Sullivan County: Nature, History and Unique Experiences
Accommodation in Sullivan County
Sullivan County in Pennsylvania combines mountains, valleys, forests, agricultural land and bodies of water into a diverse landscape. Families looking to combine nature experiences, history and unusual discoveries will find a variety of focal points here for planning their trip. Laporte is located on the Appalachian Plateau at an elevation of 2,060 feet. This geographical setting makes the town an interesting starting point if you would like to explore the landscape and regional history together.
Waterfalls, Valleys and Notable Natural Areas
The landscape is particularly impressive at Worlds End State Park: The park lies in a narrow, S-shaped valley of Loyalsock Creek, immediately south of Forksville in Sullivan County. For an outing surrounded by nature, the Falls Trail System in Ricketts Glen offers another specific option. It leads to a series of wild, free-flowing waterfalls. The Glens Natural Area in Ricketts Glen is also designated as a National Natural Landmark. When choosing your vacation rental, you can therefore consider whether your trip should focus more on a day in nature with waterfalls and valley formations or on a combination of landscape and local history.
History to See and Discover
Sullivan County also has notable cultural attractions. The covered bridge in Forksville is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In Laporte, the main building of the Sullivan County PA Historical Society and Museum houses records and artifacts related to Sullivan County and the surrounding counties. The historic ruins of Celestia are preserved for visitors by this society. At the Eagles Mere Museum, a railroad museum exhibit explores the history of the narrow-gauge Eagles Mere Railroad built from Sonestown to Eagles Mere in 1892.
Those interested in regional residential and everyday history can conduct research on cottages in the Research and Viewing Room of the Eagles Mere Museum and, by appointment in advance, gain access to original documents. The Eagles Mere Air Museum adds aviation history to this focus. It houses around 31 historic aircraft from aviation's golden age, from 1908 to 1940, as well as aircraft engines and related artifacts. The museum is located at Merritt Field, a private airport about 2.5 miles east of Eagles Mere on Pennsylvania State Road 42. Visitors can experience the aircraft in operation from close up, as nearly all of the museum's aircraft fly regularly.
Travel Ideas for Different Seasons
Activities associated with Eagles Mere Lake include swimming, sunbathing, sailing, canoeing and fishing. For winter visitors, the Eagles Mere Ice Toboggan Slide, which has been in operation since 1904, is an interesting attraction. Forksville also hosts the Pennsylvania Bowhunters Festival annually in mid-September, a tradition dating back to 1957. Exceptions occurred due to the devastating floods of 2011 and event restrictions during the 2020 pandemic. These varied experiences help you determine the travel season and desired pace without limiting your trip to just one type of landscape or one museum.
Choosing the Right Place for Your Accommodation
When searching for a vacation rental or vacation home in Sullivan County, you can choose your preferred location based on your interests. Laporte is a suitable focal point if you would like to incorporate the county's history and its location on the Appalachian Plateau into your plans. Eagles Mere appeals to travelers who want to combine aviation, railroad history, cottage documents and the activities mentioned at the lake. Forksville offers connections to the historic bridge, Worlds End State Park and the festival held in mid-September. If nature experiences are to take center stage, Ricketts Glen and the Falls Trail System become the focus of your selection.
Other places within the destination that you can explore include Dushore, Eagles Mere and Lopez.
For the broader travel overview: Pennsylvania.
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