We were blown away as we drove in the Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center. It opened in April…read more2008, is meticulously clean and impeccably maintained. The building's thoughtful design really sets the tone for a meaningful visit. They've done an outstanding job sharing the layered stories of the Battle of Gettysburg--why it happened, how it unfolded, and its lasting impact on our nation. Their storytelling truly honors the sacrifices made, weaving history into every exhibit. Staff were exceptionally helpful and knowledgeable. The interactive displays were a highlight--my kids especially loved the miniature cannon where they could "pull the trigger," and the realistic cannon shells you could actually lift to feel their weight. Super engaging! And please, Don't skip the Cyclorama. This massive 360° painting weighs a staggering 8 tons--4 tons of canvas and 4 tons of paint--and it's presented so vividly you feel like you're standing there in the middle of the battlefield. In short, the Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center delivers history with clarity, compassion, and creativity. A truly unforgettable visit -- 5 stars all the way!

The short film and cyclorama are a great way to start your trip to Gettysburg to have a refresher…read moreon history and the grounds you are about to explore. Also, they are prepared to handle bus loads of people at a time - these guys are pros! Fun fact: Only 5% of people pass the Gettysburg battlefield guide test -- these guys know their stuff! We went in our own one time, and went back with a guide and it was a way better experience. Highly recommend going with a proper guide to really understand Gettysburg!

This is a unique section of the Appalachian Trail (AT) in that it's less about hard core hiking and…read moremore about history. Although you might see an occasional through hiker. This part of the AT is connected to the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (NHP) which has lots of Civil War history attached to it. For more details see https://www.nps.gov/hafe/planyourvisit/hikes.htm The hikes here are very easy with little elevation change. But you will get many beautiful views and like I said there plenty of historical stuff to connect with as well. For more details or volunteer options check out the PATC at https://www.patc.net/

Probably one of the best National Park situated in between the Northern Virginia and West Virginia…read morebordering the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. The Potomac river runs all the way to and is about 61 miles from Washington DC. As we checked in the visitor center we were immediately greeted by a Park Service in full Ranger uniform. We paid the customary $10 per car then he handed us a map of Harpers Ferry. From the visitor center a complimentary bus takes you to the main historic town about 2 miles from the parking lot. Today, there was a special tour with a Park Ranger who enlightened us in great detail of the history including particularly of the armory it once was which equipped the US Capital for its defense all the way from the South. Most of all, the story of John Brown, the abolitionist but could be also be contested as a rebel, depending on one's learning curve. There were a few dwellings and museums and especially the building where John Brown was held up when he was captured during his attempts to raid the armory back in those days, so as to help the cause in freeing the slaves. This building was considered sacred as it triggered the civil war, or so it was thought to have started. The curators at its dwellings were knowledgeable and passionate about their jobs and to me, should serve as the model for how historical places should be curated! Thanks to our lady bus driver who drove us back n forth to the visitor center, Elliot who gave us a history tour of the museum and more importantly, the amazingly enthusiastic Park Ranger David Cox who guided us through a very thoughtful story of its history and told it as if he were speaking of the events as it was happening just then. Great job! Too bad we were pressed for time or we would have lingered longer for a hike on the trails connecting the Appalachian Trail to that area or to cross or kayak the Potomac. It was an awesome day of about 60 degrees in the middle of Winter. It could not have been a better day to visit. I'll definitely come back to either kayak or try out inner tubing in the Summer time. Very well worth a visit!

Even though the incline was closed, we stopped to look since we were going to the adjacent…read morerestaurant for dinner. It was constructed as a "lifesaver" after the Johnstown Flood of May 31, 1889, the Incline has more than lived up to its original lifesaving purpose. I read that flood waters again swept through the Conemaugh and Stonycreek Valleys on March 17, 1936 and July 20, 1977. During both floods, the Incline carried men, women, children and vehicles to safety and help. It is one of the longest and steepest hoists in the world and one of the few transportation systems of its kind still in existence and has its place in the Guinness Book of Records as "The steepest vehicular inclined plane in the world." The incline is closed for refurbishments set to be completed in Spring 2023. We were thrilled to see a large American flag flying above the incline. The flagpole is 125 feet tall and is on the highest point above the valley. I am sure that this flag can be seen for miles.

This was an enjoyable little trip up the mountain over Johnstown. Great views!! Gives you a great…read moreperspective of the city

Stopped by at 9:15am on a Saturday, signage says opens at 9am, "Open" light was turned on, but…read moredoors were locked. Very annoying.

