This stately stone home in Brownsville, PA stands on Market Street. It is on the main drag before…read moreit passes over a river. The French General Marquis de Lafayette stayed here and spoke to townsfolk in 1825. Directly across the street is the local FD Engine of Brownsville which is also really neat to visit when in the area! The Brashear House is also a corner house, so it is picture perfect for pit stops, to explore around the block or to take family pictures.. Review: 5

This is the quintessential Brownsville historical attraction. If you are looking for a prize of…read morelocal history you cannot find anywhere else then look no further

I have heard of Nemacolin Castle, but had thought it was near the resort by the same name. It…read morewasn't until I entered the address into the GPS that I learned it is located in Brownsville. Husband and I decided to visit when the Christmas tour was offered. We got a history lesson on the man who founded a trading post and built the castle. The Bowman family was quite influential in the area. It is impressive to be made aware of the history behind the family and the home. The home is managed by the historical society and volunteers. It would be great if they would get some additional funding for restoring the home. Right now, they rely on donations and admission fees to maintain the upkeep. There are areas of sagging floors and peeling wallpaper. It is fortunate that most of the furniture items were actually owned and used by the family. The piano is beautiful and one of the first to come to the area. The home was decorated for the Christmas holiday. Admission is $15 for adults and tickets may be purchased online or at the door. On busy times, I would recommend reservations. Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly. We were in a tour of about 18-24 people which was too large of a group. The some of the rooms were small and we were crammed in to hear the guide. Still, it was a nice way to spend a rainy Saturday before Christmas. I want to return when they have a haunted tour next fall.

This is a beautiful boat with an amazing educational mission. Yes, they do run charters, but their…read moreprimary mission is to educate school-age children and adults on the history of Pittsburgh's steel making and also environmental issues. The staff is well trained and the boat is spacious and versatile. The boat is moored near the Science Center.

I had my eye on these tours for a long time, and finally we were lucky enough to be in town for the…read more"Voices of Carrie Furnaces" guided tour of the Homestead Iron Works, which I believe only happens one day each month during the warm half of the year. This is absolutely a treat for anyone with roots here or a fascination with industry and manufacturing. The highlights: Most tours are guided by former steelworkers and people with a first-hand involvement in the steel industry. You get a great overview of the plant, which was the center of life for this community and the lifeblood of the region for more than a century. Our tour placed a heavy emphasis on the engineering and technology of steelmaking, so if that's your thing, it's Christmas. And it's a minor miracle that these two blast furnaces have been preserved. I would suggest that they augment the tours with photos or videos that might help bring these hulking structures to life a bit more, and maybe insert some specific stories about immigrants and working families, union battles, and other colorful bits about Homestead. Sure, a windfall of donor support and a visitor center would go a long way to improving things on that score, but a little shift in emphasis could be done on a budget. Either way, Rivers of Steel is hugely important for preserving the region's steel heritage, and their efforts to extend that support to the community are vital.

The scenery was lovely. The boat is nice and clean. The sound system, in the cabin, is hard to…read morehear clearly. The reason for a 1 star review: The lake is the jewel of Taylor County. The boat tour is a great idea. The problem is that this lovely jewel was overshadowed and tarnished by a guide telling "historical" tales of murder, maiming, kidnapping and blood and gore. This, on July 4th after a year and half of families and friends not being able to see each other and have a good time. For the "Open boat cruise" you are expected to remain seated, not talk, and be thrilled to hear these horrific stories. We were also supposed to be happy about paying $20 a person to have someone use us as an infomercial to sell their book. This is not a tour that is for families wanting to spend time together or for small children (not for them to hear or be expected to remain seated that long). It does state on the website that this is a historical tour. We did not realize it was non-stop talking for two hours. When the cabin part of this tour grew weary of the tales, her "folksy" style (learn to love the phrase "...and so anyway"), gossip on what people spent for properties and not being allowed to move around, the guide came down and reprimanded the whole cabin of PAYING customers for being too loud. Learn to read the room, you didn't keep their attention. I would have loved to have heard the purpose of the dam, how far reaching the effects of it were, if there are any conservation projects happening, had some silence to enjoy the scenery but most of all, I would have loved an enjoyable time with my family.

I am a yinzer through and through and cherish all the history that is Pittsburgh…read more Carrie Furnaces are no different. The tours are incredible and you learn so much. I come from a long line of steelworkers and thought I pretty much knew all there was to know. That was, until the tour. The tour guide was extremely informative. Most of the folks working (volunteering) at Carrie have some connection to the steel industry. In addition to the tour, I have had the privilege of attending events there as well. Yep, they rent out the space. Everything was well put together at the events and having the furances as backdrop took it to the next level. As far as the tours go, I feel so strongly that Pittsburgh natives and tourists alike take one. It's really incredible to learn how much of the country was built because of Carrie.

We thoroughly enjoyed our tour with Keith! He had to do much first hand knowledge of the facility,…read morehaving worked there himself when he graduated the army. The tour lasted about 2.5 hours and was mostly outside in direct sunlight. There were a few opportunities for shade, but not many. If you come on a hot day, plan to arrive hydrated and grab a complimentary water bottle from the check in desk. You'll need it. Parking is plentiful, the history is intriguing, and the art scattered about the property is thoughtful and engaging. If you're lucky, you'll spot some wildlife who inhabit the surrounding area.

