Do you have friends who absolutely love the snow? You know, the ones who start talking about fresh powder in October? Me, too. And I definitely wasn’t on the same wavelength as them. I used to hate winter. My friends convinced me to try downhill skiing about 30 years ago and it didn’t go well. I’ve held a grudge –…

Mother Nature couldn’t have picked better weather for First Day Hike participants at Laurel Hill State Park on Jan. 1. About three dozen of us set out with Kimberly Peck, an environmental education specialist at the park, on a 3.5-mile, out-and-back hike to Jones Mill Run Dam. With temperatures hovering around 50 degrees, it was a…

Here comes the sun! Summer is kicking off in the Laurel Highlands and we've rounded up the best spots for cooling down. Warning: All of these spots pair well with onsite or nearby lodging and camping options, so stay a while and make it a fun getaway for the family! Idlewild & SoakZone When you take the family to Idlewild & SoakZone,…

It's the sweetest season in the Laurel Highlands! Our region, specifically Somerset County, takes great pride in the tradition of tapping maple trees and producing maple syrup and other goodies. After all, it is the largest producer of maple products in the state. Celebrate the county's maple heritage while satisfying your sweet tooth at…

There are a lot of things that make the Laurel Highlands snowmobile trail system unique, including the fact that the 116 miles of groomed trailed in Forbes State Forest wander in and out of state parks, forest lands, and state game lands. But that's only one part of the excitement. "I ride from when it first starts snowing until it quits,…

Lovebirds looking to get away to celebrate Valentine’s Day will find no shortage of lovely things to see and do in Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands. We've created four diverse romantic getaway itineraries to charm visitors and residents alike. You and your significant other are probably overdue for an escape, book one today! For…

For some, a new year is a new start. If you've made a New Year's resolution, (and you've stuck with it so far) here is your guide to easily completing it in the Laurel Highlands, regardless if it is a personal or career goal, or anything in between. If you haven't thought of one yet, consider this your inspiration. Choose one of…

The holidays will be here before you know it, and so will your guests! If it is their first time visiting the Laurel Highlands, they are in for a treat. If they've visited before, their schedule will be jam-packed with attractions that have opened since the last time they've been in town. Show off the beautiful region you call home with…

The holidays certainly have a way of sneaking up on you, and they're right around the corner. Scratching your head on what to get everybody this year? Support local this season by purchasing a product or experience from a Laurel Highlands business! Immersive Touchstone Workshops and Classes View this post on Instagram…

While the Laurel Highlands is certainly a four-season destination, fall is truly special. Mother Nature sets the stage for an impressive show with an array of towering trees, soaring mountain ridgelines, lush valleys, and river gorges that are ablaze in breathtaking red, orange, yellow, and bronze. With the fall leaves' colors peaking in the…