Discover Allegheny: Parks, History and Trails

Allegheny combines expansive parklands, river trails, industrial heritage and historic sites to create a destination with many different vacation ideas. The Allegheny County park system comprises nine parks with sports facilities, events and year-round programs. More than 200 miles of multi-use trails invite you to walk, hike, jog, cycle and horseback ride. When choosing your vacation rental, you can therefore consider whether nature experiences, culture or a variety of activities should be the focus of your trip.

Between Lakes, Parks and Long Trails

At 3,089 acres, North Park is the largest park in the Allegheny County park system. Its 66-acre lake and the boathouse built in 1934 offer opportunities for kayaking and fishing. Deer Lakes Park has three lakes available for fishing year-round. South Park complements this landscape with extensive hiking and cycling trails, an 18-hole golf course and the amphitheater. The free Summer Concert Series takes place there on Fridays during the summer.

Longer trail experiences can also be included in your plans. The Three Rivers Heritage Trail is recognized as a National Recreation Trail system and as a Heritage Trail. Its 35 miles of nonlinear trail segments run along both banks of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio Rivers in Allegheny County. The Three Rivers Water Trail is designated as a Pennsylvania Water Trail. The Rachel Carson Trail extends for 46.2 miles between Harrison Hills County Park in the far northeast of Allegheny County and North Park in the northern center of the county.

History and Culture for Your Itinerary

Notable historic impressions include the South Park Cascades, an artificial water feature dating from 1930 that was built from layered rock sourced from the park. At the Oliver Miller Homestead, traditional crafts such as blacksmithing, metalworking, baking and woodworking are taught. Around the historic Hartwood Acres Mansion, paved Sculpture Garden Paths lead to 14 sculptures by regional and national artists.

The Carrie Blast Furnaces, with blast furnaces No. 6 and 7, are a National Historic Landmark. Today, tours, workshops, exhibitions and events are offered there. The Fort Pitt Museum in Point State Park explores the role of western Pennsylvania in the French and Indian War, the American Revolutionary War and the beginnings of Pittsburgh. The Nationality Rooms comprise 30 museum-quality rooms and represent the cultures of various ethnic groups that settled in Allegheny County. The Old Allegheny County Jail Museum preserves part of the cell blocks of the former jail in a building completed in 1886.

Active Days and Practical Information

If you are looking for winter activities, Boyce Park offers the only downhill skiing and snow tubing slopes in the Allegheny County park system. The skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing offerings are open to all ages and ability levels. In addition, the park has more than 6,000 square feet of climbing surfaces and climbing challenges, a paved pump track nearly 800 feet long, and bouldering walls that are rearranged at least twice a year, usually in spring and fall.

For travel connections, Route 28X links Pittsburgh International Airport, Robinson Towne Center, Downtown Pittsburgh and Oakland seven days a week. All vehicles on this route are wheelchair accessible. A seasonal weekly gathering place for local farmers, artisans and small businesses is the Bethel Park Farmers' Market in South Park. There you will find locally grown fruits and vegetables, handmade breads and baked goods, as well as homemade jams and sauces.

For further orientation, you can also view the directly linked places: Pittsburgh, Coraopolis, Monroeville, Tarentum, Imperial-Enlow, Carnegie, West Homestead, Clairton, Etna, Pine, Munhall, Gibsonia, Robinson Township, Kennedy Township, Whitehall, Baldwin, West Mifflin, Morgan, Bridgeville, Oakmont, Mount Lebanon and Imperial.

For the broader travel overview: Pennsylvania.