Where to Eat, Stay, and Adventure during your visit to Pennsylvania’s Ultimate Snow Globe:
Southwestern Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands region transforms into nothing short of a winter wonderland each year. With miles of snowy trails, frozen waterfalls, picturesque covered bridges, and some of the best downhill and cross-country skiing in the mid-Atlantic, you won’t have any trouble finding your perfect outdoor adventure and living out all of your winter snow globe dreams.
We’ve visited several times over the last few years and have fallen more in love with the area each time. Our most recent trip was hosted by Go Laurel Highlands, and we explored alongside some of our fellow content creator friends; Many of whom you may recognize! Here we’re highlighting our top recommendations for planning your perfect snowy winter weekend getaway. But first…
Getting To the Laurel Highlands
Nestled in Pennsylvania’s Allegheny Mountains, this region is less than an hour’s drive from Pittsburgh, PA, and just over three hours from both Washington, DC, and Baltimore, MD, making it the perfect weekend getaway from any of these cities and so many others across the Mid-Atlantic! The region is diverse and expansive, and the best way to get around and access its various hidden gems and attractions is by car. Road trip anyone?
Unmissable Outdoorsy Experiences in the Laurel Highlands
Whether you’re an avid skier, lover of winter hikes, frozen waterfall aficionado, or just want to find a snowy hill to sled down, the Laurel Highlands have you covered. Read on for a dozen of our favorite spots/ways to explore the region’s outdoors.
Chase Frozen Waterfalls in Ohiopyle State Park
There are so many frozen falls to choose from, but some of our favorites call Ohiopyle State Park home. Cucumber Falls is definitely the showrunner in every season, and for good reason– it’s easy to access and absolutely iconic! When we visited in January, the plunge pool of the falls had frozen up into a butte-like formation that we could climb to access the falls from behind. We were surrounded by icicles and felt like we were in an ice cave, an experience that was both absolutely insane and pretty incredible!
The Jonathan Run Falls Trail is another beautiful hike in Ohiopyle State Park. This 2.5 mile loop will lead you to three different falls along Jonathan Run. The views are definitely worth the trek, but the trail is steep in places (using a rope is required in one spot) and may be difficult to navigate in the snow and ice.
While these may not technically be waterfalls, the Meadow Run Natural Waterslides are definitely worth checking out while you’re in the park as well. You can access them with either a quick walk from the parking area or along the three-mile Meadow Run Loop Trail that follows the stream. If you opt to hike the trail, it will lead you to the cascades, which are yet another set of frozen falls.
Ferncliff Peninsula Trail: This popular loop trail offers breathtaking views of the Youghiogheny River and Ohiopyle Falls, which become even more magical when coated in ice and snow. The trail is accessible from the town of Ohiopyle, just under two miles in length, and relatively flat, making it a great option for families or anyone looking for a scenic yet leisurely winter walk. We recommend walking over to Ohiopyle Coffee Company either before or after your hike to refuel with coffee and one of their delicious breakfast sandwiches.
Snowshoe or Hike to Historic Sites
Hiking out to Jones Mill Run Dam in Laurel Hill State Park was a highlight of our most recent trip. An easy trail with a gentle incline led us to the 15-foot structure which we found to be as beautiful as it is historic. The dam, pictured below, was hand-built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935, and today it resembles a natural waterfall.
To get there, we parked at the Pumphouse Trail Parking Lot, took the Pumphouse Trail out to the dam and returned by connecting the Tram Road and Shay Trails to make a lollipop. There are a few other routes that you can take, and you can plan your hike using this map of the park. After your hike, Highlands Market is the perfect place to refuel with pizza or a sandwich or grab some local treats, beer, or wine to take home with you!
Fun Fact: With over 200 of these historic structures scattered across its scenic countryside, Pennsylvania holds the distinction of having the most covered bridges in the United States. Among them, Packsaddle Bridge stands out as one of the most picturesque and unique, thanks to the stunning waterfall cascading beneath its timeless wooden frame.
