Duration: 3 days 3 nights
It seems like winter was made for ski trips. Where else would you be encouraged to overload on hot cocoa, play in the snow all day, and sleep by a roaring fireplace? If that's not enough incentive to start packing your mittens and hitting the road, then nothing is. Get road-ready. We’re taking on the trails. Your winter roadtrip is waiting for you.
Ligonier, tucked away in the Laurel Highlands, is a beautiful, historic town. Looking around, you can find history in anything, but first let's test their culinary skills. Abigail's Coffeehouse is a great pit stop for refilling your coffee and grabbing a bear claw. Once you're energized, hit the trails and head over to Main Exhibit Gallery. These guys have collected the prettiest artwork in the region and put it all under one amazing roof. Continue your stroll down their main street and head over to The Paper House for a quick shopping spree. This country crafts store is filled with pottery, candles, and soaps. Then your next stop along Ligonier's main street takes you to The Toy Box, a fun-for-all-ages indoor playground. Inside, you'll find an “Indoor Forest,” more than 60 hand puppets, and a collection of yo-yos.
Head about 12 miles south and you'll reach the town of Donegal. A quick stop at the Old General Mill Store will set you up with all the supplies you need for your ski excursion. Stock up with some hot cocoa and a few snacks. You'll need the energy later. Then grab a quick lunch at Out of the Fire Café. This restaurant offers intimate indoor and outdoor dining overlooking the picturesque Laurel Highland ridge. Sip on something warm as your chef prepares their must-have smoked salmon dish. Then sit back and daydream about your upcoming adventures in the slopes.
After an 8-mile drive heading southeast, you'll find the Hidden Valley Ski Resort. This is one of the region's most popular ski locations, and it's easy to see why. For starters, Hidden Valley has the perfect mixture of beginner, intermediate, and advanced slopes. There's even a kids ski school program. Among the 100 acres of snowy land, you'll find all kinds of different wintry fun to get yourself into. Maybe you'll even venture into a snow-tubing excursion.
After a busy day on the slopes, recharge your batteries with a tender filet mignon. Or Trout. Well, actually everything on the menu is great, so we'll leave it up to you.
Nestled in PA’s Laurel Highlands, Hidden Valley Resort is a year-round attraction offering fun getaways for families, friends and groups. The resort provides activities and amenities including overnight lodging, a championship golf course, spa, a fitness center with indoor pool, tennis courts, miles of hiking and biking trails, fishing, skiing, snowboarding and snowtubing and conference facilities.
During the winter, Hidden Valley is best known for its 29 immaculately groomed ski slopes and trails. In the summer, guests can enjoy various activities at the resort, including a network of biking trails. Weddings and special events are held at the resort year-round.
Hidden Valley offers overnight guests the option of staying in the Four Seasons Lodges or in on-mountain townhomes and condos.
The resort is ideally located so visitors can easily access all of the fun and exciting surrounding attractions of the Laurel Highlands.
Visit www.hiddenvalleyresort.com for information.
Read More >Wake up and survey the beautiful snowy landscape. Lace up your snow boots and take on 31 different ski slopes on 285 acres. Seven Springs is Pennsylvania's largest ski resort, and it's some of the most fun you'll have in the winter. First-time snow bunnies are welcomed to hop on the gentler trails, and if you're feeling adventurous, you'll find a nice selection of expert-level trails to test your skills. For the ski-shy, there are chilly activities like snow tubing. Hey, there's even a bevy of shopping options if you decide to go on some kind of ski resort shopping spree. This place is a world unto itself.
Read More >What you'll find at Timbers is the perfect casual dining spot for a relaxing night out. The family friendly atmosphere welcomes everyone. Oh, and there's a chili bar with all the fixings.
Read More >This mountain resort nestled peacefully atop the mountains of the Laurel Highlands has bowling, golf, fishing, hiking, swimming, skiing, and even sporting clays. Once you tire yourself out, head over to the spa for some rest and rejuvenation with the calming scent of aromatic oils and a warm stone massage. Then mosey on over to a cozy chalet or cottage to unwind in nature's beauty.
Read More >Your stop at Nemacolin gives you a welcomed opportunity to unwind. Rest those road-weary muscles with a rejuvenating spa treatment at Woodlands Spa. We'd recommend the hydrotherapy tubs, aromatherapy oils, and maybe a nice facial. Hey, you've earned it. Then head outside and explore Nemacolin's 2,000 wooded acres. This time of year, there's snowshoeing and cross country skiing, but what will really make your trip memorable is dogsledding. That's right. There's an exclusive team of trained sled dogs just waiting to give you an unforgettable ride. Nemacolin is an art lover's paradise with more than 1,000 works valued at $45 million on display throughout the property and in four museums. Guided art tours offered daily.
Read More >It doesn't get much fresher than this. In addition to the creative recipes, inspired meals, and excellent staff, Autumn's ingredients come from local farms. And that means you'll have the freshest fruits, veggies, dairy and meats on your plate. Bon appetit!
This peaceful getaway offers 2,000 wooded acres for you to marvel at from the comfort of your room. They also feature an internationally acclaimed spa, a fitness center that offers yoga classes, and 36 holes of championship golf on two courses. What else could you ask for? Perhaps some European style cuisine in a gourmet restaurant. Yeah, they have that too.
Read More >Looking for even more to do while you're in town? Check out our Events calendar.
Big Mac® Museum Restaurant
Say "two-all-beef-patties-special-sauce…" as you snap a picture with the mammoth Big Mac replica housed at this pop culture palace. If you're lucky, you just might bump into the Big Mac inventor himself, M.J. Delligatti. Maybe you'll be able to pry that secret sauce recipe from him.
Christian W. Klay Winery
This family-run winery encompasses 215 acres at the base of the expansive Laurel Highlands. Take a tour and sample some of the award-winning wines with names inspired by historic sites situated along America's first turnpike - the National Road
Flight 93 Memorial
The memorial has been constructed to honor those on board of United Airlines Flight 93, who courageously diverted an attempt to attack the nation's capital. Head over to the Western Overlook to witness the crash site, gain more knowledge from the park rangers and the Volunteer Ambassadors on staff, and marvel at the construction set to wrap up in 2011.