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In today's fast-paced world, everyone is looking for the quickest route to get from one place to another. Don't you think it's time to slow down a bit and enjoy nature by taking the scenic route for once?

U.S. Route 6 is an exciting, scenic highway that takes you through quaint towns, atop mountains and between valleys, winding its way across the entire United States of America - from Cape Cod, Massachusetts to Long Beach, California.

The history of Route 6 takes us back to 1807, when the state of Pennsylvania decided to create a road through Moosic Mountains to make traveling easier for those going to the western section of the state. The new road became quite popular and was frequently traveled by stagecoaches delivering mail and transporting passengers.

This route became part of the newly named Route 6 corridor by 1925 when the state began giving numerical names to roads. It was America's first and longest transcontinental route. Today, it is second, ranking behind US Route 20.

Not long after that, two organizations - the Grand Army of the Republic and the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War - joined forces to have Route 6 recognized as a memorial route to fallen soldiers. That hope became a reality, and by 1953 the route was given the name Grand Army of the Republic Highway.

Route 6 has since gained recognition as a tourist attraction in and of itself. In 1987, Harley Davidson Company honored the highway by placing it on its list of 50 Best Touring Roads in the United States - the only PA road selected. In July of 1994, the Dept. of the Interior Secretary designated Route 6 a National Recreation Trail. The Pennsylvania portion of the highway was named by Car and Driver Magazine as "one of the top 10 scenic routes in America."

Route 6 traverses through the Endless Mountains Region, with several attractions you won’t want to miss along the way. The Wyalusing Rocks, located on Route 6 in Wyalusing, is a site to see any time of the year. Step out onto the rock ledges (be extremely careful, please!) and get a birds-eye view of the Susquehanna River, acres of valley farmland, and layers of mountains. A few miles west is the Marie Antoinette Lookout. As you look across the Susquehanna River and to the right, you'll see the French Azilum Historic Site. It is here that a settlement was built for Marie Antoinette and refugees fleeing the French Revolution in 1793.

Museums, man-made and natural wonders, and "worth-the-trip" attractions are at your fingertips when traveling Route 6 through Pennsylvania. Although the Endless Mountains Region covers four counties - Route 6 only passes through Bradford and Wyomingcounties. A must-see in the Endless Mountains is the Tunkhannock Viaduct. Local residents call it the Nicholson Bridge because it is located in the village of Nicholson. However, it is actually named after the Tunkhannock Creek, which flows beneath the 2,000-foot span of concrete railroad bridge. The viaduct consists of 12 arches - 10 that are visible and two underground. This 84 year-old wonder is truly a magnificent sight.
Spend some time at Riverside Park in Tunkhannock and relax under a shade tree along the banks of the Susquehanna River. Not only is the river a scenic delight, but it's also ideal for fishing, boating and canoeing. During the winter months, there is a public skating rink to take advantage of.

A short distance down Route 6 from Tunkhannock is a little town called Laceyville. The most notable piece of history here is the Oldest House on Main Street. Built in 1781, this three-story house used to be a stop for canal boats on the Susquehanna River. Noted as the oldest frame house in the Endless Mountains, remnants of its original structure still remain, including the wooden pegs that were used as nails.

Remember what you read earlier about being able to see French Azilum Historic Site from the Marie Antoinette Lookout? Well, it's time to go see the actual site. About 20 acres of the original settlement remains at the site. A guided tour through the Laporte House showcases some original articles from the French settlers.

The Bradford County Heritage Association's Farm Museum is just one-half mile north of the intersection of routes 6 & 14 in Troy. The unique museum is the home of an extensive collection of rare implements, tools and artifacts reflecting 200 years of the agricultural heritage of Bradford County. For a free Route 6 Visitors Guide, contact the Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau at 1-800-769-8999 or emvbrequests@epix.net.

Visit the PA Route 6 Tourist Association website for more information.

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Join the Visitors Bureau | Route 6 | Weather