As you enjoy your stay, take a walk down along the river on what is known as the tow path. You will be standing where the mules used to pull their loads down the canal. This part of the canal is- - The Old Pennsylvania Canal, Raystown Branch. Parts of the Pennsylvania Canal Guard Lock and Feeder Dam that was built in 1831 is up river. It is registered on the National Register of Historic places in
1990. wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania_Canal_Guard_Lock_and_Feeder_Dam,_Raystown_Branch
Sit on the deck, go down to the dock and enjoy a campfire along the rivers edge. Have fun catching lightening bugs with the kids in the evening! Take out one of the canoes,life vests are provided and paddle around, or take a float trip. If you prefer kayaks Rothrock Outfitters in Huntingdon rents kayaks plus offers transportation. www.rothrockoutfitters.com
There have been sightings of bald eagles as well as golden eagles on the river. Blue heron, Canadian geese and Wood ducks are just a few of the many species of birds that can be spotted on the river. If your a fisherman or would like to try the sport you are just steps away from excellent fishing! Small mouth bass, walleye, perch, musky, pickerel,catfish, fall fish and varies pan fish....bluegill, sunfish,and rock bass. We have even caught trout out of the river! There is a bait and tackle shop on rt 22 that can "hook you up", Raystown Fishing and Hunting. www.raystownfishingandhunting.com
Or maybe you just want to paddle around and watch the families of turtles or maybe get a glimpse of a mink or a muskrat playing on the riverbank We have even seen a beaver cross in front of us when we were out on the boat! We are a 20 min drive to the popular Raystown Lake. The Lake offers many water activities such as boating,sport fishing, water sking...etc. . The lake is 30 miles long with many picnic areas and a newly rubber walking trail that winds around the Seven Points area offering gorgeous views. Seven Points has a marina, and a swimming area too. You can also take a dinner cruise on either The Princess, located at Seven Points or The Proud Mary located at the resort. Either one, what a wonderful way to enjoy the beauty of Raystown Lake! www.raystownlake.com raystown.org rvcoutdoors.com>lake-raystown-resort www.7pointsmarina.com
You can go to the overlook of the dam and enjoy the view of the lake. If water is being let out of the spillway what a sight that is to see! Snyder's Run boat launch can also be found in this area...it's all about a 10 min drive. www.nab.usace.army.mil
There are many hiking and mountain bike trails around the lake that offer spectacular views. Another popular trail that is only minutes away is The Thousand Steps. The trail actually has 1,043 steps in all! It goes up the side of the mountain to the top created for the miners back in 1936.Once at the top 2,321ft you will have a fantastic view of the rr tracks and the little town of Mapleton below! This is the main range of the Appalachains. www.summitpost.org/jacks-mountain-1000-steps/153845
Trough Creek State Park is a 20 min drive. This park offers The Famous Balanced Rock, A boulder that is balanced on the side of a cliff! Along with many more hiking trails with boulders , creek trails, mountain views, picnic areas and an ice mine, The swinging bridge,leads up to a water fall . There is also great trout fishing! Spend your day at the park for a change of pace. www.dcnr.state.pa.us
Other Parks in the area are... Canoe Creek, Greenwood Furnance, Whipple Dam, Reeds Gap, Alan Seegar Area in Rothrock State Forest,Poe Valley,Licking Creek
For those that like bike riding the nearby Rails to Trails is located in Water Street. The trail is a 17 mile bike trail along the Juniata River. We have 5 bikes at the cottage if you would like to take on this popular trail. Just remember to bring your child's helmet along.. www.rttcpa.org
There is actually three caverns in our area if going under ground is your thing. Lincoln Caverns and Whisper rocks outside of Huntingdon. The world famous Indian Caverns, Spruce Creek, Pa. and Penns Cave located in Centre Hall....Penns Cave you take your tour though the cave in a boat for this is an all water cave! So if spectacular crystal caverns, speleothems,stalactites ,colums, massive flowstones ,soda straws,cave coral ,drapery ,sawtooth ,popcorn,a rimstone pool,and small helectites strikes your interest you may want to consider going caving! lincolncaverns.com pennscave.com www.indiancaverns.com
If you enjoy bowling The Holiday Bowl is just a mile west on William Penn Hwy. www.huntingdonholidaybowl.com
