Day Trips from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

1. The Laurel Highlands

The Laurel Highlands are one of western Pennsylvania's most beautiful natural regions, located approximately an hour southeast of Pittsburgh's downtown district.

The region, which stretches through Fayette, Cambria, and Somerset County, is home to some of Pennsylvania's highest elevations, including majestic Mount Davis, reaching 3,213 feet above sea level.

Visitors flock to the region throughout the year for outdoor recreational opportunities, including hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, wildlife watching, and skiing. Delightful outdoor destinations like Ohiopyle State Park showcase stunning waterfalls like Cucumber and Ohiopyle Falls, which can be reached via hiking trail and make for great nature photography opportunities.

Biking is popular along the Great Allegheny Passage, while amazing hiking opportunities are offered along the Laurel Highlands Trail. Visitors can also explore architectural wonders like Fallingwater or relax in style at the stunning Seven Springs Mountain Resort.

2. The Allegheny National Forest

The Allegheny National Forest is a lovely national forest located just an hour and a half north of Pittsburgh, spanning more than 513,000 acres throughout northwestern Pennsylvania.

The forest, which was established in 1923, is the state's only protected national forest, located within the gorgeous Appalachian Mountains foothills near the famed oil region of Titusville.

Visitors can explore the forest's three beautiful units, which include the protected Allegheny Wild and Scenic River, known for its excellent fishing, canoeing, and boating opportunities and the landmark Kinzua Dam.

The Allegheny Reservoir offers seasonal swimming beaches, day-use picnic sites, and a fishing pier, while the Clarion Wild and Scenic River is home to hunting grounds and hiking areas.

3. Beaver Creek State Park

Beaver Creek State Park is a lovely Ohio state park near the city of East Liverpool, located on the banks of its eponymous creek.

The 2,722-acre park is one of Ohio's most scenic state parks, located within the foothills of the rolling Appalachian Mountains as they meander through Columbiana County.

Visitors can explore the park's picturesque wilderness and enjoy year-round opportunities for fishing, boating, hiking, and hunting. Preserved historic sites within the park include remains of the Sandy and Beaver Canal, which transported goods throughout the 19th century.

1837 Gaston's Mill has been fully restored to its historic condition, open to the public as a living history museum showcasing seasonal displays of antique milling equipment.

A recreation Pioneer Village also showcases 19th-century buildings like a general store, blacksmith shop, log cabin, and one-room schoolhouse.

12021 Echo Dell Rd, East Liverpool, OH 43920, Phone: 330-385-3091

4. Chautauqua County

Chautauqua County is one of New York State's most renowned cultural destinations , known as a leading center for the arts and history for more than a century and a half.

The county is the home of the Chautauqua Institution, which spurred a national lecture and educational movement in the 19th century.

Lovely county seat Jamestown is known as the hometown of famed comedian Lucille Ball, home to the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Museum, which honors the I Love Lucy duo's lives and legacy.

Visitors can explore the historic attractions of the Dunkirk Lighthouse, Park, and Veterans Museum, embark on steamship adventures aboard the Chautauqua Belle, or taste delicious craft brews at popular microbrewery Southern Tier Brewing Company.

The region is also known as a top wine growing destination, home to boutique wineries and the Grape Discovery Center, which showcases winemaking exhibits. Each year, the city hosts the Gerry Rodeo, the oldest consecutive rodeo east of the Mississippi River.

Nearby, Chautauqua Lake offers delightful fishing, boating, and outdoor recreational opportunities.

5. Conneaut Lake Park

Conneaut Lake Park is a quaint amusement park in Conneaut Lake, located on the banks of the picturesque lake of the same name, one of the best lakes in Pennsylvania. The summer resort park was founded in 1892 as Exposition Park and is recognized today as one of America's most historic amusement parks.

Visitors can ride the 1938 Blue Streak wooden coaster, constructed by Edward Vettel and recognized as one of the United States' oldest remaining coasters today.

Classic midway rides also populate the park, including a paratrooper ride, a miniature railroad, a Ferris wheel, dodgem cars, a tilt-a-whirl, and one of the country's only remaining tumble bug rides.

The Splash City water park is home to the Cliffhanger Falls water slide and the Connie Otter's Kiddie Cove children's water play area. 13 children's rides are also offered, along with fishing, swimming, and water skiing opportunities on Conneaut Lake.

12382 Center Ave, Conneaut Lake, PA 16316, Phone: 814-382-5115

6. Fallingwater

Fallingwater , also known as the Kaufmann Residence, is one of renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright's crowning achievements, located just 45 minutes southeast of Pittsburgh in Fayette County.

The stunning residence was created as a weekend home for Lillian and Edgar Kaufmann of the Kaufmann's department store chain and is known for its unique cantilevered design directly above a waterfall landscape.

Since 1963, the designated National Historic Landmark home has been open to the public as a living history museum, offering guided tours throughout the year.

Today, it is considered to be one of the top examples of 20th-century American architecture in the world, named as the greatest American work of all time by the American Institute of Architects.

Visitors can explore the home's 5,330-square-foot main house, which is known for its extensive outdoor terraces, or dine at the delicious Fallingwater Cafe, located within the estate's Visitor Center. Landscape hikes of nearby Bear Run are also offered throughout the year, along with a lecture series and summer concert series.

1491 Mill Run Rd, Mill Run, PA 15464, Phone: 724-329-8501

7. Hartwood Acres

Hartwood Acres is a charming 629-acre county park in Allegheny County, anchored around a gorgeous 16th-century Tudor mansion that was designed by Alfred Hopkins for Mary Flinn and John Lawrence in 1929.

The mansion, which is located just 10 miles northeast of downtown Pittsburgh, has been converted into a living history museum today, showcasing a fantastic collection of 19th-century American and English antique furnishings.

Mansion tours are offered daily with reservations. The estate's grounds are also open to the public throughout the year for free, featuring a plethora of lovely walking, hiking, bridle, and cross-country skiing trails and an off-leash dog run area.

Public concerts are held throughout the summer months at the estate's outdoor amphitheater. Annual special events include the Allegheny County Music Festival.