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Altoona Curve Baseball

brick facade at the entrance to People's Natural Gas Statdium in Altoona

Date of Visit: June 29, 2021

Our family absolutely loves going to baseball games. I grew up at Municipal Stadium watching the Reading Phillies (now the Reading Fightin’ Phils) and explore ballparks as often as possible.

So on our visit to Altoona, we had to check out an Altoona Curve.

The Curve play in the Eastern League where they serve as the AA affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The stadium is located just outside town and right off of Interstate 99, about 30 minutes north of the PA Turnpike.

View of People's Natural Gas Field in Altoona looking from above the left field wall toward home plate

We parked past the left field wall. Walking up, we could see down into the stadium, which appeared almost “sunken” into the ground below us. Fans entering the main gate then either go down to the lower bowl or climb to the second deck for the game.

Peoples Natural Gas Field is a beautiful park with two grandstand decks, picnic areas, and kids play areas. The most unique feature, however, isn’t even inside the park – it’s the wooden roller coaster over the right field fence.

father and mother on either side of a young boy who is holding a yellow foam finger that reads "Go Curve"

The stadium is built adjacent to Lakemont Park, a classic amusement park with two roller coasters, bumper cars and a couple other attractions. But the park certainly plays well with the Curve, as evident by the “Go Curve” in lights on the cars.

(Editor’s Note: as of 2024, Lakemont Park ceased operations of its coasters and offers only batting cages and mini golf).

The entertainment inside the park was plentiful with in-between inning shenanigans featuring the Curve Mascot, Loco.

large inflatable slide with the logo for the Altoona Curve at the top

There is also a kids play area that my son really enjoyed – especially the giant inflatable slide. Sure, we had to miss some of the game, but some play time helped our three-year-old make it through an entire nine-inning game so we’ll take it.

Fish mascot stepping out of the center field wall while his video plays on the big screen

With the Curve losing late in the game, the crowd began chanting, “We want Al! We want Al!” Not being a local, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Through a small door in the outfield emerged another mascot, Al Tuna, the Curve’s “rally fish.” Al came out, did a little dance and a twirl before heading back into his home.

Following his appearance, the Curve did score a run, but it wasn’t enough as the home team fell 4-2. But they still sent everyone home happy with a fantastic fireworks display to end the evening.

Fireworks explode over a roller coaster at Lakemont Park in Altoona PA

The fireworks were launched from between the right field wall and the coaster which made for a great backdrop.

Between the game and the fireworks, it was a long night but a fun one. And we can’t wait to come back. Maybe the Curve will win next time. Maybe Al Tuna will appear. Either way, it’ll be a fun night at the ballpark.

When You Go

  • Tickets vary in price depending on promotions and seating, but there are many options for $10 and under.
  • Garage parking is available for $4 just outside the left field wall.
  • The park has some great food options – burgers, wings, pierogis and more.

More Things to Do in Altoona

Boyer Candies

Shelves of Mallo Cups, Clark Bars, and Jimmie Stix for sale at Boyer Candy’s Outlet…
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Boyer Candies

Boyer Candies factory with signs for Clark Bar and Mallo Cup

Date of Visit: July 25, 2021

When you think of Pennsylvania candy companies, you likely think of Hershey first. And rightfully so, it’s the largest confectioner in the country and is still based in the community in Derry Township that bears the same name.

But there are chocolatiers across the state of varying sizes – many of them open the doors for tours or, at the very least, offer a little spot to learn more and pick up some goodies.

Sign for Boyer Candies Outlet Store

That’s the case for Boyer Candies in Altoona.

Boyer is the producer of Mallo Cups and Clark Bars, chocolatey treats that are less familiar to many. I only really knew about them because my family owns a small candy store and have carried both products as long as I can remember, but I have rarely seen them in stores.

All of Boyer’s specialties are in-stock at their outlet store, attached to the factory in western PA.

Interior of Boyer Candies in Altoona, PA

It’s a small store offering all of their brands in bulk: the aforementioned Mallo Cups and Clark Bars along with their version of Peanut  Butter Cups, Butterscotch Cups, and Jimmy Stix, a chocolate covered pretzel stick with peanut butter filling.

shelf of imperfect candies at Boyer Candies in Altoona, PA

You can also buy factory imperfect items – still delicious even though they don’t meet the standards for retail.

