In the last half of the 19th century, Williamsport, Pennsylvania claimed more millionaires than any other American city. With a population of just under 30,000, there is no city of similar size within an hour drive. There’s one small airport, which only offers commercial flights to one city (Philadelphia). The Susquehanna River divides Williamsport and South Williamsport. Although most of the tourist attractions are located in the city of Williamsport, the most famous institution associated with the area is located in South Williamsport.
Many people will be approaching Williamsport from Interstate 80. Since I live east of Williamsport, I take I-80 to either I-180 West or Route 15 North whenever I visit. My first stop on my most recent visit was the World of Little League Museum. This is an ideal place to start for anyone coming from the south.
Every year, greater Williamsport gets flooded with baseball fans attending the annual Little League World Series. Williamsport claims to be the birthplace of Little League Baseball. The museum has ample parking right on Route 15 North. General admission is $5, but there is no charge to view the grounds behind the museum.
I started by driving around the grounds behind the museum, which include the 40,000-seat Howard J. Lamade Stadium as well as Little League Volunteer Stadium. Every year, Lamade Stadium hosts the Little League World Series. If you visit any other time, it’s hard to imagine the madness that surrounds the event every year as more people attend than live in the city of Williamsport.
After touring the grounds and taking some pictures, I visited the World of Little League Museum. Your tour will start with a brief orientation video. Once inside the actual museum, highlights include a timeline about Little League and the World Series as well as uniforms spanning the past 75 years. I spent around 30 minutes looking around before crossing the river and heading into Williamsport.
For lunch, I headed to Pine Square and ate at The Stonehouse Wood Fired Pizza & Pasteria. I had a classic margarita pizza as well as the grilled calamari. On the next block of Pine Street is Le Chocolat, which has excellent truffles. Owned by Bernie and Bonnie Katz for more than 20 years, I consider this to be a must-visit place for chocolate lovers visiting Williamsport.
After getting a box of chocolates to take home, I drove west on 4th Street. I first stopped to take pictures of the murals across from the historic Genetti Hotel, then drove through Millionaire’s Row (4th Street), then on to the Peter Herdic Transportation Museum. Inside, there’s a slide show on the history of transportation in Lycoming County (Pennsylvania’s largest) as well as information on the area’s role in the underground railroad. Out back there’s a Pullman Parlor rail car, which the museum claims to be one of only two remaining in the United States. Visitors can go inside.
Just steps away is the Thomas T. Taber Museum of the Lycoming County Historical Society. This was my next destination. The Taber museum has exhibits on Lycoming County’s Native Americans, lumber industry and contribution to the armed forces. There are also period rooms which take the visitor back to the times of British colonialism and up to the present. Downstairs, there’s a toy train exhibition, which contains over 300 toy trains as well as two working layouts. The other basement room is dedicated to farming crafts and industry.
Many visitors to Williamsport take a Hiawatha Riverboat Cruise. They run May to October and cost $8.50. Although it’s by far the most touristy thing I’ve ever done in Williamsport, I’m glad I experienced it. I found Susquehanna State Park (where the boat docks) to be more exciting as it provided for some excellent photo ops. The cruise itself is narrated and I’m pretty sure I was one of three people under 60 years old on the boat.
After visiting three museums, I decided to visit the birthplace of Little League Baseball, which is located across from historic Bowman Field (now BB&T Bank Park). Besides looking at plaques and watching some people play baseball, there’s not much else to do at the site, besides take some pictures and say “I was there.” Bowman Field is home to the Williamsport Crosscutters, which are one of the Philadelphia Phillies’ minor league teams. It’s also the second oldest minor league ballpark in the United States.
After a full day of sightseeing, I was hungry for my favorite type of Asian food. From the park, I drove downtown to the only Thai restaurant in Williamsport. Joy Thai is located at 17 West 4th Street. For such a small city, parking can be a real challenge in the downtown area. There is street parking as well as municipal lots, both of which fill up fast. I know how big Pad Thai dishes can be, so I resisted the temptation to try appetizers and ordered the Seafood Pad Thai.
After dinner, I was in the mood to do some walking, so I headed to Pine Square and got some ice cream at Sprinkled Sweet. From there, as the sun set, I headed east to Market Street and walked across the Carl E. Stotz Memorial Little League Bridge (Route 15) bridge to South Williamsport and then back to my car near old City Hall. It was a great day exploring the city that gave us the organization which kept me occupied from age 9 to 12.
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Joy Thai is not the only Thai restaurant. Jasmine’s also sells Thai.
Yes, I’ve been there. They are not a “Thai” restaurant. Mostly Chinese?
No, they began as a Thai restaurant and then added Chinese. I love their Thai food.. Very fresh and wonderful.
How could you have missed “Bases Loaded” on all four corners of Market Square dedicated in 2014 the 75th Anniversary of Little League? Ten magnificent bronze statues.
Thanks for the advice. I did not get any shots of Bases Loaded on this trip. I’ll have to check it out next time.
Thanks for visiting and reminding us who live here how special this area is, with interesting museums, fun attractions and unique restaurants. You dropped by some of my favorites spots.
