CHEAP TRIPS FOR SUMMER
Daytrips to try this summer that won’t break the bank
Forget the trip to that crowded beach. And those amusement parks can be stomach churning, both in admission prices and exit ones: “Mom, I’m gonna throw up.” So if you are tired of the same old, same old, here are some unheralded, if quirky, day trips to try out this summer.
These destinations won’t break the bank (for some, Grandma doesn’t even have to get out of the van) and the factoids you pick up could have you winning a trivia contest at your neighborhood pub. So from a giant Zippo lighter in McKean County to an 18-foot-high Coffee Pot in Bedford to Canonsburg’s Singing Statue of Perry Como, here are some wild and wonderful roadside attractions right in our backyard.
Space Acorn Kecksburg
Television shows, to say nothing of locals of a certain age, continue to speculate about what really happened when a fiery object crashed into the rural village of Kecksburg in Mount Pleasant Township on Dec. 9, 1965. Witnesses claim a bronze, acorn-shaped UFO landed and the military quickly secreted it away. The mystery continues, but the 7-foot-wide replica — erected in 1990 by producers for a segment of TV’s “Unsolved Mysteries” then renovated by enterprising towns folk — remains as a constant reminder. There’s a gift shop in back of the nearby fire hall, too. Details: kecksburgvfd.com.
Flying Saucer Mars
The Butler County Visitors Bureau notes, quite correctly, that there is life on Mars, population 1,700. The borough honors its name but no accompanying folklore with a silver flying saucer, some 6 feet across, that rests in the town square and makes for a fun photo op. Visitors can honestly say, “I have been to Mars.” https://www.visitbutlercounty.com/attractions/ mars
Como’s ‘Singing Statue’ Canonsburg
The pride of Canonsburg, Washington County native Perry Como has a statue in his honor standing on the borough building’s grounds, 68 East Pike St. This “Perry” actually croons his hits 24/7. For more information, go to Roadsideamerica.com
Cigar Box Guitar Museum New Alexandria
Billed as the world’s first museum to the Cigar Box Guitar, this venue off Route 22 in Westmoreland County is in the historic Speal’s Tavern, 1850 Lions Club Road, New Alexandria, and has a display of three dozen of these handmade instruments. It is run by Shane Speal, who established the website www.CigarBoxNation.com. The instruments, reminders of Delta blues music, are made from a box, stick and
bailing wire. Mr. Speal’s father, Dan, is third generation to run the tavern, now also a blues barn. 724-668-8780.
The Coffee Pot Bedford
Built in 1927, the 18-foothigh Coffee Pot, 108 Telegraph Road, Bedford, was originally a lunch spot next to a gas station that served as a rest stop along the historic Lincoln Highway, now Route 30. The structure is preserved as an iconic example of “programmatic architecture” by the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor. Details: lhhc.org
Really big burgers Clearfied
The answer to “Where’s the beef?” is apparently in Clearfield County. Denny’s Beer Barrel Pub, 1452 Woodland Road, Clearfield, serves a massive 125-pound burger. Really. (Call 72 hours in advance.) But there are smaller burgers —- 2 to 25 pounds) on the menu, too, with special prizes for those who finish in an allotted time. Dennysbeerbarrelpub.com
Jimmy Stewart Museum Indiana
Stewart’s hometown of Indiana, Pa., wanted to build a showy museum to celebrate its famous son, but Stewart asked for something modest. So the resulting eponymous museum, 845 Philadelphia St., occupies the third floor of the town’s library with Stewart himself picking out the items on display. Among the notable Hollywood artifacts are a 6-foot-tall stuffed rabbit that sits in the venue’s small theater, a nod to Stewart’s invisible pal in “Harvey.” A life-size fiberglass statue of Stewart mimics the bronze one that stands next door in front of the courthouse. 724-3496112.
Mister Rogers and Arnold Palmer statues Latrobe area
A bronze life-sized Mr. Rogers, wearing his signature cardigan and tennis shoes, sits on a bench in a small leafy park in his hometown of Latrobe. Perfect for photos. (Not to be confused with another Rogers tribute that sits between Heinz Field and PNC Park on Pittsburgh’s North Shore.) From Latrobe’s Rogers Park drive two miles south on Route 981 to the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport, where a bronze statue of another iconic Latrobe native, golfing legend Arnold Palmer, provides a second perfect snap. This statue stands a mile from where Palmer started as the son of a groundskeeper at Latrobe Country Club. Visitor info at latrobelaurelvallely.org.
Giant Zippo Lighter Bradford
A 40-foot replica lighter welcomes visitors to a sprawling Zippo/Case Museum, 1932 Zippo Drive, Bradford, and lighter-shaped street lights line the roads in this McKean County town. The museum highlights the Zippo’s role in World War II, Hollywood and music. Shops, too. Details: Zippo.com
Landlocked Lighthouse Tionesta
The 75-foot-tall lighthouse stands in Tionesta, Forest County, 60 miles from Lake Erie, the nearest navigable body of water. Completed in 2004 by Tionesta native Jack Sherman, the structure has seven floors that display items of Sherman’s family heritage, his collection of lighthouse miniatures and artwork. The local Lions club operates the site for occasional tours. Go to: e-clubhouse.org/sites/tionesta/ page-6.php
Oldest oil well Oil City
The McClintock No. 1 well in Oil City, Venango County, began pumping crude oil in 1861 and still does. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission acquired the site in 2000, and the Drake Well Museum, which maintains it, pumps the well occasionally to ensure its historic status. The well yields one to two barrels a day, which is used at the museum or bottled and sold as souvenirs. Go to: drakewell.org.
Classical gas Altoona
In continuous operation since 1909, and thought to be the oldest gas station still in service in the United States, the present-day Reighard’s garage, 3205 Sixth St., Altoona, remains in the original cinderblock structure in Blair County. The Reighard family operated the station until 1978, when Martin Oil Co. took over. Details: martinoilco.com/reighards
Avenue of 444 Flags Hermitage
In 1979, America was in the midst of the Iran Hostage Crisis. At that time Hillcrest Memorial Park owner Tom Flynn called attention to the crisis by raising a U.S. flag in the park. By the time the hostage situation ended on Jan. 21, 1981, 444 flags were erected. Since then, the Mercer County park has been renamed America’s Cemetery and also contains poignant memorials to the Vietnam War and the War on Terror. Go to: Avenueofflags.com.