Discover Washington: Trails, Waterways and History
Accommodation in Washington
Washington County brings together expansive trails, lakes, riverfronts and historic sites for a varied journey. You can plan active days of horseback riding, mountain biking or hiking, spend time by the water or explore the region’s history. When searching for a vacation rental in Washington, it is therefore worth first deciding on your preferred mix of travel experiences: nature, culture, excursion routes or a combination of these.
Trails, Lakes and Riverfronts
The trails in Hillman State Park are open to horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking. Another notable route is the Montour Trail, a non-motorized, multi-use trail in Washington and Allegheny Counties. Its main route is about 47 miles long; side trails increase the total length to more than 60 miles. Those who prefer planning longer tours will find the Panhandle Trail, a 29-mile route along a former railroad corridor through hilly terrain. Most of this trail runs through northern Washington County. Horseback riding is permitted in the Pennsylvania corridor, but not on the trail itself.
Water also shapes the choice of possible day-trip destinations. The 244-acre Cross Creek Lake is located in western Washington County. Canonsburg Lake is managed for public fishing and boating. An accessible fishing pier is available there; for boating, non-motorized boats and boats with electric motors are permitted. The middle section of the Monongahela River has about 40 miles of riverfront in Washington County and is suitable for floating on the water year-round.
History to See and Experience
Meadowcroft conveys different layers of rural life through time. The interpretive villages depict rural life over the past 500 years. Meadowcroft’s 19th-century Historic Village includes a blacksmith shop and a one-room schoolhouse. The Meadowcroft Rockshelter takes visitors even further back: 19,000 years ago, the region’s first inhabitants used it as shelter.
In Washington, the Bradford House commemorates the founding year of 1788 as a National Historic Landmark. The home of Dr. Francis J. LeMoyne is preserved as a historic attraction. Francis Julius LeMoyne once opened his home and property as stations on the Underground Railroad. Those interested in the history of the Whiskey Rebellion can visit the Whiskey Rebellion Education and Visitor Center without an appointment from Wednesday through Saturday between April and November. Tours are available by prior appointment with 48 hours’ notice. The fully accessible center features, among other things, a cage bar exhibit inspired by the 18th century and an exhibit of a whiskey still.
Covered Bridges and Special Excursions
Washington County is home to 23 historic covered bridges. The maps for the Washington County Covered Bridges Driving Tour contain QR-coded information about the bridges and turn-by-turn directions for the tours. Many bridges are located along very narrow roads and in remote areas with little or no mobile phone coverage. This information is therefore part of practical day planning if you would like to explore the route by car. Another historic road connection, National Pike, Route 40, runs through Washington County and includes historic attractions.
A highlight of its own is the EQT Washington & Greene Counties' Covered Bridge Festival, held every year on the third weekend in September. Handmade arts and crafts, home cooking and other homemade foods are offered there. For an evening spent looking up at the sky, the Mingo Creek County Park Observatory is a good choice. Public observations of the night sky have been held there since 2005. Public star parties are free and take place several times a month. Visitors receive a tour of the night sky and then observe celestial objects through two large telescopes.
The Right Accommodation for Your Travel Plans
Which vacation rental is the best fit for your trip depends above all on the focus you have planned. For active days, the trails in Hillman State Park, the Montour Trail or the Panhandle Trail can provide the central theme. If water-based experiences are more important, Canonsburg Lake, Cross Creek Lake and the Monongahela River take center stage. Those interested in culture can include Meadowcroft, the Bradford House, the LeMoyne site and the Whiskey Rebellion Education and Visitor Center in their plans. This allows you to choose accommodation based on your preferred day-trip destinations and your own travel pace, without separating nature and history experiences from one another.
For further orientation, you can also visit the subordinate destination pages: Washington, Canonsburg, Bentleyville, Coal Center.
To the higher-level travel overview: Pennsylvania.
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