From August 18-27, all eyes will be on Williamsport for the 2006 Little League World Series.
Top 21 Pennsylvania Road Trips (also available at www.21st.com)
1. Gettysburg - The Civil War's most decisive battle was fought here.
Attractions include the national cemetery, museum and battlefield.
2. Laurel Highlands - One hundred miles of scenic countryside along
Highway 381 include two mountain ridges and 13 state parks,
providing stimulating outdoor activities.
3. Philadelphia - Offers a wide array of cultural activities,
including the Liberty Bell and National Constitution Center,
Independence Hall and the Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site.
4. Pittsburgh - Top attractions include the Andy Warhol Museum,
Carnegie Museum of Art and family friendly Children's Museum.
5. Pocono Mountains - Traverse seven state parks and 72,000 acres
of forest known for its beautiful resorts and 150 lakes. Perfect
for a romantic getaway or family vacation!
6. Amish County Drive - The 70-mile drive from Morgantown to
Lancaster avoids most tourist routes and offers glimpses of Amish
life and excellent shopping opportunities.
7. Cook Forest - This gem of Pennsylvania's state park system
includes a "Forest Cathedral" of towering white pines and
hemlocks, a National Natural Landmark.
8. Covered Bridges Drive - A journey through Bucks County is only
an hour's drive northeast of Philadelphia and offers charming
inns, great antiques shopping and 11 covered bridges.
9. Delaware River Drive - Revisit Christmas night 1776 as you drive
along I-95, when George Washington made his historic crossing of
the icy Delaware River.
10. Elysburg - The nearby Knoebels Amusement Park and Resort offers
adrenaline-pumping thrills.
11. Harrisburg - Situated on the shores of the Susquehanna River,
Harrisburg has grown from a tiny ferry outpost to a picturesque
capital city offering all the pleasures of an urban metropolis.
12. Hawk Mountain Drive - This 80-mile trek through Pennsylvania
Dutch country takes visitors past picturesque stone barns adorned
in hex signs, colorful folk art that brings good fortune.
13. Hershey - Dubbed the "Sweetest Place on Earth," and home to
Hershey Park.
14. Mill Run - Houses Fallingwater, designed by great American
architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
15. Pottsville - Stop here to visit the oldest brewery in America,
operating since 1829.
16. Reading - Visitors won't want to miss the seven-story Reading
Pagoda, William Penn Fire Tower and historic Skyline Drive.
17. State College - Penn's Cave, America's only all-water cavern
and wildlife park, is a family favorite and Penn State alumni
know the ins and outs of this town.
18. Strasburg - Children of all ages will enjoy the Railroad Museum
of Pennsylvania and National Toy Train Museum.
19. Valley Forge - The National Historical Park where U.S. troops
camped during the Revolutionary War is the centerpiece of more
than two dozen local historical sites and exquisite museums.
20. Williamsport - Home of the Little League World Series, this
year sports enthusiasts will enjoy fun and entertainment for the
whole family from August 18-27.
21. York Patriots Day Celebration - The Civil War comes alive during
the Annual Patriot Days Celebration from June 23-25.
The Top 3 Family Friendly Destinations
1. Hershey - Dubbed the "Sweetest Place on Earth," and home to
Hershey Park.
2. Philadelphia - Offers a wide array of cultural activities,
including the Liberty Bell and National Constitution Center;
Independence Hall and the Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site.
3. Williamsport - Home of the Little League World Series, from
August 18-27 sports enthusiasts will enjoy fun and entertainment
for the whole family!
21st Century Insurance Group, a pioneer of selling auto insurance directly to consumers, recently began serving Pennsylvania residents. The fifth largest personal auto insurance market at $7 billion (4 percent of the $161 billion U.S. market, according to insurance rating and information agency A.M. Best's 2004 data), Pennsylvania joins Georgia and Florida in the latest wave of the California-based company's national expansion strategy.
About 21st
Founded in 1958, 21st Century Insurance Group is a direct-to-consumer provider of personal auto insurance. With $1.4 billion of revenue in 2005, the company insures over 1.5 million vehicles in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington. 21st provides superior policy features and 24/7 customer service at a competitive price. Customers can purchase insurance, service their policy or report a claim at www.21st.com or on the phone with our licensed insurance professionals at 1-800-211-SAVE, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Service is offered in English and Spanish both on the phone and on the Web. 21st Century Insurance Company, 21st Century Casualty Company and 21st Century Insurance Company of the Southwest are rated A+ by Fitch Ratings and Standard & Poor's.
21st Century Insurance Group is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol TW and is headquartered at 21st Century Plaza, 6301 Owensmouth Avenue, Woodland Hills, CA 91367.