Indiana, PA

1. Visit the Jimmy Stewart Museum

The Jimmy Stewart Museum is located in the local public library. The museum showcases famous actor’s accomplishments in film, TV and radio. Numerous displays show him not only as an actor but as war hero, bomber pilot, civic leader and family man.

There is a special room that tells the story of his family’s colorful history in Western Pennsylvania.

The displays include daguerreotype of his great grand-dad in Civil War uniform, rare baby photos of Jimmy, and his dad’s desk from the family’s hardware store. The museum describes the actor’s accomplishments as an actor and his roles in many movies including the 1946 classic It’s a Wonderful Life. The statue is located on the courthouse lawn. The museum occasionally offers film presentations and gallery talks.

835 Philadelphia St, Indiana, PA 15701, Phone: 724-349-6112, Map

2. Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Indiana University of Pennsylvania is a public research university in Indiana, Pennsylvania, about 55 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.

The university has branch campuses at Punxsutawney, Northpointe, and Monroeville, Pennsylvania. The university main campus covers 374 acres, with a mix of 62 old and new red brick buildings.

Its first, original John Sutton Hall building is an elegant Victorian structure that once housed the entire school.

Sutton Hall is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It occupies the heart of campus and today houses many administrative offices and reception areas. The Victorian mansion that hosts Breezedale Alumni Center was once home to a Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice and is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The campus also includes a planetarium, University Museum, Hadley Union Building, black box theater, music library, a Cogswell Hall and Stapleton Library with over 900,000 bound volumes and over two million microform units

1011 South Drive, Indiana, PA 15705, Phone: 724-357-2100, Map

3. Hike in Blue Spruce Park

Blue Spruce Park is a verdant 650-acre public park located about six miles from Indiana, Pennsylvania.

The Park was established in 1966, but its site was used for recreation by locals since the early part of the century. Blue Spruce Park includes the Cummings Dam, a historical marker honoring Bernice Gera, a native of nearby town of Ernest.

Gera was the first female umpire to work in a professional baseball league.

There are more than five miles of mixed use trails that transect the park. The Park has a 12-acre lake stocked with trout for public fishing. There are four pavilions and two lodges available for rental. The park also has two playgrounds, a volleyball court, horseshoe court, and areas for sports.

Blue Spruce Park, 1128 Blue Spruce Rd, Indiana, PA 15701, Phone: 724-463-8636

4. Visit the Noble Stein Brewing Company

Noble Stein Brewing Company in Indiana, Pennsylvania, started out with a home brew kits in a five-gallon kettle, then grew rapidly to a mini brewing system featuring a 20 gallon hot liquor tank, mash/lauter tun, and boil kettle.

Experimenting with multiple varieties of hops, malts, yeasts and other elements resulted in a range of delicious brews, with 12 Noble Stein beers on tap and a cider from Arsenal Ciderhouse & Wine Cellar offered in their popular tap room. All regular brews are accompanied by seasonal and specially featured beers throughout the year. Noble Stein beer, are available in many local bars and restaurants from Indiana to Pittsburgh.

Noble Stein Brewing Company , 1170 Wayne Ave, Indiana, PA 15701, Phone: 724-801-8087

5. Learn about local history at the Historical and Genealogical Society of Indiana County

Since Indiana is the county seat of Indiana County, it was the obvious choice for a museum to celebrate and showcase the history of this particular rural county of Pennsylvania. The Historical and Genealogical Society of Indiana County was formed in 1938 and since then they have managed to put together an impressive collection of memorabilia and artifacts which tell the story of Indiana’s communities, past and present.

Important museum exhibits include a collection of 170 bibles and 38 quilts, the oldest of which dates back to 1838. The society also has an online research facility which is available to anyone who would like to delve into the history of Indiana County.

Historical and Genealogical Society of Indiana County, 621 Wayne Avenue, Indiana PA 15701, 724 463 9600

6. Go wildlife watching in the Waterworks Conservation Area

Located on a 10-acre stretch of land adjacent to the Two Licks Creek, the Waterworks Conservation Area is an important recreational facility for local residents and visitors to Indiana.

Fishing and boating are the main attractions at the conservation area although many people visit to enjoy a walk or run along the short trail which meanders around the wetland areas.

Paddlers can launch their kayaks or canoes at Waterworks and enjoy a very scenic 12-mile paddle to Saylor Park. Wildlife watching is excellent in this conservation area and if you are particularly lucky you may spot the very rare Wehrle’s Salamander during your visit.

Waterworks Conservation Area, 768 Waterworks Road, Indiana, PA 15701, 724 463 8636