The Laurel Highlands region is home to four houses that were designed by architectural genius Frank Lloyd Wright. The most well-known house, Fallingwater, is a bucket list item for many and lives up to the hype. Fallingwater is inscribed as one of 24 UNESCO World Heritage sites in the U.S. and is listed along attractions including the Pyramids of…

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…

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 forests of Pennsylvania’s Laurel…

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 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…

After a long winter filled with remote working and learning, we’re all ready to get out and enjoy some fresh air. It’s April in the Laurel Highlands and the weather is turning upward. The natural landscape that has laid dormant for months now is about to burst with life. And if you’re like me, you might be ready to burst out of…

Spanning 3,000 square miles across some of the most diverse landscapes in Pennsylvania, the Laurel Highlands is home to scenic views, lush forests, rushing rivers, and roaring waterfalls. Let’s take a closer look at some of the stunning natural wonders in the Laurel Highlands. Perhaps you will recognize a few gems and discover some new…

It takes a compassionate, dedicated team of employees to successfully provide a memorable experience for families. For more than two decades, Tom Guiher, his family and the team at Living Treasures have done just that. Living Treasures Wild Animal Park provides a unique experience for kids of all ages to get up close and interact with creatures of…

These days, it’s all too common to hear people talk about how much time they spend mindlessly scrolling the internet on their phone or laptop. But what can we do about it? Some people are turning to “digital detoxes." This involves resetting your reliance on digital devices by committing to a period of time without using them. It…

Laurel Highlands wines are so fresh, the grapes are grown on the property that they're served on! No two wineries in southwestern Pennsylvania are the same, each serving different vibes with their unique wines. After reading this rundown of all of the wineries in our region, you'll have a winery trip mapped out within hours! Bella Terra…