# Need something to do in Central/Western Pennsylvania
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-something-to-do-in-central-western-pennsylvania/726761
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [August 1, 2015, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-something-to-do-in-central-western-pennsylvania/726761 "2015-08-01T22:15:15Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2015, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-something-to-do-in-central-western-pennsylvania/726761/1 "2015-08-01T22:15:15Z")
So here’s the deal – this Wednesday, we leave from the Jersey shore for our annual excursion to visit my wife’s family in Indiana. We usually drive the 11 hours straight through, but this time we’re breaking up the trip. We’re looking to leave around noonish, get a couple hours down the PA Turnpike, and then stop somewhere for a few hours of family fun before we head back on the road (then grab a hotel wherever we find ourselves around midnight).
So, we need a target. Something enjoyable for three adults, a nine-year-old and a 17-month-old. Any and all suggestions welcomed (and then rejected for arbitrary and capricious reasons so you get all insulted and then we stop hanging out on weekends), so let’s have 'em!
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### Author:  [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2015, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-something-to-do-in-central-western-pennsylvania/726761/2 "2015-08-01T23:31:08Z")
Wasn’t _Night of the Living Dead_ filmed somewhere out there? Go track down movie sites, like the old farmhouse or graveyard.
Yeah, you’re right. That sounds like shit.
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### Author:  [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2015, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-something-to-do-in-central-western-pennsylvania/726761/3 "2015-08-02T00:44:05Z")
Phoenixville can be cool but with the age ranges consider Dutch Wonderland Amusement Park near Lancaster. They have a slight throw-back feel that the adults could enjoy and rides for both kid ages and the park is small enough to be “fun and done” in 4 hours.
You may also want to check out the list of PCN Tours
[https://pcnstore.com/index.php?id\_category=5&controller=category](https://pcnstore.com/index.php?id_category=5&controller=category)
not with any intention of buying any so much as a list of possibly interesting ideas.
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### Author:  [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2015, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-something-to-do-in-central-western-pennsylvania/726761/4 "2015-08-02T01:34:35Z")
Hershey. Amusement park and the whole town smells like chocolate. Sadly, no more plant tours, but there IS [Chocolate World](http://www.hersheys.com/chocolateworld/).
[Roadside America](http://roadsideamericainc.com/).
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### Author:  [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2015, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-something-to-do-in-central-western-pennsylvania/726761/5 "2015-08-02T01:41:55Z")
Pennsylvania is: beer, chocolate and amusement parks.
Strasburg Railroad.
Let me think, I’ll be back later.
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### Author:  [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2015, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-something-to-do-in-central-western-pennsylvania/726761/6 "2015-08-02T02:17:54Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#):
>
> Hershey. Amusement park and the whole town smells like chocolate. Sadly, no more plant tours, but there IS [Chocolate World](http://www.hersheys.com/chocolateworld/).
Hershey isn’t bad but its more a place I would recommend without the time limitation. Average day in season, its a serious full-day type park.
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### Author:  [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2015, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-something-to-do-in-central-western-pennsylvania/726761/7 "2015-08-02T02:20:31Z")
> [@kopek](#):
>
> Hershey isn’t bad but its more a place I would recommend without the time limitation. Average day in season, its a serious full-day type park.
Good point, haven’t been in decades. Was going to suggest Knoebel’s, but I think that’s too far off the beaten path. Agreed?
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### Author:  [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2015, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-something-to-do-in-central-western-pennsylvania/726761/8 "2015-08-02T02:34:27Z")
Depending how far you make it, there’s Laurel Caverns outside Uniontown.
If you jog a tad up I-79 to Canonsburg, there’s Sarris Candies. If you’re Homer Simpson, avoid at all cost. CHOCOLATE!
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### Author:  [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2015, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-something-to-do-in-central-western-pennsylvania/726761/9 "2015-08-02T03:09:48Z")
Gettysburg.
Amish country.
These may be too far in southern central though.
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### Author:  [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2015, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-something-to-do-in-central-western-pennsylvania/726761/10 "2015-08-02T03:44:28Z")
In western PA, it’s slightly off the path, but I highly recommend Fallingwater.
For central PA, go with Amish country. Lancaster is the usual hub, but the adults in your party might enjoy Intercourse.
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### Author:  [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2015, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-something-to-do-in-central-western-pennsylvania/726761/11 "2015-08-02T03:52:51Z")
^ Just how long have you been waiting to use that? 🙂
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### Author:  [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2015, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-something-to-do-in-central-western-pennsylvania/726761/12 "2015-08-02T14:25:35Z")
It shouldn’t take 11 hours to drive from the Jersey Shore to Indiana, Pa. But other than that, I got nuthin’.
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### Author:  [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2015, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-something-to-do-in-central-western-pennsylvania/726761/13 "2015-08-02T14:26:04Z")
**Burpo** knows me as one of those American Coaster Enthusiasts total amusement park freaks. Its one of the few subjects where I have really good knowledge. 🙂 We usually do about 15 different parks a year with at least 3 “new to us” every year. So if my replies lean in that direction you will understand.
(We’ve even been to Diggerland USA in NJ)
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#):
>
> Good point, haven’t been in decades. Was going to suggest Knoebel’s, but I think that’s too far off the beaten path. Agreed?
