We visited Chimney Rocks Park after Boyer Candy and it was such a cool experience. There's a…read moreparking lot next to the restrooms which made it easy to start exploring. We checked out the lower lookout first and grabbed a photo with the beautiful scenery. Then we made the climb up the steep hill to the upper lookout and the view over the whole city was amazing. Off to the side in the woods there was a sign that looked like it lights up at night which added a fun touch. The mix of nature and views made it a memorable stop during our trip.

A worthy park with views of the surrounding borough, restrooms (locked on this visit in February…read moreand could not find online any dates of operation), picnic tables, paved parking lots, short trekking paths to the top of a hill either by an easier gravel path or steep dirt hill, interesting rock formations.

This park is a decent size with plenty to do. There's a lake for swimming and fishing, there's…read morehiking trails through the wilderness, camping, and activities for kids. It's a great place for a quick pit stop or for a full day. One of the coolest parts of the park are the limestone kilns. Roughly 100 years old (according to the park ranger who was there when we were), they used to support Pennsylvania's steel industry. Today, they sit abandoned and decaying, but free for visitors to CAREFULLY explore. It's a very short and easy hike to get to the kilns, depending on where you park (I recommend looking at a map to scope out the parking lot closest to them).

Very nice park. The electric electric motor only lake is quiet and family friendly. Nice short…read moretrails that are easy for kids.

This is an awesome experience the trains come about once every hour and if you could try to see the…read moreAmtrak train, it's a once in a lifetime experience

The funicular is almost never running, forcing people to climb a long flight of stairs. Even if you…read moreare able-bodied, it is difficult. And, they don't have the foresight to install a regular bonafide elevator to resolve the issue. You are better off going over to the Gallitzin Tunnel Park/Museum to railfan the trains that come through here.

We were driving by when we saw the signage for the Gallitzin Tunnels. Having just come from the…read moreAllegheny Portage Railroad site, we appreciated the meaning of the tunnels and pulled over to check them out. There is some parking available nearby, and you can easily walk out on the side of the bridge facing the tunnel. There are even two small "windows" in the fencing on the bridge so that you can easily view and/or take pictures of the tunnels. There is a real caboose and a wooden play train available in the grassy area next to the parking. The caboose was closed at the time of our visit, but the wooden play train was fun. There was also signage indicating that a museum was available across the street, but it was outside of the posted hours so we did not see that. If you're interested in train history, this is a good stop!

After our visit to the Allegheny Portage NPS it seemed fitting to take a quick swing over to the…read morelandmark tunnels that put them out of business. Thankfully this place has lots of signage all around the area because it's off the beaten path in the middle of a residential area. We showed up right on time as within about two minutes we felt the rumble and saw the headlight of a train getting ready to emerge from the tunnel. We got to the overlook bridge just in time to catch an 80+ car NS trash train right as it came out of the tunnel. Have a sinus issue? Catch this baby from the bridge and you will be cured because not only does it stink as it's going beneath you but the smell continues to waft out of the tunnel for a good ten minutes after the train is long gone. It's sort of a....Gallitzin Dutch Oven. As for the museum, supposedly the hours are Tuesday-Sunday from 12pm-5pm. We were there in the 4pm hour and nothing was open. The caboose still has hours listed from 2011 on the door so naturally that was also closed. It was disappointing that the caboose/museum were not open but it was still a fascinating look at some living history and we were thankful to see the tunnel in action as well.

The Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site is not only a collection of industrial…read moreartifacts, it's also got a great hiking trail, the 6 to 10 Trail System. The 6 to 10 Trail System is the only way you can see many of the attractions here. But for serious hikers, it's also a great trail for just plain ol' hiking. In fact, the NPS website encourages use of the trail, stating that not only is it good for your health, but also for the health of the national parks. The 6 to 10 Trail System is so named because it connects Engine House #6 and the site of Engine House #10. It's not a circular trail, so it's same-way-out/same-way-back walk. Mountain biking is allowed on east end of the trail only, from Muleshoe Bridge to Engine House #10. But before hiking, I warn you--there are some steep slopes along the way and you should have some experienced hikers in your group. In our foursome, the experienced hikers were the females (Susan and Cindy). Rick and Bob, not so much--but in all fairness to my guy, he's quite the cyclist. Comfortable clothing and sturdy hiking shoes are a must. The 6 to 10 Trail Systems follows the route of the old railroad, but it's not really a rails-to-trails. Not all sections are on the roadbed of the old railway. The construction of a portion of "New" US #22 saw to that! We began our hike upon leaving the Lemon House. We proceeded eastward, coming up on the site of Incline #6, a portion of which has been reconstructed. From Incline #6, we go down the slope and pass under the westbound lanes of "Old" US 22. The next site we encountered was the Skew Arch Bridge. With the construction of the highway, it is actually located between the eastbound and westbound lanes. The bridge can be reached via the trail or the mowed incline. After the bridge, the trail briefly curves to the west before heading east again. There aren't many sites to see on this portion of the trail, but it is a beautiful hike in through here. The trail hugs the park boundary along here before curving to the north again. Ah, here begins the fun part of the trail. The slopes get really steep in through here and they'll test your hiking abilities. But hey, Cindy and I are veterans and if we can tackle the Firelane Trail and the Lower Riverview Trails in Frick Park, we can handle this. "C'mon boys, ya gotta keep up with us! We've barely begun the hike!" I shouldn't talk--I know I'm gonna have to test my sugars soon. We then pass an historic culvert and then come upon the ruins of Engine House #6 and Incline #6. The next site we saw was Muleshoe Bridge. This is a stone arch bridge over "Old" US 22 and is presently closed to hikers and cyclists. This was also built on the Alegheny Portage Railroad right of way, but is much newer. The Pennsylvania Railroad built a freight train bypass line here in 1904 and it remained in use until 1981. The Pennsylvania called it the New Portage Line and a portion of "New" US 22 was built on that too. There is a tunnel up in Gallitzin called New Portage Tunnel and it remains in use by freight and Amtrak trains today. New Portage Tunnel is the sole remaining railroad operating part of the New Portage Line. But back to the Muleshoe Bridge, here is where the bike trail begins. We then passed some more historic culverts and a shout out to my Yelp friend Mike O--no these aren't the "Culverts" where you can get yummy frozen custard. We also passed the Hollidaysburg Reservoir. The State Gamelands are located along here. During hunting season, it is recommended that you wear bright clothing, even though hunting is not allowed on the trail itself. Further east of here, the bike trail splits from the hiking trail. If you're on foot, you will want to remain on the hiking trail. The trail passes the site of Incline #9, although nothing remains. It's mostly a pleasant hike from here and about a mile from the trailhead, the hiking and biking trails rejoin. The Foot of Ten Trail veers off to the left just east of Historic Culvert #1692 and goes to the Engine House #10 ruins at Foot of Ten. The ruins was the end of the line for us too and we decided to take a snack and water break before heading back. Remember, there are no restroom facilities anywhere on the trail. There are no places anywhere on the trail or in the park to obtain food and beverage. Make sure you have an adequate supply before setting out. There are no trashcans along the trail. This is because the park doesn't want furry little creatures scavenging through them. So whatever you bring in, make sure you take out. Finally this is an out-n-back trail. So hike to your abilites. Remember, if you make it to the end, you're really only 1/2 way done because you have to hike back. Thanks to my husband Rick for help in writing this.

I am training to hike the grand canyon to the bottom and back in one day next month, so this trail…read moreis good prep for that because by starting at the lemon house, you go down first then up. Parts of the 6 to 10 are much steeper than what I will encounter in Arizona. I only did the hiking portion of the trail, as the rest is just flat. Well marked, with a couple exceptions, as I actually veered off the trail unknowingly once. This trail will test your hiking abilities, and will disappoint few serious hikers.