Autumn Itinerary
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Day 1
Lawrence and Butler Counties It’s always a beautiful day to visit Pennsylvania! Your adventure along Route 422 begins in New Castle, Fireworks Capital of America, where you’ll learn about the community’s fireworks history at the Greer Mansion, home of the Lawrence County Historical Society. View the beautifully-restored Victorian homes on New Castle’s North Hill, the third largest historic district in Pennsylvania. Tour the Hoyt Mansions and the Scottish Rite Cathedral. Demonstrate your patriotism while visiting western Pennsylvania’s only two Statue of Liberty replicas. Dine at one of many family-run ethnic restaurants. Spend the night enjoying the nightly simulations of fireworks in Zambelli Park. Get up close and personal with over 400 animals of 70 different species at Living Treasures Animal Park. Enjoy fishing at one of the many rivers and streams, or kayak/canoe at McConnells Mill State Park. Your visit wouldn’t be complete without the “world’s largest banana split” at the Mister C’s Fun Spot. 422 is a beautiful gateway into Moraine State Park. You’ll cross over part of Lake Arthur as you travel east. If you care to travel over the lake by water, sign up for a fall foliage cruise on Nautical Nature, the Moraine Preservation Fund’s handicapped accessible, enclosed double-decker passenger boat, to see a beautiful array of colors! If you’d like to get a bite to eat, you can visit Brown’s Country Kitchen in Portersville for a homemade country meal (remember to leave some room for home made pie), just west of Prospect on 488. If you’re looking for something quick to take to the lake with you grab a pizza from Pizza Joe’s. If you’re there on a weekend towards the end of September or any in October be sure to stop at Cheeseman Farm for their annual Pumpkin Festival for a family friendly time where you’ll find a petting zoo, pumpkin picking, hayrides, and other festive activities. They also have a frightful experience at night. Drive on West Park Road from Portersville to visit with some furry friends at West Park Alpacas and pick up some alpaca apparel in their shop to commemorate your trip! Alpaca socks are the best. After your visit, get on Route 422 east towards Butler. In downtown Butler, you can visit another many treasures. If you’re more of a theater junkie, plan your visit around one of the shows at Butler Little Theatre, who has been entertaining the community since 1941. If it’s a brisk day, try out Cummings Coffee and Candy Butler for a Pumpkin Spice Latte or Tea to warm up. Fall is also when they make their delicious peanut brittle. A visit during September will be even more special if you visit Mystique Moon Antiques and Artisans store who often host "Moon Markets" and "Witches Day Out". Relax and spend the night at Fairfield Inn and Suites Butler or one of three B&Bs on Washington Street. Sweet Thyme, Suite Retreat or the Urban Nest. Day 2 Armstrong County Head east on 422 to “The Heart of Western Pennsylvania,” Armstrong County, where your adventure awaits! Admire the fall foliage on the Roaring Run Trail in Apollo with a peaceful hike with your canine pal or challenge yourself with some intense mountain biking right along the beauty of the Kiski River. Hunt down some treasure on the Armstrong County GeoTrail. Armstrong County contains a plethora of history, and each cache along the way visits the sites that help to tell our county's story. Stop by Experience Armstrong in downtown Kittanning for a passport! Some other Armstrong County must-sees are the beautiful Allegheny River, our miles and miles of extensive trails, Crooked Creek State Park, and so many more! So much activity is sure to work up an appetite. Armstrong County has become quite a "foodie" area in recent years, so check out some of our best local restaurants, wineries, ice cream shops and more here. You won't be disappointed! Having a good time? Stay with us! Turn your trip into an overnight stay or a long weekend. Our hotels, motels, charming B&Bs, and serene campgrounds will welcome you with open arms and make it a stay to remember. But this is just the beginning! Visit armstrongcounty.com for more! Day 3 Indiana Co. Complete your Route 422 excursion in Indiana County and experience the beautiful fall foliage that blankets the scenic countryside. Enjoy a hike or bike ride on the 64 miles of rails-to-trails or stop by any of the 5,452 acres of parks that showcase a recreation haven for the outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can make a stop at the Jimmy Stewart Museum (which was updated and renovated in 2020) in his hometown of Indiana. Artifacts from his childhood, military and movie eras are on display and a life-size statue is a great place for a family photo. In the Smicksburg Amish area, visitors can shop for primitive crafts, furniture, pottery and local wine, and share the road with horse-drawn buggies. If you enjoy entertainment, Indiana County is the place to be with a variety of festivals and fairs throughout the year. History buffs will enjoy a stop at one of the 24 attractions listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including four covered bridges. Stay overnight in a charming B&B, full-service hotel, or campground. Discover all of this in the Christmas Tree Capital of the World! Call each county’s tourism bureau for a free visitors guide. There’s so much to do on Route 422! |
Cleland Rock overlook at McConnells Mill State Park, Lawrence County.
Butler County's Moraine State Park gives you so many opportunities to enjoy the autumn colors.
Harmon covered bridge in Indiana County.
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