A visit to Punxsutawney is not complete without a trip to the Knob. It is a nice walk from downtown and other parts of the town. See where Phil works on Feb 2nd!
Even in the freezing rain and snow, hundreds of people turned out for the annual event. The town opens up, the firework display and entertain were wonderful. Take the whole family but don't forget to dress warm. Bring chairs or you will be left standing. $5 per person for the bus ride to the top or you can walk the mile and a half, the bus ride was worth the price!
Pretty neat place to stop and see while in the area. Punxsutawney is not a big town so make sure to see it while there. Phil's stump is on display and there is a lot of information. Great stop for the kids.
We were there in August, so "Phil" was not there, but we got to see the small park there and the "grandstand" area. Took some fun photos from the grandstand, and took a short walk through the adjoining woodlands which has cast iron statues along the walking route with various references to Phil and his "tongue in cheek history". From this area, we went into town where Phil lives his life at the local library. There is a a big glass window outside and another inside the library where you can see Phil (he's very well cared for - doesn't have to do much but sleep!). The town has various larger than life statues of Phil, decorated variously, throughout the town. Worth a quick stop of you're in the area.
I just got back from my 2nd time there. I went in 2013 and now 2015. 13 was more fun due to it had many many more people there. But I think if you are close to it its worth doing at least once.
I was here in September. Yes not ground hog day time, but just seeing the place is cool. Just go there and try to imagine the hundreds of people who stand here in the cold for about 30 seconds to see Phil and get the weather . Well worth a 10 minute stop. If you want Phil gifts, you need to go into the town to a gift store. There is nothing here.
My cousin got married this past weekend and it was a beautiful Saturday evening service. The service was outside and it was unique and fun. They had a huge commercial style tent in addition to the banquet hall facility and it was a nice venue. Over the last few years they have made a nice entrance gateway that makes it feel like more of a destination on days other than February 2!! It really is a great place to visit.
Date: Saturday Jan 31 2015 - Monday Feb 2 2015Stayed at the Country Villa across from Walmart: yes, the rooms were dated, but the new conscientious owners were a delight. our room had everything we needed including a tv, fridge, microwave and free wi-fi.a bit pricey for $149/night with a 2-night minimum, but supply and demand, sigh. ended up being a pretty cheap weekend though, due to the cheap beer and free events.About Groundhog day weekend: i've been to a lot of events and this was probably the most well-organized weekend i've ever had. events happening all day saturday and sunday. the buses to gobblers knob were plentiful and we didn't have to wait at all. on the return, several queues were formed allowing the buses to be quickly loaded and moving, with empty ones ready to fill almost immediately.we got to gobbler's knob at around 6am and it seemed like there wasn't a bad view from anywhere on the hill. great show with music and fireworks. tip: visit the day before or after to get some great photos.most events were free! which was refreshing, it wasn't a money-grab, it felt like the town was inviting us to enjoy their hospitality. even though they could have gotten away with charging nominal fees for events, they didn't take advantage. free hayrides, "groundhog day" movie, harpist performance, loads of kid events, geneology museum entrance with personal attention from tour guides, various arts and craft shows and so much more.some highlights were the chainsaw wizards workshop - great artists. the dueling pianists were a lot of fun too.awesome weekend all round! Thanks Punxsy!
Unless it's actually Groundhog's Day (February 2) you'll probably feel silly visiting Gobbler's Knob. Without the groundhog and the news vans and the tourists and the top-hatted members of the honorable Groundhog Club, it's just you on a hill with a stage and a padlocked fake tree stump. Even my puppy, who will sniff and try to eat anything, couldn't get excited without Phil there in the flesh. Wait for the big event!
After seeing all the hype on TV each year, it was fun to see where all the commotion happens. The 37 groundhogs around town are fun also. Good for families.