Boswell PennsylvaniaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Boswell, Pennsylvania.
1. Laurel Mountain Ski Resort
COZY WINTER RECREATION DESTINATION
Laurel Mountain Ski Resort offers a quaint skiing experience with seventy acres of slopes served by a single lift, making it one of the smaller and more intimate resorts in the country. Visitors can enjoy winter sports in a less crowded environment that provides both challenge for experienced skiers and learning opportunities for beginners.
2. Quemahoning Reservoir
SCENIC WATER RECREATION
Quemahoning Reservoir provides a picturesque setting for various water activities including fishing, boating, and swimming during the warmer months. The reservoir is surrounded by natural beauty, making it an ideal spot for picnics, photography, and enjoying the outdoors with family and friends.
3. Rusty Musket Distilling Co.
LOCAL SPIRITS TASTING
Rusty Musket Distilling Co. offers visitors a chance to sample locally crafted spirits in a charming small-town setting. Guests can tour the facility to learn about the distilling process and enjoy tastings of unique Pennsylvania spirits produced with local ingredients and traditional methods.
4. Boswell Lions Community Park
FAMILY-FRIENDLY OUTDOOR SPACE
Boswell Lions Community Park provides recreational facilities for locals and visitors alike with playgrounds, picnic areas, and sports fields. The park hosts community events throughout the year and offers a peaceful green space for relaxation and outdoor activities.
5. Sliding Rock Golf Course
SCENIC GOLFING EXPERIENCE
Sliding Rock Golf Course offers golfers a challenging yet enjoyable experience with well-maintained fairways and greens set against the backdrop of Pennsylvania's rolling landscape. The course provides options for players of all skill levels while showcasing the natural beauty of Somerset County.
6. Orenda Park
HISTORIC COMMUNITY FOREST
Orenda Park has been established at the site of the former coal tipple, preserving an important piece of Boswell's mining history while providing a serene natural setting. The community forest and picnic area is maintained by the Boswell Area Historical Society, offering visitors a glimpse into the town's industrial past while enjoying outdoor recreation.
7. Boswell Historic District
PRESERVED ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE
The Boswell Historic District, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994, showcases the borough's well-preserved historical architecture and cultural heritage. Visitors can stroll through the district to admire buildings that reflect Boswell's development during its coal mining heyday, offering a living museum of early 20th century small-town America.
8. Laurel Highlands Restaurant & Lounge
LOCAL CUISINE EXPERIENCE
Laurel Highlands Restaurant & Lounge serves as a popular dining establishment offering regional cuisine and a comfortable atmosphere for both locals and tourists. Visitors can enjoy hearty Pennsylvania dishes and drinks while experiencing authentic small-town hospitality in this community gathering spot.
9. North Star High School
EDUCATIONAL HERITAGE SITE
North Star High School, approaching its centenary, represents an important cultural and educational landmark in the Boswell community with a rich history dating back through several earlier incarnations. The school serves as an architectural point of interest and a symbol of the area's commitment to education despite economic changes over the decades.
10. Coal Mine Historical Sites
INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE LANDMARKS
Coal Mine Historical Sites around Boswell offer glimpses into the borough's industrial past, including remaining abutments from the dismantled Boswell tipple. Visitors interested in industrial archaeology can explore these remnants that tell the story of Boswell's economic foundation and the mining operations that closed in 1939.
11. Boswell Area Historical Society
LOCAL HERITAGE PRESERVATION
The Boswell Area Historical Society preserves and showcases the rich history of this former mining community through exhibits, artifacts, and educational programs. Visitors can learn about Boswell's development from its mining origins to its current status as a bedroom community while appreciating the society's efforts in maintaining local historical landmarks like Orenda Park.
12. Jennerstown Speedway
THRILLING RACING ENTERTAINMENT
Jennerstown Speedway, located near Boswell, offers exciting motorsports events throughout the racing season on its paved oval track. Spectators can enjoy various racing classes from late models to modifieds while experiencing the thrill of live racing in this longstanding regional attraction.
13. Laurel Hill State Park
NATURAL RECREATION HAVEN
Laurel Hill State Park, a short drive from Boswell, features a 63-acre lake surrounded by forest with opportunities for swimming, fishing, boating, and camping. Nature enthusiasts can explore miles of hiking trails through diverse ecosystems while history buffs can appreciate the park's CCC-era structures built during the Great Depression.
14. Hidden Valley Resort
FOUR-SEASON MOUNTAIN RESORT
Hidden Valley Resort, accessible from Boswell, offers year-round recreation with winter skiing and snowboarding complemented by summer activities like golf and hiking. The resort provides accommodations, dining options, and family-friendly amenities making it a complete destination for visitors to the Laurel Highlands region.
15. Flight 93 National Memorial
SOLEMN HISTORICAL MONUMENT
The Flight 93 National Memorial, a short drive from Boswell, honors the passengers and crew who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, when they prevented terrorists from reaching their target in Washington, D.C. Visitors can experience the moving tribute that includes the Memorial Plaza, Wall of Names, and a visitor center with exhibits detailing the events and heroes of Flight 93.