Laurel Highlands Cover Photos Visitors Bureau · Fallingwater® - Mill Run, PA CONTENTS Photo by Robert Ruschak, Administrative Offices Courtesy of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Welcome 2 120 East Main Street Ligonier, PA 15658 · Seven Springs Mountain Resort - P: 724-238-5661 Seven Springs, PA Visitor Information 3 Toll Free: 800-333-5661 · Idlewild & SoakZone - F: 724-238-3673 Ligonier, PA www.laurelhighlands.org Events 9 Information Counselor · Mountain Playhouse - 724-238-5661, ext. 101 Jennerstown, PA Things To Do 17 · Great Allegheny Passage - Travel Guide Ohiopyle, PA State Parks 29 Design and Layout · Youghiogheny River - Bravo Design Group Ohiopyle, PA 11 Stanwix Street, 21st Floor Outdoor Recreation 35 Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Back Cover www.bravodesigngrp.com · Youghiogheny River - Shopping 45 Printing Ohiopyle, PA Knepper Press Photo: Philip Lewin Clinton Commerce Park Dining 49 Clinton, PA 15026 www.knepperpress.com Accommodations 57 Community Resources 71 CONTENTS Education 77 Corporate Ambassador Baughman Rock Overlook, Ohiopyle State Park – photo: Paul g. Wiegman 1 welcome to LaurelPennsylvania’s Highlands Most everyone is mindful of how Baltimore magazine featured We all need to relax, recharge we budget our money today and the Laurel Highlands as having and refresh without fear of that includes travelers who need “The Wright Stuff” as an breaking the bank – and you’ve to juggle travel expenses along affordable travel destination found such a place within this with the cost of everyday living. close to home in their beautiful region. And when times are tough, September, 2008 issue, “The For the most current lodging creating stress, this is when we Laurel Highlands, an undulating packages, seasonal coupons and most need a getaway to a special swath of the Alleghenies WELCOME special events, be sure and log place for some relaxation and southeast of Pittsburgh, offers on to www.laurelhighlands.org. rejuvenation. Pennsylvania’s any number of good reasons to With all of the fun that you are Laurel Highlands offers such a invest in several days and a going to have along with money place, a stunningly scenic region modest amount of fuel to visit saved – why not plan on staying packed with quality experiences this time of year. Trust us, your an extra night! and exceptional values. psyche won’t be sorry you came.” AOL Travel recognized the We think that this Guide provides Laurel Highlands as a great value lots of great ideas – and great when the region landed on their values (check out our list of Nine top 10 List (summer, 2008) of Fantastic Free Things on pages “East Coast Family Vacations 4 and 5) for your psyche to be in under $250.”AOL based its pick Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands. on the Youghiogheny River – Pennsylvania’s “River of the Year, 2008”, Ohiopyle State Park, Mt. Davis – Pennsylvania’s highest peak and River’s Edge Café Bed and Breakfast. River’s Edge Café Bed & Breakfast, Confluence 2 www.laurelhighlands.org 1-800-333-5661 Fort Ligonier Laurelvisitors Highlands centers Ohiopyle Visitors Center Idlewild & SoakZone Near Mt. Davis Packsaddle Covered Bridge Stop at one of our three Visitor Information visitors centers to speak PA State Sales Tax with information specialists 6%, clothing exempt. while traveling through Lodging Tax Pennsylvania Welcome Centers VISITORS CENTERS the Laurel Highlands. 3% in Fayette, Somerset and (Hours 7am-7pm daily) – Westmoreland counties The Gateways to the Laurel Highlands Historic Ligonier PA Visitor Information Speak with trained tourism Just 12 miles north of PA Turnpike 800-VISIT-PA, www.visitpa.com professionals for information and (I-76) Exit 91 (Donegal), you will find direction assistance at the PA the charming town of Historic Turnpike Roadway & Welcome Centers, which are full- Ligonier, featuring over 60 unique Weather Conditions service rest area facilities as well. shops and eateries. The Laurel 866-976-8747 • I-70 West Welcome Center – Highlands Visitors Bureau’s Major Routes & Warfordsburg, PA on I-70 westbound, administrative offices and visitors Turnpike Exit Numbers 1/2 mile north of the PA/MD border. center are located in Ligonier The Laurel Highlands is easily Town Hall, open Monday – Friday, accessible via I-79, U.S. 119 and • I-79 North Welcome Center – 8:30am – 4:30pm. U.S. 219 from north to south and Mount Morris, PA on I-79 Somerset by east/west highways I-70, I-76 northbound, 5 miles north of the PA/WV border. One half mile from Exit 110 of the (PA Turnpike), U.S. 40, U.S. 30, PATurnpike (I-76), a second Laurel PA 31 and U.S. 22. • I-70 East Welcome Center – Highlands Visitors Center is located in the PATurnpike (I-76) Exits Claysville, PA on I-70 eastbound, Somerset County Chamber of Commerce within the Laurel Highlands 5.8 miles east of the PA/WV border. building at 601 North Center Avenue, #67 Irwin, #75 New Stanton, Somerset, open Monday – Thursday #91 Donegal and #110 Somerset. 