Follow In Mister Rogers' Footsteps On The Fred Rogers Trail Near Pittsburgh
By Beth Price-Williams|Published March 17, 2020
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.
Pittsburghers may disagree on plenty of things – where to get the best slice of pizza, the best hometown sports legend of all time, and the need for bike lanes (yep, it’s a controversy). However, one thing most of us will likely agree on is Mister Rogers was one-of-a-kind and one of the most beloved Western Pennsylvanians of all time. Follow in Mister Rogers footsteps this summer, at least for a few days, on the Fred Rogers Trail Near Pittsburgh.
Mister Rogers has been a household name for generations, a beloved public figure who most of us watched growing up. Today, we can get a peek into his life on the Fred Rogers Trail, which takes us to some of the most prominent spots in Mister Rogers’ life.
Created by Visit PA and the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau, the Fred Rogers Trail can be done in three days, if you want to visit each stop. However, if you don’t have three days, whittle it down to just the destinations you really want to check out.
Start the trail, for example, at St. Vincent College in Latrobe. There, you’ll find an exhibit of Mister Rogers at the Fred Rogers Center. The exhibit features artifacts, narratives, and even treasured memorabilia.
If you’re bringing kiddos along on the trail (which is kid-friendly), you’ll definitely want to plan to spend a few hours or an entire day at Idlewild Park and SoakZone.
Idlewild generally opens in the late spring for the season and is home to Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, which replaced Mister Rogers Neighborhood, and still features all of the characters we grew up with.
The Fred Rogers Trail also includes a few stops in Pittsburgh – the Duquesne Incline, the Heinz History Center (home to Mister Rogers’ set), and the Mister Rogers Statue “Tribute To Children.”
You’ll also head to the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum in Washington, finishing the trail at Buttermilk Falls Natural Area. Featuring a waterfall, the natural area was once owned by Mister Rogers’ grandfather.
Have you ever been on the Fred Rogers Trail near Pittsburgh? What was your favorite thing about it? Share your experience in the comments! Since we’re talking about everyone’s favorite neighbor, plan a meal at Mandarin Gourmet Restaurant, where you can reenact a scene from “A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood.”
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