Boyer Candies Mallo Cup plushies

The small space also features a small exhibit of company history – newspaper clippings framed on the walls along with pictures and a small TV screen playing a video detailing the chocolate-making process.

Portrait of a family of three in front of a mural at Boyer Candies

It’s not much of an “attraction,” but we certainly enjoyed everything we bought. And we took the opportunity to get a family photo with the Mallo Man hanging on the wall.

When You Go

  • Parking is located across the street from the outlet.
  • The best deals are the imperfects – usually candies that were not wrapped properly by the machines. These are then repackaged in large bags and boxes and sold in bulk.
  • Ask for samples if you’ve never had Boyer Candy before.
  • Inside Mallo Cups are Play Money Points which can be redeemed for prizes including magnets, t-shirts and mugs.

More Blair County Activities…

Conrad Weiser Homestead

Blue sign with hours for the Conrad Weiser Homestead in front of historic stone buildings

Date of Last Visit: February 20, 2021

Conrad Weiser is a name that is largely ignored in modern textbooks. But in western Berks County, where Weiser lived for much of his life, Weiser remains a household name, if only because of the school district that bears his name.

Just outside the small town of Womelsdorf, the Conrad Weiser Homestead offers a look at the man who played a critical role in Colonial Pennsylvania.

Snow-covered park grounds at Conrad Weiser Homestead

The 26 acre property that was onced owned by Conrad Weiser and his family is owned by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission.The grounds are popular for picnics, weddings and other events throughout the year, including Living History Sundays where costumed interpreters showcase what life was like before the Revolution.

Weiser was a key figure in Colonial Pennsylvania. He is primarily remembered – by those who remember him – as an official interpreter for the colony in communication with Native American tribes. When Weiser was still a boy, his family emigrated from Germany to New York in the early 18th Century. Young Weiser was a handful, especially in the eyes of his stepmother. Eventually, his father sent him to live with the local Iroquois tribe where he learned the culture and the language.

Because of his unique communication skills, Weiser was a natural choice to serve as a liaison between the Colonial government and Native tribes. The fact that Weiser was German and had no particular loyalty to the British made him well-respected among Native leaders, including Shekilammy.

statue of Shekilammy at the Conrad Weiser Homestead

On the grounds of the Homestead is a statue dedicated to the chief, who became a close friend of Weiser’s during their lives.

What’s now the Homestead is only a small portion of the acreage that Weiser owned in his lifetime. (His will bequeathed more than 4,000 acres to Berks County upon his death). Part of his holdings was a store in the City of Reading – about 20 minutes to the east – where he presided in court as the first president judge of the county.

snow covers the roof of an 18th century stone building at the Conrad Weiser Homestead

While the storefront is long gone, the stone home of Weiser and his family is still standing at the Homestead 300 years later. But don’t be confused, Weiser’s house is not the large stone farmhouse that now serves as the welcome center and offices for the park. That was built by subsequent owners of the property.

Farmhouse on the grounds of the Conrad Weiser Homestead

Instead, Weiser and his family lived in the much more modest building in front – at least that is the accepted theory. It is the only building on the property that could have been from Weiser’s lifetime (and only half of it, at that, would have been original).

Regardless of whether this was Weiser’s primary residence or a secondary building, the home is decorated as if Weiser were still living there with a straw-filled bed and period furniture.

Stone obelisk and gravestones at the Conrad Weiser Homestead in Womelsdorf, PA

Just a short walk from his home is the final resting place of Conrad Weiser and his wife, Anna, as well as several children who died before adulthood.

The graves lie in the shadow of a monument erected in his honor. Originally located in front of the Womelsdorf High School, it was moved to the site in 1926. The obelisk features images of importance to both the Colonial settlers and Native Americans whom Weiser served.

Grounds of the Conrad Weiser Homestead covered in snow

The rest of the park is a great open space that is frequently used for picnics and walks. Elders from the area will still talk about going ice skating on the pond in the park when they were kids.

The park grounds are open dawn to dusk, but the buildings are only open on select days when the Friends of Conrad Weiser Homestead are able to open them to the public.

Weiser’s is a fascinating and complex story, one that is worth hearing. And the best place to hear it is with a visit to the Conrad Weiser Homestead.

snow covers the roof of an 18th century stone building at the Conrad Weiser Homestead

When You Go

  • The grounds are open daily from dawn to dusk, but buildings are open only on specific days. If you’ve never been, it’s best to go on a day when the buildings are open and interpreters are on-hand to talk more about Weiser’s life and legacy.
  • The park’s website is limited – check the Conrad Weiser Homestead Facebook page for the most up-to-date information about events and programs.