Huntingdon has a community pool as well as Mapleton. Take the kids out to the ballgame! Altoona is the home of the Altoona Curve....minor league for the Pittsburgh Pirates www.milb.com or head to State College to see the Spikes! Minor league for the St. Louis Cardinals! There are two amusement parks close that kids enjoy, Lakemont Park, Altoona www.lakemontparkfun.com and Delgrosso's Amusement Park in Tipton. www.mydelgrossopark.com Both parks have water parks within. Take the family to the movies...The Clifton 5 Theater is located in downtown Huntingdon. www.clifton5.com
Try something a little different...go to a play. The PlayHouse in McConnellstown puts on plays, musicals and concerts. www.littletheater.com
You can take a Saturday night and head to the races at Hesston Speedway! www.hesstonspeedway.com and a list of tracks in the surrounding area, www.dirtfan.com /track/ USA/Pennsylvania/Hesston/Hesston_Speedway/info/
Huntingdon is the home of Juniata College. A private college founded in 1876 . Juniata earned one of the best rankings among U.S. Liberal Arts Colleges www.juniata.edu
Penn State University.... the home of the Nittany Lions! State College is 26 miles away.The famous Happy Valley :) Too many things for me to list in State college! www.statecollege.com
Visit the Shaver's Creek Environmental Center located in Petersburg.This nature center is run by Penn State. It has hiking trails, live reptiles, a raptor center and a discovery room. Bald Eagles Are Nesting!! www.shaverscreek.org
Swigart's Museum is not even a mile away. Swigarts is an antique car museum. Remember Herbie the Love Bug? Oh yeah, he is at the museum! www.swigartmuseum.com
A top of Stone Creek Ridge you will find The Isett Heritage Museum. The museum has a collection of over 40,000 displayed items from the 19th and 20th century. These items are from Mr. Isett, a lifelong resident and business owner of Huntingdon County, his family and donations. This museum consists of five structures on 182 acres of manicured lawn and beautiful flower gardens. www.isettacres.com
If you would like to learn more about canals visit The Allegheny Portage Railroad National Park located in Gallitizin. The park is off of rt 22 12 miles west of Altoona. Well worth the drive. www.nps.gov/alpo/index.htm
On the way you can make a stop at the famous Horseshoe Curve. This is another National Historic Landmark.Located in Altoona. Take a tour of the Railroaders Memorial Museum. Ride The Funicular...an incline plane or take a nature walk from The Visitors Center at the Horseshoe Curve Historic Landmark up to the train tracks of the horse curve. The curve is 2375 ft with a curvature of 9 degrees: central angle is 220 degrees. What a sight to see! www.railroadcity.com
If you enjoy trains Orbisonia has The East Broad Top and Coal Company. This is yet another National Historic Landmark. Trolley rides for the kids is always a popular event. The Rockhill Trolley Museum is not always open , check for dates and times. www.spikesys.com/EBT/
The Old Bedford Village is living history. The Village has many events throughout the year. www.oldbedfordvillage.com
Going up? Visit gravity Hill....Put your car in neutral, sit, wait, your car will slowly coast backwards up the hill on it's own! www.gravityhill.com
Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville. Somerset Co. 88 miles
If antiquing is your thing you might find a gem at one of our local 2nd hand stores. Love It, Yesterday's Best 'books", Little Hearts ,, Twice Upon a Time and The Goodwill are just a few. If you travel to Duncansville you can shop many antique stores. The one big one being The Antique Depot. This indoor flea market has 74,000 square ft of treasures to find! duncansvilleantiquedepot.com
Take a drive down through Amish Country. The beautiful valley and farms of the Amish in Big Valley is just stunning. Go to the sale, the famous Bellville sale . This takes place on Wednesdays throughout the summer. While your down the valley visit one of our local winery's . The Brookmere Winery located near Belleville.brookmerewine.com
There are three golf courses within ten miles:
Huntingdon Country Club
Standing Stone Golf Club
American Legion Country Club
WHATEVER SEASON YOU PLAN YOUR STAY
PENNSYLVANIA IS BEAUTIFUL
RESTAURANTS and PUBS in the area
Specks Deli and Gourmet Pizza
The Village Tavern
Top's Diner
Dairy Queen
Woody's Bar B Q
Sheetz
Burger King
Original Italian Pizza
Taco Bell
Subway
Great Dragon Chinese
Wendys
Mcdonalds
The Meadows
Hoss's Steak and Seafood
Donna's Family Restaurant
Pizza Hut
Gardner's Candies
Jumbo China Buffet
Kellies Corner
Memories
Johnny's Bar
Boxer's
Mimi's Restaurant
Standing Stone Coffee Company
Weicenburg's Pub 303
All American Pizza
Wildflower Cafe
Domino's Pizza
