Things to do / Travel Guide
Our Tourist Attractions Expert Says:
With its close proximity to Pittsburgh, Laurel Highlands, covering over 100 miles of countryside and surrounded by the beautiful Allegheny Mountains, is an excellent vacation destination. Many people reach the area via the picturesque "Laurel Highlands Scenic Byway," which starts at Fort Necessity National Battlefield and continues north to route 711. On the way, visit Frank Lloyd Wright's "Fallingwater," a unique home famous for its seamless merger with its natural surroundings. The structure, considered Wright's most significant work and one of the most pivotal architectural feats of the 20th century, is poised over an actual waterfall and stream, making it a must-see stop on any visit to the area.
For nature enthusiasts, Laurel Highlands is the trailhead for many hiking paths. Thrill-seekers can rent rafts, rock climbing equipment, fishing tackle, and bicycles, and instructional courses in many outdoor sports are available. The area is beautiful year round, but especially vivid during the fall foliage season.
The history buff will enjoy visiting points of architectural and historical interest in Laurel Highlands, including Nemacolin Castle, Petersburg Toll House, Quecreek Mine Rescue Site, Saint Vincent Gristmill and Coffeehouse and Wagner-Ritter House and Garden. Other museums, including Windber Coal Heritage Center, Somerset Historical Center, Springs Museum and Historical Society, and Old Petersburg-Addison Historical Society, Inc. explore the area's rich heritage. Most are open during spring, summer, and fall seasons. For those looking for a guided visit, Smartours offers walking and lantern tours of Historic Ligonier. Reservations are recommended, especially for larger groups.
Laurel Highlands boasts an impressive list of local wineries and many country farms. At the Christian W. Klay Winery, Glades Pike Winery (where admission is free), and Stone Villa Cellars, guests can sample wines year round and tour the vineyards and production facilities. At Friendship Farms, Jamison Farms and Somerset County Maple Producers, visitors are welcome to taste and purchase fresh local produce.
At night, relax with a show at one of the area's many theater venues: Arcadia Theater, Geyer Performing Arts Center, Mountain Playhouse, Palace Theatre, Rockwood Mill Shoppes & Opera House, Stage Right!, or State Theatre. Musical performances are frequent at the Westmoreland Choral Society and Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra. Children will enjoy Huston's Haunted Hollow and Tom Savini's Terror Mania, offering the small-town thrill of the traditional haunted house experience.
The Laurel Highlands area attracts visitors to its many seasonal festivals. Summer vacationers may catch the Laurel Highlands Ultra Races on the second Saturday in June. The race starts in Ohiopyle and ends at the intersection of route 31, and onlookers can cheer for the runners at several points along the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail. Fall vacationers may enjoy watching whitewater paddlers navigate over an 18-foot waterfall in the Falls Race in early September. Others flock to the area for September's Music in the Mountains Festival or October's Ohiopyle Buckwheat Festival. Finally, fall visitors shouldn't miss the annual Flax Scutching Festival, an oddity of folk craft which has taken place annually for over 100 years, celebrating how pioneers once created linen thread from flax plants.
Laurel Highlands exudes genuine "country charm" which is particularly apparent in its lodging options. The inviting and affordable Laurel, Ferncliff and MacKenzie guesthouses are all conveniently located across from the bike trail and within walking distance of other local activities. Consider taking a two-day bike ride through the area with a stopover at once of these convenient inns. For the outdoor-savvy, Laurel Highlands offers a wide range of camping options, from tent-sites to outdoor resort areas including recreational activities and facilities. At Benners Meadow Run Campgrounds & Cabins visitors can enjoy a swimming pool, playground, mini-golf, hayride, laundry, arcade, showers, and organized programming. The Yogi Bear Jellystone Park Resort offers two 800-foot-long waterslides in addition to other camping amenities.
When dining in Laurel Highlands, be sure to visit Ohiopyle House Café for its weekend breakfast buffet, Gilsans Restaurant for a home-cooked lunch, and The Sun Porch for its dinner buffet. Visit Stone House later in the evening for its bar and fine dining atmosphere. Kids might enjoy Fabrizi's Italian cuisine or Fox's Pizza.
Laurel Highlands is located 55 miles southeast of Pittsburgh in southwest Pennsylvania.