Building entrance. The medals are explained inside.
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Pennsylvania Military Museum

4.6
·601 reviews·Boalsburg, United States

Explore U.S. military history with regional focus, featuring outdoor vehicles, indoor exhibits, and scenic memorial trails.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Memorial Day Weekend

Living historians & family fun

CrowdMedium
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Building entrance. The medals are explained inside.

Pennsylvania Military Museum

Best Time

Memorial Day Weekend

Living historians & family fun

CrowdMedium
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Explore U.S. military history with regional focus, featuring outdoor vehicles, indoor exhibits, and scenic memorial trails.

4.6
(601 reviews)

"A lovely little museum with cool exhibits and beautiful grounds, great for a quick historical stop."

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Plan for a Quick Visit

The museum is small; expect to spend 20-30 minutes inside, plus time outdoors .

🚶‍♀️ Enjoy the Outdoor Trails

Beautiful grounds with memorials and nature, great for walks .

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Rating

4.6 · 601 reviews

Type

Museum

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking🚻 Accessible restroom

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Outdoor Vehicle Displays

Outdoor Vehicle Displays

Exterior grounds

See a collection of armored and unarmored vehicles and weapons from major wars.

Vietnam War Collection

Vietnam War Collection

Indoor exhibits

Explore artifacts and stories from the Vietnam War, including personal collections.

WWII Homefront Exhibits

WWII Homefront Exhibits

Indoor exhibits

Discover the role of Pennsylvania during WWII, including the Farm Show Complex conversion.

Memorial Walking Trails

Memorial Walking Trails

Exterior grounds

Stroll through peaceful trails dotted with memorials and natural beauty.

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Planning Your Visit

Timing is Key for a Fuller Experience

While the Pennsylvania Military Museum is compact, consider visiting during special events like Memorial Day Weekend for living historians and family activities.Instagram This adds a dynamic layer beyond the static exhibits, making it a richer experience for all ages.

Explore Beyond the Walls

Don't miss the outdoor exhibits and walking trails. Many visitors highlight the beautiful grounds, memorials, and even the chance for a peaceful dog walk.Reddit Check for the Tuesday farmers market for local treats.

Best Times

When
Memorial Day Weekend
Why
Living historians & family fun
Crowd
Medium
When
Tuesday afternoons
Why
Farmers market & fewer crowds
Crowd
Low

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Director of Museum & Education, Tim Neff, gives us another #BehindTheLines look into the Vietnam War collection of Sergeant Michael Simms. #SoldiersAndSailorsHall #museum #history #AmericanHistory #MilitaryHistory #VietnamWar #artifact #archives #helmet #sergeant #veteran #military #SupportYourLocalMuseum #pittsburgh #PittsburghHistory #pennsylvania #pittsburghpa #westernpa #SilverStarRecipient #...
soldiersandsailorshall
16 likes • 246 views

🎯 Plan for a Quick Visit

The museum is small; expect to spend 20-30 minutes inside, plus time outdoors.Reddit

🚶‍♀️ Enjoy the Outdoor Trails

Beautiful grounds with memorials and nature, great for walks.Reddit

Let’s go on a military museum date??
photogenicputul
110.4K likes • 1.6M views
Representing an aircraft war worker at the PA Farm Show complex during WWII with the Pennsylvania Military Museum. #wwii #wwiihistory #wwiihomefront #americanhistory #The complex was transformed quickly to become an aircraft manufacturing plant- as the farm show and other events weren’t taking place during wartime. It’s fascinating to look at the photos of these ladies and gents working and see wh...
mrshistorical
32 likes • 565 views

📚 Browse the Book Sale

Gift shop often has interesting books at great prices.Reddit

📅 Check for Special Events

Living history events and activities enhance the experience.Instagram

PCN visited the Pennsylvania Military Museum booth at the 2025 PA Farm Show this week! Did you know that during World War II, the entire PA Farm Show Complex was converted for military storage and to support the war effort? Be sure to stop by the booth to learn more about this incredible story. #PAFarmShow #MilitaryHistory #WWII #PAHistory
pennsylvaniacablenetwork
12 likes • 310 views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Plan for a Quick Visit

The museum is small; expect to spend 20-30 minutes inside, plus time outdoors.Reddit

🚶‍♀️ Enjoy the Outdoor Trails

Beautiful grounds with memorials and nature, great for walks.Reddit

📚 Browse the Book Sale

Gift shop often has interesting books at great prices.Reddit

📅 Check for Special Events

Living history events and activities enhance the experience.Instagram

🚗 Ample Parking Available

Easy access and parking for visitors.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(601 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors find the Pennsylvania Military Museum to be a charming and educational stop, particularly appreciating the outdoor vehicle displays and peaceful walking trails. While some note its small size, the historical exhibits, especially those on WWII and Vietnam, are well-regarded, and special events add significant value. The friendly staff and the book sale are also frequently mentioned positives.

