Civil War Trails and Beyond: Pittsburgh and Its Countryside

Start at the Under Ground Railroad Center in Blairsville. Housed in a former Second Baptist Church building, it's one of the oldest African American structures in town. While at the history center, pick up an Underground Railroad Driving Tour Map for abundant stops in and around Indiana County. We suggest giving yourself a bit of time for this driving tour of the towns that made some of the strongest forces along the Passport to Freedom. Enjoy this leisurely drive through lush countryside and quaint towns from Blairsville to Center Township to Diamondville. Along the tour learn how these towns were filled with upstanding citizens who offered housing and escape routes for fleeing slaves and who risked everything to ensure freedom to all Americans.

Head an hour west to the Iron City and its historic Strip District for our next destination on the tour. It's around lunchtime, and you're in luck - this neighborhood has tons to choose from.

The History Center presents some of the most compelling stories from American history. Check out amazing rare original copies of the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th Amendment, Lincoln's writing desk (complete with scribbles), and that iconic top hat. The newest exhibit at the History Center Pittsburgh: A Tradition of Innovation celebrates the city's historic accomplishments all the way through their 21st century role as a leader in medicine, higher education and robotics.

Stroll over to Heinz headquarters and view the plaque in honor of Jane Swisshelm a radical abolitionist and outspoken Civil War heroine. Dedicated to ending slavery, Swisshelm faced countless threats as editor of several radical abolitionist newspapers including the Pittsburgh Saturday Visitor. Pittsburgh doesn't name neighborhoods after just anybody - it won't be long before you understand what made her so special.

Next, it's time for the true Pittsburgh initiation: a meat-cheese-tomato-cole-slaw-and-fries sandwich from Primanti Brothers. No directions are necessary - the aroma hits you halfway down 18th Street from Penn Avenue.

There's a reason you went to Primanti before this next stop – it's one of America's greatest stairmasters. Pittsburgh has 737 sets of steps, the most of any city in the world, with 44,415 treads spanning more than 24,000 vertical feet. This quirk reflects the city's hilly nature as much as its history. The wood stairwells were the easiest way for workers to get to the city's riverside mills. Head over to the retro-stylish South Side of the city for a good place to start and let the climbing commence. You'll pass through several gardens and what used to be the German and Italian neighborhood. Stop to enjoy the scenery, you'll earn some of the grandest views of the city.

Get there early, with the morning mist rolling off the rolling green hills, for the full effect. We all know the Civil War was the bloodiest war ever on American soil. But there's something about seeing all the headstones of all the brave men who died for their country. The same country. And then you see the women who also died, and the kids, and it all starts to sink in more than it ever has. There's just something about being there, at the Allegheny Cemetery.

Any roadtrip to beautiful Washington County is worthwhile, but the history really makes this trip. Find 49 East Maiden Street in Washington and discover the home Dr. Francis Julius LeMoyne opened to escaping slaves en route to Canada and freedom. LeMoyne was the father to eight children, and his courage and legacy helped name this the first National Historic Landmark of the Underground Railroad. There are only six or seven landmarks like this in the entire United States.

Walk a few streets over to Main Street and you'll find what was proclaimed in 1788 to be “the finest house west of the Alleghenies.” Sure it was a small country then, but the interior woodwork was imported from England, and the stonework still stands up as a something to behold. You can tour the home and learn the history behind David Bradford, the leader of the “Whiskey Rebellion” and how George Washington personally defeated the uprising.

It's only open on Thursdays, but it's worth planning ahead to be in town for this weekly festival of freshness. Meats, produce, dairy and music take over Main Street from 3 to 6pm. The simple, convivial atmosphere transports you to another era, when a fresh outdoor market was the town meeting place.