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Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
The root: A small coal-and-rail town whose once-a-year groundhog weather ritual, running since 1887, became a worldwide pop-culture fixture — small-town America on the big stage.
Eat: Punxy Phil's — groundhog-themed family restaurant; Joe's Drive In — retro drive-in, foot-long dogs and ice cream cyclones.
Skip — don't: The Groundhog Day-week souvenir stands selling overpriced everything to once-a-year crowds — eat with the locals the other 364 days.
Specialty: Groundhog Day — February 2, every year since 1887, when Phil the groundhog sees (or doesn't see) his shadow at Gobbler's Knob.
Shops & crafts: Groundhog souvenirs — Phil plushies and Punxsutawney mugs; the painted Phantastic Phils statues scattered around town.
See: Gobbler's Knob — the famous stage and Phil's burrow; the Weather Discovery Center — meteorology and Groundhog Day history; the Phantastic Phils — painted groundhog statues all over town.
Main Street: Mahoning Street — small-town storefronts, groundhog murals, and everybody knowing everybody.
After dark: A shake at Joe's Drive In and an evening walk past the lit-up painted groundhogs — the town turns in early.
When — events
Groundhog Day — Feb 2, every year, rain or shine
Groundhog Festival — the week around it.
Event dates are the typical annual timing; confirm with the town before traveling.