Sayre
Around Sayre
Photo: Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Pennsylvania · 59k people
Sayre
Locals say Northern Tier · “The Endless Mountains”
Where the river bends and the ridges roll on.
Deep forest greenRiver blueMountaineer red
Welcome to the Northern Tier! Whether you're here for the hunting, the fishing, or just the quiet small-town life, you'll find a friendly wave and a good story. Grab a seat at the diner and say hi.
Clubs for Sayre
No clubs for Sayre yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Sayre. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Sayre. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania (Pine Creek Gorge) Deep gorge carved by Pine Creek with dramatic overlooks.
- Leonard Harrison State Park Prime viewing spot for the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania.
- Colton Point State Park Rugged park on the west rim of the gorge.
- Hills Creek State Park Lake with swimming, boating, and camping.
- Mount Pisgah Lake Popular swimming and picnic spot.
- Mansfield University Public university with a historic campus.
- Outdoors Hiking the Pine Creek Gorge
- Outdoors Fishing in the Susquehanna River
- With kids Visiting the Tioga County Fair
- With kids Swimming at Mount Pisgah Lake
- Evenings Local taverns
- Evenings High school football games
- Locals love Hunting camps
- Locals love Small-town diners
Through the year
- Tioga County Fair July Annual fair with rides, livestock, and local food.
- Bradford County Fair August Classic county fair in Towanda with agricultural exhibits.
- Laurel Festival June Community celebration in Wellsboro with parades and crafts.
- Endless Mountains Music Festival Summer Classical and contemporary performances held across the region.
- Dushore Fall Foliage Festival October Autumn celebration with leaf peeping and local vendors.
The Northern Tier has four distinct seasons with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. Best to be outside in fall for the foliage and in spring for fishing. Best: Fall is the perfect time for foliage and mild hiking weather.
Talk like a local
- “crick”
- Creek
- “pop”
- Soda or soft drink
- “the Tier”
- The Northern Tier region itself
- “hunting camp”
- A remote cabin used for hunting
Getaways
- Elmira Visit the National Soaring Museum and historic districts.
- Corning Explore the Corning Museum of Glass and Gaffer District.
- Binghamton Check out the carousels, downtown, and riverfront.
- Ithaca Waterfalls, gorges, and Cornell campus.
Local flavour
Rooting for Penn State Nittany Lions (NCAA Division I), Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL), Philadelphia Eagles (NFL)
Eat and drink
- Pierogies Pennsylvania staple, widely available in local diners and markets
- Whoopie pies Classic Pennsylvania Dutch treat found at local bakeries
- Small-town diner breakfasts Hearty, no-frills morning meals at local family restaurants
- Hunting camp venison Deer season is a major cultural event; venison stew and sausage are local favorites
Where people go
- Covered bridges Historic wooden covered bridges dot the countryside
- State game lands Vast public lands for hunting, hiking, and fishing
- Dairy farms Rolling hills of working farms and silos
- Small-town diners Gathering spots with home-cooked meals and local gossip
Heritage and traditions
The Northern Tier is proud of its rugged, self-reliant Appalachian heritage, deep railroad roots, and a landscape of endless mountains and river valleys that shape a close-knit, outdoors-loving community.
This time of year in Sayre
- Fall harvest dinners October Churches and granges host community dinners with turkey, ham, and apple pie.
- Canton Harvest Festival October October event with fall crafts, apple cider, and a farmers market.
Say it like a local: “slippery” — Icy or slick (as in roads)
Festivals
- Towanda Riverfest June June celebration along the Susquehanna with music, food, and river activities.
- Sayre Summerfest July July street fair with live bands, craft vendors, and a classic car show.
- Mansfield Maple Festival March–April Early spring celebration of maple syrup with pancake breakfasts and sugarhouse tours.
- Canton Harvest Festival October October event with fall crafts, apple cider, and a farmers market.
Landmarks with a story
- French Azilum Historic Site A late-18th-century settlement for French refugees fleeing the revolution; reconstructed log buildings and a museum.
- Sayre Historical Society Museum Housed in the former Lehigh Valley Railroad station, preserving the town's railroad and industrial heritage.
- Bradford County Courthouse A grand 1890s Romanesque Revival building in Towanda, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Tioga Point Museum In Athens, showcasing local history, including Native American artifacts and the region's pioneer era.
Food traditions
- Maple syrup season Late winter to early spring, sugar shacks boil sap into syrup; locals enjoy pancake breakfasts and syrup on snow.
- Lenten fish fries Catholic churches and fire halls host Friday fish fries during Lent, often with beer-battered cod and coleslaw.
- Sausage and sauerkraut for New Year's A Pennsylvania German custom believed to bring good luck, served with mashed potatoes.
- Apple butter making In autumn, families gather to stir apple butter in copper kettles over open fires, a tradition from the region's farming past.
- Potato candy A sweet treat made with mashed potatoes and powdered sugar, often with peanut butter, passed down from Pennsylvania Dutch cooks.
Music and arts
- Bluegrass and old-time music Local jam sessions and festivals keep Appalachian string-band traditions alive.
- Handmade quilts Quilting bees and county fair exhibits showcase intricate patterns passed down through generations.
- Contra dancing Community dances with live fiddle music draw all ages to grange halls and community centers.
- Community theater Local groups stage plays and musicals in small auditoriums, a beloved winter pastime.
A little history
- 1793 French Azilum settled
- 1870s Lehigh Valley Railroad shops established in Sayre, making it a major repair hub
- 1812 Towanda founded as county seat of Bradford County
- mid-1800s Lumber boom transforms the landscape with sawmills and log drives
Rivalries
- Penn State vs. Pitt College football rivalry that splits loyalties.
- Steelers vs. Eagles NFL rivalry between Pennsylvania teams.
- Sayre vs. Athens Local high school football rivalry.
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day Deer camp traditions
- Outdoors Canoeing the Susquehanna
- Outdoors Morel mushroom hunting
- With kids Visiting a maple sugarhouse
- With kids Going to a firemen's carnival
Locals speak with a blend of Northern and Midland accents, often saying 'pop' for soda and 'crick' for creek. They use 'you guys' for groups and refer to a cabin as a 'hunting camp'.
Only here
- The Northern Tier is one of the few places where you can drive for miles without seeing a traffic light.
- Sayre was once the largest railroad repair hub in Pennsylvania, with the famous Lehigh Valley Railroad shops.
- The French Azilum is the only settlement of French refugees in the United States.
- The Susquehanna River, the longest river on the East Coast, runs through the heart of the region.
New here? A few tips
- Prepare for cold winters with heavy snow; invest in a good snow shovel and warm boots.
- When driving, watch for deer and tractors on the roads, especially at dawn and dusk.
- During hunting season (November–December), wear blaze orange if you go into the woods.
- Try a whoopie pie from a local bakery—it's a regional favorite.
- Don't be surprised if people ask about your family; it's a close-knit area where everyone knows everyone.
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Nearby
Every areaElmiraNew YorkA river town wrapped in autumn hillsCorningNew YorkWhere glass meets the Finger LakesPennsylvania WildsPennsylvaniaWhere the forest meets the starsBinghamtonNew YorkA carousel of charmIthacaNew YorkWhere gorges meet good vibes.CortlandNew YorkCrown of the hills, heart of the harvest.WilliamsportPennsylvaniaThe Lumber City with a little league heartScranton–Wilkes-BarrePennsylvaniaWhere the mountains meet the mines
Sayre, PA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.