A terrific place to spend a day and an outstanding value…read more My wife and I took a day trip (7/26/26) to visit and would certainly recommend it. We purchased the combo ticket for the cave tour and wildlife experience. Both were excellent. The cave tour is by boat, and we were piloted by a knowledgeable, spirited guide. And the cave is really kind of breathtaking. (We had a noon cave tour) The wildlife park tour is on a bus and again our driver was engaging and fun. The animals are well cared for, and not confined to small cages. They have space to roam and be animals. (Our park tour was 2 pm.... I mention the times so management can credit the guides if they read these reviews and do that sort of thing.) While we went for a couple's road trip, the visitors are definitely mostly families. So there are a fair amount of young ones around. Mostly, they just seemed fascinated with the cave and the animals.

This is such a sweet and cool place to visit. Definitely a family type of event, all the staff here…read moreare great, from the staff in the souvenir store, the staff in the Cafe and kitchen area, the cave tour guides, the wild life tour guides and the maze staff too. You can really tell everyone here loves what they do for work, I mean seriously the tour guides are amazing. The cave and the wild tour are a MUST! We saw foxes, wild cats, Bison, Horses, among other animals . You and your family will have a great time. Specially the little ones.

"StalaCtites are on the ceiling, stalagMItes are on the mound," I sing to myself, that fourth grade…read moreknowledge finally becoming useful. We were looking for a stop to break up our road trip and saw Coral Caverns on the map. This is a reservation-only establishment with tours on the hour, so make sure you call/text in advance. Tickets were $22 for adults and $11 for kids, cash or personal check. Employees were very friendly. They thanked my husband for his service when they saw his veteran's license plate. Our kids were not the best behaved on the tour and the owner was kind, commenting "tantrums are the major selling point of toddlers," as we tried to calm them down. It's pretty small, but is family owned and operated, and they are knowledgeable about the fossils and history. It's a quick detour from the PA turnpike. Only reason it's knocked down a star is the expensive tickets. Having done the whole Luray tour as well, this is considerably smaller but not a lot cheaper.

A fascinating natural attraction about 15 minutes from Bedford Springs! Contacted the proprietor…read moreby text message and booked our guided tour for the next day. The cave system's main attraction is a fossilized reef formed about 400 Million years ago. Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly. The whole family enjoyed the outing - highly recommend!

I wasn't able to go indoors bc of their covid hours but wow is the land beautiful. I gave myself a…read moreground tours. I will call and schedule a tour and update my review!

Didn't actually get to see the mansion or the chapel as there was a special event going on…read more Apparently, the day we went was the only day all year that no tours are given! Anyway, It looked somewhat run down around the edges and only got to peek in the door. The admission was $10. a person. So I was somewhat relieved NOT to have to shell out that much, though I would have to see ole' Columbus' stuff. We determined the very puzzling "Columbus" connection. It appears that one of the early Boals, Col. Theodore Davis Boal, married Mathilde de Lagarde who was a direct descendant of Columbus and when she inherited some of Columbus' artifacts she had them shipped to the US from Spain. I do wish I could have seen that part!

Sat in a dome car but unfortunately had a snooty young blonde at our very expensive table…read more.. So I Self located downstairs... Drinks were good . 90 minute stop in Frostburg was nice but many restaurants and shops were closed as it was a Monday.

A Mixed Bag at Best -- Disappointing Value and Execution…read more I paid $150 for the murder mystery train ride, and while I had a few expectations going in, the experience left a lot to be desired. The Good: The single bright spot of the evening was that--traveling alone--I was seated at a four-person dinner table with wonderful guests who made the night bearable. The chocolate cake for dessert was also quite nice. The Murder Mystery Show: If you are hoping for something engaging and even a little dramatic, you won't find it here. The performance was completely all over the place, making it hard to follow what was actually happening. It felt entirely improvised, leaning heavily into a corny brand of comedy rather than a true mystery. Logistically, the setup is a nightmare: actors, servers, and guests were constantly bumping into one another just to navigate the narrow aisles. The icing on the cake? One of the actresses spent most of the performance hissing, screeching, and shouting--likely spitting into nearby food in the process. The Food: Considering the price tag, I expected better. Dinner was just okay, landing at a solid 2.5 out of 5 stars. I ordered the steak, which was aggressively average, but my salad came with an unwelcome bonus: a hair. The Sunset Ride (Bonus Gripe): $60 I also participated in the sunset ride the following night, and it was equally underwhelming. First, the 7:00 PM start time is simply too late to catch a proper sunset. Second, any lingering sunlight is entirely blocked by the dense forestry cascading along the route. For a three-hour excursion, about two hours of it was spent riding a cold train in total pitch blackness--feeling more like a mundane daily commute than a romantic evening out. I sat in the dome car which was tight and cold, the space was so small it was impossible not to feel like everyone was in your conversation and you in theirs. The Verdict: Ultimately, I wouldn't recommend this train experience to anyone for any reason. But hey, if you don't believe me, feel free to find out for yourself.

