Vandergrift PennsylvaniaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Vandergrift, Pennsylvania.
1. Wooden Door Winery
WINE IN HISTORIC SETTING
The Wooden Door Winery offers visitors a unique experience in a beautifully repurposed church building that perfectly complements the winery's atmosphere. Guests can enjoy great food paired with exceptional wines in this gorgeous historic setting that has become a favorite destination in the area.
2. Casino Theatre
HISTORIC VAUDEVILLE VENUE
The Casino Theatre, built in 1900, stands as a prominent landmark in Vandergrift with its distinctive four large white Ionic columns at a major intersection. Once part of the Vaudeville Circuit, this historic theater continues to draw people to Vandergrift with performances and shows, preserving the town's cultural heritage.
3. Riverside Drive-in
NOSTALGIC OUTDOOR CINEMA
The Riverside Drive-in in Vandergrift offers a nostalgic movie-watching experience under the stars. Visitors can enjoy current films from the comfort of their vehicles while experiencing this increasingly rare form of American entertainment.
4. Vandergrift Historical Society
LOCAL HERITAGE PRESERVATION
The Vandergrift Historical Society preserves and showcases the rich industrial history of this unique planned community founded by George McMurtry in 1895. Visitors can explore artifacts and exhibits that highlight Vandergrift's importance in American steel production and its distinctive status as a National Register of Historic Places listed district.
5. Project 70 Raceway
LOCAL RACING ENTERTAINMENT
Project 70 Raceway offers exciting racing entertainment for motorsports enthusiasts in the Vandergrift area. Visitors can experience the thrill of watching competitive racing events in this local venue that has become a popular attraction for residents and tourists alike.
6. Davis Field
COMMUNITY SPORTS VENUE
Davis Field serves as an important recreational facility and gathering place for the Vandergrift community. Sports enthusiasts and families can enjoy various athletic events and community activities at this well-maintained venue that helps foster local spirit and engagement.
7. Vandergrift Public Library
HISTORIC LITERARY HAVEN
The Vandergrift Public Library, housed in the former Municipal Building adjacent to the Casino Theater, has been serving the community since 1901 when it was established through a challenge by town founder George McMurtry. This historic institution began with a matched donation of 1000 books and continues to provide literary resources and programming to Vandergrift residents and visitors.
8. Vandergrift Historic District
PRESERVED INDUSTRIAL TOWN
The Vandergrift Historic District, listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1995, encompasses 625 contributing buildings and 2 contributing sites that showcase the town's original design and purpose. Visitors can explore this remarkably preserved industrial town that looks much as it did when it was founded over a century ago, with a unique mix of residential properties, commercial buildings, educational facilities, and landscaped parks.
9. Kiski River Lodge
SCENIC RIVERSIDE ACCOMMODATION
The Kiski River Lodge offers visitors comfortable accommodations with scenic views along the Kiski River near Vandergrift. Guests can enjoy the natural beauty of the Laurel Highlands region while having a convenient base to explore Vandergrift's historic attractions and surrounding areas.
10. Post Office New Deal Mural
HISTORIC PUBLIC ARTWORK
The Post Office New Deal Mural in Vandergrift offers visitors a glimpse of important Depression-era public art above the Post Master's office door. Art and history enthusiasts can appreciate this cultural treasure that represents a significant period in American history when the government commissioned artworks to inspire communities during difficult economic times.
11. Downtown Vandergrift
CHARMING COMMERCIAL CENTER
Downtown Vandergrift presents a charming and accessible commercial center where visitors are typically no more than a block or two away from residential areas. Tourists can experience the unique layout of this planned community while exploring local businesses, historic architecture, and the convenient proximity of different town elements.
12. Memorial Park
COMMUNITY GATHERING SPACE
Memorial Park in Vandergrift provides a peaceful green space for community gatherings and recreational activities including popular events like Pop-Up Park Picnics. Visitors can enjoy the landscaped grounds of this contributing site within the historic district that reflects the original town planning philosophy of creating beautiful public spaces for residents.
13. Apollo Iron & Steel Historical Sites
INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE LANDMARKS
The Apollo Iron & Steel historical sites preserve the industrial legacy that led to Vandergrift's founding by company president George McMurtry in 1895. History buffs can explore these locations to understand how the non-unionized steelworks shaped the development of this unique planned community that remains remarkably preserved today.
14. Covenant Avenue Cultural District
LOCAL ARTS HUB
The Covenant Avenue area in Vandergrift has developed into a cultural district hosting various events including literary gatherings and social activities like the Novel Galentine's Bookish Social. Visitors can experience the evolving arts scene in this historic community where traditional architecture provides a charming backdrop for contemporary cultural expressions.
15. Vandergrift Farmers Market
FRESH LOCAL PRODUCE
The Vandergrift Farmers Market brings together local growers and artisans offering fresh produce and handcrafted items to residents and visitors alike. Market-goers can experience the community spirit of this small town while supporting local agriculture and businesses in the scenic Laurel Highlands region.