SITE ITINERARIES IN THE LAUREL HIGHLANDS

Take in our wonder!

Spirit of America - Amazing Tributes in the Laurel Highlands

• The Heritage Discovery Center: One step from Ellis Island, "America: Through Immigrant's Eyes"
• Wagner Ritter House and Garden: 1860 Steelworker's residence, survived severe flooding.  Heritage Garden and fascinating family history.
• Choose:
• Windber Coal Heritage Center:  Coal industry and featuring artifacts from the Quecreek Rescue. Miner's Bucket Luncheon!

OR choose to visit the...

• Johnstown Flood Museum:  Several floods devastated this steel town community. Academy Award-winning documentary!
• Extend the day and add a ride on the Inclined Plane!  -  Steepest vehicular/passenger Incline in the World!
• Luncheon at Our Coal Miner's Café, depending on tour options selected.
• Flight 93 Memorial - National Park Service:  Pay respects to those who gave so much on September 11^th
• Flight 93 Chapel:  United Tribute to Crew and Family Remembrances!
• Quecreek Mine Rescue:  Miraculous, powerful, and inspirational, a tribute to determination!
• Rockwood Mill Shoppes and Opera House:  Shop a bit. Embrace a patriotic celebration with ‘Spirit of America.'  Dinner and Show in the Opera House! Great ending to a moving day!

Devastating History resulting in Survival and Determination!

• First stop, the Johnstown Flood National Memorial:  National Park Service - how and where the dam broke!
• Johnstown Flood Museum:  Academy Award-winning Documentary, Oklahoma House!
• Wagner-Ritter Home and Garden:  One of few remaining residences, fascinating family stories!
• Heritage Discovery Center:  Ethnicity and amazing challenges, melting pot community!
• Luncheon at the Heritage Discover Center
• Windber Coal Heritage Center: Coal industry and featuring artifacts from the Quecreek Rescue
• Quecreek Mine Rescue: Miraculous, powerful, and inspirational, a tribute to determination!
• Our Coal Miner's Café:  Dinner and Entertainment, family values and gracious hospitality!

George Started Here!

Have you ever wondered where George Washington began his young military career? Right here in Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands!

• Fort Necessity National Battlefield
  • State-of-the-art museum sharing his challenges and triumphs
  • Surrendered his only battle at Fort Necessity
  • Mount Washington Tavern, stagecoach stop along National Road.
  • Today expresses story of life along the Road.
• Brady's Restaurant
  • Lunch at this family-owned comfort food restaurant!
• Fort Ligonier
  • Impressive Fort featuring The World Ablaze: The Seven Years' War
  • Outstanding collection of young Washington's original memoirs and saddle pistols.
  • In mid-October: Annual Fort Ligonier Days. Spectacular Parade, Reenactments, Commemorates the French and Indian War!  Selected by ABA as a "Top 100 Event" for 2010!
• Time to explore Historic Ligonier
  • Over 60 Specialty Shoppes, one-of-a-kinds, antiques, collectibles & more!
• Ramada Historic Ligonier
  • Dinner this evening is a special "Colonial Feast" with costumed servers and entertainment at the Ramada Ligonier with a red carpet welcome!

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

• Compass Inn Museum:  Restored stagecoach stop along historic Lincoln Highway, first coast-to-coast highway! Docents use word etymology to share history ‘with a smile.'  Why do we call a toaster a toaster?  They will tell you this and more!
• Fort Ligonier:  Pristine French and Indian War Fort where you can view young George Washington's original memoirs and saddle pistols! World Ablaze Exhibit!
• Colonial Luncheon Feast:  At the Ramada Historic Ligonier, costumed servers with delightful colonial meal!
• Historic Hanna's Town:  Explore the roots of American Democracy and Justice! Site of first English courts west of Allegheny Mountains! Costumed guides, courthouse/tavern, jail, more!
• Historic Float Trip by Wilderness Voyageurs:  Costumed guide does all the rowing, you do not get wet, but you do sit back, relax, and learn the amazing history of the region. A true soft adventure trip!
• Miss Martha's Tea Room and Gifts:  Dinner will be at Miss Martha's. A great way to wrap up a day to remember!

Festivals, Festivals, Festivals!

Each season offers a great array of creativity, food, fun, entertainment, celebration, and memories to cherish!  Please check our Festival/Special Events listings. Choose to incorporate one or make a weekend of it with up to four! You'll be glad you did!