We booked this as a surprise to our 8&9 year old kids…read more I admit that I was skeptical at first. But that skepticism melted away once we got on the wagon and the guide (Jim) and Brad the driver began talking. We learned so much about the PA Grand Canyon in that 2 hour ride than I ever expected! They were light-hearted, jovial and just down right NICE! We took a 2:30pm ride and though we didn't get to see much in the way of local wildlife (eagles, bear) we did see a few doe. The Belgian horses they use are amazing. Beautiful "gentle giants". Being physically in the PA Grand Canyon is a beautiful experience in itself as well! Our kids really enjoyed the experience and we learned alot more than we would have if we just walked the trail ourselves! Worth the price of admission for sure!

This was a very fun tour. We got on a large, covered wooden wagon that was pulled by two massive…read morehorses, and they took us down into the PA Grand Canyon. Our "driver" and tour guide were both very knowledgeable of the area and the history. I would recommend this tour for someone that wants to see beautiful scenery, and wants to learn about the area/history. The company offers a few different options of tours depending on the season. Recommended: yes

Jamie Gumb & Mrs Liptmin Moved From Bellaire Ohio To Perryopolis & They Have Made Themselves At…read moreHome With This Beautiful Spacious Domicile. The Facilities Are Well Kept Although As a Neighbor I Rather Dislike All Of The Moths With The Frightfull Skulls Floating Around. Since They Have Moved In. The Yard Is Well Kept & Jamie's Friends Seem Very Nice....Alrhough I Occasionally Here The Song "GoodBye Horses" At An Elevated Level. He Moves A Loveseat In And Out Frequently. Wait There Was Also This Great Big Woman Like A Size 14 Helping Him Too! This Is A Fantastic Experience That Any Movie Buff Would Enjoy, Let Alone A Horror Buff. The Owner & Staff Truly Do Go The Extra Mile To Make Your Stay Exceptional. Do Not Miss Out If You See Brooke Smith Come Back! Also The Souvenirs Are Of Great Quality And Travelled Well Without Damage.

Amazing tour of a cinematic piece of history. Chris gives a tremendous tour. Great history of the…read morehouse and scenes from Silence of the Lambs. The PIT in the basement is worth the price.

This stately stone home in Brownsville, PA stands on Market Street. It is on the main drag before…read moreit passes over a river. The French General Marquis de Lafayette stayed here and spoke to townsfolk in 1825. Directly across the street is the local FD Engine of Brownsville which is also really neat to visit when in the area! The Brashear House is also a corner house, so it is picture perfect for pit stops, to explore around the block or to take family pictures.. Review: 5

We had a wonderful day full of train and trolley rides and tours. All the volunteers rock! They…read morewere so knowledgeable about not only the equipment and history, but the area as well. We'd like to thank Valerie for her wonderful dinner recommendation. We left our lunches in the car and were quite hungry when we left way past closing time. We'd love to return another day and maybe take time to picnic and pick flowers like we saw a young family do. Oh, and the bathrooms were pristine!

