It is almost summer and that means weekend getaways to enjoy the warm weather. Whether you are a camper or someone who enjoys something a little more high-end, we have you covered. Western PA is full of fun weekend activities that you can enjoy with family or friends!
Ohiopyle State Park
It goes without saying that Ohiopyle is a great weekend destination for Pittsburghers. Ohiopyle has so many different options for activities from fishing, to wine festivals, to white water rafting! A little over an hour south of Pittsburgh, this can be a day trip or you can make a weekend out of it. With campgrounds as a minimalist option, and B&Bs as more of an accommodating option, there is a great fit for any travel squad. As I mentioned, there are endless activities at Ohiopyle. You will find a list of annual events on their website like the Independence Day Rockin’ Ribs Festival and Music in the Mountains. If you’re more in it for the nature aspect, there are hiking and biking trails, fishing ponds, and white water rafting and kayaking areas. If you aren’t the adventure type, take a short drive up the road to Falling Water! This house built in the 1930s is an architectural masterpiece built partially over a waterfall. You can tour the grounds for $18/person and take a guided tour of the interior for $30/person. Between all of your activities, fuel up at one of the nearby restaurants. There is no shortage of unique dining and cute cafes here! Dine at the Historic Summit Inn for beautiful views of the mountains or stop at Fuel Coffee Works for a specialty coffee topped with latte art!
Airydale Retreat
Ever heard of glamping?? It’s exactly what it sounds like, glammed-up camping! Airydale Retreat is a central PA glamping site with a couple of different “tents” for you to choose from. Airydale is about two and a half hours east of Pittsburgh and the perfect spot for a weekend getaway with friends, family, or a significant other. Unplug and enjoy nature at one of their four glampsites. The Cardinal sites are perfect for family or friend getaways as they are larger. The Cardinal 1 site has a large bed as well as add-on cots. You can pay extra if you have more than two adults and two children. If you have a large group you can rent the Cardinal 2 site as well, as it is nearest to Cardinal 1. The best part about the Cardinal sites is that they include a slide from the tent down to the picnic table and fire pit area below!! You can cook on the provided propane camp stove as well as right on the fire to get the true outdoors feel! There are porta-potties on-site as well as an outdoor shower with running water if you are more on the side of glam than camp. Be sure to book months in advance if you are looking at weekend dates because they fill up fast!
Foxburg
This quaint resort town is located approximately an hour and a half north of the city in Clarion County. Foxburg is a great place for groups of any kind. With biking trails leading to historical sights, boating, and a moonshine distillery, you will surely find something to do on your trip here. Dine at the Allegheny Grille and take in the beautiful views of the Allegheny River then head to Divani Chocolatier for a dessert of European style gourmet chocolates. Settle in for the night at the Foxburg Inn or Black Bear Lodge if you are looking to make a weekend out of it.
McConnell’s Mill State Park/Moraine State Park
A little under an hour north of Pittsburgh you will find two state parks within 10 minutes of each other, McConnell’s Mill and Moraine. Take a day trip to these parks for a blend of adventure and relaxation! McConnell’s Mill is a natural beauty filled with hiking trails and hidden waterfalls. Hike to see Hell’s Hollows Falls, Breakneck Falls, Kildoo Falls, and more. After tiring yourself out from hiking, drive over to Moraine and have a picnic or go for a dip on one of the beaches. Lakeview Beach can be found on the North Shore and Pleasant Valley Beach on the South Shore. These beaches are open daily Memorial Day-Labor Day weekends. Both beaches even have concession stands. If you are looking to make a weekend of it, rent one of the 11 modern cabins that sleep six, just provide your linens, towels, cookware, and tableware. Refresh with a good night’s sleep and start the next morning by renting a pontoon boat, motorboat, kayak, canoe, or rowboat.
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort
If you are a fan of The Bachelor, you probably saw that our very own Nemacolin Woodlands was the filming location for this past season. Located in Farmington, PA near Ohiopyle this luxury resort is a diamond among the woods of Fayette County. Nemacolin is a high-end resort getaway perfect for a romantic getaway or a bachelorette spa weekend. There are several options for lodging at this resort including The Estates, The Chateau, and Falling Rock. For activities, you can visit their Lady Luck Casino, enjoy an award-winning dining experience at Lautrec, hit the Woodlands Spa and Salon, golf one of their courses, and so much more. Fair warning, this stay will put you back a pretty penny, but Nemacolin is truly a one-of-a-kind luxury weekend getaway.
This content was provided by a local, independent contributor to Made in PGH, a lifestyle blog.