Summer in the Laurel Highlands is synonymous with family fun. Outdoor opportunities abound, of course, with eight state parks, two state forests and miles upon miles of hiking and biking trails, but there’s so much more to do in our wonderful region as the temperatures rise. Let’s take a look at 10 terrific summer spots in the Laurel…

Three state parks in the Laurel Highlands will offer visitors free sunscreen. "As the weather warms, it is critical people take the necessary steps to protect themselves from potentially harmful ultraviolet rays when spending extended time outdoors," said Cindy Adams Dunn, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) secretary.…

Surf’s up in the Laurel Highlands! Whitewater lovers are flocking to Somerset County this weekend for the annual Stonycreek Rendezvous. Greenhouse Park, an 11-acre oasis on the Stonycreek River, will be the gathering spot for up to 1,000 paddlers using canoes, kayaks, rafts and stand-up paddleboards in what has become a can’t-miss…

I may have the best job in the world, but it’s not for the reasons that you think. My friends see my social media posts about biking the Great Allegheny Passage, touring Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater with journalists from foreign lands and cross-country skiing adventures and say, “Wow, that job looks so cool!” It is.…

National Parks Week, which runs through April 30, 2023, is a celebration of the beauty and significance of the parks system in the United States. It’s great opportunity for people to learn about the natural wonders of the country and to appreciate the efforts made to preserve them. The Laurel Highlands offers easy access to the five National…

It’s a M.A.D., M.A.D. world for Laurita and Lauren Portee, stars of a new travel show who visited the Laurel Highlands for their first episode of “Get Out of Town.” M.A.D. is Laurita’s term for mother-and-daughter time, which she revealed as the Portees headed out on a road trip to the Laurel Highlands during filming for…

Westmoreland County is doing more than just preserving its past during its 250 th anniversary year. The Westmoreland Pollinator Partners program is looking to improve its future as well with a project designed to ensure the survival – and revival – of the butterfly population in the Laurel Highlands. The International Union for…

Miles and miles of pristine streams, runs, rivers, and lakes filled with cold mountain water make the Laurel Highlands region the perfect place to cast a line and soak in the scenic beauty. Trout season opens across Pennsylvania on April 1, and anglers will be hitting the waterways in search of more than just a nibble on their lines.…

“A building should grace its environment rather than disgrace it.” – Frank Lloyd Wright, Hugh Downs interview, 1952 The Laurel Highlands is graced with three Frank Lloyd Wright properties, which have made the region a destination for architectural lovers. Fallingwater, Kentuck Knob, and Polymath Park will offer tours from March…

Fayette County native Sarah B. Cochran rose from abject poverty to become America’s “Coal Queen,” a fierce fighter for women’s suffrage and a philanthropist who helped men and women across three states gain access to higher education. March is National Women’s History Month, and that makes it the perfect time to…