The birth of a lifelong passion often begins with a spark. We can all probably pinpoint the moment when a love of sports, literature, or history started. A visit to this most unusual and intriguing roadside attraction in Pennsylvania might just spark a new interest in the Civil War. If you're already a Civil War buff, you'll see its key moments in a unique and thought-provoking way.
Journey through the pages of time when you visit The Homestead in Gettysburg, home to what might be the most unique roadside attraction in PA...
View the historically-accurate dioramas from all angles. However, you might notice one thing that's not, well, historically-accurate. All of the soldiers and other character pieces have...
Tails. Yep, they're cats. Civil War Tails boasts a backstory as fascinating as the dioramas themselves. Civil War buffs and twins Rebecca and Ruth have nurtured a love of the historical period that...
The sisters have also published a book, "Civil War Tails: 8,000 Cat Soldiers Tell the Panoramic Story," that tells the story of the dioramas and their real-life history.
Do you have a favorite roadside attraction in Pennsylvania like Civil War Tails? Join the conversation in the comments! You might also want to add these 10 bizarre roadside attractions in PA to your bucket list.
Halloween probably rivaled Christmas as my favorite time of the year growing up – dressing up in one of those plastic costumes with a mask that meant instant sweat and itchiness, proudly showing off that costume for parents on a parade around the school, and fighting not to have to wear a coat, because it was so cold snow was forecasted, over it for trick or treat. Oh, the candy, too, of course. That love of Halloween followed me into adulthood, so climbing aboard a haunted Three Rivers cruise in Pittsburgh, two nights before Halloween, was the ideal way to celebrate the spooky season.
advertisement
A light rain fell on that foggy late-October evening as my daughter and I made our way down to the dock of the Gateway Clipper Fleet at Station Square in Pittsburgh. Two boats sat dockside, awaiting passengers, as we snapped photos of the city skyline and waited to board. The mist blurred the lights on some of Pittsburgh’s tallest buildings, creating a spooky ambiance, perfect for an evening of haunted tales.
Beth Price-Williams
Boarding for the hour-long cruise typically occurs 15 minutes before departure, but we always arrive a little earlier to avoid the crowds. The lines back up a bit as each group boarding stops to pose for a photo that can then be purchased during or after the cruise. Getting there and boarding quickly also means not having to worry about lines at the snack bar, which accepts (no cash) credit and debit cards, and Google and Apple Pay. The menu features small bites like hot dogs, chips, nachos, and cold drinks. There’s also a full bar. We loaded up on snacks and, although there was ample seating indoors near the windows, we grabbed a table on the back covered deck and waited to set sail.
As we cruised along the Three Rivers, a spooky voice came over the loudspeaker to tell us haunted tales of Pittsburgh. So much was going on, though, that we probably listened to just a few stories. As the narrator lowered his voice for his first tale we noticed strange figures – a forlorn fairy and a grim reaper among them – wandering about, silently creeping up behind unsuspecting guests. I may or may not have quietly conspired with the grim reaper, carrying a glowing lantern, to sneak up on my teen.
Beth Price-Williams
A fortunate teller sat inside, too, sharing visions of guests’ futures. Unfortunately, the line was a little too long, so we sat back, chatted, and watched the landmarks – the former Carnegie Science Center, Heinz Field/Acrisure Stadium, the convention center, and the fountain at the Point – pass by.
The Haunted Three Rivers Cruise in Pittsburgh is held on weekends, and you can book tickets online. We bought ours the evening before the cruise, but cruises do sell out. The Gateway Clipper also hosts a kid-themed Halloween Cruise. Keep an eye out for the cruises with Santa at Christmas and the Easter Bunny in the spring, which are also incredibly fun with photo opportunities, holiday-related characters, and a dance party.
Beth Price-Williams
If you go: Station Square has several parking lots, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding a spot. You might even want to make an evening of it, having dinner before or after the cruise at one of the restaurants. Grand Concourse, Hard Rock Café, and Joe’s Crab Shack are a few choices. (Consider making reservations beforehand as the restaurants fill up on the weekend. We waited more than an hour on a Sunday night for a table at Hard Rock Cafe.) Or you can cross the street, buy a ticket, and take the Monongahela Incline to the top of Mount Washington and the best views of the city sky.
Have you been on the haunted Three Rivers cruise in Pittsburgh? Do you agree it’s one of the best Halloween events in Pittsburgh? Let us know in the comments! Before you climb aboard the Clipper, indulge in a delicious meal and some of the best skyline views at Altius, a New American restaurant in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
As much as I love the sun and longer days of summer, the heat usually keeps me huddled up inside with the A/C, counting down the days until I can open the windows and let the fresh, cool breeze in. When fall finally arrives, I spend as much time as I can outside and am always on the lookout for a unique leaf-peeping adventure – like this rail biking tour in Hawley, Pennsylvania that promises a fun and relaxing way to admire the brilliant fall colors.
advertisement
We’ve all likely climbed aboard an old-fashioned hayride to the pumpkin patch, but have you ever pedaled a rail bike to pick pumpkins on a crisp autumn day? That’s just what Pennsylvania Rail Bike offers with its Peddlin’ & Pumpkin Pickin’ tour, a fall favorite for adventurers of all ages. Electric rail bikes make peddling easy, and you can choose between a two-seater or a four-seater. Even little ones, as long as they’re accompanied by someone 16 or older, can join in the fun. (A rider must be 16 or older to operate the brakes.)
A two-hour ride along a predominately flat path, the pumpkin patch tour is offered on weekends in October. The 10-mile tour promises sensational views of the fall foliage as you pass the Lackawaxen River and arrive at Myles Pumpkin Patch, a private pumpkin patch, where you can snap photos and pick your favorite pumpkins.
Don’t worry if you can’t make it on one of the Peddlin’ & Pumpkin Pickin’ tours. Pennsylvania Rail Bike offers regular tours on weekdays and weekends through early November. Tours leave from the Hawley Train Station and meander past the darling small town of Hawley and Brookfield Hydroelectric Power Plant. Keep an eye out for local wildlife, too, including bald eagles.
To ensure a fun and safe experience, make sure you dress for the weather, and pack water, snacks, sunscreen, and your camera. Closed-toed shoes, like tennis shoes, are required. If you’re like me and wear flip-flops even in the fall, you’ll have to leave them at home (or in the car).
Find more information and book your autumn adventure on the official website of Pennsylvania Rail Bike, or stop by the Facebook page of PA Rail Bike.
Have you gone rail biking with Pennsylvania Rail Bike? What did you think? Let us know in the comments! All that fresh air has probably got you pretty hungry. Pull up a chair, and dig into a delicious meal at Gresham’s Chop Shop, a waterfront restaurant in Hawley, Pennsylvania.