"Lovely little museum. A handful of tanks outside, and some cool exhibits inside. I also liked the book sale in their gift shop, I picked up a handful of interesting books for really cheap. Only downside is that the museum is really small. Aside from the 20 minute video you can watch, you might be in and out in less than 20-30 minutes if you look at all the exhibits and see everything inside."

Lucas Schaffer

"While we did not go inside, I wanted to review this location and let others know about an annual event. A Walk to Remember our Fallen takes place on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. This 5k is an opportunity to support a local Centre County organization that provides care packages for deployed service members. We participated in the second annual walk, you can register online or come the day up and sign up. There are local and state military organizations for Veterans and survivor’s families in attendance.

It is a deeply moving occasion that should not be missed. The grounds of the Museum provide for a beautiful back drop."

Nicole M

"Lots of cool facts to learn in this museum! They're are amazing examples of both armored and unarmored vehicles and weapons from all of the major wars.

There are plenty of memorials along the walking trails outside and beautiful nature along these trails, in general it is just a beautiful environment. My only complaint would be that some of the information boards outside are unreadable because of how worn they are, but other than that the place is nice and well kept. The staff are also very nice and helpful."

ComradVibes

What People Like

Outdoor vehicle collection
Peaceful walking trails
Informative exhibits

What People Dislike

Small museum size

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The Pennsylvania Military Museum is located in Boalsburg, PA. It's easily accessible by car, with ample parking available for visitors. While public transport options are limited in Boalsburg, driving is the most convenient way to reach the museum.Reddit

No, the Pennsylvania Military Museum is not located in Gettysburg. It's in Boalsburg, which is a separate location from Gettysburg, though both are significant historical sites in Pennsylvania.

Yes, Pennsylvania has several military museums, including those in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, as well as the Soldiers National Museum in Gettysburg [^SEO keyword: military museums in pa].

The most common way to reach Boalsburg is by car. It's accessible via major roadways in central Pennsylvania. Consider using GPS for the most direct route.

Yes, the museum is generally well-marked and easy to locate in Boalsburg. Follow local signage once you are in the town.

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

The museum's hours can vary seasonally. It's always best to check their official website or call ahead for the most up-to-date information on operating hours, especially for the 'boalsburg military museum hours' [^SEO keyword: boalsburg military museum hours].

Admission fees are typically modest. Check the museum's official website for current pricing and any potential discounts. The book sale in the gift shop also offers great deals.Reddit

For general admission, advance booking is usually not required. However, for special events or group visits, it's advisable to inquire about reservation policies.

Many military museums offer discounts. It's recommended to check the museum's admission page or contact them directly to inquire about any available military or veteran discounts.

The outdoor exhibits and walking trails are often accessible even when the indoor museum may be closed, especially the memorial trails.Reddit However, confirm this with the museum directly.

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

The museum features indoor exhibits on various wars, including WWII and the Vietnam War,TikTok with artifacts, vehicles, and personal stories. Outdoors, you'll find tanks, memorials, and walking trails.Reddit

Most visitors find that the indoor portion can be explored in about 20-30 minutes. Including the outdoor exhibits and trails, you might spend an hour or more.Reddit

Yes, children often enjoy the outdoor vehicles and the historical context. Special events like living history days can be particularly engaging for families.Instagram

Information on guided tours is not widely advertised. It's best to contact the museum directly to inquire about the availability of guided tours or if they offer any special programs.

Generally, photography for personal use is allowed inside museums, but flash photography might be restricted to protect artifacts. Always check for posted signage or ask staff.

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

The museum itself typically does not have a full-service restaurant. However, they may offer snacks or have a small gift shop. Special events might include food trucks.Instagram

Boalsburg and the surrounding areas offer various dining options, from casual cafes to sit-down restaurants. You can find local eateries for a meal before or after your visit.

Picnic areas might be available on the grounds, especially near the walking trails.Reddit It's best to confirm their policy on outside food and beverages.

Boalsburg offers a range of American cuisine. On Tuesdays, the farmers market provides local produce, artisanal meats, cheeses, and breads.Reddit

Yes, Boalsburg has local cafes where you can grab a coffee and a light snack.

📸 📸 Photography

The outdoor vehicle displays, the memorial walking trails, and the historical buildings offer great photographic opportunities.Reddit Special events with reenactors also make for dynamic shots.Instagram

Drone usage is typically restricted at historical sites and museums to ensure safety and preserve the atmosphere. It's essential to check the museum's specific drone policy before flying.

While personal photography is usually permitted, flash photography might be prohibited inside to protect exhibits. Always look for signage or ask staff for clarification.

A versatile lens (like a 24-70mm) is good for both indoor exhibits and outdoor vehicles. A wide-angle lens can be useful for capturing the scale of the grounds and memorials.Instagram

The scenic grounds and historical backdrops can make for unique portrait sessions, especially during events or with the outdoor exhibits.Instagram

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