More PA Historic Sites…

Daniel Boone Homestead

A red car passes by a PA state historical marker for the Daniel Boone Homestead in Berks County, PA

Date of Visit: February 6, 2021

Daniel Boone, the legendary pioneer, was born on November 2, 1734 in Berks County, Pennsylvania. He lived on the family farm near modern day Birdsboro until he was 16 years old.

Today, his birthplace is operated as a historic site by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

cleared path with bare trees and snow on either side

Boone is most known for his exploits in the Carolinas and Tennessee, but the historic site in Berks County is dedicated to telling about his upbringing and ancestral heritage.

I stopped at the park for a quick stroll on a snowy February day. The park grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset (though the front gate is only open to vehicular traffic from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.), though most of the buildings are open only during weekend guided tours and special events.

the Boone House at Daniel Boone Homestead on a snowy day

During my visit, I explored only a small part of the property, starting at the Visitors Center (which was closed) and walking down the path to the Boone House.

Built by Boone’s father, Squire Boone, in 1730, the family lived here for the next 20 years before migrating south in 1750. The house, however, would likely be unrecognizable to the Boone family. The original log cabin walls were replaced by subsequent owners and additions were added in the late 18th Century.

While it may not look like Daniel Boone’s log cabin, it’s a beautifully eye-catching building.

Large reddish orange barn and log cabin against a field of snow at the Daniel Boone Homestead

A short walk from the home is the Homestead Barn and Blacksmith Shop. The Barn is a towering structure that is more remniscent of what the property owners would have had in the 19th Century rather than in Boone’s time.

log cabin and a large reddish orange barn in a snowy field at Daniel Boone Homestead

The Blacksmith Shop is much closer to authentic. Though not original to the property, Squire Boone was a blacksmith by trade and would have likely had a similar building on the property. The one that sits along the path today was built in the 1760s and was eventually preserved and moved to the site from a nearby property.

That was as far as I got on my short visit. Unfortunately I didn’t take the extra time to visit the Bertolet buildings – a period log cabin home, bakehouse and sawmill, all of which were brought to the property in the mid 20th Century to more clearly show what life would have been like during Daniel Boone’s childhood and shortly after.

park bench in a snowy field with footprints leading to and away

Overall, there are more than 500 acres on the property, many of which are accessible and provide a peaceful escape from the nearby City of Reading and its eastern suburbs.

(It’s far enough removed from the city’s light pollution that it plays host to Star Parties hosted by the Berks County Amateur Astronomers).

I look forward to returning again in the future for a tour or for one of the living history events the Homestead hosts throughout the year.

log cabin and a large reddish orange barn in a snowy field at Daniel Boone Homestead

When You Go

  • The park is open daily for vehicles and pedestrians, but the Visitors Center and buildings are open for tours for weekends and special events. Check the Homestead’s website for the most up-to-date information on events and programs.
  • One of the largst events every year is the Heritage Day Fall Festival that includes hands-on demonstrations of historic crafts, sawmill demonstrations, and more.

More PA Historic Sites…

Downtown Discoveries: Quakertown

Mural depicting history of Quakertown, PA

Date of Visit: December 5, 2020

Though I worked in Bucks County for a time, I never had much of an opportunity to explore Quakertown. The borough is located along Route 309 about five miles south of the Lehigh County line, and is the largest town in what is considered Upper Bucks County, an area marked by farmland, open spaces and small villages.

West Broad Street is the town’s main thoroughfare and the heart of Quakertown’s historic district. Near its eastern end, Broad Street intersects with Main Street. Here you will find McCoole’s at the Red Lion Inn. The tavern is rich in history, serving as a stop for the Liberty Bell as it was secreted away from Philadelphia to Allentown as the British marched toward the city of Philadelphia. Two decades later, it served as a meeting place for the organizer of Fries Rebellion, a localized uprising in opposition of new taxes set forth during John Adams’ presidency.

Though rich in Colonial and early American history, Quakertown experienced its greatest prosperity after the Civil War, with its boom period extending through the first half of the 20th century. Much of Quakertown’s historic downtown rose during this time.

