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Piper Aviation Museum, Lock Haven Celebrates the innovation of aviation engineer William T. Piper, with numerous exhibits, including a flight simulator. Info: 570.748.8283, www. pipermuseum. com
Simpler Times Museum, Tidioute Documents the area’ s history in the oil, gas, lumber, and agricultural industries. Exhibits include a working model of an oil field and numerous classic cars from 1913 to 1966. Open by appointment. Info: 814.484.3483, www. warrenhistory. org / SimplerTimesMuseum. html
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Groundhog Day Celebration, Punxsutawney Home of the original rodent meteorologist, PUnxsutawney host the annual Groundhog Day celebration. Enjoy music, food, and other activities in the town square while you await Phil’ s famous prognostication( Feb. 2). Info: 814.618.5591, www. groundhog. org
PITTSBURGH REGION
ATTRACTIONS
Duquesne Incline, Pittsburgh Originally opened in 1877, the Duquesne Hieght incline offers visitors incredible views of the Pittsburgh skyline. The upper station includes a history museum and gift shop. Info: 412.381.1665, www. duquesneincline. org
Kennywood Park, West Mifflin Billed as“ America’ s Favorite Traditional Amusement Park,” Kennywood features among its 31 major rides several that were originally built in the early 20th century. The historical amusement park also includes water rides, a kiddie park, and more than 35 games, providing amusement for all types of fun-seekers. Info: 412.561.0500, www. kennywood. com
Nationality Rooms in the Cathedral of Learning, Pittsburgh Experience the many varied cultures and ethnicities that have settled in Allegheny Country through the 26 rooms dedicated to the history of these groups. Guided tours are available with a reservation. Info: 412.624.6000, www. nationalityrooms. pitt. edu
Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquariam, Pittsburgh Featuring thousands of animals from more than 400 species, the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium is one of only six major zoos in the country that also includes a full aquarium. Info: 800.474.4966, www. pittsburghzoo. com
MUSEUMS
Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Four museums, originally founded by Andrew Carnegie in 1895, to foster exploration and learning. Includes the Carnegie Museum of Art, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, the Carnegie Science Center, and the Andy Warhol Museum. Info: 412.622.3131, www. pittsburghkids. org
Jimmy Stewart Museum, Indiana Celebrates the life and career of actor and Indiana, PA, native Jimmy Stewart. Watch classic films and career retrospectives in the recreated 1930s-style theater, or just browse the artifacts from the life of this famous actor, miltitary hero, civic leader, and family man. Info: 800.83. JIMMY, www. jimmy. org
The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, Washington Take a ride through history on historic restored street cars from Pennsylvania’ s past. Learn about the museum’ s more than 50 different street cars from all different types and eras in a guided tour. Annual events include the Bunny Trolley, Pumpkin Patch, and Santa Trolley. Info: 724.228.9256, www. pa-trolley. org
Photo Antiquities Museum of Photographic History, Pittsburgh Antique cameras, viewing equipment, and photographs from the earliest days of image-capturing. Rotating exhbitis include gum prints( 19th century color photography), Victorian post-mortem portraits, and images from the Civil War, all in a recreated Victorian setting. Info: 412.231.7881, www. photoantiquities. org
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Penn’ s Colony Festival And Folk Art Marketplace, Saxonburg A celebration of Pittsburgh’ s colonial history, and the events of the French and Indian War in particular. Unique entertainment, food, and locally made crafts highlight this festival.( Sep.) Info: 724.352.9922, www. pennscolony. com
Night at the Zoo at Living Treasures Wild Animal Park, Moraine Spend a night in the dark at the Living Treasure Animal Park, and see more than 50 creatures reveal their nocturnal habits. Hyenas, alligators, and tigers are among the attractions at this annual event( Oct). Info: 724.924.9571, www. Itanimalpark. com / october-night-at-the-zoo
LAUREL HIGHLANDS / THE ALLEGHENIES
ATTRACTIONS