9am-5pm, Friday 8am-5pm and most Saturdays 9am-1pm. driving distances DESTINATION MILES HOURS Ohiopyle State Park Distance from major cities to Donegal, the center of the Laurel Highlands, Baltimore, MD 200 3.5 at Exit #91 on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Our most unique visitors center is Buffalo, NY 264 4.5 located off U.S. Route 381 at Ohiopyle Cincinnati, OH 313 5 State Park in a train station circa 1912. Cleveland, OH 177 3 The center is open dawn to dusk, year Columbus, OH 237 3.5 round, and information specialists Detroit, MI 329 5.5 are available daily May – October, Erie, PA 173 3 10am-4:30pm. Additional hours from 76 Memorial Day – Labor Day: Fridays, Harrisburg, PA 158 3 Saturdays & Sundays 10am-6pm. New York, NY 323 5.5 Philadelphia, PA 258 4.5 Pittsburgh, PA 50 1 Richmond, VA 295 5 Washington, DC 198 3.5 Photos: Casselman River and Mt. Davis - Bruce Cridlebaugh; Farms near Kentuck Knob - A. Hirko; Ft. Ligonier - Angie Cirino; Packsaddle Bridge - Craig Galley; Idlewild - E. Custer; Ohiopyle Visitors Center - Tony Martinez www.laurelhighlands.org 1-800-333-5661 3 Fantastic FREE Things To Do Big Mac® in the Museum 9 Restaurant Laurel OK, you will be tempted to spend a few bucks on a Big Mac® which just happened to be created right Highlands here in the Laurel Highlands in Uniontown, PA. But, this cool new museum is not just for fast foodies but for kids of all ages. Located in North Huntingdon, just off the Irwin Exit #67 of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, the world’s largest Big Mac statue and collection of memorabilia are on display along with inventor M.J. Delligatti’s story. www.bigmacmuseum.com. Pittsburgh Steelers Summer Training Camp Come watch America’s most popular sport at the best site in the NFL according to Sports Illustrated’s Senior Editor Peter King who picks the Steelers Training Camp as, “The best training camp in the NFL, the best venue for watching real football in the NFL, and my favorite place to soak in what sports should be.”Most practices are held late afternoon’s mid-July through mid-August. Go to www.steelers.com for 2009 training camp dates. SummerSounds 2009 Pack a picnic supper, bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy the tunes at “the best outdoor music series in Western Pennsylvania.”St. Clair Park in Greensburg’s emerging cultural district is Wine Country hopping on Friday nights in June, July and August when the sounds of traditional jazz, Sip award-winning fruit and new age, folk, bluegrass or rock fill the air. grape spirits from mountaintop All shows are 7:00 to 9:30 PM. Go to vineyards with spectacular www.summersounds.com for the views of the Laurel Highlands. 2009 schedule of performers. Guests are welcome year round to Christian W. Klay Winery, Glades Pike Winery, Greendance Winery at Sand Hill Berries and Stone Villa Wine Cellars for free sampling and tours. Go to www.laurelhighlands.org to link up with the wineries and their special events. 4 www.laurelhighlands.org 1-800-333-5661 State Parks and Forests Thousands of acres of the region’s stunning natural resources are comprised of pristine Pennsylvania State Parks and Forests which provide exhilarating outdoor seasonal experiences. From fishing, birding, and cross-country skiing to hiking, biking and swimming our magnificent state parks and forests are one of the Laurel Highlands main attractions. For a complete list of Laurel Highlands State Parks and Forests go to Covered Bridges of www.dcnr.state.pa.us. Somerset County Folk lore has it that during horse and buggy days couples would wait until they reached a covered bridge to kiss. Scattered throughout pastoral Somerset Follow George… County are ten covered bridges well worth discovering with your significant other. These George Washington’s military career began charming icons of the past are located near some of in what is now called the Laurel Highlands. French the region’s great fall festivals as well as lovely bed and Indian War sites where his and breakfasts and restaurants. Go to history making events occurred www.somersetcountychamber.com are either free or accept a to request a map. small donation. See the Great Meadow at Fort Necessity where his first battle began, stop at Fort Ligonier and see the new gallery dedicated to Washington with two American treasures, his original hand-written Pedal the “Remarks” and Great “saddle” pistols. Go to Allegheny www.nps.gov/fone and www.fortligonier.org. Passage Fresh air, spectacular scenery and a nearly level trail most of the way make the Great Allegheny Passage a bike rider’s dream ride. Free outdoor recreation doesn’t get any better than cycling a Follow the portion of the longest rail-trail in the east.