rose's blog

The rocky, nitrate-rich soil in the fertile valley of Adams County, Pennsylvania, combined with prime altitude, rainfall, and temperature make Adams County one of the most intense and significant fruit-growing regions in the United States. While all 67 Pennsylvania counties grow apples, Adams is the largest producer, a feat that has earned it the moniker “Apple Capital USA.” Discover its many apple orchards and nurseries on orchard tours, wine and cider tastings,

Well-known by its famous moniker, “Penn’s Woods,” Pennsylvania is one of the most enchanting locations in the country for the fall foliage season. As the autumn colors cover the states in the seasonal spectacle, there’s no better way to enjoy the brilliant shades of red, yellow, and orange than on one of Pennsylvania’s many historic railroads. Every year, the scenic ravines, tranquil woodland retreats, and rugged mountains of Pennsylvania’s landscape provide a magnificent setting for thousands of train passengers that is undoubtedly easy on the eyes.

Fall foliage just got a lot more fun. With so many mountain peaks throughout Pennsylvania, our mountaintop retreats, ski resorts, and obstacle courses decided to get creative with their summits for the season. Pennsylvania’s ziplining options add another exciting factor to its unbeatable reputation as one of the country’s best fall foliage destinations. Soar over the multicolored trees for thousands of feet while taking in the kind of view you can only find in Pennsylvania—literally.

Looking for a way to squeeze in a workout and a history lesson on your next getaway? Flex your muscle memory while enjoying the timeless beauty of Cumberland Valley with these five historical hiking trails and spots.

Named in homage to Pennsylvania’s “Father of Forestry,” Joseph T. Rothrock, the Rothrock State Forest comprises a near-100,000 acre tract of ridges, forest, and marsh in Huntingdon, Centre, and Mifflin Counties. As clear-cutting rapidly deforested the state, once covered in 95% forest, Rothrock battled desperately to purchase land from lumber companies for use in conservation. It’s through the efforts of Rothrock that Pennsylvania’s second-growth forests are now flourishing.

Out of the ruins and pollution of factory districts and rail yards, Pittsburgh has transformed itself: an industrial wasteland is now the cleanest and greenest way to get around Steel City—as well as the safest. On the 24-mile journey along three separate segments of Pittsburgh’s rivers, now known as the Three Rivers Heritage Trail, the regular biker or common foot traveler will find some of the most spectacular views of Steel City’s iconic skyline and bridges.

Kennett Square, Pennsylvania celebrates its two-day Annual Mushroom Festival on September 9-10, 2017 named one of America’s Best Food Festivals in the country.

In Pennsylvania, we pride ourselves on overcoming the challenges Mother Nature places in front of us. To make the bend of the Alleghenies’ western slopes, we constructed the Horseshoe Curve; to cross the wide waters of the Susquehanna, we built the longest stone arch bridge ever made; when we reached the Kinzua Creek Valley in 1882, we didn’t go around it. We went straight over it, forging the iron and steel we needed for the highest—and longest—railroad bridge in the entire world.

Around ten thousand years ago, something changed on our planet. The two-mile thick sheet of ice that had covered two-thirds of North America for 30,000 years started to melt. The ice, which had reached the northern most regions of Pennsylvania, withdrew its frozen walls, but not before it left its mark at a small location in Lackawanna County named Archbald Pothole State Park.

Almost two centuries ago, Christian “C.F.” Martin left Germany for the freedom of New York City, leaving behind the economic restrictions of the European guild system to start America’s oldest guitar manufacturing company. Within a few years, the German immigrant relocated his burgeoning young business to Nazareth, Pennsylvania. Besides crafting the world’s finest instruments, C.F. Martin was the first to apply the large-scale use of X-bracing and steel guitar strings (he couldn’t have picked a better state to be in for that). C.F.