If you haven't heard of the Woodville Plantation before, please read my previous reviews. This…read morehistoric plantation was established in 1775, and the house was built in 1785, and is located along Rt. 50 between Carnegie and Bridgeville. Although a lot of their events have been virtual over the past pandemic year, you can still tour the grounds in person, and soon they will be starting house tours and special events again later this season (check their website for details). This small piece of what once was a huge Virginia-style plantation, is like having a miniature Colonial Williamsburg right in our own backyard. The highlight this year is the new 1800s era timber-frame barn which is currently being constructed by an Amish crew (see photos). When finished, this barn will add an additional historical aspect to the property, and also provide more space for events. If you are a fan of history, do check this place out ... Cheers!

From the owner: Enjoy a guided tour of this National Historic Landmark and learn more about the Whiskey Rebellion,…read moreJohn Neville, and 18th Century Pittsburgh & Western Pennsylvania history. We also have special events. Open seasonally April through November on Sundays afternoons, 1-4pm. Self-guided tours of the grounds are available at all times.

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 :)

I visited Fort Necessity alone in mid-June 2025 as a pit stop on a drive from Columbus, OH to…read morenorthern Virginia. Lot of pluses in visiting this federal park (the visitor center is open from 9am-5pm). First, it has a clean restroom on this stretch of U.S. 40. If you're in dire need of a restroom break, visitors will have a new appreciation for the meaning of "Fort Necessity". Second, the 15+ minute video is useful in providing historic context to the battle and role of the National Road which facilitated westward expansion and trade in the 1800s. Third, the museum displays were upgraded since my last visit in 2013. Overall, it provides in-depth context for the Battle and the National Road (US-40 today). The early mistakes of George Washington and that of General Braddock provided valuable lessons that helped Washington in the American Revolution. Something that I did not know was the 1930's Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built the state park and illustrated how President Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) saved many young American men from despair during Great Depression. Perhaps the US needs a similar initiative today to help young men looking for meaningful work.

It's very quiet here. Great place to see and learn the history. The fort itself isn't original…read more It's a recreation. Friendly ranger.

Pleasant little trip into 1830's roadside tavern history (and more history of the National Road,…read morecomplimenting some of the history at next door's Fort Necessity visitors' center), such as what sort of people traveled, how they traveled, what they could afford to eat, and how they slept (uncomfortably and sharing space with strangers).

The previous two Yelpers certainly explained the tavern well enough but I'm going to throw in a few…read moredetails that they overlooked. First and foremost is that it's an oddity of history that George Washington came to own the land on which he fought his first battle. He fought his first battle at Fort Necessity right down the hill from where the tavern stands in 1754. As history will tell you, things didn't turn out so well for young Colonel Washington. But the area stuck with Washington and fifteen years after his defeat at Fort Necessity he came back to buy the land consisting of 234 1/2 acres in southwestern Pennsylvania. The tract of land was called "Mount Washington" and embraced the Great Meadows. However, little did he know then that this tract would later boast a tavern whose story would live for generations. Although Washington never lived to see his land flourish, he knew it would be an excellent site for an inn. Soon after his death the first federally funded road was laid down through this country, crossing the Mount Washington tract, thus proving his speculations correct. Travelers stopping at the Mt. Washington Tavern were pleased to find a commodious brick and stone tavern of eleven rooms in two stories, with an attic and basement. Built around 1827 by Judge Nathaniel Ewing of Uniontown, the Tavern was operated by James and Rebecca Sampey and did a lively business from the time it opened. Four conditions were prevalent at this inn: the place was clean, the food was good, the landlady was civil and her husband was sober. The building was an inn for only a short period of time from its construction in 1827-8 to 1855 when the importance of The National Road declined due to railroad construction. It was then used as a private home until 1932 when the Commonwealth of PA purchased it and eventually the NPS acquired it in 1961 while making the building part of Fort Necessity National Battlefield. Today the tavern serves as sort of a museum of what life would have been like traveling the National Road in the mid-19th century. The tavern is open seasonally from April-November normally the same hours as the visitors' center but in particular thanks to the lingering effects of the Sequester, that is subject to change and you should call before coming as the hours are not updated on the nps.gov site.

All the way from CT to PA for the living dead weekend. Took a little road trip to the Buffalo Bills…read morehouse with my husband and friends. Booked the 10 am tour. From the owner of buffalo bills house this was the last tour of the season until May of next year. But, you can book a stay in the house. I think it is also through their website. The tour was about two ours long. Got a little history of the house and town. Got the details of the movie and how the house was before filming and after. It was an amazing experience and so much fun. This house is beautiful inside and out. Thank you Chris for letting us experience this house with your knowledge. We had so much fun

This was the most amazing tour!! Traveled from Portland Oregon to go…read more Communicated through email, got updates on tour info and quick to respond to questions. I can't say enough how RAD this was, history of the area, the house and film. Chris and Dawn were amazing guides, thank you both!! I'm so glad this is a thing!!!! I don't want to give anything away, just GO!! Get your tuck on!!!