Coalmont Pennsylvania ATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Coalmont, Pennsylvania.
1. Coalport Area Coal Museum
MINING HISTORY PRESERVED
The Coalport Area Coal Museum offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into the region's rich coal mining heritage through authentic artifacts and exhibits. Visitors can explore the industrial history that shaped this Pennsylvania town and understand the significance of coal mining to local development. The museum serves as an educational resource that connects present generations with the area's industrial past.
2. Bethel United Methodist Church
HISTORIC RELIGIOUS ARCHITECTURE
Bethel United Methodist Church stands as a beautiful historic landmark in Coalport, showcasing classic religious architecture and community heritage. Visitors can appreciate both the spiritual significance and architectural elements that have made this church a cornerstone of the local community. The church represents an important aspect of the area's cultural and religious history.
3. Sunshine Coal Mine Inn
MINING HERITAGE LODGING
The Sunshine Coal Mine Inn offers guests a unique lodging experience that pays homage to the region's coal mining past. Visitors can enjoy comfortable accommodations while being surrounded by historical elements that celebrate Coalport's industrial heritage. The inn provides a thematic stay that connects travelers with the authentic character of this Pennsylvania coal town.
4. Prince Gallitzin State Park
OUTDOOR RECREATION PARADISE
Prince Gallitzin State Park offers visitors over 6,000 acres of natural beauty with Glendale Lake as its centerpiece for boating, fishing, and swimming activities. Outdoor enthusiasts can also enjoy camping, hiking trails, and wildlife observation throughout this scenic Pennsylvania state park. The park provides year-round recreational opportunities for visitors seeking to connect with nature in the region.
5. Lackawanna County Coal Mine
AUTHENTIC MINING EXPERIENCE
Lackawanna County Coal Mine is a retired coal mine turned museum where visitors can ride in a minecart through an anthracite mine about 250 feet underground. Former miners or children of miners lead the tours, providing an authentic perspective on what coal mining was really like in Pennsylvania. This immersive experience offers valuable insights into the working conditions and historical significance of the region's coal industry.
6. Steamtown National Historic Site
STEAM RAILROAD HERITAGE
Steamtown National Historic Site is home to a heritage railroad and museum situated in a functional railroad yard. The attraction features several exhibits about the technology and history of steam railroads and locomotives with numerous freight cars on display. Visitors can also take a train ride through the area for a more immersive railroad experience.
7. Nay Aug Park
URBAN NATURAL OASIS
Nay Aug Park is the largest park in Scranton and one of the most beautiful places in Pennsylvania, especially within an industrial center. Visitors can climb the 150-foot David Wenzel Treehouse that overlooks the Nay Aug Gorge and provides awesome views of the Nay Aug Falls. The park also features two Olympic-sized swimming pools, playgrounds, walking paths, and the Everhart Museum of Natural History, Science, & Art.
8. Everhart Museum
ART AND NATURAL HISTORY
The Everhart Museum of Natural History, Science, & Art is located within the beautiful Nay Aug Park in Scranton. The museum houses an impressive collection spanning natural history, science exhibits, and fine art displays that showcase both regional and global perspectives. Visitors appreciate this cultural institution for its educational value and diverse exhibits in a scenic park setting.
9. Raystown Lake
RECREATIONAL WATER DESTINATION
Raystown Lake is the largest lake entirely within Pennsylvania, offering 8,300 acres of clear water surrounded by 21,000 acres of forested mountain slopes. Visitors can enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, and various water sports on this scenic reservoir managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. The lake is also known for its excellent bass fishing and numerous recreational facilities along its 118 miles of shoreline.
10. Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site
TRANSPORTATION HISTORY LANDMARK
The Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site preserves the first railroad to cross the Allegheny Mountains, a crucial link in the Pennsylvania Mainline Canal system. Visitors can explore the restored engine house, exhibits on 19th-century transportation technology, and hiking trails with remnants of the historic inclined planes. The site commemorates this engineering marvel that helped open the American West to development and commerce.
11. Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark
ENGINEERING MARVEL VIEWPOINT
Horseshoe Curve is a famous railroad curve near Altoona that has been designated as a National Historic Landmark for its engineering significance. Visitors can watch trains navigate this impressive curved track from the dedicated viewing area after climbing stairs or taking the funicular to the observation point. The adjacent visitor center features exhibits explaining the historical and ongoing importance of this engineering marvel to America's railroad system.
12. Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum
RAILROAD WORKERS TRIBUTE
The Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum celebrates the history and contributions of railroad workers who shaped America's industrial development. Exhibits feature authentic artifacts, interactive displays, and detailed dioramas showcasing the daily lives and working conditions of Pennsylvania railroad employees. Visitors gain appreciation for the human stories behind the region's rich railroad heritage through this comprehensive museum experience.
13. Canoe Creek State Park
WETLANDS AND WILDLIFE
Canoe Creek State Park encompasses 958 acres of diverse habitats including a 155-acre lake, wetlands, forests, and fields that support abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. The park is recognized for its significant bat population and features an environmental education center with programs highlighting local ecology. Visitors can enjoy fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, and picnicking while exploring this natural area near the Appalachian Mountains.
14. Dunnings Creek Vineyard
LOCAL WINE EXPERIENCE
Dunnings Creek Vineyard offers visitors a chance to sample locally produced wines in a charming rural Pennsylvania setting. The family-owned vineyard specializes in crafting small-batch wines from grapes grown in their own vineyards and from regional sources. Guests can enjoy tastings, vineyard tours, and seasonal events that showcase the growing wine culture of central Pennsylvania.
15. Old Bedford Village
LIVING HISTORY SETTLEMENT
Old Bedford Village is an immersive living history museum featuring authentic and reconstructed buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. Costumed interpreters demonstrate traditional crafts, cooking methods, and daily activities from early American frontier life. Visitors can step back in time while exploring more than 40 structures including a blacksmith shop, one-room schoolhouse, tavern, and various residences that collectively illustrate Pennsylvania's colonial and early American heritage.