The Karlton and Free Press Buildings in Quakertown, PA

The architecture is varied, built up over decades rather than all at once, but the most striking building in downtown is undeniably the Free Press Building. Built in 1868, a portico was added in the early 20th century complete with neoclassical columns.

Next to the Free Press Building is another historic structure that has been repurposed. Once a theater, the Karlton building now houses a Café, boutique and apartments.

Brick building with a red facade over the first floor and white letters reading Sine's 5 & 10

Anchoring the next block is a business that has been serving Quakertown for more than a century. Sine’s 5 & 10 opened in 1912.

"Merry Christmas" sign above a archway looking into the main shopping area of Sine's 5 & 10

Sine’s is certainly a throwback to a time long-passed. Though you can’t get much for a nickel or a dime anymore, it still serves as Quakertown’s general store, offering a little bit of everything, including housewares, garden essentials, toys, and during the holiday season, a large selection of Christmas décor. It also houses an old-fashioned soda fountain serving breakfast, lunch and ice cream.

A window display filled with model airplanes at Sine's 5 & 10 in Quakertown, PA

A walk through Sine’s also feels like a walk through a museum. The walls are lined with historic photographs and postcards. In one area, lettermen jackets hang from the ceiling. There’s also an impressive collection of model airplanes on display in one of the storefront windows.

Because of its location, Quakertown has always been closely connected to both Philadelphia and the Lehigh Valley. Today, it’s automobiles. But only a few generations ago, it was the rails that connected Quakertown to the city.

Quakertown’s train station saw its last passenger train in the 1980s, but it has been restored to look as beautiful as it did when it opened in 1902. Tours of the historic structure are offered on select days.

the stone exterior of the Quakertown Trolley Barn

Passenger rail wasn’t exclusive to trains. Trolleys also played an important role in the town’s transportation history, and today the former trolley barn has been reimagined into a food hall. The Trolley Barn Public Market offers more than a dozen vendors, serving everything from barbecue to ramen, and beer to ice cream. (I highly recommend a gyro from True Blue – Mediterranean Café, which also operates a full service restaurant in nearby Emmaus, Lehigh County).

Exterior of a corner building with red awning and yellow lettering on the windows reading 2nd Life Antiques

From the Trolley Barn, Quakertown’s Antique District is just a block away. The antiques district is small – only three stores centered around the intersection of Broad and Hellertown Avenue.

Dunngeon Antiques is the smallest of the three stores, but there is a lot to see tucked into small room and crammed along the narrow aisles.

Row of booths at 2nd Life Antiques

Cross over Hellertown Avenue to 2nd Life Antiques and Collectibles, a spacious market with plenty of booths offering a wide variety of antiques that extend into the lower level.

Window with the words "Old Soul Antiques"

Old Soul Antiques is undoubtably the most fun of the three. This truly unique store is set up in themed rooms, including the garage, the vintage kitchen and a bar room. There are surprises in every room including a vintage pinball machine (with a sign encouraging you to take a turn), minibikes and a collection of vintage skateboards.

Exterior of the Quakertown Farmers Market

If you’re still craving more shopping, take a side trip to the Quakertown Farmers Market and Flea Market. Open weekends year-round, the farmers market is just a short drive from downtown and features hundreds of vendors.

Row of vendors at the Quakertown Farmers Market

In the farmers market area, you can of course find fresh produce and meats, along with homemade treats and fresh baked breads. But beyond the shopping, the Farmers Market features an arcade, slot car track and virtual reality arcade.

Whether you’re looking for a cool place to eat or a unique shopping experience, be sure to add Quakertown to your itinerary the next time you’re visiting Bucks County or the Lehigh Valley.

Row of food vendors at the Bedford County Fair

When You Go

  • Quakertown is easily accessible from the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
  • The town offers metered street parking as well as a small public parking lot along Broad Street in the downtown shopping district.
  • Quakertown’s downtown shopping district is very walkable, but you’ll probably want to drive and park if you visit McCoole’s or one of the other restaurants in the area of Main Street.
  • The Quakertown Farmers Market is a mile south of the downtown. The sprawling complex includes two buildings plus a large outdoor vendor space.  

More Places to Visit in PA…

Bedford Coffee Pot

Coffee Pot shaped building now a roadside attraction in Bedford, PA

Date of Visit: September 27, 2020

Dedicated in 1913, the Lincoln Highway, “America’s Road,” was the first auto road connecting the United States. Pennsylvania is home to about 300 of the route’s 3,000 miles. And while the Interstate Highways have long replaced the Lincoln for most drivers, the old road still holds many treasures from tis past.

