The 'Christmas Tree Capital Of The World' Is A Charming Pittsburgh Borough

With in North America alone —  — crowning the ultimate "Christmas Tree Capital of the World" is likely to cause some divide. A Pennsylvania community in the backyard of vibrant Pittsburgh has been – and with its record-breaking 700,000 trees cut during only one year in the 1950s to adorn American houses, it's hard to dispute the claim. Pennsylvania does not kid around when it comes to Christmas. In fact, one of the Keystone State's underrated (and aptly-named) small cities, Bethlehem, reinvented itself as America's 'Christmas Capital'.

The Indiana County, located , started growing Christmas trees  That banner year in 1956 led the AP (via Indiana County) to label the town the "Christmas Tree Capital of the World," and it honors the title to this day. But there's more to this quaint borough than its tree history, including the James Stewart Museum, celebrating the iconic actor's life and . The center of Indiana even organizes an annual "It's a Wonderful Life" festival, which highlights a combination of its two greatest exports: the award-winning actor and Christmas cheer.

Upon setting foot in Indiana County, you will soon see what the Christmas tree hype is all about. The tree craze of the 1960s, when there were 200 Christmas tree farms in Indiana County, may have waned, but you can still indulge in this seasonal tradition. You can pick a pre-cut tree or even choose your own from still continuing the tradition today, and dotting this charming corner of .

One such place is Mytrysak Family Tree Farm, offering pre-cut and cut-you-own live Christmas trees, including the fragrant . It's rated 4.5 stars on Google and opens around Thanksgiving. Another locally-owned small farm is Ruffing's Tree Farm, where you can pick any tree of any size under $40, and you don't even need to bring your own power tools.

If you want to plunge into the wilder side of Christmas trees and see the majestic firs and spruces in their unplucked, natural state, make sure you trundle across the splendid 650-acre Blue Spruce Park. Not only is this an ideal place for keen birdwatchers, with its own collated bird list, but it is also a heaven for . The to accommodate fans of the snowy sport.

The Jimmy Stewart Museum is a top local attraction for outsiders visiting Indiana. Here you can learn about the and . The town of Indiana is so proud of having given birth to Stewart that it even organizes a month-long "" Festival around Christmas time, named after the film he famously starred in. The festival crossing the lit and decorated streets.

The museum is located in the center of town, which is worth exploring on foot to discover some of its unique highlights. From the museum, you can to the quaint with its imposing war monument. Another short 5 will take you to the , with its , and architecture dating back to its founding in 1875. Don't be surprised by the college's charms: Welcoming, historic college towns with downtown shopping and diverse cuisine are another thing Pennsylvania is serious about.

You can easily reach Indiana from Pittsburgh; both the . If you are planning a dedicated Christmas road trip, Pennsylvania is the perfect place to make it happen. About in Lahaksa, Peddler's Village is a seasonal delight with festive lights and displays, restaurants, and over 60 stores ideal for Christmas shopping.