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For more information, please contact Julie Donovan, public relations manager, at:
jdonovan@laurelhighlands.org
 Distance from major cities to Donegal, the center of the Laurel Highlands, at Exit #91 on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
| | | Miles | | Hours | | Baltimore, MD | | 200 | | 3.5 | | | | Buffalo, NY | | 264 | | 4.5 | | | | Cincinnati, OH | | 313 | | 5 | | | | Cleveland, OH | | 264 | | 3 | | | | Columbus, OH | | 237 | | 3.5 | | | | Detroit, MI | | 329 | | 5.5 | | | | Erie, PA | | 173 | | 3 | | | | Harrisburg, PA | | 158 | | 3 | | | | New York, NY | | 323 | | 5.5 | | | | Philadelphia, PA | | 258 | | 4.5 | | | | Pittsburgh, PA | | 50 | | 1 | | | | Richmond, VA | | 295 | | 5 | | | | Washington, DC | | 198 | | 3.5 |
TOURISM STATISTICS
PENNSYLVANIA'S STRENGTH IN TOURISM
Recent tourism facts and figures compiled by data from D.K. Shifflet & Associates indicate that, in 2003, Pennsylvania was the 5th leading destination state in the United States. Overnight leisure travel captured 4.4% of the market share and was the 4th leading destination state for U.S. day-trip leisure travel with 5.0% market share. The total economic impact of visitor spending in the state was $23.5 billion.
Visitor spending significantly impacts the Laurel Highlands economy. Based on figures compiled by D.K. Shifflet & Associates, in 2003 the Laurel Highlands region (comprised of Fayette, Somerset, and Westmoreland Counties) generated over $780 million in visitor spending. In turn, 18,923 people were employed in the tourism industry, generating $495,769,517 in wages.
For more information on Pennsylvania tourism log on www.visitpa.com
TRIVIA AND FUN FACTS
• The Great Allegheny Passage is the longest multi-purpose rail-trail in the eastern U.S. with over 300 continuous, nearly level, miles from near Pittsburgh to Cumberland, MD. It connects to the C&O Towpath in Cumberland, providing a motor-free route from Pittsburgh to the District of Columbia.
• Our natural areas consist of 10 state parks, forests and 11 state game lands.
• Wildflower information: Mountain Laurel begins to bloom the first and second weeks in June and lasts for approximately 3 weeks. Rhododendron follows and blooms for 3 weeks. These wildflowers are most likely to bloom in perfect growing condition in the Laurel Highlands every year.
| March | | Trillium | | | | April | | Hepatica | | | | May | | Columbine | | | | June | | Mountain Laurel | | | | July | | Nodding Pink Onion | | | | August | | Trumpet Vine | | | | September | | Joe-Pye-Weed | | | | October | | Ironweed and exceptional fall foliage | | |
• Our mountains traverse the Laurel and Chestnut Ridges of the Alleghenies.
• The 250th Commemoration of the French & Indian War began in 2004. Special events will take place through 2010 at battlefield sites in the Laurel Highlands region.
• The rescue of the nine Quecreek miners took place on a family farm near Somerset.
• Laurel Caverns in Farmington is Pennsylvania’s largest developed cave, featuring a 430-acre natural park Kavernputt, an indoor mini-golf course.
• Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Champion is Pennsylvania’s largest ski and year-round resort and was voted #1 in the mid-Atlantic by readers of Ski Magazine.
• For more than 41 years, the Pittsburgh Steelers have made their way each summer to training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe.
• Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood is nestled in Ligonier’s Idlewild & SoakZone.
• The Big Mac was first prepared at a McDonald’s in Fayette County.
• The banana split was first created by Dr. David Strickler at his drug store fountain on Ligonier Street in Latrobe in 1904.
• George Washington lost his first and only battle at Fort of Necessity along Route 40, east of today’s Uniontown.
• Along today’s Route 40, in the towns of Addison and Searight, are the locations for the only two remaining tollhouses in Pennsylvania from the United States’ first National Road.
• Saint Vincent College, along Route 30 in Latrobe, was the first Benedictine College in the United States.
• Somerset County boasts Pennsylvania’s highest elevation at Mt. Davis State Forest Natural Area. The rock is 3,213 feet above sea level.
• The Laurel Highlands receives the largest accumulative amount of natural snowfall in Pennsylvania.
• Fallingwater®, built by Frank Lloyd Wright, is considered to be one of the most influential houses of the 20th century. This architectural wonder dramatically cantilevers over a rushing waterfall.
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