Summer Itinerary
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. Continue east to delightful and diverse Butler County. As you travel along Route 422, you’ll be surrounded by the beauty of Moraine State Park which offers biking, hiking, stand up paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, picnicking, sailing, geocaching, scheduled pontoon cruises and much more. If you head south on I-79, you can explore some of the county’s charming small towns - Harmony, Zelienople, Evans City and Mars. Each has unique history, quaint shops and tasty eateries. At the other end of the spectrum is Cranberry Township, a bustling area packed with shops, restaurants, plenty of top-notch hotels, and easy access (20 minutes) to Pittsburgh. Head back east on 422 to check out our newest addition in Butler County. You know the feeling you get after tasting a cold, draft beer? Now imagine being able to try a variety of craft beers made locally! Introducing the Butler County Beer Circuit - a listing of the local breweries within the area. Here you will find the Brew Pubs that create the beverages we know and love along with highlights and special features throughout the year. No matter which part of the journey you find yourself tired, there’s always a scenic campground, cozy bed and breakfast, or comfortable hotel nearby. Day 2 Armstrong Co. 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 3 Indiana Co. Complete your Route 422 excursion in the unique and beautiful Indiana County. Home to the Ghost Town, Hoodlebug and West Penn Trails, it offers 64 miles of Rails to Trails bike riding and 18 miles of single-track mountain biking. Couple that with the many fairs and festivals for a great outdoor getaway. Attend two of the newest outdoor concerts: Westsylvania Jazz & Blues Festival and the Northern Appalachian Folk Festival held in the summer and fall. Indiana is the hometown to Hollywood icon Jimmy Stewart and his museum (which was updated and remodeled in 2020) displaying memorabilia from his military, personal and Hollywood career. Relax and enjoy fresh crafted beverages at one of our new microbreweries, artisan distillery or local wineries. Just off 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. 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! |
|