10 FREE Places to Visit Before Summer is Over!

August 17th, 2009

There are plenty of fun summer outings that can be planned around sites that are free or accept a small donation. The following ten sites in the Laurel Highlands are FREE (and super fun)!

1. The Great Allegheny Passage
The longest rail-trail in the east cuts through the heart of the Laurel Highlands. Hop on the trail and pedal from any one of these quaint trail towns; West Newton, Connellsville, Ohiopyle, Confluence, Rockwood or Meyersdale. Bikers love the non-motorized trail with its gorgeous scenery and nearly level grade. If you need to rent a bike – no problem, lots of great outfitters are open close to trail, many of whom provide other bike services.

2. The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail
Ranked as the #3 Best Trail in the country by Trails.com, The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail is a spectacular scenic 70-mile trail that rolls across the Laurel Ridge from Ohiopyle State Park to Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

3. Lincoln Highway Roadside Museum
Not all museums are found in buildings, take a drive along the historic Lincoln Highway, the country’s first coast-to-coast highway which today follows mostly U.S. Route 30. See vintage gas pumps painted by Pennsylvania artists, murals depicting life in the early days of the Lincoln highway and stop and have your photo taken at one of the Picture Yourself on the Lincoln Highway exhibits.

4. Covered Bridges of the Laurel Highlands
Take a relaxing drive on beautiful back roads and tour ten covered bridges in the Somerset County portion of the Laurel Highlands. Glimpse at how our ancestors traveled in the past and see lovely scenery along the way.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers Summer Training Camp
Hurry, this one ends August 20! Watch the 2009 Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers during Training Camp at St. Vincent College, Latrobe. Peter King, a senior writer for Sports Illustrated selected the Steelers Training Camp as his # 1 pick of NFL training camps across the country.

6. Mount Davis – Pennsylvania’s Highest Elevation
The Laurel Highlands is Pennsylvania’s highest point. Outdoor adventurers love the thrill and magnificent views from scaling Mount Davis which has an elevation of 3,213 feet!

7. Ligonier’s Sunday Evening Band Concerts
Every Sunday evening dating back to the 1800’s, June through August, as soon as the church bells strike seven times, all-American style concerts featuring Classical, Big Band and Nostalgia style music are played from the bandstand, the historic town’s most recognizable landmark. The concerts are free however; donations are gladly accepted when the Boy Scouts “pass the hat”. Other communities including Greensburg and Scottdale also offer wonderful outdoor concerts.

8. Bear Run Nature Reserve
Located adjacent to Frank Lloyd Wright’s world-famous Fallingwater, Bear Run Nature Reserve which lies along the west slope of Laurel Ridge, facing the spectacular Youghiogheny River gorge is an amazing area to hike and explore. The waters of Bear Run cascade through rhododendrons, past old-growth hemlocks, and over rocks and boulders producing a spectacular array of rapids and waterfalls.

9. Natural Waterslides – Ohiopyle State Park
Sit in the creek bed and cool off in the waterslides located in Meadow Run at Ohiopyle State Park. While you’re in the Park, enjoy some of natures other water wonders such as Cucumber Falls and Ferncliff Peninsula.

10. Special Summer Happenings
Summer is the time when the Laurel Highlands is bursting with outdoor farmers markets, antique shows, and festivals. For a current list of the region’s special events visit www.laurelhighlands.org or call the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau at 724-238-5661 for a FREE Visitors Guide.

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