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LEWISTOWN -- When Rhonda Kelley learned that Lewistown made a pair of well-respected travel magazine's top 10 lists, she was pleased, but not surprised.
"It is incredibly exciting to realize that others are also noticing what we already knew. That there is a renaissance happening here in Lewistown and in all of Mifflin County," said Kelley, the executive director for the Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce.
"This is largely due to local investors who love their community and have collectively invested tens of millions of dollars in its future," she added.
The "WorldAtlas" travel magazine believes Pennsylvania is home to charming small towns that truly are the lifeblood of the state.
Rich with history and bursting with community spirit, small towns highlight a way of life that few get to experience. From lively street festivals to bustling downtown centers, these towns exemplify what makes the Commonwealth such a vibrant place to live and visit.
"WorldAtlas" included Lewistown on two of its recently released Top 10 lists of Most Vibrant and Most Charming Towns in Pennsylvania. Launched in 1994, "WorldAtlas" has become one of the largest publishing resources in geography, serving nearly 200 million readers.
The "WorldAtlas" article about the Top 10 Most Vibrant Towns read, "There is no shortage of fun activities in this small Mifflin County hamlet, providing all types of interests with something to look forward to. Being the seat of the county, it hosts the Mifflin County Historical Society, which preserves and interprets regional history through archives, documents, and artifacts from the community. McCoy House is another historical marker of note in Lewistown. The home was built in 1841 and was the birthplace of Major General Frank McCoy. It stands out for its unique Federal style façade and hosts various displays about the general.
"Lewistown has a bustling craft brewery and winery scene, offering multiple venues where visitors can taste its finest alcoholic creations," it continued. "You can sample refreshing craft beer at Shy Bear Brewing, surrounded by a lush natural environment. Finally, the Carousel Skating Rink allows for unforgettable family entertainment with old-school roller skating opportunities."
Both articles about Lewistown feature photographs of Monument Square and a portion of the downtown area.
Neighboring State College also made the Top 10 list. Half of the towns were located in suburban Philadelphia: Doylestown and New Hope are in Bucks County; Kennett Square and West Chester from Chester County; and Media in Delaware County.
Rounding out the list were: Gettysburg; historic Marietta, located in Lancaster County; and York.
Kelley believes another secret to Lewistown's success is that "large out of town chains are also moving in, adding to our growing list of amenities, and improving our economic well-being," she explained. "I believe that sometimes we are our own worst enemy, thinking that our town is somehow sub-par. This recognition, however, is a wonderful reminder of what we have, renewing our sense of pride."
The article about Lewistown in the Top 10 Charming Towns was similar, adding "Walking along the quiet downtown street reveals a nice mix of historical and contemporary points of interest. If you have a soft spot for freshly crafted wines, you can pop into the Hawstone Hollow Winery to sample some of the town's finest creations."
Besides Lewistown, other towns making both "WorldAtlas" lists were Doylestown, Gettysburg, Kennett Square, Marietta and York.
Towns only on the Top 10 Charming Towns were: Bedford; Jim Thorpe; Lititz; and Ohiopyle, located in Fayette County.
"Whether you're looking for outdoor thrills, vibrant arts scenes, historic experiences or delicious eats, these towns in Pennsylvania deliver authentic experiences," "WorldAtlas" said. "Their downtown districts bustle with local enterprises, from cafes and boutiques to craft breweries and performance venues.
"Community engagement also runs deep, evidenced by diverse cultural festivals, recreational programs and civic participation,
it added. "Most importantly, visitors feel welcomed in these places, which have a genuine small-town charm despite their creative energy and non-stop activity."
Enough to put each of these communities among the top 10 towns in the state. Lewistown included.