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

I recently photographed a wedding at the Scenic View. The grounds are really beautiful and the…read morelookout trumps all. There's a tower up a long, winding road, but you don't even need to go up into the tower to see the gorgeous mountain view. The landscape is breathtaking, I'm sure, during any time of the day. But we went up at sunset after a storm and it was nothing short of spectacular. I cannot wait to get back to Penn's Scenic View for the view alone!

Penn's Scenic View is such a beautiful place. My large family would go up every year and rent out…read morethe Stable Lodge there. Of course, I loved being with my family. However, I loved going for walks in the area. It's such an amazing experience. Peace, quiet, utter bliss... what more could you ask for? If you walk up this dirt road, you'll encounter a wooden tower on a hill. If you walk up the tower, you can take in the breathtaking view. A full 360° of trees. It's all picture-worthy. You truly won't be disappointed. You can continue to walk around to discover new things. There's a lake next to the Lakeside Lodge. I would always see weddings take place at the lake from the Stable Lodge. It was really nice to see something like that. Unfortunately, this place is private property. You can't just walk in willy-nilly. We rented out a cabin, that's the only reason we were granted access. The place is being sold. It's up for around $1.3 million dollars. Therefore, we can't rent out the Stable Lodge anymore. The whole place is gated off. I wish I could go back up there, just one last time. It's truly amazing. That place means a lot to me. My family has been going up there since I was a baby, and I'm 17. A lot of memories are kept there. It's also the place where I found myself. I would do whatever I could to go up there just one last time. I want to share the experience with my girlfriend. I would pay that $1.3 million to go back up there. If you're lucky enough to visit the 18 acres of pure scenery, you won't be disappointed for even a second.

I spent 3.5 days and 3 nights on this trail this past memorial day weekend, my first venture back…read moreinto the backpacking world. This trail begins in Ohiopyle or Johnstown and ends whichever way you choose. If I were to try to pack the entire length I would start at the North end in Johnstown and hike South, to ease up the ankle pain and knee pain :) That comes with packing 20lbs + pack weight and hiking 18-19 miles in one day. Throw in the elevation gain and you will see what I mean. I hiked the South end starting in Ohiopyle and going out to about 26 miles over my time there, then I turned around and came back over two days. Things to note for overnight campers: You can call ranger station at trailhead to make your camping reservation, by credit card it is 4$ a night. Water: there is non drinking water at each campsite, bring a water filter or boil that water as it is not tested. I filtered stream water the whole time and it was fine. Ohiopyle about 6 miles in has the nicest camping ground with access to a large stream, but not all the sites have that. You might want to filter water for night hiking into camp. To save hiking a mile extra back out to get some as I had to do. Firewood, there are fire pits in the shelters if you want to skip the tent but bring something to lock your food up, mice are common in the shelters. I slept in a tent kept my back in the tent with me. There are portapotty type johns at the campsites. Weather: if you check local forecast plan on temps on the trail and at camp at night being around 10 degrees colder because of the elevation change, and storms. Bring rain gear if you're out for more than a day hike! Now for the trail, it is blazed yellow on the trees hard to get lost but a map would have been nice to have. However no maps available in Ohiopyle you have to pay for one at the Laurel State Park office. I did not do that would rather buy a hiking book with the trail in it at a later time. In most places its wide very rocky, lot of tree roots its murder on the soles of your feet, wear boots or stiff soled shoes if hiking for more than one day. Poles could come in handy, I don't use hiking poles but I got caught in little thunderstorm and had to grab a forest walking stick. Some places it looked like they barely blazed a trail at all it was very narrow hard to hike on. Hike with caution. Beautiful river runs stream runs, skyline views, and rock formations. In the first 26 miles views are at mile 6 ish and 24ish, rocks b between 15-20. Lots of birds, and small wildlife I only saw one deer. There is a shooting range at mile 25, just outside the park you will hear lots of gunshots. I would not recommend taking a break or relax day at the Grindle ridge campground out there as I did. Also the campgrounds that have broken water pumps currently are Grindle Ridge and Route 653 shelters campground. This is a lovely hiking trail but steep, be prepared for a challenge in the beginning. Happy Trails!

How can you not LOVE the LHHT? Its a trail I've frequented quite often in the last 15 years, and…read morehope to explore the entire 70 miles. This picture was taken during the Laurel Highlands Ultra race in June 2017. This race can be run as a relay or individually. They also sponsor a 50k race, which is approx. 30 of the 70 miles. There are many trail heads and shelter areas. The trail is great for day hikes, as well as multiple overnight stays. There are also many ambitious people who hike the entire thing. Its always fun to pass fellow hikers on the trail. Trail stories are always fun to hear, and there are people from all over that you'll meet. Running the trail is quite a challenge, as there's drastic elevation changes at some points and many technical areas. I suggest if you've never run the trail, and expect to run the race, you must do at least 1-2 runs on the trail.

This is a nice and informative walk to the hall of names. The decent was very good with my boys and…read moregot them sworn in as junior rangers and made them feel comfortable to ask questions about the crash and the park. Inside is a good exhibit that is heartbreaking and informative. The gift shop sells literature related to the event as well.

