Spring 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 close to the Ohio border at Nova Cellars Winery, one of four wineries in Lawrence County. Grab a bite to eat and some unique handcrafted wines, and start your journey on Rt. 422 off… the right way! Walk the Labyrinth at the beautiful and unique Villa Maria to find that special balance in your life. 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. View the beautifully-restored Victorian homes on New Castle’s North Hill, the third largest historic district in Pennsylvania. Tour the Magnificent Hoyt Mansions and Scottish Rite Cathedral, both cultural jewels. Demonstrate your patriotism while visiting two western Pennsylvania Statues of Liberty replicas. 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! Get up close and personal with over 400 animals of 70 different species at Living Treasures “WILD” 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 Mister C’s Fun Spot. Travel a few miles north to the Amish Countryside, south to Wampum to hike a portion of the North Country Trail or explore Ewing Park in Ellwood City. As you follow 422 east into Butler County (right before it interchanges with I-79), you’ll see signs for Cooper’s Lake Campground. Plan your visit for the second weekend in June for Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival if you’re a Jeep enthusiast or join us the second weekend in July for The Band Jam to celebrate local music and art. You can take a small detour south on Route 19 in May for the Portersville Steam Show for a family fun day with everything from tractor rides to flea markets. Next, you’ll come upon one of the county’s biggest treasures: Moraine State Park! A visitor favorite in the spring is biking the scenic seven-mile paved bike trail, and if you don’t have your own bike there is a bike rental shop. The North Country National Scenic Trail is also accessible from here and follows the fourteen mile Glacier Ridge Trail. After you’ve worked up an appetite, head east on 422 to the roadside restaurant Artisan Restaurant, known for their down-home affordable dining options. If you’re a golfer, you’re not far from Lake Arthur Golf Course or Aubrey’s Dubbs Dred Golf Course, which has been rated by Golf Digest as one of the “Best Places to Play” in North America. Try to make a stop at the Senator Walter Lowrie House, the home of Butler’s only U.S. senator, or a stop at Butler County Historical Society, the county’s largest repository for historic artifacts, photographs, family collections, and original documents about our ancestors. Relax in Diamond Park and admire the county seat’s courthouse and stop at the Jeep commemorative stone set up in the park. In Butler, get yourself a sweet treat at Pennie’s Bake Shop & Espresso Bar. On Hansen Avenue, you can also spot the historical marker for Butler as the Jeep’s birthplace. Treat your family to an evening of fun at Family Bowlaway Fun Center just west of town before you turn in for the night at the Butler Hampton Inn or Holiday Inn Express. When you can get back on 422, you’ll be able to visit Alpaca Palace in Butler and stop off for a dinner at W. Rick's Taproom & Grill for a delicious meal. Day 2 Armstrong Co. Head east on 422 to “The Heart of Western Pennsylvania,” Armstrong County, where your summer adventure awaits! Take in the nature with some intense mountain biking on the Roaring Run Trail. From here you can head down to the River’s Edge Canoe and Kayak for a kayaking excursion on the Kiski River! Find the treasure on the Armstrong County GeoTrail with each geocache placed at a local historical attraction. Get back on track in Schenley, PA with a scenic ride on the Kiski Junction Railroad. After all this activity you’re sure to be hungry, but don’t worry we have some great restaurants to refuel at. During the summer months Arts on the Allegheny hosts concerts at the Kittanning Riverfront Park, check with the Tourist Bureau for their schedule. Finish up with some rest at one of our quaint B&Bs, hotels, or campgrounds before you head out on your next adventure! Day 3 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. Numbers 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 inviite 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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