So here's the deal: I rode the Pumpkin Patch Express at East Broad Top Railroad, and while it was…read moreabsolutely adorable, festive, and full of fall charm... I'm docking a star for one very specific reason -- they advertised a Halloween costume contest with every train departure and then... just didn't do it. Like, poof. Gone. No announcement, no explanation, no spooky spirit. Just me in a full Halloween costume wondering what in the Great Pumpkin was going on. Let me back up. I had to cancel my original trip a few weeks before because of a family emergency. Their staff was super helpful, issued me a gift card, and made rebooking easy. Total gold stars for that. I ended up rebooking on the last day of the Pumpkin Patch Express, and even splurged for seats in the caboose (because who doesn't want to pretend they're in a vintage movie for a day?). It was $65.32 for two adults, and honestly worth it for the unique view alone. The Orbisonia Station was clean, festive, and well-run. Fall décor everywhere, the kind of stuff Pinterest dreams are made of. The train ride? Perfectly timed -- long enough to enjoy the scenery, short enough that I didn't start questioning my life choices or wishing for snacks. When we arrived at the pumpkin patch, it was like stepping into autumn heaven: games, bounce house, mini-golf, food trucks, firepits, and plenty of pumpkins. The whole setup was great -- even the port-a-johns were clean (which is the real fall miracle here, let's be honest). We hit the food trucks first (pro tip!) and scored seats in the sunshine next to a firepit. I devoured my lunch, soaked up the view, and might've gotten a little competitive playing mini-golf -- nailed the final hole in one and absolutely celebrated like I'd just won the Masters. Now... back to that nonexistent costume contest. Picture me: all decked out, fully committed, ready to strut my spooky self for glory. I walk up to the counter, big smile, ready to ask where the contest will be -- and a rather grumpy man behind the desk hits me with a "Yeah, we're not doing that anymore." No apology, no explanation, no nothing. Just crushed dreams and a ticket in hand. Sir. I have read your Facebook event posts. All. Of. Them. You promised me a costume contest. You got me excited. And you're telling me this now? On the platform? In my Halloween costume? I'll admit it -- I was bummed. Like, "eat extra candy corn later to cope" bummed. But I wore my costume proudly anyway (as did my adventure buddy and a few other brave souls), made my own fun, and still had a great time. Though I definitely whined about it the entire train ride back. My poor adventure companion earned a medal that day. So yeah, East Broad Top -- the train, the views, the pumpkin patch setup -- all awesome. But if you're going to advertise something, please follow through. Some of us plan our entire fall outfit strategy around these things, okay? Still, I can't stay too mad. I had a blast, the caboose ride was a dream, and it's a memory I'll be laughing about for a long time. Just...maybe next year, they can keep their event promises or update their marketing so folks know what to expect? Less ghosting on the costume contest and more ghost costumes, deal?

George Washington is credited with dreaming of the building of a road that would connect the east…read morecoast with the Midwest. The National Road was the first government funded road in the U.S, connecting Baltimore, Maryland with St. Louis, Missouri. I've travelled most of the National Road over the years, visiting historical sites. This week, I travelled through Western Maryland and Southwest Pennsylvania. A number of inns and taverns along the route provided shelter and food for early settlers traveling by stage coach. The Mount Washington Tavern was one of the upscale taverns and is today a museum managed by the National Park Service. The tavern was built in the late 1820's by Nathaniel Ewing on land once owned by George Washington. The museum has been restored with furnishing similar to what travelers would have encountered in the mid-1800's. The museum is a self guided tour with an audio tour available using a mobile phone. I walked through the tavern and saw the dining room, tavern, parlor and several of the guests quarters. I was able to imagine being back in time 200 years. If only these walls could talk, the stories they would tell. The parking lot is nice with steps or paved ramp leading to the tavern. On the grounds of the tavern is a stable that holds a Conestoga Wagon and memorial to early travelers. Several historical markers describe the National Road and tavern. Restroom and other amenities can be found at the Fort Necessity Visitor Center, a short walk or drive down the hill. There is no charge to visit the museum which is opened daily from 10 am - 4:00 pm. I highly recommend for history buffs.

Pleasant little trip into 1830's roadside tavern history (and more history of the National Road,…read morecomplimenting some of the history at next door's Fort Necessity visitors' center), such as what sort of people traveled, how they traveled, what they could afford to eat, and how they slept (uncomfortably and sharing space with strangers).

