PENNSYLVANIA - While Pennsylvania is known for its rich history and diverse landscapes, the Keystone State has a unique set of laws, traditions, and geographic realities that make certain activities impossible—or at least illegal—within its borders. From quirky "blue laws" to the specific way the state handles its vices, here are a few things you can't do in Pennsylvania.
1. You Can't Buy Spirits in a Grocery Store
If you are used to picking up a bottle of bourbon or vodka while grabbing your weekly groceries, Pennsylvania will give you a "reality check."
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The State Monopoly: Pennsylvania is a "control state." This means that all hard liquor must be sold through Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores, which are owned and operated by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB).
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The Modern Shift: While recent laws have allowed some grocery stores and gas stations to sell beer and wine, the "hard stuff" remains strictly locked behind the doors of state-run boutiques.
2. You Can't Pump Your Own Gas (In Very Specific Spots)
Wait, isn't that New Jersey? Yes, but Pennsylvania has a tiny, historic exception. While the vast majority of the state is self-service, you cannot pump your own gas in certain municipalities that have maintained local "full-service only" ordinances.
More broadly, while Pennsylvania doesn't have "dry" counties, you can't buy alcohol in hundreds of "dry" municipalities across the state that have voted to prohibit the sale of liquor at a local level.
3. You Can't Catch a Pro Football Game on "The Other Side" of the State
Pennsylvania is a state of deep-seated sports divides. You cannot find a "neutral" zone in football.
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The Geographical Wall: You cannot be a casual fan of both the Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers without facing significant social consequences. The state is culturally split by the "Susquehanna Divide."
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The Blackout: Because of NFL broadcasting rules and regional loyalty, you often can't even watch the "other" PA team on local television if your home team is playing at the same time.
4. You Can't Use a Radar Gun (If You're a Local Cop)
This is one of the most unique legal quirks in the United States. In every other state, local police officers can use radar guns to catch speeders. In Pennsylvania, you cannot be clocked by radar by a municipal or local police officer.
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The Law: Pennsylvania law reserves the use of radar exclusively for the Pennsylvania State Police.
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The Alternative: Local officers must use "VASCAR" or stopwatch timing—measuring the time it takes you to pass between two white lines painted on the road—to issue speeding tickets. If you see a local cruiser, they aren't pointing a radar gun at you; they're watching the lines.
5. You Can't Visit "Centralia" (Officially)
While it remains a popular spot for "urban explorers," you technically cannot—and should not—visit the town of Centralia.
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The Underground Fire: An anthracite coal mine fire has been burning beneath the borough since 1962.
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The Restriction: The zip code was revoked, the buildings were leveled, and the famous "Graffiti Highway" was covered in dirt in 2020. The ground is unstable, and the state has officially warned people to stay away due to toxic gases and the risk of sinkholes.
6. You Can't Hunt on Most Sundays
For over a century, Pennsylvania maintained a strict ban on Sunday hunting. While the law has recently softened to allow three specific Sundays a year (usually during deer and bear season), for the majority of the year, you cannot legally hunt on Sunday. This is a holdover from colonial-era "Blue Laws" designed to encourage a day of rest.
Pennsylvania's quirks are part of its charm, reflecting a blend of Quaker roots, industrial grit, and a particular way of doing things.
