Laurel Highlands Visitor's
Bureau
Fall in the Laurel Highlands
by Karen Fetter
When the leaves change
to colors of red, orange, and yellow, and the air becomes cool, you know the
fall season has arrived. There is no better place to enjoy autumn than the
Laurel Highlands, and no better guide than the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau
(LHVB). For everything from festivals and scenic drives to events and historic
tours, the LHVB can help you make the most of your fall days.
Julie Donovan, director of marketing and public
relations for the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau, says that there is so much
the Laurel Highlands has to offer at this time of year. Even for those on a
limited budget, there are a variety of fun things to do at little or no cost.
One activity that has grown in popularity is
biking on the Great Allegheny Passage. This rail-trail connects Washington, D.C.
to a spot just east of Pittsburgh. Cyclists of all ages and abilities follow the
trail over any length they choose. Along the bike trail are a variety of
accommodations ranging from hostels to popular bed and breakfasts. In addition,
there are eateries and shops located all along the trail. For more information
on a wonderful biking adventure this fall, visit
www.gaptrail.org or call 1-888-282-BIKE.
Another way to enjoy our fall scenery is to take
a drive along the historic Lincoln Highway, named in honor of our 16th
President, Abraham Lincoln. The Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor is a roadside
museum that stretches from Irwin to Gettysburg with exhibits, hand-painted
murals on the sides of barns and buildings, vintage gas pumps, and roadside
giants to mark the path of the first transcontinental road in the United States!
Roadside signs and markers help lead the way. So avoid the turnpike and take a
peaceful drive along the winding path of the Lincoln Highway and enjoy the fall
foliage. Visit
www.lhhc.org
for more information.
If you are not thinkin’ Lincoln, one great fall
excursion is a visit to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater – one of the most
celebrated examples of American architecture. The landscape of the Laurel
Highlands is what inspired Wright to design this retreat over a waterfall.
Advanced tickets or reservations are necessary for admission. Visit
www.fallingwater.org for more information.
Not far from Fallingwater is another
architectural masterpiece called Kentuck Knob. This is a private home-museum
owned by Lord Peter Palumbo of London, England. It is framed by mountain vistas
and decorated with sculptures by famous contemporary artists. This location is
open all year long for tours. For more information visit
www.kentuckknob.com.
Part of any fall drive in the Laurel Highlands
must include a visit to Ligonier, PA. This area is one of the best places in
Westmoreland County to enjoy the beauty of autumn. Ligonier, a “New Englandesque”
town, is filled with specialty shops and tree-lined streets. It has a yearly
festival –Fort Ligonier Days- that takes place the second full weekend of
October and attracts over 150 crafters. The yearly event boasts food booths, a
parade, and a French and Indian War reenactment at the Fort Ligonier museum.
(This year marks the 50th anniversary of Fort Ligonier, where special events are
planned for the weekend.)
This time of year, the town of Ligonier also
holds a Scarecrow contest where community members participate in a decorating
competition and scarecrows and are put on display throughout the town. And
lastly, Ligonier has a weekly Farmer’s Market on Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. to
Noon that is sure to please everyone. From homemade crafts and food to fresh
produce and flowers, it’s a great way to enjoy locally grown harvests.
Close by you will also find Idlewild, a
family-oriented amusement park that takes on a Halloween twist for the month of
October with their “Hallowboo” theme. Children are encouraged to bring their
costumes so they can trick or treat through Storybook Forest, take part in a hay
maze, see costume characters, and ride themed attractions. Pumpkins, cornstalks,
and Halloween decorations make your outdoor experience one that you will cherish
every year.
Another way to enjoy the fall in the Laurel
Highlands is by stopping at the Sand Hill Berry Farm in Mount Pleasant. In
addition to the farm and bakery, there is the winery known as Greendance. You
can enjoy wine in the peaceful and serene environment of the farm. There is no
better way to relax.
So whether you want to be active, take a drive,
or have fun at a festival, there are dozens of ways to enjoy fall in the Laurel
Highlands. The LHVB has it all organized for you in its yearly Visitors’ Guide.
To learn more about all the events that take place this fall in the Laurel
Highlands, visit
www.laurelhighlands.org or call 724-238-5661
to receive a free copy of the visitors guide that lists all outdoor activities,
accommodations, the arts, and historic destinations.
The
Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau
724-238-5661
www.laurelhighlands.org