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.

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.

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

Quite a view! It is really neat to see this massive road cut. There is an access behind the…read moreMaryland Welcome Center, and there is also a pedestrian bridge that connects the rest stop on the other side of the highway to this access. Climbing up the steps gets you to the view. Looking at the opened walls is very interesting since you can see the various layers going back through time. We somehow managed to end up here at great timing for the sun coming through the hill too, which was an added interesting feature. There is also signage available that provides more details about the National Road and Sideling Hill.

I lived in Baltimore Md as a child, my grandparents had a cabin in West Virginia. Four or five…read moretimes a year we would drive out I83, through the "V in the mountain" on the way to our vacation spot deep in the woods! Sideling Hill became our halfway stop, many times I used the bathrooms there, and ate many sandwiches made by my grandmother in the parking lot! All the employees were always so nice and seemed super informative... Always kept clean! Bathrooms included! As for the hill, Beautiful is an understatement for this very unnatural yet breathtaking view of a mountain, and each season offers another opportunity to see this impressive feat of mankind. There's even a walkway bridge that spans the highway with interesting views of its own! If you travel out western md and happen through Sideling hill, take fifteen minutes and stop in! I'm not sure if it's still there but they had a stuffed black bear standing guard inside. Check it out, definitely a beautiful view that won't disappoint.

A great place to stop and do some unique shopping. This little village off I68 and 219 has lots to…read morelook out. The restaurant has some wholesome food and also a gift shop. They have done quite a few improvements since a few years ago a big storm knocked down alit of trees. The Savage river runs right next to it. Unfortunately right now 6/25, you cannot go on the stone bridge over the river due to repairs. Just down the road is Candy-land that has a nice assortment of loose candy that you can mix and match. This is a definite rest stop if you are traveling I68.

A very cool place with a lot to offer…read more Funny thing is, I used to travel back and forth to Baltimore and DC for years for work and I would always pass by this place and I'd think, I wonder if that Penn Alps Restaurant is any good? I even had several of my customers who had businesses right up the road from this place who'd praise their food, but I have never once ate it. Hopefully one day :) Then not long ago me and a good friend of mine went on a little hiking adventure in the surrounding area with her kids and we decided to stop by here to look around and check things out. I was pleasantly surprised at all of the stuff they have here and the history tied to it all. It's such a cute little Swiss village and honestly has a decent amount of stuff to offer and learn about. Plus, there is a newer building behind all of this that looked to me like it was a super cool cafe at one time, but it was closed when I was there. It did have a sign on the door that said it would be reopening soon. The Cornucopia Cafe, which I hope to try soon as well. There is a lot to do and see here. Take your time and look around, buy some local merchandise, learn some history, and eat some good food. If you're on 68 heading East or West take a little break here to check it out and learn about a time period in which George Washington was a part of. Enjoy :)

Decided to stop here for a visit because I hadn't been since my elementary school field trip! It…read morewas a gorgeous day and we had a good time listening to the audio guide they have on YouTube for each of the houses--that was really well put together and very interesting! However, even when visiting on a weekend there weren't many interactive things to do or see besides the blacksmith who was friendly and actively working on a piece. There was no one in the tavern or cookie shop, which would have been cool to experience. When we entered the chandler house (candle maker), there were workers there but no one even acknowledged us or said hello. We were really hoping to be able to make a candle or buy fresh baked cookies as the audio guide suggested! Overall an interesting stop but would have been nice to interact more with the village.

