Little Old Latrobe
Sometimes walking around campus I overhear other students talking about how there isn’t much to do in the small town of Latrobe, PA, where Saint Vincent College is located. Being new to campus and not knowing the area, sure, you would think this is the case…but I know that is completely false. I was born and raised right outside of the city of Latrobe and I know that there are plenty of things to do that are within an hour drive of our campus. Most of my favorite activities to do in this area are nature-related, so they are even more fun to do during the beautiful season of fall! Here are a few of my favorite spots in the area, so you can grab your girls and check them out while the leaves are still changing color!
Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve- This spot is LITERALLY in our back yard! If you ever feel like you are stuck on campus with nothing to do, grab some friends and walk down to the Nature Reserve. There is a visitor’s center, small pond, an observation deck, and a few short trails to keep you entertained instead of being all cooped up in your dorm room. If you feel like treating yourself after walking around the Nature Reserve, a plus to this spot is that Dairy Queen is only across Route 30-also a walkable distance from campus!
Twin Lakes- Twin Lakes is absolutely gorgeous during the season of fall. There is still time left in the year to rent a Pedal Boat and roam around the waters on the bigger of the two lakes. Here, there are also a few playgrounds, and longer walking trails to keep you active!
Mammoth Park- This Park is basically the same as Twin Lakes, but just a little bit smaller. They recently added a launch pad for kayaks for locals to take advantage of. There is also a huge slide that adults and children all enjoy, during all four seasons!
Linn Run- This is probably my favorite of the few parks that I have mentioned. Linn Run and Forbes State Forest are located right past the town of Ligonier. Plan for an entire day to be spent here if you want to take in all that the park has to offer. There is a natural water slide in the small river that you are free to slide down any time the park is open, numerous hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, and also a small waterfall hidden at the end of one of the trails. There is also a lookout point called Beam Rocks that you can hike to and take in the breathtaking view.
Seven Springs- Although I have not been here during the season of fall, I have heard great things about their month long Autumnfest celebration. Each weekend there are themed family-friendly activities to participate in, as well as the usual activities that are offered here. Some of these include: golf, riding the chair lift to be up close and personal with fall foliage, zip-lining, and the alpine slide.
Falling Water- This is the farthest and most expensive of my favorite fall activities, but it is well worth the drive and price of admission. Only an hour away from our campus lies a stunning masterpiece by Frank Lloyd Wright. With the price of admission you have the opportunity to wander around the property, and take part in a guided tour of the house that was built basically on top of a waterfall.