One of those is the Coffee Pot.

Coffee Pot shaped building now a roadside attraction in Bedford, PA

Located just outside downtown Bedford, the Coffee Pot was built in 1927 to attract motorists to the neighboring gas station.

During its lifetime it served as both a restaurant and a bar before closing in 1989. In 2004, it was saved from demolition and moved to its current location where it serves as a gift shop.

Informational plaque in front of the Coffee Pot roadside attraction in Bedford PA

Nearly a century after it was built, the Coffee Pot is still attracting visitors, but instead of a hot cup of coffee, the people are coming for a photo of the roadside oddity, a relic from the golden age of automobile travel in America.

Coffee Pot shaped building now a roadside attraction in Bedford, PA

When You Go

  • The Coffee Pot is located just off Route 30 (which now has the designation of The Lincoln Highway). It is also just five minutes from the Bedford exit of Pennsylvania Turnpike.
  • Before or after your visit to the Coffee Pot, be sure to visit downtown Bedford. Downtown is filled with unique shopping and local favorites for lunch and dinner.
  • Other local attractions include the Fort Bedford Museum, the National Museum of the American Coverlet, the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art and Old Bedford Village, which we visited in 2019.

More Bedford County Activities…

Pennsylvania Trolley Museum

sign for the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum

Date of Visit: September 26, 2020

The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum is located about 45 minutes southwest of Pittsburgh in Washington County, just a few miles off Interstate 79 and not far from the commercial center that has grown up around the Meadows Racetrack and Casino.

Since 1953, the Museum has worked to preserve trolley cars and the history around what has become a predominantly lost form of transportation.

exhibit of historic advertisements at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum

Visitors arrive at the museum gift shop. A brief video tells the history of trolleys, with an emphasis on their use here in the Keystone State. A small space hosts rotating exhibits. During our visit, it was showcasing historic advertising that would have been seen on trolley cars in their heyday in the early 20th century.

streetcar next to a loading platform at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum

After a quick glance at the exhibit, it’s out the side door to the platform where the real tour begins. That’s where guests board one of 14 streetcars that are in operation at the museum for a short ride to the main trolley barn.

The Museum has more than 50 cars in its collection and the majority of them are on display here. The collection spans nearly a century, showcasing the evolution from horse-drawn cars to the “modern” streamliners that arrived on the scene in post-war America.

guide driving a streetcar at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum

For us, our trolley driver doubled as the tour guide, walking us up and down the aisles while describing what we were seeing and its significance.

It’s here that I learned that when trolleys first were put into service, the “trolley” was not the car, itself, but the wheel mounted on the roof that rolls along the wires. It’s from this crucial mechanism that trolleys take their name.

Inside the car barn at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum

The cars on display are in various states of restoration. Some have been fully restored cosmetically, others look exactly how they did when they were rescued from the scrap heap.

Most of the cars in the collection are from Pennsylvania – there are examples from Pittsburgh, Johnstown and Philadelphia.

vintage streetcar on display at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum

But there are also trolleys from neighboring states like Ohio and New Jersey, as well as a trolley that once ran on the streets of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

green streetcar outside the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum

The car we were riding in was actually from New Orleans where it served on the Desire Street line, making it – quite literally – A Streetcar Named Desire.

(The Trolley Museum’s website does a great job of detailing the history of each piece in the collection).

Vintage trolley station painted green with red trim at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum

Outside the barn is the restored Wexford station which once served passengers along a trolley line in Pittsburgh’s suburbs. The station was relocated to the museum in 2016.

The station is slated to be a centerpiece in the Museum’s expansion project. The “On Track for the Future” project will create a new welcome and Education Center adjacent to the display building. Between the two buildings, “Trolley Street” will feature an outdoor display area and the Wexford Station.

