Attractions & Entertainment
Build your Blair County Bucket List!
Whether you’re a history buff, thrill-seeker, a railroad enthusiast, a beer lover, or an outdoor adventurer, Blair County has something for you! With two theme parks, a multitude of historical sites, 45 miles of hiking trails, and seven breweries, this scenic mountain area is sure to please. We’ve compiled a short list of things to do while in Blair County, but there’s much more that we have to offer! For more information on Blair County attractions and entertainment, visit our DMO partner, Explore Altoona.
Historical Sites
Photo: Two Twenty Studios
World Famous Horseshoe Curve
Considered one of the “engineering wonders of the world” at the time of its completion in 1854, Horseshoe Curve continues to offer railroading fans an up-close opportunity to experience the thrill of trains passing along this 2,375 foot-long curved stretch of tracks.
Fort Roberdeau
Take a step back in time at Fort Roberdeau! This historic site features a reconstructed Revolutionary War fort, buildings and smelter, a restored 19th century farmhouse and barn, hiking trails, costumed interpreters and more!
Baker Mansion
Operated by the Blair County Historical Society, Baker Mansion is a historical landmark in Altoona, PA! Visitors can see period rooms depicting the Baker family's lifestyle, as well as exhibits on the early iron industry, transportation, medicine, military history, toys, geology, and education.
Outdoor Entertainment
Lakemont Park
Operating since 1894, Lakemont Park has been part of the Blair County community for generations! Take a ride on Leap-the-Dips, the world’s oldest wooden roller coaster and a National Historic Landmark! Explore the outdoors in the green area and walking paths, get active in the batting cages, on the basketball and sand volleyball courts, or one of two mini-golf courses! With so much to offer, there’s no shortage of ways to get active at Lakemont Park!
Delgrosso’s Park & Laguna Splash Water Park
DelGrosso's Park is known for its family-friendly ride line-up, food, and games as well as free parking. The ride park has over 30 rides and attractions and the Laguna Splash water park features a lazy river, wave pool, 5 speed slides and two children's play areas! They also host picnics and special music events throughout the season!
Peoples Natural Gas Field
Catch a game at PNG Field, home to The Altoona Curve, a AA affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates! PNG Field is a sight in itself - it has a façade that resembles an old-fashioned railroad roundhouse and is unique because of its view of a rollercoaster beyond the right field wall (The Skyliner is actually part of Lakemont Park next door). PNG Field is also host to fun events throughout the the season!
Museums & Memorials
Railroaders Memorial Musem
This unique museum seeks to preserve the stories and contributions of Central Pennsylvanians who left an imprint on their communities, industry, and nation. Museum displays include a rich array of artifacts, immersive environments, and life size dioramas as well as orientation films presenting colorful context of the people and lifestyles that composed the city's railroading community.
Flight 93 National Memorial
Flight 93 is the final resting place of the 40 passengers and crew members who stopped the worst terrorist attack in US history. Visitors can explore the memorial through outdoor exhibits, a cell phone tour, and interpretive programming offered by Park Rangers and volunteers at the Memorial Plaza from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art
The SAMA museum was designed with state-of-the-art exhibition and storage space for quarterly exhibitions and a rare collection of albumen photographic prints by William H. Rau, the official photographer for the Pennsylvania Railroad at the turn of the 20th century.
Arts & Entertainment
Photo: Two Twenty Studios
Historic Mishler Theatre
Through their ownership of the Mishler Theatre, the Blair County Arts Foundation (BCAF) is preserving one of the remaining links to the area’s cultural past. This grand facility has served as the area’s performing arts center since it opened its doors on February 15, 1906. Even then it carried the highest distinction by being the first structure of its kind in America that was completely devoted to theatrical pursuits.
Altoona Community Theatre
Altoona Community Theatre is a not-for-profit organization. ACT produces four mainstage productions annually in the historic Mishler Theatre. The shows – presented in September, November, February and May, are given four performances each.
Altoona Symphony Orchestra
Experience the oldest, consecutively running, small community Orchestra in the United States! Today the Orchestra finds itself for the first time under female direction. Maestra Teresa Cheung has breathed new life into the symphony, and the once dwindling audience has resurged in recent years bringing with it a new murmur of excitement and appreciation for classical traditions.
Parks & Outdoor Recreation
Photo: Facebook @CanoeCreekSP
Canoe Creek State Park
This beautiful, 961-acre park features a 155-acre lake, wetlands, old fields, and mature forests. With 12 miles of walking trails, including the Limestone Loop where you’ll be able to view the Blair Limestone Company kilns, the park is a perfect outdoor retreat! You can also enjoy fishing, boating, swimming, and a 9 hole disc golf course!
Rails to Trails of PA - Lower Trail
The Lower Trail runs for almost 17 miles from near Canoe Creek State Park in Blair County northeastward to near Alexandria in Huntingdon County. It’s open year-round for hiking, biking, horseback riding, bird watching and photography and, in the winter months, cross country skiing and snowshoeing!
6 to 10 Trail
The 6 to 10 Trail System follows the route of the Allegheny Portage Railroad (APRR) of the 19th Century and is about 10 miles long. Discover culverts and other remains of the Portage railroad along the trail route!
Breweries
Levity Brewing
1411 11th Ave, Altoona, PA 16601
Marzoni’s
Duncansville: 164 Patchway Rd, Duncansville, PA 16635
Altoona: 1830 East Pleasant Valley Rd, Altoona, PA 16602
Iron Pint Brewing Company
601 7th Ave, Altoona, PA 16602
JJ Hadley’s
1400 11th Ave, Altoona, PA 16601
Spring Dam Brewing Co.
269 E Main St, Roaring Spring, PA 16673
Chimney Rocks Brewing Company
520 Blair St, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
Railroad City Brewing Co.
1415 11th Ave, Altoona, PA 16601
Small Destination, Big Adventures!
For more information on attractions and entertainment in Blair County, visit our DMO partner, Explore Altoona!