Well, there are a bunch of Opuntias that can be planted in well draining soils and live just fine. There are at least 2 chollas that also grow well. If you can shelter them from wet winter weather, there are several Pediocactus and Escobarias that will make it, and depending on where you are and what the winter is like, maybe an Echinocereus or 2.

You should take a look at this link to John Lonsdale's website. It's a photo album of cactus he grows in SE Pa some out in the open, others under some polycarbonate sheets to keep the winter wet off of them. If you look around the website there are agaves and yuccas too. Good luck!
I'm always between keeping and composting my cacti, they're cool but I really don't have a spot for them, and when the weeds get in there i always get all spined up trying to get them out.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hardy cactus in Pa

I would like to try to grow the Cholla tree, I would need to keep it dry though.

My Opuntias did well over the last winter, a brutal one. One even had yellow blooms in early summer.

Cold Hardy Cactus website has a bunch of stuff for our zones!

Here is a link that might be useful: Cold Hardy Cactus

For that desert look, I stick to Opuntia humifusa, sempervivum, and Yucca (filifera or gloriosa). There are a couple of hardy agaves I have seen sold but have not tried. I have the Yucca gloriosa tricolor and it looks pretty much like an agave anyway. I know there are a few other species of true cacti that will make it if the soil is dry. What I like about the hardy Opuntia, is that you can just throw the pads anywhere and they will grow, flower, and spread regardless of your soil...unless you're in a bog!

I live near Scranton and there is a house near me with some impressive Opuntia. Maybe I will stop and ask to take pictures some day.

Hi, Njoasis, I have the same opuntias you have in your pic. Mine flowered in spring/ early summer. I would like to try a cholla. I will need to get some cloth or something to limit rainfall next spring. I THINK there is giant Agave looking plant that will take zone 6 winters IF kept DRY. I will look into that. Poaky1