SPRING Itinerary
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Day 1
Lawrence County Spring has sprung in Lawrence County! Your adventure along Route 422 begins close to the Ohio border at Nova Destinations, one of the many wine, brew and spirit locations in Lawrence County. Walk the labyrinth at the beautiful and unique Villa Maria Community Center to find that balance in your life. Lawrence County is one of 22 Keystone Designated Waterways for trout fishing. Fly fish in the Neshannock Creek which is trout stocked yearly. See the wildflowers in bloom at West Park Nature Center. With multiple hiking trails throughout the park, stop and learn about the wildlife or take a moment at the wetland overlook. Included in the park is Park Harbor, a 2 mile mountain bike trail. Travel east to 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. Tour the Downton Abbey era Arts + Education at the Hoyt and Scottish Rite Cathedral, both cultural jewels and located in the third largest Historic District in PA. Tee off at one of our seven golf courses. Demonstrate your patriotism while visiting two western Pennsylvania Statues of Liberty replicas, located in New Castle and Ellwood City. Get up close and personal at Living Treasures Wild Animal Park. Visit McConnells Mill State Park and hike on our portion of the North Country Trail. Your visit wouldn’t be complete without the “world’s largest banana split” at Mister C’s FunSpot. Travel a few miles north to the Amish Countryside, south to Wampum for Mines and Meadows ATV/RV Resort or Ewing Park in Ellwood City. While exploring, dine at one of many family-run ethnic restaurants. It’s been said “You can’t get a bad meal, here!” Local hotels, B&B’s and Campgrounds will make sure you are rested up in style to continue your adventure! Our “Build Your Own Suitcase” feature on our website will make it easy to plan your stay in Lawrence County. Be sure to check out the events page, which is updated daily. Day 2 Butler County If you’re traveling in May, take Route 19 south, just after crossing the county line on Route 422, and head to the Portersville Steam Show for a family fun day with everything from tractor rides to flea markets. Moraine State Park, one of the county’s biggest treasures, is close by and a spring-time favorite for its scenic seven-mile paved bike trail. If you don’t have your own bike, rent one there! The North Country National Scenic Trail is also accessible at the park and follows the fourteen mile Glacier Ridge Trail. Love to golf? Lake Arthur Golf Course and Aubrey’s Dubbs Dred Golf Course are nearby as well! History buffs should continue east on Route 422 to Route 8 south into Downtown Butler and stop at the Senator Walter Lowrie House, the home of Butler’s only U.S. senator. The Butler County Historical Society is the county’s largest repository for historic artifacts, photographs, family collections, and original documents about our ancestors. You can also visit The Maridon Museum, the only of its kind to focus on ancient Asian art and culture. Don’t miss The Shops at West Diamond, home to the Appalachian Rock Shop, Dorothy's Herb Shop and Herbal Apothecary, Florence Selene Tarot cards and Path to Unearthed Wellness. Shop for everything from organic herbal teas, candles, house plants, crystals in all shapes and sizes, and much more! Need a rest? Relax in Diamond Park and admire the county courthouse and the Jeep commemorative stone in the park. Enjoy a sweet treat at Cannella Cafe on Main Street or head to Hansen Avenue, to view the historical marker for Butler as the Jeep’s birthplace. To finish the day, treat the family to an evening of fun at Family Bowlaway Fun Center just west of town before turning in for the night at the Butler Hampton Inn or Holiday Inn Express. If you’re planning a trip later in the spring, don’t miss the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival held the second weekend in June at Cooper’s Lake Campground. Look for the campground’s sign just before the I-79 interchange. Day 3 Armstrong County Head east on 422 to “The Heart of Western Pennsylvania,” Armstrong County, where your adventure awaits! Take in the nature 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. From here, you can head down to the River’s Edge Canoe & Kayak for a kayaking excursion on the Kiski River! They offer canoe and kayak rentals along with a large variety of kayaking, fishing, and river fun gear to enhance your adventure. 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! If golf is your cup of tea, Lenape Heights Golf Resort is your one-stop-shop with immaculately manicured greens, pro shop, a delicious restaurant & bar, and a beautiful European-style hotel. 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! Whether hiking, biking, kayaking, golfing or just exploring, you're 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 4 Indiana County Finish your Route 422 springtime excursion while enjoying the beautiful spring weather with an outdoor adventure in Indiana County. Home to the Ghost Town Trail (voted PA’s “Trail of the Year” in 2020 by DCNR), as well as the Hoodlebug, Blairsville Riverfront and West Penn Trails, Indiana County offers 64 miles of rails-to-trails in addition to the 18 miles of single-track mountain biking at Yellow Creek State Park. A number of fairs and festivals begin springing up throughout the county, many highlighting the upcoming growing season, such as May Mart. While in the area, be sure to stop by the Jimmy Stewart Museum (which was upgraded and remodeling in 2020). The Museum boasts memorabilia from Jimmy's military, personal and Hollywood career. Next up, relax and enjoy fresh crafted beverages at one of our new microbreweries, artisan distillery or local wineries. Also nearby Route 422 is the Smicksburg Amish area where visitors can shop for primitive crafts and share the road with horse-drawn buggies. History buffs will enjoy a stop at one of our four covered bridges. Turn your visit into an overnight stay at a charming B&B, full-service hotel or campground. We invite you to discover all of this and more 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! |
New Castle Fireworks Festival featuring Arts on the Riverwalk.
Plan your trip in early June to experience the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival at Coopers Lake Campground, Butler County. The festival jeep invasion is on Main Street in Butler (shown above).
The Armstrong Folk Festival.
Indiana Garden Club's annual MAY MART event brings together numerous vendors offering a wide variety of plants, including annuals, perennials, herbs and more! It's the perfect kick-off event to begin the planting season! Find exactly what you're looking for at this expansive indoor/outdoor event.
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