This Road Trip Takes You To The Most Fascinating Historical Sites Around Pittsburgh
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
Let’s go exploring today, Pittsburgh! Any time really is a good time to go on a road trip. And, with the many landmarks and attractions in and around the Burgh, we have so much to explore that we can never really get bored. Today’s road trip will take us 107 miles to a sampling of some of Pittsburgh’s best historical sites.
Click here for directions to the road trip.
Ready for a little fun? Follow the Google directions, as is, for this road trip. Or, customize it to add or remove stops that best meet your interests. Whatever you do, have fun! Off we go!
Let's kick off our historical road trip at Fort Necessity National Battlefield, the site of the first battle of the French and Indian War in 1754. Start your visit at the The Fort Necessity/National Road Interpretive and Education Center, where you can watch a 20-minute film about the battlefield before checking out the interactive exhibits. Then, head outdoors to explore the battlefield that features five miles of hiking trails. Demonstrations on the battlefield are common during the summer.
**Note: If the government is still shut down at the time of publishing, Fort Necessity is open. However, the Visitor's Center and all visitors services will be closed.
**Note: If the government is still shut down at the time of publishing, Fort Necessity is open. However, the Visitor's Center and all visitors services will be closed.
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Our next stop takes us to Woodville Plantation, where you'll get a peek at life during the 18th century. Known as the John and Presley Neville House, the Allegheny County museum offers guided tours of the home. Guides dress in period clothing, providing visitors with insight into the lives of the Nevilles, the Cowans, and the Wrenshalls, all former residents of the home.
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And...of we go to Pittsburgh. Our next stop brings us to the Fort Pitt Blockhouse and Museum at the Point. Tour both the museum and the blockhouse (the oldest building in Pittsburgh) to discover more about its rich history, beginning with its use as a defensive fort during the French and Indian War.
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Docked alongside the Carnegie Science Center, the USS Requin gives us a rare look at a World War II submarine. Embark on a self-guided tour of the submarine that once housed 80 men. And, get a feel for the small quarters in which they lived, where they ate, and how they slept. (Be prepared to walk up and down stairs to get into and out of the submarine.)
Let's spend some time outdoors and head to our next destination. Allegheny Cemetery is the final resting place of such notable Pittsburghers as Charles Avery, Josh Gibson, Stephen Foster, and Lillian Russell. Simply stroll through the cemetery that's home to a variety of wildlife and trees that date back decades. Guided tours are available for groups of 10 or more.
Saint Anthony Chapel's our next stop. And, you're in a for a real treat. The chapel, which dates back to 1883, holds the largest collection of Christian relics - more than 5,000 - second only to the Vatican. See such relics as a piece of the cross on which Christ was crucified, a saint's skull, and the bones of Demetrius.
And, we've arrived at our final stop. Old Economy Village gives us a glimpse of life in the 19th century. Dating back to 1824, Old Economy Village was founded by Harmonists, a group that left Germany in search of religious and economic freedom in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Today, visitors can experience a taste of the Harmonists' lifestyle by embarking on a guided or a self-guided tour. The historic village features a wine cellar, store, post office, and bake oven, the latter of which features demonstrations.
Of course, these are just a few of Pittsburgh’s best historical sites. Which others would you add to the road trip? Let us know in the comments! Then, for more road trippin’ fun, hit the road on this road trip that will take you to some of Pittsburgh’s most unique road side attractions.
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