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The Alleghenies: All Kinds of Fun in the Pennsylvania Mountains!

The Allegheny Mountains cut a wide swath, extending from north central to southwestern Pennsylvania.. This simple fact makes the area an absolute dream-come-true for those seeking a vacation surrounded by Mother Nature. The mountains and the area's many National Forests and parks offer endless opportunities for active explorations. A day in the region can include hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, and just about anything else you can imagine. The region is also filled with quaint towns and villages that hearken back to a slower era. Shopping along the picturesque streets can also add to your vacation experience.

A great place to commune with nature is the Moshannon State Forest, located near Clearfield. There are three State Parks within the forest: Parker Dam State Park, S.B. Elliott State Park, and Black Moshannon State Park. Hikers will absolutely love the Quehanna Trail, which stretches 57 miles through the forest into neighboring Elk State Forest. In winter, the same trails that serve hikers and horses cater to the revving engines of snowmobiles zooming through the forest. Many rivers trickle through the forest, enticing fly fishermen to toss in a line for brook trout. Parker Lake at Parker Dam State Park is a great place to break out a canoe or kayak and check out the flora and fauna around the lake.

Perhaps the biggest natural playground in Pennsylvania is the Allegheny National Forest. The only National Forest in the state, it encompasses over 515,000 acres. Nature enthusiasts will enjoy the myriad of wildlife that call the forest home. Woodpeckers, hawks, great blue herons and owls are just a few of the avian species in the region. Anglers will love the Allegheny Reservoir, which is chock full of brown, rainbow, brook and lake trout, muskie, small and largemouth bass, channel catfish, perch, sunfish and crappie. The Allegheny River is particularly popular with white-water rafting enthusiasts. Hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding are all popular ways to see the forest. In winter, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling become part of the forest experience.

Baseball fans, and anyone with children, should take some time and visit the Little League Baseball Museum in Williamsport. Williamsport is the original home of Little League baseball, and each year the Little League World Series is broadcast from here. The museum has famous highlights from past series, as well as video clips from big leaguers who got their starts playing Little League ball. Another popular feature of the museum is the batting cage that gives kids, and parents alike, the chance to see their swing on instant replay.

Aviation enthusiasts will want to visit the Piper Aviation Museum in Lock Haven. In 1937, William Piper built his famous bright yellow J3 "Cub". This became one of the first personal aircraft sold to a mass populace. The museum houses a collection of vintage planes, and details how Piper's planes were used in early military training. One of the best times to see the museum is in late summer when the annual "Sentimental Journey Fly-In" takes place.

The mountain region of Pennsylvania is an ongoing festival of cultural delights. Head in to Meadville, home to the oldest market in the state, offering every thing from produce and baked goods, to collectable coins and antiques. Pop into Punxsutawney, and see the world's most famous groundhog/weatherman, "Punxsutawney Phil", predict an end to winter. Visit the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum in Galeton, and see how lumber shaped Pennsylvania's economy. Walk down the gas-lit main street of Wellsboro and see the stately manor homes that line the avenue. Sound your barbaric "yawp" (thanks Mr. Whitman) while visiting the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, in Tioga State Forest. The mountains of Pennsylvania should not be missed!