Barronvale Covered Bridge is another notable one. It’s the longest covered bridge in the county and is only open to foot traffic. King’s Covered Bridge is located just a few minutes down the road from Barronvale and is just as beautiful. Both of these bridges are situated between Laurel Hill State Park and Laurel Ridge State Park and make for the perfect stops if you’re navigating between the two parks in one day.
If you’re visiting any of these places in Somerset, we recommend stopping by Brewed Awakening Cafe for some caffeine and yummy eats before your day of adventuring. This cozy, women-owned spot is open daily until 2PM, and perfect for either breakfast or lunch. But no matter what time you stop by, don’t sleep on this cafe’s coffee flights. They’re adorable… and can be made with oat milk!
One place that we didn’t have time to explore, but was highly recommended by those in our group, is the abandoned hunting lodge at Linn Run State Park. It’s located along the Flat Rock Trail, which if hiked in completion also leads to Adam Falls– which (you guessed it) is another beautiful waterfall.
Note: Many of these trails are also often very icy, so we recommend packing a pair of MICROspikes, or at least YakTrax for all of these hikes. However, if you want to slip and slide down some hills, both Laurel Hill State Park and Ohiopyle State Park have designated hills for sledding, just make sure to bring your own sled!
Go Cross Country Skiing
Cross-country skiing, aka XC skiing, is hands down a top contender for our favorite way to get out on the snowy trails. Several State Parks offer groomed XC ski trails, but if you’re looking for rentals or even lessons, we couldn’t recommend the XC Ski Center at Laurel Ridge State Park more. Snowshoe rentals are available here too! If you want to learn more about/prepare for your upcoming cross-country skiing experience in the Laurel Highlands, check out our friend, Tory (@ToryTalksTrails)’s, comprehensive beginner’s guide.
Hit the Slopes
With more than 30 runs and onsite restaurants, bars, and entertainment, Seven Springs Mountain Resort is a must-visit for skiers and snowboarders alike. We most recently visited for Toyota’s Takeover weekend and had a blast! From hitting the slopes, to devouring our dinner at Helen’s, to après dancing and drinks at The Foggy Goggle, we did not want our weekend here to end!
Where to Dine & Drink in the Laurel Highlands
Farm-to-Table Dining
Bittersweet Cafe: Located in Farmington, PA, this local cafe specializes in serving up fresh, local, small-batch food and drink. We visited Bittersweet Cafe for lunch when we stayed at the Ohiopyle Treehouse (also located in Farmington) and were so impressed with our meal… like so impressed that Seth devoured his before I could even get the camera out.
Out of the Fire Cafe: If you’re looking for a farm-to-table dinner option in Donegal, our friends raved about their meal at Out of the Fire Cafe. Check out Brittany (@brittabouttown)’s post about the group’s experience.
Laurel Highlands Staples
Carol and Dave’s Roadhouse: If you find yourself in Historic Ligonier, you have to enjoy a meal at Carol and Dave’s Roadhouse. This charming restaurant/tavern offers an extensive food and drink menu as well as rotating daily specials, including a catch of the day, every day. We went on a Thursday (risotto night) and both the portion and flavor of my seafood risotto were topics to write home about.
The Wicked Googly and Ligonier Lanes: After diner at Carol and Dave’s, we walked over to this local haunt for some bowling and live music. The laid-back atmosphere, wide selection of adult beverages, and unique decor (a yeti was posted up outside when we went) made it the perfect place to kick back after a day of exploring the Laurel Highlands.
Hillbilly’s Grub & Pub: If you’re looking for some southern-style comfort cooking, Hillbilly’s Grub & Pub is the place for you. We visited with a huge party and had the opportunity to sample quite a few things on their menu. Spoiler: Not one dish disappointed; Pro tip: Start with the Hillbilly fries (pictured above) and order at least one swamp water cocktail.
