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Roaring rivers, breathtaking waterfalls, a 68-mile scenic byway, and a 150-mile cycling and hiking trail promise sightseeing splendor from every angle. These spectacular mountains host world-renowned architectural marvels, plentiful libation locations, storied historical sites, and some of the best whitewater rafting around. Come for the culture and the great outdoors, and soak up the charm of small towns, with a dazzling backdrop every season of the year. HIGHLIGHTS FALLINGWATER, MILL RUN Nestled within Bear Run Nature Reserve, Frank Lloyd Wright’s picturesque Fallingwater is one of the country’s most admired works of architecture. IDLEWILD & SOAKZONE, LIGONIER Let your youthful spirit run wild — and maybe even squeal with delight — at Idlewild & SoakZone amusement and water park, featuring characters, rides, slides, shopping, and shows. FORT LIGONIER, LIGONIER Fort Ligonier is a museum and reconstructed wartime garrison commemorating its mid-1700s origins. Tour the grounds, view 18th- and 19th-century paintings in the art gallery, or view a live battle reenactment. NEMACOLIN WOODLANDS RESORT, FARMINGTON With luxurious accommodations, Woodlands Spa, 36 holes of championship golf, and Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond restaurant Lautrec, this is the ultimate retreat. OHIOPYLE STATE PARK, OHIOPYLE This rugged expanse of 20,500 acres is ideal for picnicking, mountain biking, camping, and whitewater rafting the Youghiogheny River. THE WESTMORELAND MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART, GREENSBURG This recently renovated art museum houses extensive permanent and traveling collections of American paintings, decorative art, and sculptures. FLIGHT 93 NATIONAL MEMORIAL, STOYSTOWN Take in a moving remembrance of the 40 lives lost from the Flight 93 plane crash on September 11, 2001. The striking centerpiece monument, the Tower of Voices, houses 40 wind chimes within 93- foot concrete walls. IN 2019, FALLINGWATER WAS NAMED A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE. ROAM THE LANDS Beyond the more well-known Laurel Highlands highlights are a number of hidden gems that will intrigue residents and tourists alike. From world-famous architecture to historic landmarks to refreshing craft beer, there’s plenty to see, do, and drink. In Dunbar, Kentuck Knob offers visitors a peek into another of Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs. His Usonian house on Kentuck Knob merges architecture, sculpture, and landscape. Daily tours are offered during most of the year. One of two Living Treasures Animal Parks in western Pennsylvania, the Jones Mills location brings opportunities for up-close and responsible animal encounters with white tigers, potbellied pigs, and more. In Champion, visit Seven Springs Mountain Resort, a year-round destination for everything from downhill skiing and ziplining to golfing and luxury spa treatments. Lodging spans from luxurious lodge rooms to quaint cottages. Scottdale’s West Overton Village and Museum provides a peek into the early 1800s through the lens of the Overholt family and the birthplace of Old Overholt Whiskey. Tour the distillery museum to learn about the area’s past, and then step into the Abraham Overholt Homestead, built in 1838. Vinoski Winery in Belle Vernon opened in 2017 but celebrates a centuries-old family tradition of winemaking. Taste award-winning wines and explore “the Castle” grounds including the gift shop, spa, and giant corkscrew sculpture. More of a beer drinker? Visit family-owned and operated Whitehorse Brewing brewery and taproom in Berlin, a 10-barrel microbrewery producing brews such as the Rebellion Red Ale, Apple Butter Cream Ale, and Floto’s Smoked Black Lager. The Great Allegheny Passage is a dream for hikers and cyclists, spanning 150 miles across Pennsylvania and Maryland. The “trail town” of Meyersdale — nicknamed “Maple City” for its annual springtime Pennsylvania Maple Festival — offers spectacular views from the nearby Salisbury Viaduct.
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