(Editor’s Note: The new Welcome and Education Center opened in fall 2023).

orange streetcar outside the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum

In the meantime, the main entrance to the Museum remains a short trolley ride away. After our return trip back to where we boarded, we disembarked our first trolley before climbing aboard a former Philadelphia Suburban Transportation Company car for a four-mile trip along the main trolley line.

tracks of the Pennsyvlania Trolley Museum

It’s not the most scenic ride – the first half travels mostly through an industrial park while the second half is a more scenic wooded area – but there is a certain nostalgia that comes from riding one of these cars and seeing the skill it takes to operate one.

orange streetcar outside the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum

When You Go

  • Since our visit, the Museum has opened a new state-of-the-art Welcome Center.
  • The Trolley Museum offers parking and rides to the Washington County Fair (the fairgrounds is located along the Museum’s trolley tracks).
  • The Museum hosts special events throughout the year including theme days, character apperances, kids summer camps and Santa trolley rides.

More PA Train & Trolley Rides…

The National Aviary

entrance to the National Aviary in Pittsburgh, PA

Date of Visit: September 25, 2020

The National Aviary touts that is home to more than 550 birds representing 150 species. Exhibits are organized by habitat – wetlands, tropical rainforest, and the like.

Before guests even enter the aviary, they are greeted by the residents of Condor Court, the Aviary’s outdoor exhibit space. A couple of the enclosures along the fence while others are further separated by a small footpath.

red bird sitting on a branch in the tropical wetlands exhibit of the National Aviary

Once guests are inside and tickets are scanned, they can venture out to see the Andean condors, king vultures and demoiselle cranes that also reside in the outdoor habitats.

The outdoor area is one of the smaller exhibit areas while the rainforest is one of the largest.

The tropical habitat is home to colorful macaws, brilliantly white snowy egrets, and a variety of birds large and small that call the Amazon and other rainforests home.

blue bird sitting on a branch in the tropical rainforest exhibit at the National Aviary

Somewhere high up in the canopy of the trees is one of the few non-winged residents. The National Aviary is also home to a two-toed sloth, who despite its…well…slothful nature is surprisingly good at hiding.

If you want to guarantee your chance to see the sloth, guests can purchase a sloth encounter, one of about a dozen enhancements that can added on to your experience.   

Walking through the rainforest, guests arrive in the Canary’s Call, a space that includes the sweet-singing birds among several other tropical species who are endangered because of deforestation and climate change.

Two other exhibits that flow into each other are the wetlands and grasslands habitats.

Flamingos being fed by a trainer at the National Aviary in Pittsburgh

A flock of bright pink flamingos are the highlight in the wetlands. They are relatively quiet and calm until the 12 noon feeding when all of the birds begin to jostle for position.

hamerkop perched on a sign inside the National Aviary

More active birds soar from tree to tree, sometimes coming within inches of the guests, unafraid of the humans that are walking through their homes.

In the grasslands, various species of finches and other songbirds fly from perch to perch. It’s a smaller space than the other rooms and the birds feel like they are right on top of you as you walk through their habitat.

Bald eagle perched in a tree at the National Aviary

Some of the most popular birds in the Aviary must be observed through glass. The bald eagle looks out of his domain from a perch safely away from visitors. So, too, does Steller’s sea eagle.

Also behind glass, but much more playful than the neighboring eagles, are the Aviary’s penguins. The African penguins gather on the rocks and dive into the water, kept at a chilly 60 degrees.

handler feeding penguins at the National Aviary

At the 10:30 feeding, all of the penguins crowded around to get their fish, each one fighting for a spot at the front of the line until they’ve had their fill.

sign for the Amazing Amazon show at the National Aviary

At 11 a.m., the show moved across the hall to the theater for the “Amazing Amazon” flight demonstration. (No photos or video recordings are permitted inside the theater).

Visitors are treated to a half-hour tour through the Amazon jungle where they encounter colorful and increasingly threatened species of birds and learn about the dangers they face with the continual deforestation of the rainforest.

It’s an informative and interactive experience (and it’s included with admission).

The Aviary also has a small café – the Atria – and of course the way to the exit is through the gift shop.

For anyone visiting the Pittsburgh area, the National Aviary is a great way to pass a couple hours.

When You Go

  • There is a $5 parking fee for anyone parking on the National Aviary’s parking lot. On-street metered parking is available nearby.
  • We did our tour in less than two hours, including the 30-minute flight demonstration. Check the Aviary’s website for the day’s activity schedule and plan your visit accordingly.
  • Always remember to look up and keep moving. In many exhibits there is nothing but air between you and the birds in the treetops above you.
  • Several areas were closed on our visit as COVID-19 precautions, including a child-sized crawl tunnel that offered an underwater view of the penguins (guests can still see the penguins swimming underwater from the main exhibit area).

More Animal Encounters in PA….