After dinner, we headed upstairs to catch some live music and check out their self-service beer cave. One thing led to another and we ended up in the VIH (Very Important Hillbilly) section with front-row seats to the show and access to a life-sized goat statue who served us shots through her udders.
Falls City Pub: With a wide selection of both food and beers on tap, and a laid back atmosphere, Falls City Pub has been a favorite of ours for years. If you’re looking for a no-frills dinner spot in the heart of Ohiopyle with delicious food and cold drinks, this is your place!
Local Craft Beer
The region is home to over two dozen breweries, and even more wineries, cideries, and distilleries, so you won’t have any trouble finding a place to enjoy a local craft beverage. If you happen to need an incentive beyond supporting local brewers to visit these establishments, you can pick up a Laurel Highlands Pour Tour Passport (or download one digitally) and earn prizes as you sip and savor. This program runs January through December each year.
We only had the chance to make it to one brewery on our most recent trip, but it was an awesome (and outdoorsy-theme-aligned) one. Enter: Trailhead Brewing Company. Located in Rockwood, PA and uniquely situated underneath a laundromat, this local haunt offers patrons the chillest of vibes, both arcade and board games to play whilst you sip, and e-bike rentals for cruising the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) trail when the weather allows.
Where to Stay in the Laurel Highlands
From campsites in state parks, to cozy cabins, to suites in luxury resorts, to ski-in/ski-out chalets, a diverse range of lodging accommodations are available in the Laurel Highlands. Below are three that we’ve personally experienced and can recommend:
Living Treasures Log Cabin Lodge and Suites
Featuring 24 individual rooms and ten suites, Living Treasures is perfect for keeping the whole family/friend group together when visiting the region. Each room in the lodge is equipped with a refrigerator and fireplace and the deluxe rooms feature a whirlpool tub. On our most recent trip, 11 of us shacked up in a suite and enjoyed nights by the fire watching football (Go Steelers!), soaking in our indoor hot tub, and playing pool and ping pong right in our living room.
And if you need caffeine in the morning, or just a tasty muffin or breakfast burrito, Silver Horse Coffee is open daily and located just a few minutes down the road. They roast their own coffee beans (Standing Wave Coffee Roaster) and source the majority of their food locally, and their space is decked out with rocks to purchase and/or admire… which we love.
Ohiopyle Treehouse
Named the “most unique Airbnb stay” in Pennsylvania by Good Housekeeping, this charming treehouse is one for the bucket list. It’s located at the end of a gravel road in Farmington, PA, equipped with a hot tub, custom fireplace, and a mile of private hiking trails that are dotted with hidden gnomes, and truly outdoor lover’s paradise. This two-bedroom property sleeps six and is equipped with a full kitchen, ADA-accessible bathroom, WiFi, and a cozy living room. Outside you’ll find a propane grill and three covered patios– one with a cozy swing bed.
Seven Springs Resort
There are endless options when it comes to staying at/near Seven Spring Mountain Resort, but we can personally vouch for the incredible experience we had at the Slopeside Hotel. Attached to the resort’s restaurants and bars and conveniently positioned at the bottom of the mountain, staying here allowed us to walk out of our room right out to the lift in minutes– no driving required. For a true ski-in/ski-out option, check out their Southwind townhomes. This mountaintop townhome community has its own private lift system that connects it to the rest of the mountain.
While this post specifically highlights wintery things to do, the Laurel Highlands are truly a year-round destination. We’ve visited in every season, and have yet to have anything less than an incredible experience. That being said, the region really does turn into a snow globe, so be sure to plan accordingly. Road conditions can sometimes be less than ideal, and cell phone service may not be available along some of the region’s idyllic, yet remote roads. Whether you’re exploring the region’s nature or just driving through it, it’s important to plan ahead and prepare for the conditions, download offline maps ahead of time, and know your limits in order to have a safe and memorable (in the best way) experience! On that note…
