The Laurel Highlands is one of Pennsylvania's most underrated outdoor destinations. Spanning 3,000 square miles across Fayette, Somerset, and Westmoreland Counties in western Pennsylvania, the area features dozens of free and low-cost experiences, from historic battlefields and national monuments to…
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2026 rings in America's 250th anniversary, a once-in-a-lifetime milestone with celebrations taking place across the country—including the Laurel Highlands. Spanning Fayette, Somerset, and Westmoreland Counties, the Laurel Highlands area has played a pivotal role in American history, serving as the…
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In spring, Laurel Highlands is a mountainous paradise, with 3,000 square miles of natural scenery, historic sites, and world-class resorts. Fresh blooms and cascading waterfalls make it the perfect destination for a scenic, unforgettable girls’ trip. Here’s a guide on what to expect, how to plan…
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The stunning 70-mile Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail (LHHT) stretches across Laurel Mountain from the Youghiogheny River Gorge in Ohiopyle, all the way to the Conemaugh Gorge near Johnstown. A backpackers’ dream, the LHHT offers a semi-wilderness backpacking and day trip excursion into the mountain…
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As a young girl growing up in the river town of Confluence, Kara Weld spent countless days paddling on the water. Perhaps paddling was in her blood as her parents owned the local kayaking school, Riversport. It was here that Kara found her passion and her husband, John, who worked for Kara’s parents. That same passion guided Kara as a three-time…
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Mountain-laurel is in bloom in the Laurel Highlands! The shrub keeps its foliage year-round, but keep an eye out in May and June for umbrella-like flowers that range in color from white to pink, with unique purple markings. Not only is mountain-laurel absolutely beautiful, but it is also Pennsylvania's state flower and can be found all over the…
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Father’s Day is just around the corner! Need some inspiration for a special gift? I get it. Shopping for Dad or Grandpa can sometimes be trickier than shopping for Mom or Grandma. So I picked the brains of some of the father figures in my life and came up with this home-grown list of things your…
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When you hear the word “camping,” what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? Roasting marshmallows? Campfires? Sleeping bags? Flashlights? Lightning bugs? Camping is a treasured tradition in Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands and can be done in a number of different ways. Maybe it’s in an air-conditioned RV or old-school style in a pop-up tent…
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It’s the unofficial start of summer! Have you made any plans yet? If you’re looking for some ideas of cool things to see and do in the region, we’re happy to help with a few suggestions. Special art exhibitions, live music, food trucks, farmers' markets, and more! There's plenty of fun to be had in the Laurel Highlands this Memorial Day Weekend…
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The natural beauty of the Laurel Highlands is stunning any time of year. With so many of us spending more and more time outside, exploring new nooks and crannies of our great outdoors, it got me thinking about the region's array of fascinating flowers and wildlife. I'm certainly no botanist, naturalist, or biologist, so I reached out to the…
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