Looking for things to do in Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands? From outdoor adventure and scenic trails to festivals, historic landmarks, and cozy mountain escapes, this four-season destination offers unforgettable getaways just an hour from Pittsburgh.
Powered by the U.S. Travel Association, National Travel and Tourism Week is May 3–9, 2026. It’s a reminder that travel isn’t just a getaway, it’s essential to our communities, our economy, and our well-being. There’s never been a better time to plan your trip.
From global moments like the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh and FIFA World Cup matches in Philadelphia to unforgettable experiences right here in the region, 2026 is a remarkable year to explore Pennsylvania. Right in the middle of it all, the Laurel Highlands offers something different—mountain views instead of manmade skylines, winding wooded trails instead of crowded streets, and authentic experiences that stay with you long after the trip ends.
Why Visit the Laurel Highlands?
- Outdoor adventure, including hiking, biking, and whitewater rafting
- Iconic landmarks including Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater and Flight 93 National Memorial
- Year-round festivals and events
- Easy access, just one hour from Pittsburgh and within a few hours of Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Cleveland
Travel That Gives Back
When you visit the Laurel Highlands, you’re doing more than getting away, you’re making an impact.
Tourism generated $2.2 billion in the region in 2024, supporting more than 23,000 jobs across Fayette, Somerset, and Westmoreland counties. Every overnight stay, every meal, and every adventure fuels local businesses and sustains the economy from family-owned restaurants to outfitters and attractions.
Travel is essential to the Laurel Highlands, powering small businesses, supporting local jobs, and helping communities thrive.
It also helps ease the burden on residents, generating more than $400 million in federal, state, and local tax revenue that supports communities without relying solely on local taxpayers.
In short: your trip matters.
Outdoor Adventures in the Laurel Highlands
Built for year-round exploration, the Laurel Highlands is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.
Bike a scenic stretch of the Great Allegheny Passage, hike to waterfalls in Ohiopyle State Park, or take on the 70-mile Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail.
Looking for a different kind of adventure? Go below the surface at Laurel Caverns, Pennsylvania’s first underground state park, where winding passageways and dramatic rock formations create a one-of-a-kind experience.
Festivals and Events You Can’t Miss
No matter when you visit, there’s always something happening in the Laurel Highlands.
From live music and art exhibits to heritage festivals and county fairs, the calendar is packed with events for every interest. Explore what’s happening now on the Laurel Highlands Events Calendar and plan your trip around a can’t-miss experience.
Highlights for 2026 include:
- Special anniversary programming at Fallingwater
- The 50th anniversary of the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail
- A Guinness World Record attempt in Connellsville featuring 1,000 red, white, and blue inner tubes on the Youghiogheny River
- The Laurel Highlands Pour Tour, a craft beverage trail featuring 66 stops including local breweries, wineries, and distilleries
Celebrate America’s Story
As the nation marks its 250th anniversary, the Laurel Highlands offers meaningful ways to connect with America’s past and present.
Follow the Highway of Heroes along the historic Lincoln Highway, linking nationally significant sites across Pennsylvania, inviting travelers to experience powerful stories of courage, sacrifice, and freedom. Participants can check in along the trail to earn a set of six commemorative coins. One of its most powerful stops is the Flight 93 National Memorial, where visitors can reflect, remember, and honor the lives lost on September 11, 2001.
Across the region, America250 events span from patriotic festivals to historical reenactments and bring history to life in engaging and memorable ways.
48 Hours in the Laurel Highlands
Short on time? You can still experience the best of the region in a quick getaway.
Day One:
Start at Ohiopyle State Park for a morning hike or waterfall views. After lunch, tour Fallingwater, then wrap up your day with a dinner tour at Wright at Polymath Park and TreeTops Restaurant before settling into a cozy cabin or resort.
Day Two:
Jump into your day with a fresh hot cup of java at one of our Laurel Highlands Coffee Club locations. Put that energy to you work as you kike part of the Great Allegheny Passage or hike a section of the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail. Then, take a meaningful detour to the Flight 93 National Memorial before heading home refreshed, inspired, and already planning your next visit.
Plan Your Laurel Highlands Getaway
Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway from Pittsburgh or a longer Pennsylvania mountain vacation, the Laurel Highlands delivers.
Explore things to do, browse upcoming events, and order your free Laurel Highlands Destination Guide to start planning your trip today.
This National Travel and Tourism Week, don’t just celebrate travel—experience why it is not just a luxury…it’s essential.
