This place is epic! EPIC!! you could literally spend an entire weekend here exploring and you still…read moreprobably wouldn't get to see everything! It's truly a colossal piece of history. We went on a Saturday..got there around 3pm and left at 5pm. We barely ran into anyone while exploring..which was great. 2hrs was obviously not enough time. When we got there we checked in at the table..you get a wristband while on the property. Purchasing your tickets ahead of time..it makes life for the employees a lot easier. It's dark and there isn't power..so using the iPad to check out is a pain for them. They give you the rules and what not to do..where to stay out of..and they let you explore all on your own. We literally had so much fun. Make sure to bring plenty of flashlights and warm clothes if you're going during that winter season like we did. There are tunles that run from building to building..awesome! The chapel is incredible, the cell housing areas are just as cool..just so many things..the prison barber school..the cobbler shop. So many nooks and crannies. We learned theyll have overnight explorations in the spring/summer/fall in 2023. There will be a hydroponics building as well. The place is just spectacular, and the drive to keep this place open for people to come see history and not let it wither away is amazing. Thank you! Truly appreciate places like this. Please don't leave trash and break things here and ruin it for people who have an appreciation for places like this.

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.

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

While driving across the country with my 11-year-old son, we stopped here to pay our respects and…read morelearn more about this side of September 11th. I was in college when the attacks happened, and like everyone alive that day, I have vivid memories. I was genuinely moved to tears while walking through the visitor's center. Hearing recorded messages that passengers left their loved ones was especially gut wrenching. The walk through the field to the memorial was especially impactful. So peaceful and silent yet eerie to think it was so recently a scene of violent tragedy. The park service did a great job of memorializing and honoring the victims. This is a tough visit, but an important stop to learn more about an all too recent and tragic chapter in American history.

A beautiful, serene, and deeply reflective site. The visitor center is thoughtfully done, and as…read moresomeone who remembers September 11th all too well, hearing the live news replays hit me hard -- I had to step away for a moment to collect myself. That's how powerful this place is. The chime tower is stunning, and the trails are easy to walk, making the whole memorial accessible while still feeling profoundly moving. I can't think of a more fitting or beautiful tribute to the heroic Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice that day. Highly recommend visiting -- bring tissues.

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.

Lemon House is part of the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site, meaning that it…read moreresides on the land and can be viewed while you are there. To note, Lemon House is one of the buildings you can see from the highway on your way by. Lemon House is an original building on the grounds. It has been restored to what it would have looked like for the time period. Lemon House, at times, gives you a better timetable for the time that the railway was in use. I suppose you can view this an an extension of the visitor center. When you walk in you are greeted by one of the rangers, they give you a little run down of the inside of the place and let you go on your way. They are also there to ask any questions, might you have them. You only get to view the first floor of this place. What you will get to see is the dining area, bar, and fancy parlor. The Fancy Parlor was by far my favorite room in here. Decorated with pieces from the time period and giving you a glimpse into how people would interact and relax. The dining room is kind of like a cafeteria style area, great big room specifically for eating your meal. The tavern area seems a bit small, but I can see it working. The other rooms on the first floor have not been restored to what they would have looked like. Instead they hold the informative information about the structure. This information gives you the timeline of the house, right down to who owned it at what time and how it changed hands so much. It also tells you that this is not the original house. They built this one here to be near the railway in order to take advantage of the traffic and offer services. They are not sure where the original house stood to this day. It is a beautiful structure. Great addition to the grounds, and I am happy that they decided to save the structure for reuse instead of demolishing it. It would have been too bad if they had.