Old Bedford Village Shoppes are part of Old Bedford Village which consists of authentic and…read morereproduced log, stone, and frame buildings that were part of the 18th century. You enter the complex via a covered bridge and then park opposite the welcome center. Admission is very reasonable and gives you an opportunity to explore the different buildings of the town as well as some of the craftsmen who operate the various trades. They have events scheduled throughout the year and during this visit my husband and I got in on a "western" themed re enactment. All over the town were costumed characters who we learned had come in for the weekend only. Co-Vid restrictions are in place. They only allow 25 people in the visitor's center and you can only tour a house one family at a time. All over the complex are picnic area as well as tent stations where you can buy food or just meet up with the people. Some of the craftsmen we got to visit included the broommaker and the mortician. Things have come a long way since the 1700s so I found it very interesting to hear their stories on how they handled their crafts or events of the period. Photo ops abound if you want to grab a picture of yourself in the stocks by the jail and what's also great is that most of the craftsmen wares are found in the gift shop in the welcome center if you want to take a freshly dipped candle, a blacksmith's creation, or even a mini whisk broom. I was blown away by one building that housed and Indian museum. It was believed that an Indian tribe may have existed prior to the actual village that the property sits on and Indian artifacts are on display. Items are also available for sale in the general store, the bakery where you can get giant size homemade cookies, as well as pottery and tin. I couldn't get over how dark the interior of most of the buildings were but those were the days before electricity so you get that authentic feel. Hosts in various buildings are on hand to explain the history of that building and to answer any questions you may have. Christ church was designed after the 1806 log Union church which we later visited in the town of Schellsburg. The wine glass pulpit sits in the center and the building can be used for weddings. The western days didn't disappoint and we got to take in a couple of shows. I loved watching the bullwhip show and their expert ability to slice paper from one's mouth. The western show was well written and very funny. Even got an opportunity to hear from "Mark Twain" in the square. Allow at least 2 hours if you want to tour the place but you could spend all day here. Old Bedford village has so much to offer and is well worth a visit to get a glimpse of life in colonial times. We really enjoyed visiting and sits about 2 miles south of the PA turnpike at the Bedford exit.

Another slice of Roadside Americana pie in Bedford, Pennsylvania. Bedford is a historic community…read moredating back to the 18th century. George Washington's Whiskey Rebellion was headquartered here. "The Big Coffee Pot" as it's known was created by David Koontz in 1927. It was actually once a lunch stand and after that it became a bar. It now sits on the Lincoln Highway and has become an historical landmark much like the town and the highway it sits on. The pot is a museum and it also has a little gift shop. A must-see if roadtripping through the area.

This is a nice, quick stop on a visit to Bedford. When I moved from California back to the east…read morecoast, I stopped in Bedford and snapped a few photos before making the final stretch to my new home. I have fond memories of the place, and it reminded me of so many roadside Americana spots I would see in Southern California where businesses turned to these types of structures as advertising opportunities for products and services (think big barrels, gigantic donuts and yes a big coffee pot). It's well worth a stop just for the fun of it all.

This Beautiful Old Warehouse Complex was placed on National Register of Historical Places in 2013…read more Built by English Immigrant Thomas Footer in 1870. He passed in 1923 and it was left to his 2 sons, and it went under in 1936 during Great Depression During it's hey day there was over 500 employees with a weekly payroll and 20 branches. Great building

Tony and I was driving towards Fort Frederick State Park from having lunch. We saw sign for C&O…read moreCanal Lock Dam#5 and Lockhouse. On the other side of Potomac River is WV It's a free park to enjoy for viewing scenery! There is plenty of parking. Free to enjoy! People were there hiking, biking, fishing...I guess you can swim there is no signage saying you can't. Only a sign saying no alcohol It's a beautiful area with Great open river views! Highly Recommend

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.

We used this and the adjacent park on the other side of the canal as our launch point for two rides…read more29SEP (went south out & back 10 miles) and 30 SEP went north out & back 24 miles). Spacious parking area, not paved or marked spots but I would guess 30 cars or so would fit comfortably? The days we were there we only saw about 10-15. The trail itself is well packed dirt/gravel and even with a few wet areas along the way it is easy for most bikes, other than a pure road bike.

Tony and I stopped at C&O Canal Lock 44 & Lockhouse. It's free to enjoy and a lovely area to Enjoy…read morefor free. Plenty of parking. There is an old Lockhouse, plenty of signage about history and TURTLES...We saw about 20 plus turtles sunning themselves. Great place for hiking, biking and exploring. Close easy access to the Potomac River for tubing and swimming. Highly Recommend and definitely would go back when in area.