Things to do / Travel Guide
Click for Fall, 2010 foliage report and map, updated every three days.
Laurel Highlands and the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania Fall Foliage Tours and Guide
Once you have driven an hour's southwest of Pittsburgh, you have reached the Laurel Highlands, an area of natural and manmade beauty and of historical significance. Allow a weekend to enjoy the variety of the foliage experience. Drive historic and scenic roads, venture deep into nature in the Alleghenies, and see how man (actually, one man, Frank Lloyd Wright ) improved on nature.
Three scenic and historic drives connect most of the main sights in this relatively compact area, and connect with each other, as well:
- The Laurel Highlands Scenic Byway between Farmington, in the south and Ligonier in the north.
- The National Historic Road between Grantsville, MD in the east and Washington in the west, passing through Farmington.
- The Lincoln Highway between Jennerstown in the east and Irwin in the west, passing through Ligonier.
The 42-mile section of the Laurel Highlands Scenic Byway between Farmington, near the southern border of Pennsylvania, and Ligonier, close to Johnstown, traverses an area of rolling hills, farmlands, and waterfalls. The drive on State Routes 381 and 711 provides access to the major attractions of the area, including Fallingwater, rafting on the Youghiogheny, Ohiopyle State Park, and Laurel Ridge State Park. The best fall attractions are closest to the Farmington side of the route.
The National Historic Road was built in the 1810's as the first road crossing the 75 mile-wide wilderness of the Allegheny Mountains, thus connecting east and west. The road, now designated U.S. Highway 40, was once known as “America's Main Street”. The road winds and twists its way through the mountains, creating prime views of the changing red spruces, mountain ashes, maples, oaks, and other trees on the slopes of the Alleghenies. The road provides accces to Mt. Davis, Ohiopyle State Park, and Washington, Pennsylvania, 30 miles south of Pittsburgh.
The Lincoln Highway, designated U.S. Highway 30, provides an alternative to I-70/76. The Pennsylvania Turnpike was America's first transcontinental highway. The 40-mile section between Irwin and Jennerstown offers good foliage views as it crosses Chestnut Ridge and Laurel Ridge and heads on through the historic city of Ligonier.
A few side routes are recommended, as well:
- State Route 31, east of Donegal and at the intersection with the Highlands Scenic Byway,
- Laurel Summit Road, south of the Lincoln Highway in Laurel Mountain State Park
- Jones Mill Rd., south of State Route 31 at Kooser State Park
Laurel Highlands and the Allegheny Mountains of Southwestern PA Pennsylvania Fall Foliage Tours and Routes
Consider making the area around Ohiopyle State Park the focus of a fall foliage trip. Hike in the Laurel Highlands and in Ohiopyle State Park, raft the Youghiogheny, enjoy the architectural masterpieces of Frank Lloyd Wright, and absorb some history at Fort Necessity National Battlefield.
One of the unique attractions in the area is Fallingwater, the Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece built over a waterfall. Fallingwater was voted "the best all-time work of American architecture" by the American Institute of Architects largely for the harmony the building promotes between man and nature. This is especially true during the fall, when the vibrant colors of the surrounding forest provide a backdrop to the architectural masterpiece. A second Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece, Kentuck Knob, is less than seven miles away, towards Chalk Hill. U.S. Highway 40 is situated to provide sweeping views of the hills and farmlands and the Youghiogheny River Gorge. Tours book early so reserve ahead.
The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail is 70 miles long; much of the trail is in Ohiopyle State Park and Laurel Ridge State Park. Ohiopyle State Park boasts an additional 79 miles of hiking trails and 27 miles of biking trails. One of the most popular and challenging rafting trips in the Eastern United States is on the Youghiogheny River. While not as wild as in the spring, the Lower Yough provides a Class II and IV difficulty rafting experience while enjoying the fast moving fall foliage show. The Middle Yough is much tamer, hence the trees move slower. Note that most outfitters close around the end of October and may have trips on weekends only during the foliage season.
Further east, and just north of the Maryland border, is Mt. Davis, the highest point in Pennsylvania. The summit is reached via any of several hiking trails in the Mt. David Natural Area or by road. You can see great 360-degree foliage views from the observation tower on the summit.
Pennsylvania Fall Foliage Tours around Pittsburgh
30 miles west of Pittsburgh, and only a few miles past the airport, Raccoon Creek State Park offers 44 miles of hiking trails, 17 miles of biking trails, and boat rentals for Raccoon Lake. In addition to the raccoons, expect to see rolling hills and valleys and colorful deciduous forests.
A trip to Raccoon Creek State Park can be supplemented by a drive south on State Route 18 to Washington. The fall foliage views in the farmland and hills of the area are worth the detour. Definitely be sure to make a stop at one of the local farm markets.
30 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, the Kiski Junction Railroad has fall foliage runs along the Kiski river. The 10 mile round-trip between Schenley and Bagdad lasts slightly over an hour and costs about $10. This is no “Little Engine that Could” story! The Kiski Junction Railroad is a real working railroad, founded 150 years ago. So don't be surprised if the cars behind you are hauling freight. Fall foliage rides run three times a day on weekends only during mid-October.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Fall Foliage Tours and Guide
Urban leaf-peepers can get a good view of the skyscrapers, bridges, rivers, and even some colorful trees of downtown Pittsburgh from the top of Mount Washington, reached either via the Monongahela or Duquesne Incline. The panorama from the south side of the Monongahela is beautiful, and getting there is definitely half the fun. The Incline is the steepest in the world, and the view has been called “the second most beautiful vista in America” by USA Today. (Red Rock Country in Sedona, AZ was number 1.) Enjoy the view from one of the many fine restaurants on Mt. Washington's Grandview Avenue.
Schenley Park, several miles from downtown, is where Carnegie Mellon and University of Pittsburgh students enjoy their foliage views between classes. Further from downtown, Frick Park, the largest in Pittsburgh, has hiking and biking paths traversing the steep valleys, forests, and slopes of the park. Sit back and watch the maple, hemlock, oak, sycamore, white ash, willow, dogwood, pine, and other trees put on their autumn display.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Fall Foliage Cruises
The Gateway Clipper Fleet operates 5 large riverboats and runs several cruises highlighting the fall foliage from the banks of the three Pittsburgh Rivers. Cruise the Allegheny River on a 5-hour fall foliage cruise, and $40 will get you lunch, live music, and entertainment.
A 9-hour cruise up the Ohio river goes all the way to Steubenville, Ohio. The cost is $80 and includes lunch, dinner, and a wide range of entertainment.
For a 1-hour view of Pittsburgh from the river, take the weekend sightseeing cruises leaving several times a day for a bit over $10.
While cruises run almost every day of the week during mid-October, check with the cruise line since not all routes are available on all days. Cruises leave from Historic Station Square on the Monongahela River.
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