Cactus and desert scene inside the Bird House at Zoo America in Hershey, PA

ZooAmerica

Exploring the animals of North America at ZooAmerica in Hershey, PA.
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Gateway Clipper

Blue sign with white letters reading "Gateway Clipper" above a walkway leading to the Pittsburgh waterfront

Date of Visit: September 25, 2020

There are many ways to experience the city of Pittsburgh, but there’s something special about seeing it from the water.

The Gateway Clipper Fleet offers sightseeing tours, dinner cruises and other themed rides along the city’s Three Rivers, providing a perspective unlike any other.

Cruises begin from the terminal on the south side of the Monongahela River, next to the Sheraton Hotel and a variety of restaurants at Station Square, the former Pittsburgh and Erie Railroad passenger station.

As we boarded our boat we stopped to pose for the obligatory official photo before taking a seat on the top deck. The chairs were spread out more than they would have been pre-COVID, giving families a little more space and room to enjoy the trip.

The boat departed heading east along the Monongahela where it crossed under the first of many bridges along the route. The cruise narrator pointed out that Pittsburgh has more bridges than any other city in the world.

Yellow steel bridge over a river in Pittsburgh, PA

Only a small handful of the city’s 446 bridges actually cross one of the three rivers (most of them bridge gaps in the mountains surrounding the city), many of these bridges are historic and beautiful.

Of these, the sister bridges are the most famous. The three bridges span the Allegheny River, each one named for a famous Pittsburgh resident: Andy Warhol, Rachel Carson and Roberto Clemente. And each one is painted in the distinctive Aztec gold color.

View of PNC Park from the Gateway Clipper river tour in Pittsburgh, PA

The shoreline of the Allegheny River is also where we passed PNC Park, Heinz Field, Stage AE and the rest of the growth in Pittsburgh’s North Side.

Pittsburgh’s third river is the Ohio River which begins at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela. It was on this spot that the French built Fort Duquesne. After the British took the fort, it was renamed Fort Pitt. And it was from here that a city grew.

View of Point State Park in Pittsburgh from the convergence of the city's three rivers.

The area is now known as Point State Park, an area highlighted by a beautiful fountain. It’s a scene that, I believe, is best appreciated from the water.

The view from the rivers also give new perspective to other Pittsburgh icons.

Pittsburgh skyline including PPG Place from the Gateway Clipper

Looming large in the Pittsburgh skyline is PPG place. Constructed in the 1980s, the complex was designed to be a showcase for the Pittsburgh Paint Glass company and their signature product. The glass buildings with tall spires leave quite an impression from wherever they are viewed.

In contrast to the modern façade of PPG Place, the south side of the Monongahela is home to the city’s last two remaining inclines.

View of the Duquesne incline in Pittsburgh from the Gateway Clipper

The Monongahela Incline (1870) and Duquesne Incline (1877) still operate today to carry passengers to and from the Mount Washington neighborhood that overlooks the city. From the boat, guests can get a true appreciation for these engineering marvels of the 19th century still in full operation today.

With a lively narration and a view unlike any other, the Gateway Clipper truly gives a unique perspective on Pittsburgh to all those who ride.

When You Go

  • The Three Rivers Sightseeing Cruises last for one hour. Seats are not assigned so arrive early if you have a preference of where you would like to sit.
  • Limited snacks and beverages are available for purchase on sightseeing cruises.
  • Gateway Clipper also offers dining cruises with full meal service. These cruises are longer, lasting between 2-2.5 hours.
  • Additional themed cruises and special event cruises are offered – check the Gateway Clipper’s website for more information. 

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Man with small boy standing in front of a wooden welcome sign at the Pittsburgh Zoo

Date of Visit: September 24, 2020

Founded in 1898, the Pittsburgh Zoo is not quite as old as its counterpart in Philadelphia. But like the Philadelphia Zoo, it is has grown over the years into a celebrated destination.

The Zoo is located within Highland Park, one of Pittsburgh’s many large public green spaces. And the park lives up to its name. An escalator carries guests from the parking lot to the Village, home to the Zoo’s gift shop, education building and carousel ride.  

(For those looking for a little more exercise a walking trail, the Zoofit Path, will also get you to the Village).

It’s a little farther along the path, under an old stone bridge, to the Forest Passage and the place where the Zoo truly begins.

