Overview
Titusville is a city in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, with a population of about 5,400 in 2017. Titusville is where the modern oil industry began.
5 sights · 10 things to do · 12 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Titusville
Drake Well Museum
The site where Colonel Edwin Drake struck oil on the banks of Oil Creek in 1859. He invented the first oil drill, and the museum grounds feature a replica of his drill. At the end opposite the museum building you'll find…
Titusville Historic District
Includes 472 contributing buildings in the central business district and surrounding residential areas.
Oil Creek State Park
Woodlawn Cemetery
A quiet little cemetery containing the graves of many famous Titusville natives from the heyday of the oil industry. Among them are Ida Tarbell and Edwin Drake.
Ida Tarbell House
Built in 1870 by the Tarbell family after relocating from Pithole. Ida Tarbell was raised here and went to school at Titusville High School, graduating in 1875 with honors. Later in life, after writing biographies of Nap…
Great Eastern Cutlery
A manufacturer of traditional pocket knives. Founded in 2006, it has quickly gained a reputation for producing fine cutlery. Factory tours are available M-F 7AM-2PM.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 81°F; winter lows dip to about 14°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and Jul.
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- ERI Erie International Tom Ridge Field, Erie — 41 mi away. Directions
- DUJ DuBois Regional Airport, Dubois — 51 mi away. Directions
- PIT Pittsburgh International Airport, Pittsburgh — 84 mi away (major hub). Directions
Titusville can be reached via Route 8 from the north or south and Route 27 from east and west.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $75–$90 a night (typical $90), from 3 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$120, mid-range ~$160, comfortable ~$260.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Drake Well Museum, Great Eastern Cutlery, Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad
- Lunch Boonies Sports Bar
- Afternoon The Burgess Park Splash Pad, Titusville Summer Theater
- Dinner Warners Bakery
- Evening Orr’s Brewing Company
Day 2
- Morning Titusville Historic District, Woodlawn Cemetery, Unlock the Adventure Escape Experience
- Lunch Scoops Ice Cream & Food
- Afternoon Titusville Oil Festival, Home for the Holidays
- Dinner Missy's Arcade Restaurant
- Evening Lavery Brewing Lager Haus
Day 3
- Morning Oil Creek State Park, Ida Tarbell House, The Rink Family Fun Center
- Lunch Sam's Restaurant
- Afternoon HOTAfest, Drake Well Experience Day
- Dinner Bunyan's Bar & Grill
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Titusville was a small growing community throughout most the 1800s. Titusville took another twist from lumber and hired Colonel Edwin L. Drake to find the oil that is thought to be under its surface. After days and nights of hard work and cold chills, it was hit. On August 27, 1859, Edwin Drake became the first person to ever discover oil inside North America. Titusville grew larger than ever, and went from 247 residents to almost 12,000, from the poor farming community to rich houses and large mansions. So much was going on in Titusville, that people moved in to become wealthy from oil; many succeeded. Titusville was the richest city in America from 1860 to 1919. President Grant once visited Titusville. The Liberty Bell also took a stop on April 26th before going to Philadelphia. From huge lumber mills to large steel factories, many companies were being created. But what kept Titusville different is the reservoirs of oil beneath its surfaces. Businesses like Pennzoil and Quaker State made their headquarters in a city about 15 miles south, known today as Oil City. Titusville is still a historic city today.
Get in
By car
Titusville can be reached via Route 8 from the north or south and Route 27 from east and west.
Get around
CATA Bus (Crawford Area Transportation Authority)
See
See Drake Well Museum
The site where Colonel Edwin Drake struck oil on the banks of Oil Creek in 1859. He invented the first oil drill, and the museum grounds feature a replica of his drill. At the end opposite the museum building you'll find ancient pits dug by the Native Americans to scoop oil, which they used for medicines and ointments. Drake well includes a museum, outdoor exhibits, picnic area, and several hiking trails. A 9-mile bike trail connects with the Oil City side of Oil Creek State Park. It is a beautiful bike ride on a paved trail. The museum is open year round, but the outdoor exhibits are only open from May through October.
See Woodlawn Cemetery
A quiet little cemetery containing the graves of many famous Titusville natives from the heyday of the oil industry. Among them are Ida Tarbell and Edwin Drake.
See Ida Tarbell House
Built in 1870 by the Tarbell family after relocating from Pithole. Ida Tarbell was raised here and went to school at Titusville High School, graduating in 1875 with honors. Later in life, after writing biographies of Napoleon Bonaparte and Abraham Lincoln, Ida Tarbell wrote her most famous book about the Standard Oil Company. Her publication was so influential that it eventually helped lead to the dissolution of the Standard Oil Company as it was a monopoly. To this day, Ida Tarbell is considered to be one of America's most famous muckrakers. The house remained in the Tarbell family until 1918.
See Great Eastern Cutlery
A manufacturer of traditional pocket knives. Founded in 2006, it has quickly gained a reputation for producing fine cutlery. Factory tours are available M-F 7AM-2PM.
See Titusville Historic District
Includes 472 contributing buildings in the central business district and surrounding residential areas.
Do
Do Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad
Vintage 1930 train that travels a 26-mile round-trip through Oil Creek State Park June through October. Special events (Santa Express; Peter Cottontail Run). Has the only operating Railway Post Office (RPO) in the U.S. Mail a postcard every time the train travel the tracks. Special Fall Foliage times in October with an extended schedule.
Do Unlock the Adventure Escape Experience
Features highly-detailed sets complete with theatrical lighting, special effects, immersive sound and a variety of puzzle styles.
Do The Burgess Park Splash Pad
Events
Do Titusville Oil Festival (Oil Fest)
Celebrates the heritage of the oil industry in the area. The festival features a parade, games, food, arts and crafts fair, fireworks, and more. Come and experience the fun.
Do HOTAfest (Heart of the Arts Folk Music Festival)
Features hands‑on workshops, jam sessions and public performances celebrating the Bluegrass, Irish Celtic, Gospel, Scottish, Civil War, Folk and Mountain genres. In addition to music, The festival also includes workshops.
Do Titusville Summer Theater
Do Drake Well Experience Day
Buy
- Togs - Route 8
- Hanley's Corner Shoppe- 741 W Spring St
- Stonehouse Jack - 112 West Spring Street
- Titusville Dairy Products Company - 217 South Washington
- The Ribbon Factory - North Brown Street
- H&E Treasure Barn - William Flinn Highway
Shop Titusville Market Square
Eat
Budget
Eat Sam's Restaurant
Pastas, steaks, other home-style favorites.
Mid-range
Splurge
Eat Timber Lake Lodge
Set in a cattle milking & birthing barn that used to be part of Windy Hill Farms, this re-purposed building is furnished with antiques and memorabilia from the region, Las Vegas, Pittsburgh, Erie, Baltimore, Louisiana and other places. It houses a restaurant, nightclub and banquet and conference center.
Drink
Sleep
Go next
Nearby
Oil City
City / town · 20 listings · 14 mi away
Franklin
City / town · 46 listings · 18 mi away
Meadville
City / town · 9 listings · 24 mi away
Warren
City / town · 3 listings · 31 mi away
Clarion
City / town · 2 listings · 33 mi away
Grove City
City / town · 3 listings · 39 mi away
Jamestown
City / town · 19 listings · 39 mi away
Erie
City / town · 43 listings · 41 mi away
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