Local Travel: How to do Groundhog Day – The Ultimate Guide

My first local trip one was to Punxsutawney, PA for Groundhog Day. It was a trip so quintessentially PA, yet so relatable – everyone knows what Groundhog Day is thanks to Bill Murray. Since this is its first year back in person since my trip in 2020, I thought I’d write a little guide for anyone looking to trek out there someday. Groundhog Day happens every year on February 2^nd. It falls in between the winter solstice and spring equinox, hence its weather significance. Groundhog Day is rooted in the Christian holiday Candlemas. There is an Old English rhyme on the holiday that goes:

“If Candlemas Day is clear and bright,
Winter will have another bite.
If Candlemas Day brings cloud and rain,
Winter is gone and will not come again.”

Enter Groundhog Day. Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog, (whose full name is actually Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators and Weather Prophet Extraordinary) comes out of his burrow and predicts the weather. It’s said that Phil takes a magical elixir that enhances his weather forecasting abilities and contributes to his super long life (he’s over 135 years old). Basically if Phil sees his shadow, then we’re in for six more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t, it’s an early spring! Every year, 10,000-20,000 people gather to watch Phil do his thing.

I visited Punxsutawney in February of 2020. I had a friend who lived there at the time and had brought up Groundhog Day in her town. It sounded cool so I decided to visit. I recruited my roommate, booked a hotel room, and did one of the most PA things there is to do. To this day, it is one of the craziest trips I have ever been on and I highly recommend for anyone in the area. It makes a great winter road trip.

Gobbler’s Knob right before Phil makes his prediction in 2020

CELEBRATIONS
There are events all weekend but the actual Groundhog Day festivities begin around 3AM on the 2^nd. I got there around 4AM and there was already a massive crowd so don’t plan on showing up at 7AM and being anywhere near the stage. Pre-Covid, there were bonfires, performances, fireworks, and more. Phil typically makes his prediction around 7:30AM. Punxsutawney is located in western PA. I would recommend driving up the afternoon before, so you can have dinner and take a power nap before getting ready and driving into town.

LODGINGS
Punxsutawney is not a large town. Make sure you book hotels early since this holiday (as unlikely as it sounds) is very popular and lodging is limited and goes quick. Groundhog Day happens on the same time and at the same place every year so you’re not going to get the element of surprise. Pre-Covid, you could bring a sleeping bag and sleep over at the Community Center’s ‘Crash Pad’ for a few bucks, but I think they paused that. Most sites recommend you book about nine months out. I ended up staying about 45 minutes outside of town and made reservations in December.

LOGISTICS
There are designated parking sites in town, but again better early than later. The spots go quickly. Gobbler’s Knob (where Phil makes his pronouncement) is about a mile and a half outside of town. You can walk it, and people did, but I would suggest taking one of the bus shuttles. There is handicapped parking and shuttles available. Tickets are $5 per person and are sold at the bus stops. The Knob is standing room only.

TIPS & TRICKS
If you’re a coffee drinker, grab a cup before everything closes. If not, bring some sort of energy drink. Since you have to get up super early, and then stay up, it’s good to have some caffeine, but you’re unlikely to be able to snag something at two in the morning.

Bring as many layers as would you for a blizzard and then add three more. Groundhog Day is the coldest I have ever been. I literally thought I was going to die trying to wait for the buses back to town. Bring hand warmers, toe warmers, hats/gloves, and tons of layers.

If you want photos with Phil after he makes his prediction, you can head up to the stage after everything wraps up. The line is typically long so be prepared to wait longer in the cold.

This trip started it all – my obsession with local travel. I realized there were interesting, niche trips to be taken in my own state, plus it’s a fun story to tell. While trips like these may not be viable right now, here’s hoping they make a comeback in the near future :))