The Atlas Obscura Guide To Ashland

4 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Ashland, Pennsylvania

Updated November 5, 2025

Unusual Attractions in Ashland

Ashland, Pennsylvania

Big Mine Run Geyser

The only geyser in the state of Pennsylvania is caused by pressure from an abandoned coal mine outside of the ghost town Centralia.

Ashland, Pennsylvania

Byrnesville

An underground blaze turned this village into a ghost town.

Ashland, Pennsylvania

Ashland Mother's Memorial

A eight-foot-tall statue resides in the heart of Pennsylvania anthracite coal country.

Hop aboard the 1927 steam engine locomotive, “Henry Clay,” at Pioneer Tunnel.

Ashland, Pennsylvania

Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine & Steam Engine

Take a ride inside a former coal mine in Ashland, Pennsylvania.

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Aristes, Pennsylvania

Centralia

A toxic ghost town sitting atop a massive coal fire.

1 mile from Ashland

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Centralia.

Centralia, Pennsylvania

Centralia Ghost Town Church

A mine fire has been burning under the deserted town since 1962, but this church is still going strong.

1 mile from Ashland

Yuengling, formerly called Eagle Brewery, offers tours in its historic Pottsville location.

Pottsville, Pennsylvania

Yuengling Brewery

This oldest brewery in the U.S. has lived through fire, Prohibition, and six generations of family ownership.

10 miles from Ashland

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Atlas Obscura Itineraries

Explore the Great Outdoors in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania

Sponsored by Explore Schuylkill

Have you ridden in a refurbished open-air 1927 steam locomotive? Or tunneled through a former coal mine? Maybe you’re keen to explore a roadside “geyser,” and the hand-dug underground caves of the country’s oldest brewery? There’s something surprising and new around every turn in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. In addition to the thrills of the attractions, you’ll also find dozens of peaceful, scenic hiking trails in two state parks, plus impressive wildlife sightings from loons to bald eagles. Explore the country’s first refuge for birds of prey or stop for a picnic by a serene waterfall. This seven-stop itinerary is designed for you to experience the many surprises that await in Schuylkill County (insiders know it's pronounced SKOO-kl) in eastern Pennsylvania.

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