If variety appeals to you, head north to Pennsylvania. The Keystone State, from its bustling cities to its rural farmland, is rich with enough American history, celebrated art, family festivities, award-winning dining, and nature excursions to suit any visitor’s tastes. In our September issue, we tell you where to go and what to do in some of our favorite PA destinations. Check out those stories below.
Philadelphia | Lancaster | Pittsburgh | New Hope & Lambertville | York | Mountain Resorts
Want a spark for your home design inspiration? Imagine a midcentury-modern home perched atop a cascading waterfall, opening you up to the possibilities of home renovations and even relocation to this picturesque mountain region about 55 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. The Laurel Highlands are a convenient detour if you’re traveling to or from the city.
The area’s standout attraction is the Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece Fallingwater. Wright designed the house in 1935 as a weekend retreat for Pittsburgh department store owners Liliane and Edgar J. Kaufmann, and their son entrusted it to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy in the early 1960s (great news for the 160,000 or so annual visitors). Give yourself about two hours to enjoy the property. There are several options for self-guided or guided tours, where you may see an additional Wright home, Kentuck Knob.
Energized by the great architect’s artistry? Take a workshop, like blacksmithing or ceramics, at Touchstone Center for Crafts. Or stroll the picturesque town of Ligonier, admiring handicrafts in its independent shops. Pay a visit during Fort Ligonier Days in mid-October for peak fall festival fun, when more than 100,000 people visit for juried crafts, historic battle reenactments, music, a parade, and food and drink vendors.
Where to Stay
The Laurel Highlands are gorgeous in all seasons (think snowy waterfalls in winter, wildflowers in spring, and water sports in summer), but fall promises some of the best foliage in the country. The 1,200-acre Keystone State Park has brilliant colors, as does Ohiopyle State Park, with its 30-foot Cucumber Falls waterfall (explore the charming small town of Ohiopyle while you’re at it). The Packsaddle/Doc Miller Covered Bridge — with a waterfall underneath it, naturally — is picture-perfect for photo opps. Or hike to the observation tower at Forbes State Forest’s Mount Davis, the highest point in the state. If you’d rather stay in the car, check out the Northern Loop and Southern Loop driving tours assembled by the Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for prime leaf-peeping routes.
Go rustic, go luxe, or go somewhere in between. Splurge at Nemacolin (rooms from $1,000 per night). The family-friendly, all-seasons resort just reopened its Chateau over the summer, an accommodation option inspired by the glamour of the Ritz Paris. Park yourself there and stay a while, enjoying the holistic wellness spa; outdoor adventures like off-roading, archery, and horseback riding; sommelier-curated wine program; and proximity to Fallingwater, just a 20-minutedrive away.
The budget-friendly Log Cabin Lodge & Suites (rooms from $99 per night) is also close to Fallingwater. Charming with its handcrafted furniture and pine paneling, it has multi-bedroom suites suitable for family travel. Thistledown at Seger House (rooms from $150 per night) is ideal for exploring Ligonier and getting bed-and-breakfast vibes with boutique hotel privacy. Or, live out your boho glamping dreams in a canvas tent (from $149 per night) overlooking a creek and hiking trail, courtesy of Pine Creek Glamping Co.
Where to Eat
Before or after touring Fallingwater, grab a meal at TreeTops Restaurant inside Polymath Park to dine on the deck, in the restaurant, or inside a private treehouse. For a delicious and casual option near Fallingwater, there’s Bittersweet Café for a good BLT, coffee, and baked goods. For a quick bite or picnic meal, the casual Falls Market Restaurant & Inn in Ohiopyle is great for great wraps, salads, and ice cream. Get another cone at Ligonier Creamery, a classic small-town ice cream shop with dozens of rotating flavors, including seasonal specialties and soft serve.
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Feature image of Fallwater by Wim Wiskerke/Alamy
This story originally ran in our September issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