I met the man that designed the mural downtown my sophomore year at Lycoming. He told us the TV screen is 3D if you have on the glasses. Haven’t tried yet, but a fun fact nonetheless!
It is 3D and Michael Pilato, the artist, told me it was the first 3D mural he did. I have seen it with the glasses and it is truly amazing. The Bull Frog Brewery used to have glasses you could borrow.
Good Lord, I was born and raised in Williamsport and I didn’t recognize any thing. The little city I remember is gone. I was planning a trip home in the spring but fear I will be disappointed .
I don’t think you will be disappointed, but excited. Williamsport is a vibrant place with many things to see and do.
You missed the 50-100 Puff Discount Cigarette shops. 🙂
Truths
Next trip, hit up the Pajama Factory, especially the Way Cool Beans coffee shop. It’s worth the time.
My Dad used to work in the pajama factory! I remember fondly trips to his office on Saturday mornings, drinking water out of the cone cups, and then a ride down a steep hill nearby that we called Ferris Wheel Hill. Am planning a visit back this fall and will have to check it out.
You should visit the Lycoming College campus. One of the jewels of the city. Founded in 1812.
Richard, I did walk around there. This post got more exposure than all my other posts combined. Still trying to figure out why lol!
I didn’t know that a Little League Baseball born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Honestly, I’ve never heard about this town. After reading your post, I might visit this town on some occasion.
Wow! It’s really nice to be able to go here and just tour around. The pizza looks amazing and so does the pasta. I’m sure you had a great time learning more about the place and seeing all the memorabilia.
Wow it looks like a wonderful place to explore and its great how much memorabilia and culture there is!
Wow, williamsburg looks so pretty and old (in a good way). I love the old city hall and the beautiful street signs.
Williamsport, lol!
It seems that this city has a lot of good places to eat. That pad thai looks yummy! Also, I love the surroundings, I bet the hiking around the lake is wonderful. I am not a fan of baseball so I might give that a miss. 🙂
I am not a fan of baseball but Williamsport looks amazing! I’d love to explore the city one day because I love travelling to new places and experiencing their culture, their beauty and food! Pinned your post!
Thanks, Euge!
I am not into baseball at all but this post is very interesting, I like the city and looks insanely good. The post shares your passion and I like that 🙂
I am really not into sports but I do love travelling! I have been to Philadelphia before not not to Williamsport..looks nice!!
Williamsport is north central PA
Looks like you had such a fun road trip at Williamsport! Loved those historic muriels at Genetti Hotel!
This area looks really cool! I didn’t know Williamsport and I must ask some friend of mine to take me there next time I’m ariund
I didn’t know Little League Baseball originated from Pennsylvania. Interesting fact. That Margarita Pizza looks delicious!
I love the shots of the Susquehanna River – so wide and majestic. In Australia, where I am from, the rivers are not so big so I am always in awe of American rivers.
We have never attended a baseball game! This needs to change on a future trip to the States! Great travel story!
I drive up and down Route 15 (through Williamsport) about a half dozen times per year, so I’ve “seen” Williamsport but never given it a full day to explore. Seems like a worthy roadtrip spot!
It’s so much more than the start of little league! Love it and would have plenty to do and explore.
Though not much of a baseball fan, the place seem s lovely and there is much more on offer . I would love to visit the museum and browse through the fascinating stuff.
How fun! I’m not the biggest baseball fan but this looks awesome!
Tiana, THE FAN with Robert Deniro and Wesley Snipes is an excellent baseball movie which non-fans can appreciate.
While I don’t really know anything about Baseball, I can definitely see why Williamsport is worth a visit. I would definitely add a Riverboat Cruise on to my itinerary, they look so charming & old-fashioned. Thanks for sharing.
Happy travels.
Maria
Yes, Williamsport is undergoing a bit of a culinary and cultural renaissance. Street art, increasing downtown loft apartments and an active downtown bar scene, for a small town. Great and picturesque outdoor activities minutes away. A couple of nice and inexpensive municipal golf courses south of town.
What a great city! I lived there for 18 years prior to moving to ME. Some of the best mountain biking I have ever found is there. Also, in addition to the great restaurants you mentioned, here are a few more excellent establishments: Moon & Raven Public House, Hacienda’s, Franco’s and Disalvo’s. If your looking for coffee, Alabasters on Pine St. is simply the best!
There are several downtown hotels within an easy walk to restaurants and bars. Not a bad idea for those balmy summer bar hopping nights. ;0) And Uber starts tonight… problem solved twice!
If you are in town on Pines St. I suggest Langs Chocolates and on Hepburn St. Just past the cinema center you will find Long Island Pizza. ?
This is an educational post, Brian! I would love to visit Williamsport one day!
Looks a nice place to visit. Not sure it would make my itinerary though, coming from England where baseball is not that big.
This was very educational – I knew nothing of Williamsburg before
Thank you! It’s Williamsport.
I’m not a baseball person, but this looks like a cool place to visit.
I would love to visit Philadelphia! It’s on my list of places to see in the states 🙂