Sitting in the bandshell in Ligonier, Westmoreland County, PA

1. Historic Sites—Known as the first area to hold English courts in western PA during the Revolutionary War, Hanna’s Town was a temporary stop for travelers and merchants. In 1782, a Seneca raiding party and their British allies destroyed Hanna’s Town, and it never recovered from this devastation. Heroes from this attack emerge as we hear of a brave 13-year-old girl, Peggy Shaw, who sacrificed her life to save a toddler who had wandered outside the fort.

Historic Hanna’s Town

Guided tours of the reconstructed replica of Historic Hanna’s Town include the jail, tavern, fort, and Dyer’s Garden, the source for color dyes the settlers used on their fabrics. Tours are available from May to October, in addition to special events held throughout the season. www.westmorelandhistory.org/hannas-town

Conestoga Wagon at the Compass Inn

Housing one of the original Conestoga wagons and an 1830s-style stagecoach, The Compass Inn Museum, located just off Route 30, the main street pathway for travelers in the 1800s, showcases the lives of innkeepers Robert & Rachel Armor. Today, tours are conducted by guides in period clothing and demonstrate life in the cookhouse, blacksmith shop, and inn. Tours are available from May to October. Special events are held throughout the season. www.compassinn.org

Chocolate Gobs are very similar to the Whoopie Pie found in Lancaster County

2. Foodie Finds —Gobs: Similar to what Lancaster Countians call a whoopie pie (chocolate cake with a delicious creamy center), gobs can satisfy your sweet tooth in no time. The treat is said to have originated in Johnstown in 1927 and quickly became the preferred treat of coal miners in Cambria and Somerset counties.

3. Architectural Masterpieces – Fallingwater & Kentuck Knob: Discover Frank Lloyd Wright’s love for nature and design with these two beautiful houses. Fallingwater boasts iconic photographic angles and modern organic design inside and out. Wright’s designs are integrated within nature, not against it. Edgar and Liliane Kaufmann, the owners of Kaufmann’s Department Store in Pittsburgh, hired Wright in 1936 to create an innovative space to be used as a vacation home. Features include:

• Frameless open windows prevent interference with your view outside.
• A swimming pool.
• The use of just two signature colors throughout – light ochre (concrete) and Cherokee red (steel).

Today, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy manages and preserves Fallingwater. www.fallingwater.org

Frak Lloyd Wright’s Kentuck Knob

Just a short drive from Fallingwater lies Kentuck Knob, a private residence open to the public. I.N. and Bernardine Hagan hired Wright to design this Usonian home along the mountainside in 1953. The residence is considered one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s last designs. Guided tours include a tour of the house and grounds. You should book well in advance for both houses to ensure a reservation. www.kentuckknob.com

Westmoreland Museum of American Art

4. Art & History – Explore hundreds of years of creative history displayed at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art. Current exhibits include “65 Artists, 65 Years: An Anniversary Exhibition,” shown through September 8, 2024. Admission to the museum is free and is open Wednesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.thewestmoreland.org

5. Outdoor Adventure – Ohiopyle State Park is located on the southern end of the Laurel Highlands and provides an extensive list of outdoor activities for people of all levels and interests. The Youghiogheny River runs throughout the park and is the source of thrilling whitewater rafting, kayaking, and fishing. Other recreational activities include hiking, biking, horseback riding, and rock climbing. Pack a picnic and enjoy your view at the Tharp Knob Vista Overlook. www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/OhiopyleStatePark

5. Girls’ Day Out – Spend an afternoon in downtown Ligonier, a picturesque town with all the charm of Stars Hollow, as seen in “Gilmore Girls.” Pop into local boutiques for unique gifts, and grab lunch, a glass of wine, and homemade ice cream before relaxing on benches in the town’s diamond.

One of the comfortable cabins at Oak Lodge

6. Rest Your Head – When it’s time to recharge, take advantage of the endless lodging choices. From quaint cabins and campgrounds to world-class resorts and hotels, there’s something to match everyone’s dream experience. On my visit, I stayed at Oak Lodge, a bed and breakfast in Stahlstown. Rather than staying in the main lodge, my accommodations were in one of the comfortable and well-appointed cabins. Breakfasts created by the chef at Oak Lodge are something special. www.oaklodgepa.com

Idlewild & SoakZone, Ligonier, PA

7. Family Fun – This summer, walk on the wet and wild side with Idlewild & SoakZone, a fun-filled theme and water park that the kids (and adults) will love. A huge dose of nostalgia awaits adults as they stroll through Story Book Forest and visit their favorite nursery rhyme characters.  www.idlewild.com

 8. Explore Nature’s Finest – The Laurel Highlands embraces nature’s beauty at every turn, inviting a time for exploration, deep breaths, and picnic lunches. It’s a short drive to any of the eight state parks extending from Latrobe to Ohiopyle. www.golaurelhighlands.com/outdoors/parks/state

Flight 93 Memorial

9. Honoring Those We Lost – Built to commemorate and honor the heroes who lost their lives in the United Airlines Flight 93 on September 11, 2001, the Flight 93 National Memorial stands as a symbol of courage and unity. www.nps.gov/flni