Discover Northumberland: History and Water Landscapes
Accommodation in Northumberland
Northumberland combines the landscape of the Susquehanna River with an unusually rich history. Around Packers Island, Lake Augusta and historic sites such as Fort Augusta, you can combine active days on the water with museums, tours and architectural discoveries. When choosing a holiday rental, it is therefore worth first deciding on the focus of your trip: should the accommodation primarily serve as a base for nature experiences, or would you like to spend as much time as possible exploring regional history and culture?
Water, islands and trails along the Susquehanna River
The 50-acre Marina Section of Shikellamy State Park is located at the tip of Packers Island in Northumberland County. From there, you have direct views of the Susquehanna River. Two boat launches, paved paths and areas for hiking, picnicking and cycling give the park a variety of attractions. There is a boat launch for passing boaters; in addition, 90 spaces are available for vehicles with boat trailers and 750 spaces for individual vehicles.
Lake Augusta is a 3,060-acre seasonal lake. It is created by an inflatable dam located two miles downstream from Shikellamy State Park. When the dam is fully inflated, four miles of unobstructed boating are possible. Those who prefer a more leisurely trip will find an 82-acre island in Milton State Park on the West Branch Susquehanna River between Milton and West Milton. The wooded southern half is dedicated to hiking and nature observation.
The Roaring Creek Tract in Weiser State Forest also offers a distinctive experience. The eight-mile multi-use trail passes through quiet valleys, along reservoirs and through wooded landscapes. Boating with electric motors and non-motorized boats is permitted on the 184-acre McWilliams’ Reservoir and the 31-acre Kline’s Reservoir. The Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area near Coal Township complements this offering with approximately 7,500 acres of leased coal lands and a free, publicly accessible 3.1-mile hiking trail with fitness stations and viewpoints that can be used year-round.
Historic sites with stories to tell
The Joseph Priestley House, with its mansion and laboratory, is both a National Historic Landmark and a National Historic Chemical Landmark. The grounds also include the Joseph Priestley Timeline in the nearby Pond Building, with panels covering various periods of Priestley’s life. For 2026, the tour season is listed as running from March 8 to November 15; tours take place on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. and are available by prior reservation.
At the site of Fort Augusta, you can view a scale model from an observation platform during daylight hours. The original well and the powder magazine from the 1750s have also been preserved. From the French and Indian War through the end of the American Revolution, Fort Augusta was Pennsylvania’s fortress in the upper Susquehanna Valley and served as the headquarters of American forces in this area during the War of Independence.
The Hunter House Museum displays archaeological material from excavations at the site, including finds from the 1743 Moravian Blacksmith Shop as well as Native American and Fort Augusta artifacts. From March through December, opening hours are listed as Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m. The Charlotte Darrah Walter Library complements this with old newspapers, tax records on DVD and genealogical reference works.
Architecture, tours and regional memory
The original section of the Priestley-Forsyth Memorial Library was built between 1814 and 1828 as a two-story residence. From 1829 to 1864, the building served as the Cross Keys Inn. In the Northumberland Historic District, early Federal-style homes and the connection to Joseph Priestley shape the area’s historical interest. In Sunbury, the historic district includes buildings representing important architectural styles dating from 1772 onward. The self-guided tour begins at the corner of Market Street and Second Street, with parking available nearby; the tour is listed as taking approximately one hour and 15 minutes.
In Shamokin, the Shamokin Mural Tour and the Thomas Edison Illuminated Walking Tour explore the region’s past in different ways. Murals by local artists honor Shamokin’s history and cultural heritage. The Edison tour follows the route of Thomas Edison’s demonstration of electric lighting in September 1883. Another mural commemorates the history of the anthracite region, including historic coal mining and the so-called bootleg coal industry. The Shamokin Monument Tour is a 1.77-mile walk between the JFK Memorial and the 80-foot Soldiers and Sailors Monument.
Choosing the right base for your trip
A holiday apartment or holiday home in Northumberland can be chosen especially effectively if you organize your desired daily activities in advance. For water-based experiences, Shikellamy State Park and Lake Augusta are the main attractions; for forest trails and nature observation, Milton State Park or the Roaring Creek Tract are suitable research focuses. Those who prefer historic buildings, museums and guided tours can include Joseph Priestley House, Fort Augusta, the Hunter House Museum and the historic districts in their plans.
As additional destinations within the broader region, you can earmark Sunbury and Ralpho. This keeps your trip planning open to different focuses between river landscapes, outdoor experiences and regional history.
For the broader travel overview: Pennsylvania.
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