Since you mentioned it I’ll give my usual commercial for what I think is the best park in the US. 🙂
Yes and no. Knoebels is at least an hour and a half away from the turnpike. But — you can then just hit 80 West which meets the PA Pike/Ohio Pike sort of so you can make up a lot of the time lost. We did that coming from New Jersey and this years CoasterCon. For **Hal** - Knoebels is free admission and free parking so sometimes we’ll stop there for a quick meal and a couple rides - just get tickets instead of a wristband. Much money saved over a Pay One Price (POP - think 6 Flags) type parks. They also have some unique rides like a carousel with a brass ring and a couple free museums. It is close to Hershey is terms of number of rides so you won’t get to ride everything but its flat and built close enough that you can at least see everything. They also place tame rides near the thrill rides so – while one adult has the toddler on the antique cars everyone else can be on the Phoenix coaster and everyone can still see each other. Maybe check YouTube and give them a look.
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#):
>
> Depending how far you make it, there’s Laurel Caverns outside Uniontown.
>
> If you jog a tad up I-79 to Canonsburg, there’s Sarris Candies. If you’re Homer Simpson, avoid at all cost. CHOCOLATE!
Those get a little far off the turnpike too. Western PA, staying close to the Pike, doesn’t have tons to offer that don’t get into traffic or time constraints.
There is Kennywood but being POP it does cost and it is Hershey-sized. A fair bet is Idlewild which is this sort of strange kids park that adults enjoy a lot as well. They are a variety of POP but a little cheaper than Kennywood (owned by the same company but really different in theme and pricing). They are usually ranked as the top kids park in America.
Just near the Pike in the Cranberry area are a couple family fun spots (some rides, mini-golf, etc) and some interesting shopping for the adults.
The ages on the kids throws me a little. Near Idlewild is Fort Ligonier which is a great historic site the 9 year old would enjoy. Somerset also has the memorial to Flight 93. I would say in general terms that the Somerset/Westmoreland area has the best options in the western half of the state.
**Hal** - more hints on the kinds of things?
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### Author:  [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2015, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-something-to-do-in-central-western-pennsylvania/726761/14 "2015-08-02T14:31:30Z")
> [@Red\_Wiggler](#):
>
> It shouldn’t take 11 hours to drive from the Jersey Shore to Indiana, Pa. But other than that, I got nuthin’.
I’m betting the end of the trip is in Indiana the state and not Indiana the town. :smack:
Which reminds me of a plus for Knoebels and going rte 80 from there ---- you get to drive past the town of Jersey Shore, PA. How many people do you know who can say they’ve been to the one Jersey Shore with no shore? 😃
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### Author:  [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2015, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-something-to-do-in-central-western-pennsylvania/726761/15 "2015-08-02T14:35:17Z")
^ Yeah! What **kopek** said! Right on!
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### Author:  [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2015, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-something-to-do-in-central-western-pennsylvania/726761/16 "2015-08-02T14:45:03Z")
Troeg’s Brewery in Harrisburg is fun. [http://www.troegs.com](http://www.troegs.com)
If the kids like horses, canoeing, pontooning, and/or kayaking I’ll offer to put you up at our place. We are in Apollo, PA with access to many lakes, rivers, and trails. We have a guest bedroom/bath!
In addition, Apollo, PA is a palindrome!
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### Author:  [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2015, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-something-to-do-in-central-western-pennsylvania/726761/17 "2015-08-02T15:33:39Z")
^ Can you believe Rolling Rock (in Latrobe) doesn’t have a brewery tour? Da noive! :mad:
Be careful, **Hal** , I hear **kayaker** ’s pillow mints are sub par. 😃
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### Author:  [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2015, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-something-to-do-in-central-western-pennsylvania/726761/18 "2015-08-02T15:37:31Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#):
>
> ^ Can you believe Rolling Rock (in Latrobe) doesn’t have a brewery tour? Da noive! :mad:
>
> Be careful, **Hal** , I hear **kayaker** ’s pillow mints are sub par. 😃
Don’t start on Rolling Rock! My friends in Latrobe are all up in arms about the sale of the business.
[http://articles.philly.com/2011-07-22/entertainment/29802280\_1\_latrobe-brewing-rolling-rock-city-brewing](http://articles.philly.com/2011-07-22/entertainment/29802280_1_latrobe-brewing-rolling-rock-city-brewing)
> [@](#):
>
> was devastated," said Gebicki, the former Latrobe mayor who worked at the plant for 27 years before his retirement in 2000. “I really treasured my watch. I wore it every day, and I took it off for good that day. It meant a lot to me, but I couldn’t wear it because it [Rolling Rock] wasn’t part of Latrobe anymore.”
And by “pillow mints” , you mean mints left on the pillow, correct?😉
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### Author:  [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2015, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-something-to-do-in-central-western-pennsylvania/726761/19 "2015-08-02T15:46:03Z")
Son of a bitch! That’s the suckiest news I’ve heard in forever! Anheuser-Busch? I need to be alone for a while. ☹
I DO NOT want to know what the alternative explanation for “pillow mints” might be! But, yes, that’s what I meant. 🙂
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### Author:  [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2015, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-something-to-do-in-central-western-pennsylvania/726761/20 "2015-08-02T15:56:02Z")
For the adventuresome sort I always recommend riding the [Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abandoned_Pennsylvania_Turnpike). Alas, you have young kids and no bikes so that’s out, but it’s something to keep in mind for when they get older. I’ve done it twice and can say that it is really cool riding on a (admittedly deteriorated) highway with no cars on it, and riding through the Sideling Hill Tunnel is like riding into your own grave.
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