As things gradually begin to open back up for travel, consider visiting a smaller destination like Altoona, PA where it’s much easier to maintain social distance while visiting attractions. There are so many fun things to do in Altoona!
The most well-known tourist attraction is Horseshoe Curve and it should be on the top of everyone’s must-do’s in Altoona, but the area is full of lots of other hidden gems and outdoor wonders, so plan a weekend and explore this intriguing central Pennsylvania destination.
I visited some of these Altoona attractions while on a press trip. Opinions are my own.
Things to Do in Altoona PA (Outdoors)
Horseshoe Curve
Horseshoe Curve is an engineering marvel you have to see to believe, especially since the work was completed in just three years without the use of heavy equipment — just 450 Irishmen using picks, shovels and explosives.
Photo Credit: Explore Altoona. Horseshoe Curve trains chug through a 220-degree arc on their trip through the Allegheny Mountains.
The highlight of a visit to the Horseshoe Curve is watching the trains, and the ideal spot to see them is from the picnic-perfect viewing area at the top of the hill.
You can pick up a schedule of the day’s trains from the gift shop or just wait and see what appears. When I was there I saw at least six within a half-hour and some of them weren’t on the schedule, so you never know!
If you’re lucky, you’ll see more than one train in the curve at a time; there are three tracks!
A train passes through the center of the curve’s viewing spot
Look closely! You can see the front and back of a train working its way through the curve.
To get to the hilltop viewing area, visitors can either walk up 194 steps or ride the single-track funicular to the top.
Either before or after train-watching, be sure to spend some time in the visitor center to see a 20-minute overview film and lots of interpretive displays detailing the history and making of Horseshoe Curve.
Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark
2400 Veterans Memorial Highway
Altoona, PA 16601
Website
Chimney Rocks Park
The towering limestone cliffs and pillars in this beautiful park offer stunning panoramic views of Hollidaysburg and beyond.
If you’re looking for a view without much physical effort, the trail to the lower overlook is an easy flat walk but there’s also an upper overlook for those that don’t mind a bit of a climb.
Thanks to some kind hikers coming off the trails, we learned there were two ways to climb to the upper overlook: one’s fairly easy and the other is not.
Rather than scrabbling at an uncomfortable vertical angle over rocks, roots and loose gravel on the unimproved trail…
The challenging trail to the top
… we opted for “safety” and the wider, much more maintained trail to the top.
The easier trail to the top.
It’s a quick half-mile climb ending at a fenced-off overlook with an expansive view of Hollidaysburg and the old rail yards.
According to lore, this is where the local Native American Chief once sat to look out over his tribe below. No clue if there’s any truth to that, but it’s a gorgeous vista and well worth the hike to see it.
Pro tip: Wear mosquito repellent!
Chimney Rocks Park
Chimney Rocks Rd.
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
Website
Canal Basin Park
This is another park in Hollidaysburg worth a visit. It was built to protect one of the few remaining pieces of the Pennsylvania canal system so you can experience a little history while enjoying the outdoors.
You’ll see informational signs and a lock replica as you walk along the park’s greenway.
More exhibits and information about the historic canal can be found inside the Reiser House visitor center.
Canal Basin Park
401 Blair St.
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
Website
Canoe Creek State Park
This quiet and restful park is a wonderful place to get away from it all. The fully stocked lake is ripe with fishing opportunities and is also a popular spot for canoeing and kayaking (both can be rented here).
I took a quick hike on a newly constructed boardwalk trail and it was deliciously peaceful.
The wildlife blind is a wonderful place to watch for migrating and nesting birds.
Visitors can explore the relics of the Blair Limestone Company kilns which used to produced quicklime (“burnt lime”) for Pennsylvania’s once-booming iron and steel industry.
Although White-Nose Syndrome has drastically reduced the area’s bat population, it’s still worth stopping by the old abandoned church to see the home of the ‘Bats in the Belfry’.
At one time there were 20,000 brown bats making the pilgrimage to this location each year.
Check the park’s website for scheduled bat viewing programs.
Canoe Creek State Park
205 Canoe Creek Rd
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
Website
Fort Roberdeau
Step back in time to Pennsylvania’s frontier days as you explore this 230-acre site. The original fort and stockade were built in 1778 to aid in lead mining and smelting during the Revolutionary War.
Nowadays visitors can take self-guided tours through the reconstructed officers’ quarters, barracks, storehouse, blacksmith shop, lead miner’s cabin, powder magazine, lead smelter and log frontier house.
There are also special events throughout the year including Ranger Skills Weekends for kids, Revolutionary War Days and Open Sky Watch Nights.
Also on the property is a sinkhole, trail system and the visitor center barn.
Sinkhole near Fort Roberdeau
Fort Roberdeau
383 Fort Roberdeau Rd
Altoona, PA 16601
Website
Shop the Amish farm markets of Sinking Valley.
With over a dozen Amish markets and farm stands in the Sinking Valley community, you’re bound to stumble across a few if you just drive the backroads.
Keep an eye out for small signs along the road indicating nearby locations selling fruit, vegetables, flowers, plants, quilts, baskets and freshly baked goods.
DelGrosso’s Amusement Park
Known for its family-friendly rides, Italian-themed waterpark and delicious food, this small but mighty Tipton amusement park is a Pennsylvania favorite and well worth a visit (if only for the food).
In fact, the food is so popular that during the off-season, guests can pre-order DelGrosso Dinners to Go on Tuesdays and Thursdays and pick them up at a drive-thru station in the parking lot. I kid you not.
Click here to see what’s on the menu each week.
I visited when the park was still open for the season, so I was able to sample some of the concession offerings.
Tip: If you happen to visit on a Spaghetti Wednesday, you can dine on the weekly pasta feature made with one of the delicious DelGrosso sauces.
The pizza was excellent!
My favorite sample was the sloppy joe! Their sauce is so good.
If you can tear yourself away from the food, make sure to ride the vintage 1920s carouselle made by the Herschell Spillman Carouselle Company.
It’s a genuine treasure.
One of the reasons DelGrosso’s is so popular is because along with thrill rides, they have an extensive kiddie ride section.
And they have a pretty fabulous water park with lazy river, wave pool, water slides and a splash area for the little ones.
Photo credit : Explore Altoona
DelGrosso’s Amusement Park
4352 East Pleasant Valley Blvd.
Tipton, PA 16684
Website
Things to Do in Altoona PA (Indoors)
Gardners Candies
Make sure to satisfy your sweet tooth with a stop at Gardners Candies. Try their famous Original Peanut Butter Meltaways or my favorite – the sea salt caramels.
Not only is Gardners a candy store, but it’s also an ice cream parlor and candy museum. The store was opened in 1897 by James (Pike) Gardner and he was quite the innovator.
He came up with the idea of heart-shaped candy boxes for Valentine’s Day and there’s an impressive display of some of his early creations. You’ll also find a huge selection of German silver candy moulds and vintage candy-making equipment.
Gardners Candies
30 W. 10th St
Tyrone, PA 16686
Website
Everyone knows it’s Slinky.
When talking about things to do in Altoona PA, I can’t leave out a Slinky-related fun spot since the classic metal Slinky has been manufactured in Hollidaysburg since the mid-60’s.
Unfortunately, the company itself (Poof-Slinky, Inc.) doesn’t have a visitor center or gift shop. They should!
However, you can have slinky-inspired fun at the Slinky Action Zone, an enormous family fun center in Altoona.
Photo credit: Explore Altoona
I hope this list of things to do in Altoona PA inspires a visit. It’s a really fun place for the whole family! Visit ExploreAltoona.com for a free travel guide and more information.
Also in Central Pennsylvania:
