Make the most our of your ‘staycation’
You can have a great time at home this fall and winter, while keeping the family engaged and entertained.
Marc Saltzman, Special to USA TODAY
You may be ready to put away the old winter coat and take the family on a vacation. But with the price of gas more than $4 a gallon, the cost of reaching some destinations could exceed the cost of activities and an overnight stay.
“Locals don’t realize what a gem we have, right in our own back yards. People come from all across the world to visit what we have within our own county,” said Lindsay Pyle, parks and trails director for Somerset County. “When we opened the Big Savage Tunnel on April 1, I met a man who came here from Scotland specifically to ride the (Great Allegheny Passage) and be one of the first to ride through the tunnel.”
In addition to the Great Allegheny Passage — which sees approximately 1.3 million visitors per year — there are plenty of other outdoor destinations across the Laurel Highlands.
Here are some of the places in and around Somerset County where the family can enjoy a more affordable “staycation.”
More:Trail towns: How the Great Allegheny Passage is changing places like Confluence
More:2022 Destination Guide by GO Laurel Highlands unveiled
Cold drinks:Microbrewery set to open this spring near Flight 93 and Patriot Park memorials in Somerset
Caddie Shak
The Caddie Shak Family Entertainment Center features 12 different attractions, such as three go-kart tracks, bumper boats with water cannons, a driving range, kiddie rides, arcade games, batting cages, a snack shack and two miniature golf courses. It offers group pricing and hosts birthday parties.
Address: 132 Caddie Shak Road, Donegal, PA 15628.
Phone number: 724-593-7400, 877-416-7400.
Idlewild & Soakzone
Idlewild & SoakZone was named “Best Childrens’ Park” by Amusement Today and “Best Park for Families” by the National Amusement Park Historical Association. The classic amusement park rides, complete waterpark in Pittsburgh, live entertainment and attractions such as Story Book Forest and Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood may appeal to children of all ages. The park opened May 1, 1878 when William Darlington, owner of the property, gave “the right and privilege to occupy his land for picnic purposes or pleasure grounds” to Judge Thomas Mellon, owner of the Ligonier Valley Railroad.
Address: Route 30 East, Ligonier, PA 15658.Phone number: 724-238-3666.
Laurel Caverns
Laurel Caverns is Pennsylvania’s largest cave with more than 4 miles of natural passages. The cave temperature is a constant 52 degrees. Reservations are not required. There are three lighted tour options: a traditional 30-minute guided tour including a 600-foot walk through the easiest passages of Laurel Caverns; a self-guided 30-minute excursion through 1,200 feet of the largest, longest and steepest passages in the lighted portion; and the combo tour, a popular 60-minute excursion allowing visitors to see the entire lighted part of the cave. Youth groups may request a guide for the entire trip. Laurel Caverns Caving, aka spelunking, is designed for serious enthusiasts who are prepared to get dirty, climb through tight spaces and effectively move over large boulders. The basic caving program participants see both the upper area of Laurel Caverns and its middle zone. Effective with the 2022 season, all participants, regardless of prior caving experience, must have completed the Laurel Caverns Basic Caving Program before entering the lower areas of Laurel Caverns.
Address: 1065 Skyline Drive, Farmington, PA 15437.Phone number: 724-438-3003.
Living Treasures Wild Animal Park
Living Treasures is a family-owned and operated wild animal park that offers an up-close, interactive and educational experience with animals. The parks include more than 400 animals of 70 different species. There are pony rides, a large petting zoo, bottle feeding times, birthday parties, picnic area and refreshments.
Address: 288 Route 711, Jones Mills, PA 15646.Phone number: 724-593-8200.
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park features three swimming pools, snowless snow tubing, wagon rides, Picnic Basket Express, Sprayground, mini golf, fire truck rides, mining sluice, golf cart rentals, military transport truck rides, carousel rides, adventure rides, Keystone Crusher, two train rides and Yogi Bear’s Wetlands. Camping is also offered.
Address: 839 Mill Run Road, Mill Run, PA 15464.Phone numbers and website: 1-800-439-9644, 724-455-2929, www.jellystonemillrun.com.
ATV Mountain Ridge
More than 150 miles of trails and 3,000 acres can provide a full day — or week — of adventure at ATV Mountain Ridge. There are hill climbs, night rides, mud bogs, a kiddie track, motocross track, drag strip and more than 100 miles of single track. The park also offers camping and rustic cabins. A small convenience store at the site sells camping supplies, firewood and personal hygiene items.
Address: 517 Boone Road, Central City, PA 15926.Phone number and website: 814-279-3147, www.mountainridgeatvtrail.com.
Hickory Hollow Campground
Hickory Hollow Campground is situated on more than 75 acres of rolling countryside with a lake and wooded areas. The campground offers hookup sites, pull-thru sites, seasonal sites, rustic and full-service cabins, a pavilion, swimming pool, playground, dog park, store, laundry machines, volleyball and basketball courts, horseshoe pits and hiking trails.
Address: 176 Big Hickory Road, Rockwood, PA 15557.Phone number and website: 814-926-4636, hickoryhollowcampground.com.
Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal Towpath
Two scenic trails link Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C. The Great Allegheny Passage, often referred to as the GAP, has 150 miles for hiking and bicycling adventures. It features a gentle grade and smooth surfaces through scenic views, trail towns, 16 bridges and four tunnels. Following the former Western Maryland Railway and the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad corridor, the GAP is safe and family-friendly. There are places offering bikes to rent, trailhead parking and signage, lodging, eateries, creameries, breweries and shuttle services along the trail. The C&O Canal Towpath is a 184.5-mile trail between Cumberland, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., along the Chesapeake & Ohio National Historical Park and paralleling the Potomac River. The canal and towpath were constructed in the 1830s to move raw materials from the interior to the coastal markets. The towpath offers access to historic canal locks, seven restored blockhouses, 11 stone aqueducts and nine canal towns in Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia, with their breweries, bed and breakfasts, cafes and restaurants, bike shops and local shopping.
Website: www.gaptrail.org.
Jennerstown Speedway Complex
One of the oldest racing facilities in the country, this speedway started as a small dirt track in the late 1920s. Now the Jennerstown Speedway hosts national-scale events and returns to the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series for the first time in more than a decade on the heels a sanctioning agreement with NASCAR for the 2022 season. There’s a playground and food for purchase. Race fans may also meet the drivers.
Address: 206 Somerset St., Jennerstown, PA 15547.Phone number and website: 814-703-8009, https://www.jennerstown.org.
Axe Masters Somerset
Axe Masters Somerset hosts seven lanes, a party room, and both Smash room and a Spatter Room. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are accepted. Its Splatter Room has harmless water-based paints. Children can take their canvas home. Splatter dates have special packages, and group paint is also available. Axe Masters provides protective gear such as goggles, shower caps, booties and robes or coveralls. The Break Room Somerset offers an opportunity to de-stress. Participants can choose between many tools to break things with. Personal protective equipment is provided. Breakables include stoves, refrigerators, dishes, tables, furniture, shelves, doors, TVs, computers and more.
Address: 4185 Glades Pike, Somerset, PA 15501.Phone number and website: 1-878-213-5463, https://www.axemastersindustriesllc.com.
The Escape Room Somerset
Participants are locked into a room and challenged to solve puzzles leading to their escape with 60 minutes. Escape Room Somerset themes include: Distress and The Frenzy Farmstead, with a new one on the way.
Address: 315 Georgian Place, Somerset, PA 15501.Phone number and website: 814-893-2507, https://escaperoomsomerset.com.
Laurel Highlands River Tours & Outdoor Center
The Laurel Highlands River Tours & Outdoor Center offers adventures at Ohiopyle State Park and surrounding areas. Visitors can raft with accomplished guides on the Youghiogheny River — Middle Youghiogheny, Lower Youghiogheny and Upper Youghiogheny — which has something for all ages and experience levels. There is also guided mountain biking, trail biking, rock climbing and more. The Yough Lake Campground is on the Youghiogheny River Lake with a variety of camping options including lakeside cabins, creekside sites, walk-to tent sites, a beach, playground and docks. The Old Mill General Store and Ohiopyle Mining Company are nearby, and Ohiopyle guest houses are located near the Great Allegheny Passage bike trail.
Address: 4 Sherman St., Ohiopyle, PA 5470.Phone number: 724-329-8531.
White Water Adventurers
Ohiopyle rafting trips with White Water Adventurers include fully guided, guide escorted and self-guided whitewater rafting trips on the Middle, Lower and Upper Youghiogheny River. River equipment includes rafts, inflatable kayaks and personal paddle boats. Rentals for rafts, inflatable kayaks and bicycles are available, and a motel is located conveniently nearby. Church, Scouts and group specials are offered. Bicycle rentals, mini golf and shuttles are also available.
Address: 6 Negley St., Ohiopyle, PA 15470.
Phone numbers and email: 24-329-8850, 800-992-7238, info@wwaraft.com.
Wilderness Voyageurs in Ohiopyle
Wilderness Voyageurs offers trips for nearly all ages and skill levels. Rafting, fly fishing, rock climbing, kayaking, biking and hiking is also available. Trip offerings span 15 different rivers in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Maryland. Travel can be done via raft, kayak or inflatable kayak duckie. Attractions include the Eastern Continental Divide, Civil War battlefields and countryside views.
Phone number and website: 800-272-4141, www.wilderness-voyageurs.com.
Ohiopyle Trading Post and River Tours
These experiences can range from a gentle float trip to an adrenaline rush. Biking in Ohiopyle includes a section of the Great Allegheny Passage.Address: 4 Negley St., Ohiopyle, PA 15470.Phone number and website: 724-329-1450, www.ohiopyletradingpost.com.
Flight 93 National Memorial
Nearly 3,000 people were killed when the hijacked planes were flown into the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon near Washington, D.C. and when United Airlines Flight 93 crashed near Shanksville on Sept. 11, 2001. The Flight 93 National Memorial is a place to learn about the 40 passengers and crew of Flight 93, whose actions thwarted the hijackers’ plan to fly this plane into a target in Washington, D.C., possibly the U.S. Capitol. It’s a place to walk beside their final resting place and honor the courage of those who fought back against the terrorists. Features include outdoor exhibits and a cellphone tour. Park rangers and volunteers offer additional information to visitors.
Address: 6424 Lincoln Highway, Stoystown, PA 15563.Phone number: 814-893-6322.
Bushy Run Battlefield
Discover the military tactics that decided the fate of the Pennsylvania frontier in 1763 during the Native American uprising known as Pontiac’s War. Bushy Run Battlefield is the site of a clash between forces led by Col. Henry Bouquet, en route to relieve a besieged Fort Pitt, and several allied Native American nations who ambushed them in hopes of repelling British and colonial advances into the frontier. Guided and self-guided tours are available. Bushy Run Battlefield is also the only recognized Native American battlefield in Pennsylvania.
Address: 1253 Bushy Run Road, Jeannette, PA 15644.Phone number: 724-527-5584.
Fort Ligonier
Fort Ligonier, a reconstructed and restored French and Indian War fort, features artillery batteries, cannons, wagons and buildings rebuilt on the original site. The Fort Ligonier Museum includes the French and Indian War Art Gallery with 14 original paintings, the George Washington Collection showing his saddle pistols and memoirs, and the exhibit titled “The World Ablaze: An Introduction to the Seven Years’ War.” This exhibit includes more than 200 original 18th-century objects from around the world.
Address: 200 S. Market St., Ligonier, PA 15658.Phone number: 724-238-9701
Fort Necessity National Battlefield
Fort Necessity National Battlefield is the site of George Washington’s first military engagement and the battle that marks the beginning of the French and Indian War. The Battle at Fort Necessity was also Washington’s only surrender. The French and Indian War would lead to the first global war and set the stage for the American Revolution. Visitors can also tour a furnished historic tavern museum, the Mount Washington Tavern. There they can learn of life along the National Road, America’s first federally built highway and what it was like to travel by stagecoach. The Fort Necessity/National Road Interpretive & Education Center features interactive exhibits, a 20-minute film and museum shop.
Address: 1 Washington Parkway, Farmington, PA 15437.Phone number: 724-329-5805.
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