Berkey Creamery at Penn State University, University Park Part-educational experience, part-ice cream shop, the Berkey Creamery has celebrated the science of deliciousness since 1865. Info: 814.865.7535, www. creamery. psu. edu
Flight 93 National Memorial, Shanksville Memorial to all casualties of United Airlines Flight 93, who died during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, after the passengers and crew turned on their captors and forced them to crash in a field. The memorial is located at the crash site, and honors the names of all 40 passengers and crew. Info: 814.893.6322, www. nps. go / flni
Frank Lloyd Wright’ s Fallingwater, Mill Run One of the most famous buildings in the world, integrated seamlessly into its beautiful surroundings in a 5,000- acre nature reserve. Take a tour and discover the complex brilliance of this architectural achievement. Info: 724.329.8502, www. fallingwater. org
Fort Necessity National Battlefield, Farmington Commemorates the 1754 battle that marked the beginning of the French and Indian War. Tours and demonstrations, as well as a short film about the battle. Info: 724.329.5512, www. nps. gov / fone
Great Allegheny Passage A 150-mile hiking and bicycling trail stretching from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, MD, crossing both the
Mason-Dixon Line and the Eastern Continental Divide. The passage connects to another trail that leads all the way to Washington, D. C. Info: 888.282. BIKE, www. gaptrail. org
Raystown Lake, Hesston More than 30 miles of trails, camping, hunting grounds, and caves surround an 8,000-acre human-made lake in the Alleghenies. Fishing and boating facilities are available, as well as trolley rides and the oldest automobile museum in the counry. Info: 888.729.7869, www. raystown. org
Rock Run Recreation Area, Patton Located deep in the wilderness, Rock Run boasts 140 miles of fun and challenging trails for ATVs, motorcycles, dirtbikes, and other motor vehicles. Info: 814.674.6026, www. rockrunrecreation. com
Yogi Bear’ s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort, Mill Run Step into the fictional world of Jellystone Park, a campground and amusement park in Pennsylvania’ s Laural Highlands. A water park, Miniature golf, paintball, and of course picnic groups are among the many fun activities available. Info: 800.439.9644, www. jellystonemillrun. com
MUSEUMS
Johnstown Children’ s Museum, Johnstown Kids can play and learn in this hands-on museum that celebrates the town’ s geographic, industrial, and cultural history. Highlights include a recreation of historic steel mill and water room that explores the many ways the water affects city development. Info: 888.222.1889, www. jaha. org / ChildrensMuseum
Pennsylvania Military Museum, Boalsburg Part of Pennsylvania’ s Trail of History, this museum commemorates the military service of Pennsylvanians and depicts the Commonwealth’ s military history. Many artifacts from 20th and 21st century wars are on display. Info: 814.466.6830, www. quaintcorner. net
Rockhill Trolley Museum, Rockhill Furnace Pennsylvania’ s oldest troley museum, celebrating the historical prominence of these efficient electric streetcars. Visitors can ride several different historical trolleys, learning about their history and technology enroute. Info: 814.447.9576, www. rockhilltrolley. org
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Bedford’ s Fall Foliage Festival, Bedford Annual festival featuring live entertainment, an antique car parade, hundreds of craft and food vendors, and fun activities for kids and adults. Celebrating 50 years in 2014( Oct). Info: 814.624.3111, www. bedfordfallfestival. com
Fort Ligonier Days, Ligonier Ranked one of the American Bus Association’ s“ Top 100 Events in America,” The Fort Ligonier Days outdoor festival commemorates the 1758 Battle of Fort Ligonier. In addition to a reenactment of the famous battle, attendees can enjoy locally made crafts, live music, and an elaborate parade( Oct). Info: 724.238.4200, www. visitiligonier. com / fortligonier-days
Mount Pleasant Glass and Ethnic Festival, Mount Pleasant Annual street festival celebrating the area’ s ethnic heritaage and its central role in the glass-making industry. Highlights include the glass-blowing and engraving that gives the festival its name, live entertainment, ethnic food vendors, and tours of“ Old Town Mount Pleasant”( Sep). Info: 724.542.4711, www. mtpleasantgalssandethnicfestival. com