Outdoor Attractions
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Horseshoe Curve
2400 Veterans Memorial Hwy,
Altoona, PA 16601
(814) 946-0834
Before the introduction of automobiles and highways, if people from the East coast wanted to travel west, the railroad offered one of the safest routes, but the Allegheny Mountains were an impediment to that route. A Pennsylvania Railroad engineer came up with the idea to build tracks that followed the natural formation of the mountain, and 450 Irish mine workers, using only hand drills, black powder, picks, shovels and wheelbarrows, finished the massive project in just three years.
In operation since 1854, anyone traveling on Amtrak through Central Pa will travel through the curve. There is a fantastic on-site museum that takes visitors through the history and science of the curve, and you can ride a funicular up the mountain to stand nearby as trains pass each other on the U-shaped track.
Blue Knob All Seasons Resort
Skiing
Snowboarding
Tubing
Hiking
Golfing
Special Events Venue
Blue Knob All Seasons Resort is the highest skiable mountain with the most challenging slopes in Pennsylvania, with the longest and sweetest rides for skiers and snowboarders. In addition to our downhill skiing we offer snow tubing and groomed Nordic skiing. For the best skiing in PA come see us at Blue Knob.
Blue Knob Golf Course offers challenges for golfers of all skill levels. The course is 9-hole par 36 with water and sand hazards. Blue Knob is a great choice for a new destination for you and your friends. Our course offers a stunning location to enjoy a challenging round of golf atop the Allegheny Mountains with some of the most beautiful views in Pennsylvania.
Fort Roberdeau
383 Fort Roberdeau Rd,
Altoona, PA
(814) 946-0048
The fort, also known as The Lead Mine Fort, is a reconstruction of the original fort that stood here in the 18th Century. The original fort was built in 1778, during the American Revolution to help supply the Continental forces with lead for ammunition. It was built of horizontal logs with a bastion at each corner. The fort was a cabin fort, with 48 cabins in the initial structure, which helped reinforce the walls.
General Daniel Roberdeau organized and paid for the construction. It protected local lead mining activities, as well as local settlers from the Native Americans and Tories in the region.
Standard Hours of Operation
Monday thru Saturday
10am – 4pm
Sunday
1pm – 4pm
Old Bedford Village
220 Sawblade Rd,
Bedford, PA
(814) 623-1156
The Bedford Village Archeological Site is an archaeological site in central Bedford County, Pennsylvania, United States. Located in Bedford Township north of the borough of Bedford, it was once occupied by a Monongahela culture village. Today, the site is the location of Old Bedford Village, an open-air museum.
Standard Hours of Operation
Wednesday thru Sunday from 10am – 5pm.
The Wall That Heals
2907 Pleasant Valley Blvd,
Altoona, Pa
(814) 943-8164
Lake Raystown Resort
3101 Chipmunk Crossing,
Entriken, PA
(814) 943-8164
Lake Raystown is located in the lush setting of Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania next to Raystown Lake, the largest lake that is entirely within the state of PA. Centrally located, it’s an easy drive from all points in Pennsylvania. It’s also a short trip from the Baltimore and Washington D.C. metro areas.
Lake Raystown Resort is Central Pennsylvania’s top vacation destination. If you’re looking for family fun in a spectacular location, look no further. With 400 acres of waterfront property, top-rated accommodations and endless activities, we’ve got something for everyone. Enjoy camping, boating, fishing, and more on Raystown Lake.
Rails to Trails
Rails to Trails of Central Pennsylvania strives to create an enjoyable atmosphere for people of all ages and of varying interests. The organization does this primarily through the conversion of abandoned railroad corridors, turning them into recreational trails for use by the public. We strive to utilize these resources by emphasizing their historic, natural and recreational aspects.
Rails to Trails of Central Pennsylvania has NO paid staff and thus the organization relies heavily on volunteer amenities, fund-raising and trail maintenance programs. Rails To Trails of Central Pennsylvania is a non-profit, charitable organization as qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-exempt to the extent permitted by law.
Our featured trail, the Lower Trail is open to the public, free of charge, for hiking, jogging, bicycling, horseback riding, bird-watching, cross-country skiing, and other non-motorized recreation. The Trail also provides access to the river for fishing, kayaking and canoeing.