Create It, Make It, or Take It - Depending on time of visit, festivals abound! ADD creativity at its best!

• Saint Vincent Gristmill, Saint Vincent College Campus:  Process of grains to flour for over 100 years!
• Friendship Farms: Natural Hearth Bakery, flour to finished baked product!
• Ramada Historic Ligonier: "Cooking with the Chef" Culinary luncheon experience
• Craftique Collections: Create a craft, make it and take it, shopping something for everyone!
• Greendance Winery at Sand Hill Berry Farm: Wine tastings, gardens, and more!
• Miss Martha's Tea Room and Gifts: Shopping and enjoy a delightful dinner!

OR

• Faranda Farms:  Butter, Cheese, Garlic, Floral Arranging, design your options
• Somerset Historical Center:  Have a Spotza Party, Maple Sugar candy!  Barn Star Program.
• Laurel Highlands Model Railroad Club:  Displays - fun for all ages!
• Lunch at the Georgian Inn of Somerset or Pine Grill Restaurant
• Compass Inn Museum:  Blacksmithing, Open Hearth Baking, and more!
• Latrobe Art Center:  Art instruction or demonstrations, displays!
• DiSalvo's Train Station Restaurant:  Dinner in historic train station restaurant!

The Wright Triangle!

When it comes to architecture, the Laurel Highlands can deliver.

• Frank Lloyd Wright's Duncan House at Polymath Park Resort:  Two additional Wright apprentice designs, Peter Berndston's Balter and Blum Houses on same property!
• Tree Tops Restaurant at Polymath Park Resort:  Enjoy luncheon with the Wright influence!
• Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater^®:  Amazing structure combining art with nature, cantilevered over a waterfall. One of ‘50 Places in a Lifetime' National Geographic Traveler.
• Frank Lloyd Wright's House on Kentuck Knob:  This majestic home, owned by Lord and Lady Palumbo of England, is built into the mountainside and has a phenomenal view from the knob!
• Christian W Klay Winery:  A nice stop to wine taste, tour or hayride in the vineyard!
• Summit Inn Resort or The Stone House Restaurant: Dinner at the Grand Porch Hotel or Historic Stone House!

The Fabric of Our Lives

End of March, beginning of April -

• Pennsylvania Maple Festival:  Quilt Shows, Car Shows, Maple Industry and much, much more!

Mid-June -

• West Overton Museum:  Annual Quilt Show!

September -

• Stahlstown Flax Scutching Festival: Flax to Linen demos along with complimenting exhibits.
• Mt Pleasant Glass and Ethnic Festival:  Arts, Crafts, Glass Demonstrations.
• Somerset Historical Center:  Linens, Quilt Displays or Rotating Exhibits, inquire.

ADD:

• Antiochian Village Heritage Museum:  Rotating Exhibits, Iconology, Garments and more!
• Foster and Muriel McCarl Coverlet Gallery:  Saint Vincent Campus, Fred Rogers Center, impressive collection.  View the display of Mister Fred Rogers, puppets, stories and more!
• Westmoreland Museum of American Art: Southwestern Pennsylvania Artistry and Impressive Creativity!
• Sew Special: Quilt Shop and much more, plan a project from start to finish!  Trunk Shows, Special Events, Shop Hops, Creative Juices flow!
• Add to this garden tours, culinary experiences, wine tasting or serenity!
• Meal stops can be arranged pending ‘design' of this tour day!

Holidays Sparkle in the Laurel Highlands!

Early December brings you a festivity of delight ... Choose among the following and create your holiday ‘package!'

• Christian W Klay Winery, meet Santa!
• Compass Inn Candlelight Tour
• Fayette Central Railroad Santa Train Ride
• Greendance Winery at Sand Hill Berry Farm
• Ligonier Festival of Lights
• Mount St Macrina House of Prayer & Gift Shop
• Nemacolin Castle Christmas Candlelight Tour
• Nemacolin Woodlands Resort - Light up night or Art Tour
• Overly's Country Christmas^®:  Not only a lighting display, but a village to embrace!
• Parade of Trees at Four Points by Sheraton
• Shopping in unique to boutique settings!  Find that perfect one-of-a-kind from pets to your favorite
• Sunset Tour at Frank Lloyd Wright's House on Kentuck Knob
• Theater presentations and entertainment
• Toy and Train Exhibits
• Valley Players of Ligonier, Seasonal Celebration "Joy to the World"
• Wagner-Ritter House ‘German Immigrant' Christmas tour
• Westmoreland Museum of American Art

