About Bradford
Bradford is a city in McKean County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located close to the border with New York state and approximately 78 miles (126 km) south of Buffalo, New York. Home to an oil refinery, Zippo headquarters and a University of Pittsburgh branch campus, Bradford is the principal city in the Bradford, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 7,849 at the 2020 census, down from 8,770 in 2010.
Places to visit in Bradford
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Zippo/Case Museum
MuseumTells the story of the Zippo lighter, made in Bradford, and Case knives, with large collections, a wall of historic lighters and a repair clinic where visitors can watch lighters being restored.
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Kinzua Bridge State Park
Viewpoint · 14 mi from centreThe remains of a towering railway viaduct partly toppled by a tornado now form a skywalk ending at a glass-floored viewing platform high above the forested Kinzua Creek valley.
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Allegheny National Forest
Nature · 29 mi from centreA large forest just south of Bradford with hiking trails, scenic drives, campgrounds and the Allegheny Reservoir for boating and fishing, especially colorful in autumn.
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Allegheny State Park
Nature · 11 mi from centreJust across the New York border, this large park offers lakes, forest trails, cabins and the Thunder Rocks boulder formation, with good cross-country skiing in winter.
Best time to visit Bradford
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Bradford is September, when average daytime highs are around 72°F and rain falls on about 10 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Bradford weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 63° 32° 0%
- Thu 22 Oct 61° 38° 0%
- Fri 23 Oct 57° 37° 0%
- Sat 24 Oct 60° 36° 0%
- Sun 25 Oct 65° 40° 1%
- Mon 26 Oct 65° 46° 4%
Know before you go
- Currency
- United States dollar (USD)
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +1
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/New_YorkUTC−4
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
Upcoming public holidays in United States
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Presidents DayWashington's Birthday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Bradford
These are the airports closest to central Bradford. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- BFD Bradford Regional Airport11 mi (17 km) from the city centre
Bradford travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Bradford?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Bradford is September, when average daytime highs are around 72°F and rain falls on about 10 days a month.
What is the weather like in Bradford?
July is usually the warmest month in Bradford, with average highs of 81°F (27°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 19°F (-7°C). The wettest month is typically April, with about 124 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Bradford?
Bradford Regional Airport (BFD) is the closest airport, about 11 miles (17 km) from the centre of Bradford.
What time zone is Bradford in?
Bradford uses the America/New_York time zone (currently UTC−4). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
What are the best places to visit in Bradford?
Top sights in Bradford include Zippo/Case Museum, Kinzua Bridge State Park, Allegheny National Forest and Allegheny State Park. Tells the story of the Zippo lighter, made in Bradford, and Case knives, with large collections, a wall of historic lighters and a repair clinic where visitors can watch lighters being restored.