A nice Visitor Center for Winchester and the upper Shenandoah Valley. Brochures on the many…read morehistorical sites nearby are available as well as Winchester lodging and dining information. A film on the Civil War in the vicinity plays continuously and there are rotating special exhibits. Docents at the information desk will answer questions. There is a gift and souvenir display.

It was such an amazing sequence from a soak in the Roman bath then a hot stone massage…read more It is not a matter of "if" I will go back, but how soon.

This place is awesome! We walked around to check out the park and springs but we also visited some…read moreof the bath houses and checked out the cool hotel which we thought about staying at prior to booking another place not that far away. I know for sure the next time we come to this area we are staying at The Country Inn Of Berkeley Springs due to it's amazing vibes, proximity to the bath houses and springs, walking distance to one of my favorite breweries, cool shops, and restaurants. We did not expect this area to have so many cool things to do and see, so the plans we had already made for that day didn't allow for us to get to enjoy much of it because if we would have known we would have taken full advantage of the spas and area in general. We did speak to two of the ladies working at the spas and they explained to us about the services they offer so the next time we are in town we will definitely be getting pampered. Enjoy this amazing little area, I know we did! Happy Travels :D

I wish I had more time to explore the park as a whole, but I had an aggressive agenda where I had…read morepreset times to tour two Frank Lloyd Wright residential masterpieces, Kentuck Knob (review: https://yelp.to/_zBjRXaWxl) and the legendary Fallingwater (review: https://yelp.to/hQ179hIMk_). Motoring in my rented SUV through the gorgeous Laurel Highlands region, I had roughly an hour to drive the seven miles between the two homes right through this park. Right in the heart is a most worthwhile stop, Ohiopyle Falls, a twenty-foot waterfall that spans the wide Youghiogheny River over a couple of dramatic levels. The parking lot was huge and pretty empty, and it was a quick stroll to the broad observation decks that jut out over the river. There was a group of kayakers huddled together as they were preparing to navigate the whitewater torrents. The hamlet of Ohiopyle provides a welcome coffee break. RELATED - Exploring the greater Pittsburgh area? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/JIi0cQGNmO

Update: After a tour of the stunning FallingWaters a 1937…read moreFrank Lloyd Wright designed home and a wonderful lunch in Ohiopyle PA we returned to our 139 campsite to enjoy a quiet afternoon we were approached by two heavily armed policemen who indicated we were camping in a "No Dog Zone"!!! We explained that the State Park Ranger had assigned the site upon checkin and mentioned nothing about a "No Dog Zone". They indicated that since we were checking out the next morning we would have to move. The officers were very nice however them being so heavily armed was a bit unnerving!! In Pennsylvania state parks, dogs are generally not allowed in swimming areas, inside buildings, or in designated non-pet overnight areas like cabins and group tenting areas. They are also prohibited in any area specifically designated as closed to pets. Responsible pet ownership is expected, meaning dogs must be leashed, attended, and their waste must be cleaned up!!! After a seven hour multi state slough we finally arrived at Ohiopyle State Park in PA. Site 139 was an easy back in however due to an afternoon thunderstorm there's no power to the campground upon our arrival but thankfully it came back on a short while ago! We've decided to enjoy a second day exploring the river, local sites etc. Really enjoyed our stay. While the entry roads are a bit tight the facilities were clean plus the staff was amazingly friendly. Highly recommended.

This is one of two places along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park which I…read morevisited to get a better understanding of the canal. All within reach are the Bollman Iron Truss Bridge, a railroad lift bridge, the Conocheague Creek aqueduct (dry), turning basin and Lock 44. The visitor center sells a few C&O canal related items and holds a few displays. In addition, the property holds a few other structures which are not open to the public. The center is very popular with the locals who are out to get some exercise in such a scenic and peaceful site.

In my effort to see more of the C&O Canal, a friend and I drove out to Williamsport on a late…read morespring Sunday. There was a geocaching event going on in the area, and the towpath is always popular with bicyclists, so it seemed that we got the last parking spot in the lot. The visitor's center is small, but as is the case for most such NP centers - informative. Lots of free brochures to be had, plus a number of items for purchase. We then walked to mile marker 98, and back toward mile marker 100. Even with the amount of cars in we'd seen in the lot, the towpath was mostly quiet and we spotted a fair amount of wildlife.