Ligonier Pennsylvania ATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Ligonier, Pennsylvania.
1. Fort Ligonier
HISTORIC BRITISH GARRISON
Fort Ligonier is an 18th century British garrison from the French and Indian War that has been fully reconstructed and is open year-round for tours. This national historic site and museum showcases how this British fort shaped world history. Visitors can explore the fort just one short block from the Ramada hotel in downtown Ligonier.
2. Idlewild Park & Soak Zone
FAMILY-FRIENDLY AMUSEMENT PARK
Idlewild Park & Soak Zone is an amusement park featuring a charming Storybook Forest, engaging water park, and live band performances amid a natural setting. The park offers updated attractions and numerous family-friendly activities that appeal to visitors of all ages. Guests can enjoy thrill rides, water slides, and games for children in this classic amusement park setting.
3. Ligonier Country Market
HISTORIC PRODUCE MARKET
Ligonier Country Market is Western PA's largest and oldest produce-only market, featuring approximately 130 vendors weekly. The market operates every Saturday from 8 AM to noon, running from Memorial Day weekend through the first Saturday in October. Visitors can explore a diverse mix of vendors selling fresh local produce and handcrafted items.
4. Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau
REGIONAL TOURISM CENTER
The Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau serves as the primary tourism information center for the Ligonier region and surrounding areas. Visitors can obtain maps, brochures, and personalized recommendations for exploring the scenic Laurel Highlands region. The bureau provides comprehensive information about historic sites, outdoor recreation, dining options, and special events throughout the area.
5. Ligonier Theater
LIVE PERFORMANCE VENUE
The Ligonier Theater, also known as Diamond Theatre, is a vibrant live performance venue in the heart of Ligonier. The theater primarily promotes plays and musicals while also hosting talent shows and battle of the bands events throughout the year. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead of their visit to confirm show times and dates for current productions.
6. Chicken Hill Distillery
LOCAL CRAFT SPIRITS
Chicken Hill Distillery at Ligonier offers visitors a taste of locally-crafted spirits in a charming setting. The distillery features tours where guests can learn about the distillation process and the history of spirits production in the region. Visitors can sample a variety of handcrafted spirits and purchase bottles to take home as souvenirs of their Ligonier experience.
7. Laurel Highlands Pour Tour
REGIONAL BEVERAGE TRAIL
The Laurel Highlands Pour Tour invites visitors to explore the diverse craft beverage scene throughout the Ligonier region and broader Laurel Highlands area. Participants can follow a self-guided trail visiting local breweries, wineries, and distilleries while collecting stamps at each location. The tour offers a unique way to experience the local flavor of the region while supporting small-scale beverage producers.
8. Mellon Park
HISTORIC PUBLIC GARDENS
Mellon Park offers visitors a tranquil natural setting with beautifully maintained gardens and green spaces in Ligonier. The park features walking paths, benches, and seasonal plantings that create a peaceful retreat for both locals and tourists. Visitors can enjoy picnics, casual strolls, or simply relax and take in the scenic beauty of this well-preserved public space.
9. Fallingwater
FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT MASTERPIECE
Fallingwater is Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural marvel cantilevered over a mountain waterfall, located just a short drive from Ligonier. The iconic home, built for the Kaufmann family between 1936 and 1939, represents Wright's concept of organic architecture with its dramatic integration into the natural landscape. Visitors can experience this National Historic Landmark through guided tours that showcase the innovative design, original furnishings, and remarkable setting.
10. Kentuck Knob
WRIGHT ARCHITECTURAL GEM
Kentuck Knob is a remarkable residence designed by Frank Lloyd Wright located approximately 45 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. Designated as a National Historic Landmark in 2000, this architectural treasure showcases Wright's Usonian design principles with its innovative use of native sandstone and red cypress. Visitors can tour this privately-owned home and experience Wright's genius for harmonizing human habitation with the natural environment.
11. Flight 93 National Memorial
SOLEMN HISTORICAL SITE
The Flight 93 National Memorial honors the passengers and crew of United Flight 93 who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The memorial includes a visitor center, memorial plaza, and the Wall of Names honoring the 40 passengers and crew members who died preventing the plane from reaching its intended target. Visitors can walk along the memorial pathways, view exhibits about the events of 9/11, and reflect at this solemn site commemorating extraordinary heroism.
12. Seven Springs Mountain Resort
FOUR-SEASON OUTDOOR RECREATION
Seven Springs Mountain Resort offers year-round outdoor recreation opportunities just a short drive from Ligonier. In winter, visitors can enjoy downhill skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing, while summer activities include hiking, mountain biking, and zip-lining adventures. The resort also features multiple dining options, a spa, and regular events that make it a popular destination for both day trips and extended stays.
13. Bushy Run Battlefield
REVOLUTIONARY WAR SITE
Bushy Run Battlefield preserves the site of a crucial 1763 battle during Pontiac's Rebellion, located near Ligonier in Westmoreland County. The battlefield features interpretive trails, a museum, and regular historical reenactments that bring this pivotal moment in American history to life. Visitors can explore the visitor center to learn about the conflict between British forces and Native American tribes that helped shape the colonial frontier.
14. Compass Inn Museum
HISTORIC STAGECOACH STOP
The Compass Inn Museum is a restored 1799 stagecoach stop and inn that offers visitors a glimpse into early 19th-century travel and hospitality. The museum features period-accurate rooms, a cookhouse, blacksmith shop, and wagon shed with authentic horse-drawn vehicles. Guided tours provide insight into the challenges and experiences of travelers along the Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Turnpike during America's early days.
15. Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art
REGIONAL ART COLLECTION
The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art in Ligonier showcases a diverse collection of American art with a focus on regional artists and themes. The museum hosts rotating exhibitions throughout the year, featuring both historical and contemporary works in various media. Visitors can appreciate the cultural heritage of the region through thoughtfully curated displays in this satellite location of the larger Southern Alleghenies Museum system.