Pennsylvania itinerary: Great Outdoors region

Endless adventure awaits you in Pennsylvania’s Great Outdoors region. Enjoy live performances at the Cook Forest Sawmill Center for the Arts or at the Allegheny Riverstone Center for the Arts. Stand beneath the towering ancient pines and hemlocks in the Forest Cathedral of Cook Forest State Park. See Pennsylvania’s wild elk herd, eagles and the world’s most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil.

Find family fun at the region’s many events, festivals, and fairs. Sample local food, wine, beer, moonshine, music, history, and culture. Try a relaxing float down the Wild & Scenic Clarion or Allegheny rivers. Or just take a drive on country roads through spectacular scenic mountain vistas. 

ASK
Stephanie Colwell, group tours coordinator
Pennsylvania Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau
814-246-2070
visitpago.com

SEE

The Elk County Visitor Center is a premier elk viewing location in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Wild Elk Country. Home to the largest wild elk herd in the northeastern United States, this world-class facility is designed specifically to help visitors experience these majestic animals year-round.

With picturesque panoramic views, interactive exhibits, a 4-D immersive story theater that puts you in the middle of the herd, a gift shop, wildlife viewing trails, elk observation areas and horse drawn wagon rides there are boundless opportunities to explore.

EXPLORE

The Groundhog Visitor Center is an impressive new facility on Gobbler’s Knob that opened to the public in early 2020. It is the permanent home of the world’s foremost weather prognosticator and most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil.

The new center is a year-round attraction that showcases the history of Groundhog Day and the legend of Punxsutawney Phil. The center showcases interactive educational exhibits, memorabilia and historical displays, a movie theater, a souvenir outlet and the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club’s headquarters.

DISCOVER

730 homes, businesses and churches make up Ridgway’s “Lily of the Valley” National Historic Register District which is highlighted by the stunning homes on “Millionaire’s Row.”  These wonderfully restored homes show the beautiful architectural designs from time in American history when the natural resources around Ridgway were used to build a growing nation. Historic Homes Tour maps are available at the Ridgway Elk County Chamber of Commerce office and ride along tours can be arranged.

DO

Cook Forest Sawmill Center for the Arts is one of the premier destinations in Cook Forest State Park. Thousands visit each year for live performances in the Verna Leith Sawmill Theater. There are also unique festivals and a bountiful craft market full of one-of-a-kind handcrafted items from local artisans.

Popular events include Living History Weekend, Herb & Fiber Festival, French & Indian War Encampment, Woodcarvers Show, Chainsaw Carvers Round-up, Gingerbread Holiday Shopping Tour and Festival of Trees. The Sawmill Center…where nature meets the arts.