Tiger standing on a rock at the Pittsburgh Zoo

Here you’ll find your first exhibits, a mix of animals from a variety of habitats including Canadian lynx, red panda, Amur tiger and the Komodo dragon.

elephant standing by water at the Pittsburgh Zoo

We followed the path to the left which brought us to the African Savannah section. For my son, these were all the animals from the Lion King – warthogs, zebras, elephants, giraffes and of course, lions.

Recreated market stand showing how much food an elephant eats in a day
boy and his mother standing next to a measuring stick depicting the height of an elephant

The elephant exhibit was one of the most creative in the zoo. It featured a replica marketplace that showed exactly how much an elephant eats in a single day and also had a measuring stick where kids and their parents could stand to see how they compare to the size of a full-grown adult elephant. (And because it’s Pittsburgh, they were also a marker to show the height of Penguins great Mario Lemieux).

The same elephants also put on quite a show as they bathed themselves with dust and drank from the small pond in their habitat.

Rhino looking toward the camera from a distance at the Pittsburgh Zoo

Nearby, the rhinos looked just as impressive, even though they were farther away in the distance, as did the flamingos, though they were impressive for their brilliant pink feathers as opposed to their size.

small monkeys climbing in a tree at the Pittsburgh Zoo

Moving farther down the path, we arrived in the Tropical Forest. Here is where most of the zoo’s primates are found. There are lemurs, capuchin, gibbons, orangutans and gorillas among the residents.

gorilla standing next to fallen tree branches at the Pittsburgh Zoo

The path then opened up into the Safari Plaza, kind of a halfway rest point with food and drink offerings for both kids and adults.

Safari Plaza sits adjacent to The Islands where we found a menagerie of animals including a clouded leopard, warty pig and Philippine crocodile.

pygmy hippo swimming underwater at the Pittsburgh Zoo

Continuing up the path, we arrived at the Jungle Odyssey. The exhibits here were on a hill overlooking the Plaza and featured one of the coolest animals on display – the pygmy hippopotamus.

Looking like a baby hippopotamus, the pygmy hippo put on a show, not on land, but in the water as it swam through the water in its enclosure, coming right up against the glass for a close-up look.

fish tank and tropical scenery at the PPG Aquarium

While the hippo spent some time in the water, the true water dwellers were found at the Aquarium. This would have been fine aquarium to visit on its own, the fact that it was inside the zoo made it all the more impressive.

penguins next to rocks and water at the PPG Aquarium

Inside were various species of fish and turtles, but the most fun part was the penguins. There were actually two penguin species in the enclosure, and seeing them interacting with each other made the day of our son.

sea lion waving its tail at a visitor walking through an immersive tunnel at PPG Aquarium

One of the coolest parts of the zoo was just outside the aquarium in a tunnel near the Water’s Edge. Here, sea lions frolic above and around you as they swim freely through the water.  

polar bear rests in a rocky enclosure at the Pittsburgh Zoo

The experience is actually made for polar bear encounters, but the bear was a little tired during our visit.

set made to look like a fishing village at Pittsburgh Zoo

Of all the areas, the Water’s Edge was the most elaborately decorated with a recreated seaside street that led to the Sea Otter Cove.

Here the namesake animals played like kids jumping in and out of the water, splashing around without a care in the world. Another example of nature’s beauty on display.

Two more areas lay ahead. The first was the Kids Kingdom, an area for children with more animals but also slides and play areas. (If my son were a little older, I’m sure he would have loved the slides, but they were a little big for him at three years old).

wallaby digging in the dirt at the Pittsburgh Zoo

Exhibits here include barn animals like pigs, donkeys and goats, but also more exotic creatures like wallabies.

The last area is called Worlds of Discovery. A boardwalk connects it to the Kids Kingdom and along the way are a few more exhibits. In the area, itself, is home to a reptile house and amphitheater.

We spent all day enjoying the zoo but it felt like we could have taken our time even more and stayed a little longer and had even more fun making even more memories.

elephant standing by water at the Pittsburgh Zoo

When You Go

  • The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium can be an all-day trip, depending on your child’s level of interest.
  • Pre-purchased tickets are available at a reduced price – plan ahead and order ahead to save on your visit.
  • The Zoo is fairly spread out. The Plaza is located at approximately the halfway point and makes a convenient stop for lunch or a snack as you work your way through the attraction.
  • Some animals may be off exhibit during your visit. Check the website for a full list.

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