Inspiration - Nourish the Soul

Serenity, Relaxation, Divine Intervention

• Flight 93 Memorial, National Park Service:  Pay your respects to those who gave so much!
• Flight 93 Chapel:  Share a moment remembering with the family's offerings.
• Quecreek Mine Rescue Site:  Miracles took place on this quiet farm location. Be truly inspired!
• Antiochian Village Conference and Retreat Center:  Luncheon in quiet, relaxing, setting
• Antiochian Heritage Museum:  Icons, Special Gifts and Acknowledgement of Eastern Orthodox Christianity!
• Saint Vincent Basilica:  Campus of Saint Vincent College, impressive statuesque basilica!  Saint Vincent Gristmill, Benedictine Monks work daily to grind grains to flour.
• Mount St Macrina House of Prayer:  Peace-filled atmosphere with a sense of serenity! The Sisters of St Basil now own this former mansion and welcome sharing their hospitality and their gift of calm to all who meet with them.   Annual Pilgrimage in September when thousands come and reflect in this beautiful setting!

Dinner this evening will be a choice of locations.

Where all the action is!  Fun is waiting to be had!

Soft adventure and mild-to-wild, we have the options! Choose to incorporate numerous recreational activities:

• Caddie Shak Family Fun Park:  50-Acre park with action packed attractions from go-karts to driving ranges. Miniature golf and picnic possibilities!
• Hiking and Biking Trails along the Great Allegheny Passage: The Ride of Your Life! 135 miles connecting Pittsburgh to DC through the Laurel Highlands. One of the TOP 10 RAIL-TRAILS by USAToday.
• Idlewild and SoakZone:  The beautiful setting with quaint rides and stage shows, Mister Rogers Neighborhood, it IS a beautiful day in our neighborhood!  Great family fun with waterpark and senior friendly with relaxed atmosphere! A great experience for the whole family, generational!  This park has had consistent ratings of "2^nd Best Kid's Park in the World," second to LegoLand in California!
• Ski or Snow - Winter Sports
  • Seven Springs Mountain Resort, #1 in the Mid-Atlantic Region
  • Hidden Valley Four Seasons Resort
  • Nemacolin Woodlands
    • See their websites for multiple options!
• Whitewater Rafting with Laurel Highlands River Tours or Wilderness Voyageurs
  • Youghiogheny River with ranges from mild-to-wild whitewaters!
  • Bike rentals, rock climbing, kayaking and more!
  • Ohiopyle State Park, great adventure and abundant opportunity from fishing to hunting, whitewater, hiking and biking and nature!

Americana!  Generations can appreciate our heritage!

• Heritage Discovery Center:  Ancestors came from Ellis Island, experience their journey!
• Our Coal Miner's Café:  Have brunch with this family who welcome you like you are part of theirs!  Hear the poem John wrote to his parents, treasured memories.
• Somerset Historical Center:  Genealogy - How to Trace your Family History, Roots
• Springs Museum:  Rich treasure store of history!  Trip down memory lane for the elder, fascinating learning experience for the younger! Interesting artifacts in this highest unincorporated village in Pennsylvania! Highest point in PA, Mount Davis!
• Petersburg Tollhouse - Great Crossings Chapter DAR:  Relive a pioneer's journey at the only original, hand-cut native stone tollhouses still standing along the first federally funded highway, the National Road.
• Stone House Restaurant and Country Inn:  Dinner this evening will be at the Stone House, welcoming guests since 1822!

OR

• Start your day off with the one-and-only Big Mac® Museum Restaurant!  The Big Mac® was created at a franchise in the Laurel Highlands. To celebrate they have opened the only Museum restaurant in the world, right here! Lots of generational memories and gifts to take home!
• West Overton Museum:  Birthplace of industrialist Henry Clay Frick, Overholt Distillery, Heritage Garden,special programming and special exhibits.
• The Old General Store:  A true treasure trip down memory lane! Special gifts, gifts of yesteryear, they have it! Fun stop just remembering all most grew up with!
• Historic Float Trip by Wilderness Voyageurs:  Family time, Friend time, anytime! Connect with those you ride with as your journey takes you on the placid end of the river while guides do the work and share the history of the region.  This is a great way share time, learn and relax!

Dinner options pending!