1000 Steps
The 1,000 Steps trail makes for a great hike around the Jack’s Narrows area. While there are many great partial views along this trail, it features four primary vistas: Mapleton Overlook, Mount Union Incline Vista, Shaughnessy Run Vista and Shorbs Summit Vista. This particular route is 9.7 miles long, has a minimum elevation gain of 1,880 feet and a cumulative elevation gain of 3,660 feet.
The trailhead is located along Rt. 22 approximately 1.9 miles west of the the Rt. 22 and Rt. 747 intersection near Mount Union, PA. From the parking lot head east about 150 feet and turn left (north) after the small creek. From that point there will be signs directing you to “The Steps”.
The Steps are quite remarkable, there are over 1,000 of them and they were created in 1936 by the workers who climbed them every morning and then spent their day working in the ganister quarries. The Thousand Steps are divided into about 12 smaller more manageable “flights” of various lengths with rest areas scattered throughout. It took me about 30 minutes to climb the 800 feet to the top of the steps with brief pauses to take pictures at each flight.
Lincoln Caverns
Discover – Lincoln Caverns and Whisper Rocks, where the splendor of nature’s handiwork has been protected and preserved for your visit since they were first discovered in 1930 and 1941.
Explore – winding passageways and splendid rooms containing massive flowstones, thousands of delicate stalactites, pure white calcite and sparkling crystals.
Experience – a fascinating and worthwhile family adventure where special attention is given to each and every guest – both the young and young at heart.
Enjoy – a one hour educational and entertaining interpretive tour which includes both caverns for one reasonable admission.
Share – the tradition of three generations of hospitality, education and cave conservation. Your visit will remain a striking memory.
Penn's Cave and Wildlife Park
Chimney Rocks
In 1994, Chimney Rocks and the surrounding property was purchased by Hollidaysburg Borough. The site was developed extensively to provide for ease of access. Currently the site consists of picnic areas where concerts and other community activities take place. Many of the trails have been improved, and handicap access is available to the picnic areas and one of the overlooks. Safety measures such as handrails and public rest room facilities have also been added, making Chimney Rocks an ideal stop to relax and enjoy the dynamic vista offered to visitors.
Canal Basin Park
The Canal Basin Park opened in April of 2002. The park consists of the Reiser House, the Canal Boat Playpark; Anne Sloan Borland Performing Arts Pavilion and the Sylvia Schraff Amphitheater; and walking/bicycle trails.
The park is open to the public and admission is free.
The park is open daily dawn to dusk.
The Anne Sloan Borland Performing Arts Pavilion and the Sylvia Schraff Amphitheater were completed in summer of 2007 at the park to accommodate the community’s entertainment needs. To inquire about the ability to rent this pavilion, and for the fee schedule; please call the Borough Manager’s Office at (814) 695-7543 and ask to speak with the Borough Secretary. You can find the appropriate application and guidelines under online forms on this website.
All applications for rental of the Anne Sloan Borland Performing Arts Pavilion are subject to review and approval by the Borough Manager.
Morrison's Cove
201 South Walnut Street
Martinsburg, PA
(814) 793-2176
We are here to serve Martinsburg and the surrounding communities. Activities at our park include Bowling, a playground, banquet / meeting space, swimming pools and so much more.
The Park is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation that is supported only by the hard work and financial generosity of the community.
Dell Delight Legion Park
1501 North Juniata Street
Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania
814-931-9189
Legion Park is located along North Juniata Street in Hollidaysburg, PA. Legion Park runs along the Beaver Dam branch of the Juniata River. This historic Blair County park consists of several nature trails, a fitness area, and open fields for playing frisbee, soccer or baseball. Legion Park contains several pavilions available for rent. A main attraction of Legion Park is the kids kingdom play area located beside the Discovery Gardens. Inside this play area children will find many forts, slides, swings, tunnels, and learning centers. The entrance and exit to the play area are both on one side, making it safer for both children and their parents.
Discovery Garden is a public garden within Legion Park. Developed as a community resource, Discovery Garden provides a beautiful setting for people of all ages and abilities to relax and enjoy nature. Since its inception, Discovery Garden has grown to encompass a series of seven theme gardens connected by wheelchair-accessible pathways. Each theme garden is designed to provide opportunities for hands-on outdoor education about flowers, plants, and ecology.
Legion Park is available for rent for reunions, weddings, parties, and more. Contact the American Legion at 814-695-9913.