Lemon House is part of the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site, meaning that it…read moreresides on the land and can be viewed while you are there. To note, Lemon House is one of the buildings you can see from the highway on your way by. Lemon House is an original building on the grounds. It has been restored to what it would have looked like for the time period. Lemon House, at times, gives you a better timetable for the time that the railway was in use. I suppose you can view this an an extension of the visitor center. When you walk in you are greeted by one of the rangers, they give you a little run down of the inside of the place and let you go on your way. They are also there to ask any questions, might you have them. You only get to view the first floor of this place. What you will get to see is the dining area, bar, and fancy parlor. The Fancy Parlor was by far my favorite room in here. Decorated with pieces from the time period and giving you a glimpse into how people would interact and relax. The dining room is kind of like a cafeteria style area, great big room specifically for eating your meal. The tavern area seems a bit small, but I can see it working. The other rooms on the first floor have not been restored to what they would have looked like. Instead they hold the informative information about the structure. This information gives you the timeline of the house, right down to who owned it at what time and how it changed hands so much. It also tells you that this is not the original house. They built this one here to be near the railway in order to take advantage of the traffic and offer services. They are not sure where the original house stood to this day. It is a beautiful structure. Great addition to the grounds, and I am happy that they decided to save the structure for reuse instead of demolishing it. It would have been too bad if they had.

"The Lemon House is a museum, not a working tavern or restaurant." So says my guidebook from the…read moreAllegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site. Located just south of the visitor's center and the engine house, it's one of the major attractions at the site and one of the few that has been completely restored. The Lemon House shows how the socioeconomic structure developed along the railroad and the Main Line. It was owned by Samuel and Jean Moore Lemon, two of the many entrepreneurs who used the development of the areas natural resources and transportation links in order to make a living. Travelers along the Main Line would stop here to eat, drink, and regale each other with their journeys' tales. The Lemon House was restored in 1997 in the style of 1830-1850, specifically what it might have looked like in 1840. I say "might" because as with the engine house, any plans or schematics for the design of the building have been long lost. There's also little evidence as to how the tavern was operated or what the menu might have been. What the restorers did know however were such things as period artworks and documentation of other 19th century taverns (many had remained in business into the 20th century). Also historians do know what the social mores were at the time, so we will keep them in mind as we tour the building. Historians also do know a few things about the Lemons. Jean Moore Lemon (1797-1880) was well educated and apparently was the bookkeeper for the tavern. The local banks have records of her signature. Her obituary praised her for her charity works. Samuel Lemon (1793-1867) was born in Huntingdon County, PA. His grandfather served in the War of Independence and his father in the War of 1812. He was best known as a tavern owner and businessman. He must have had some business acumen because the Lemon House was very solidly built. So let's take a tour of the Lemon House. Like the travelers of the day, we enter through the central hallway. In most houses the hallway was very welcoming and it's likely that travelers preferred this room. Here travelers could read the paper, play games, or catch up on the stories of the day. It is furnished with simple wooden chairs and benches which could withstand the elements. Period paintings, not original to the house, adorn the walls. The next room is the bar room. Ladies, we are allowed in here today but we would not have been back when the tavern was operating. The social mores of the day required men to act as gentlemen and women to act as ladies. In general, women of any social standing did NOT go into bar rooms. Here the men could ignore the social graces of the day. Guys, imagine such notorious behavior as removing your dress coat or tilting your chair back. Imagine uttering such oaths as "hell" and "damn"! Now the barroom was restored based on a watercolor "Country Inn" by August Koller. The watercolor was painted in 1840 in western PA. We proceed into the fancy parlor. Here a man or woman who wished to have a more quiet retreat could dine or relax (notice girls, we don't get our own room here--ah, the Victorian social graces). You did not have to be rich in order to use the fancy parlor, but you had to exhibit social graces. The furniture was designed for correct posture and appropriate behavior. Chairs were uncomfortable because they did not want you to linger or sleep here. Interestingly, you could smoke or chew tobacco in here and you can see the silver spittoons on the floor. Of course there is a piano because refined ladies would know how to play one. It's likely that Mrs. Lemon entertained neighbors and guests here. The last room we'll take a look at is the Double Dining Room, also known as the Common Room. Travelers and the occasional local foik could stop for a meal here. Unlike today, it was one set meal. There were no choices of what you wanted to eat. Stew was the most likely meal to be served because it could be kept hot on the stove all day. Trains would pull in and the crew would shout out "1 hour for lunch!". Community seating was the rule of the day, meaning you dined with strangers. This was done for efficiency's sake. This community seating lives on today--if you've ever eaten in an Amtrak diner car, you'll know what I mean. I could go on, but I'm almost out of space here. The Lemon House is my favorite site here because it's so complete and it gives you an idea of how people traveled back then. Quite a difference from the Holiday Inns and Denny'ses of today, huh?