"The Lemon House is a museum, not a working tavern or restaurant." So says my guidebook from the…read moreAllegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site. Located just south of the visitor's center and the engine house, it's one of the major attractions at the site and one of the few that has been completely restored. The Lemon House shows how the socioeconomic structure developed along the railroad and the Main Line. It was owned by Samuel and Jean Moore Lemon, two of the many entrepreneurs who used the development of the areas natural resources and transportation links in order to make a living. Travelers along the Main Line would stop here to eat, drink, and regale each other with their journeys' tales. The Lemon House was restored in 1997 in the style of 1830-1850, specifically what it might have looked like in 1840. I say "might" because as with the engine house, any plans or schematics for the design of the building have been long lost. There's also little evidence as to how the tavern was operated or what the menu might have been. What the restorers did know however were such things as period artworks and documentation of other 19th century taverns (many had remained in business into the 20th century). Also historians do know what the social mores were at the time, so we will keep them in mind as we tour the building. Historians also do know a few things about the Lemons. Jean Moore Lemon (1797-1880) was well educated and apparently was the bookkeeper for the tavern. The local banks have records of her signature. Her obituary praised her for her charity works. Samuel Lemon (1793-1867) was born in Huntingdon County, PA. His grandfather served in the War of Independence and his father in the War of 1812. He was best known as a tavern owner and businessman. He must have had some business acumen because the Lemon House was very solidly built. So let's take a tour of the Lemon House. Like the travelers of the day, we enter through the central hallway. In most houses the hallway was very welcoming and it's likely that travelers preferred this room. Here travelers could read the paper, play games, or catch up on the stories of the day. It is furnished with simple wooden chairs and benches which could withstand the elements. Period paintings, not original to the house, adorn the walls. The next room is the bar room. Ladies, we are allowed in here today but we would not have been back when the tavern was operating. The social mores of the day required men to act as gentlemen and women to act as ladies. In general, women of any social standing did NOT go into bar rooms. Here the men could ignore the social graces of the day. Guys, imagine such notorious behavior as removing your dress coat or tilting your chair back. Imagine uttering such oaths as "hell" and "damn"! Now the barroom was restored based on a watercolor "Country Inn" by August Koller. The watercolor was painted in 1840 in western PA. We proceed into the fancy parlor. Here a man or woman who wished to have a more quiet retreat could dine or relax (notice girls, we don't get our own room here--ah, the Victorian social graces). You did not have to be rich in order to use the fancy parlor, but you had to exhibit social graces. The furniture was designed for correct posture and appropriate behavior. Chairs were uncomfortable because they did not want you to linger or sleep here. Interestingly, you could smoke or chew tobacco in here and you can see the silver spittoons on the floor. Of course there is a piano because refined ladies would know how to play one. It's likely that Mrs. Lemon entertained neighbors and guests here. The last room we'll take a look at is the Double Dining Room, also known as the Common Room. Travelers and the occasional local foik could stop for a meal here. Unlike today, it was one set meal. There were no choices of what you wanted to eat. Stew was the most likely meal to be served because it could be kept hot on the stove all day. Trains would pull in and the crew would shout out "1 hour for lunch!". Community seating was the rule of the day, meaning you dined with strangers. This was done for efficiency's sake. This community seating lives on today--if you've ever eaten in an Amtrak diner car, you'll know what I mean. I could go on, but I'm almost out of space here. The Lemon House is my favorite site here because it's so complete and it gives you an idea of how people traveled back then. Quite a difference from the Holiday Inns and Denny'ses of today, huh?

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.

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.

Kings Covered Bridge is an absolute gem of a historic stop in Somerset County! Since it's closed to…read morecars, it is completely peaceful to walk through and admire the incredible, old-school woodwork and architecture up close. The surrounding park-like setting right next to Laurel Hill Creek is incredibly scenic, and the picnic pavilion makes it the perfect place to pull off the road, stretch your legs, and soak in a little bit of Pennsylvania history.

This covered bridge is one of 10 covered bridges that currently exist in Somerset County…read more I included it on my list for a day trip driving from West Mifflin, PA (outside Pittsburgh). You can't drive through the bridge but there is space to park near it and you can walk inside it. It is a good photo opp, especially was on this blue sky day. It is within a quick 2 mile drive of Barronvale Covered Bridge so make sure to include that one while you are in the area.

I wasn't able to go indoors bc of their covid hours but wow is the land beautiful. I gave myself a…read moreground tours. I will call and schedule a tour and update my review!

Didn't actually get to see the mansion or the chapel as there was a special event going on…read more Apparently, the day we went was the only day all year that no tours are given! Anyway, It looked somewhat run down around the edges and only got to peek in the door. The admission was $10. a person. So I was somewhat relieved NOT to have to shell out that much, though I would have to see ole' Columbus' stuff. We determined the very puzzling "Columbus" connection. It appears that one of the early Boals, Col. Theodore Davis Boal, married Mathilde de Lagarde who was a direct descendant of Columbus and when she inherited some of Columbus' artifacts she had them shipped to the US from Spain. I do wish I could have seen that part!