I could have sworn I reviewed this (& posted pics) the one and only time I went several years ago…read more It's quite a large area (as you would imagine) with memorials and tributes all about. There is also a visitor center as well. We stopped on the way back to Pittsburgh from one of our many DC roadtrips. It's located in Somerset County in a very small and rurl town called Shanksville which is about an hour and a half from Pittsburgh. The day of our visit was extemely windy and I understand that area because of the height of the land, etc. does tend to get windy. It was extreme that day. Even though it was busy with a lot of people, it was still eerily silent and at the same time peaceful. It was kind of surreal seeing the rock where it happened and having a full view of the crash site. Very impactful visit.

Very informative museum . I was not very familiar with the flood and after touring this area and…read morethe Floor Memorial I felt the devastation that Johnstown underwent. Great piece of history. Site is well maintained and very clean. Keep up the good work A+++

There is not much to see here but you'll learn a lot about the tragedy. The rangers here are very…read morefriendly and knowledgeable. Plenty of parking space.

Located in the Town of Somerset, Somerset Co., PA on the corner of Centre and Union Streets. Built…read more1904-1906 architect was JC Fulton. Sits on 1 acre of land measures 146 ft x 112 ft and 135 ft tall. Made of Indiana Limestone, sits on Sandstone with terra cotta roof and copper dome on center tower. Gorgeous and free to go inside and look around. Beautiful building

I had recently heard that the Somerset County Courthouse is the highest court in all of…read morePennsylvania, elevation speaking. Makes sense as Mt. Davis, highest point in Pennsylvania, lies within Somerset County as well. It is quite the beautiful building, one of the first things you see when you drive into the area, proudly sitting on top of Somerset. Listed on National Registry of Historic Places and part of the Uptown Somerset Historic District basically tells you about the age of the structure. Inside you are greeted by security guards and metal detectors like you find in every government building today. Once you pass the checkpoints you are greeted then by the grand staircase that takes to exactly where you need to be. Three courthouses are housed within; one on the first floor and two on the second floor. All three are grandly ornate and distinct from one another. The biggest of the three is magnificent. I'm no architect, but I can respect the beauty of a nicely laid out building. The staircase is made of marble and splits at mid-level. If you cannot traverse stairs, you will be able to use the elevator in the building. Bathrooms are spread throughout with the main one being on the bottom floor. Also located on the bottom floor is a room with some vending machines, if you are here for an extended period of time that is a good thing to know. Many offices are located here that you would expect to find in a county courthouse. What you can't find in here they do have an annex building located across the street. The county jail is also located across the street. Everything from criminal and civil cases to jury selection happen here. I just so happen to have had the pleasure of serving jury duty and being able to do that here made my civic duty that much easier.

This is an awesome experience the trains come about once every hour and if you could try to see the…read moreAmtrak train, it's a once in a lifetime experience

The funicular is almost never running, forcing people to climb a long flight of stairs. Even if you…read moreare able-bodied, it is difficult. And, they don't have the foresight to install a regular bonafide elevator to resolve the issue. You are better off going over to the Gallitzin Tunnel Park/Museum to railfan the trains that come through here.

My husband and I were driving home from the Westmoreland County arts and crafts festival and…read morediscovered Hanna's town as we were driving. The place was closing within 15 minutes but I had the opportunity to meet with a couple of staff and learn about the place. Hanna's Town is a national historic site not often noted during the pre and during the Revolutionary War. We learned that it was the first English court west of the Allegheny Mountains and this town had more prominence than Pittsburgh which had yet to be developed. The settlers adapted what was called the Hanna's town resolves which fueled the movement towards independence. It was also was an important site during the war recruiting men for the Continental Army and for the militia that aided the western campaigns against the Indian allies of the British. The actual town itself was burned by Indians and British allies in 1782 and a partial recreated village was built in its place to show the hard lives the early settlers had and the important part they played in achieving American Independence. A lady let us view a one room house with bare floors that had table and chairs, a bed, and a fireplace along with dishes and other things needed for a frontier lifestyle. One can only imagine what life must have been like in that period. I had an opportunity to tour the fort on the grounds and saw various items such as a fireplace, the frame of a TeePee, and a memorial to a 12 year girl by the daughters of the American Revolution who gave her lives to the Indians. With very little time we were allowed into the gift shop where they have additional artifacts about the town itself. They offer tours which last 1 1/2 hours and since they were closing asked us to return for one. Tours are only $5.00 but you can get $1.00 off if you are AAA member or Senior Citizen. I was given a pamphlet where I learned they host events, court reenactments, antique and collectibles markets and other things. This is definitely a must return trip since it will give me an opportunity to learn more about the colonial lifestyle. Located on Forbes Trail Road it is an easy drive to Greensburg.

I found this on the 'Uncovering PA' facebook page as something to see in Pennsylvania so drove in…read more I loved how it was laid out and enjoyed wandering the fort, then up the hill to the very large rock! Across the street you find the stockade, schoolroom, and visitor center.. Sadly it was closed when I arrived but I did enjoy the buildings. I love history and these old buildings are amazing. I love old forts too ;)