If you are interested in the 1800's , especially the civil war, segregation, lobo wolves - you will enjoy this museum. Physical address is 7172 Route 46S, Smethport, PA 16749. He didn't seem to thrilled. Grew upin Smethport . Great staff and owners. The Kinzua Bridge State Park Visitor Center and Park Office features great views, self-guiding exhibits, and information about the surrounding area. To date, our park does NOT have these pests. Check out our special contests! Part of the trip was diesel, the other by steam locomotive. A beautiful wine lounge awaits your visit where you can choose a delicious item from their daily food menu for your enjoyment along with your choice of FWC wine. we went to that when it was open with the excursion train running quite a few timesWe wanted everyone we knew to see it..and we have a cabin in Potter CountyIt was fun you rode the train across and then ate your box lunch and rode backIt was a very very sad day when it all came down like a dominoes. A few years earlier, Thomas Kane, President of the New York, Lake Erie, and Western Railroad, had a problem. The alcohol here is really excellent, and is comparable to very high end brands. Visitors Guide & Map, Dining Guide, Scenic Drive Brochure & Map and ANF recreation maps are also free. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Through hands-on activities, guided walks, and informational programs, participants gain an appreciation and understanding of natural and cultural resources. We keep souvenirs as reminders of our travel experiences. The skywalk will be open unless weather conditions are unsafe due to frost and ice in late fall through winter. Smethport Golf Country Club It was heartbreaking. A shopping destination the whole family will enjoy! We saw the bridge still up one week before the storm took it down. We were stuck for a while at the intersection due to road closings. We rode the train up to the bridge and walked around. It is so nice to see how they have preserved this historical site. Seen the destruction soon after while visiting family. McKean County Old Jail Museum You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Don't knowingly lie about anyone I wish I had bought one of the books on Kane at the giftshop as I forget some of the names and details of its very accomplished families and interesting history. You really get a thrill walking out 624 feet and then peering down 225 feet to the bottom of the gorge, Devlin said. It really is a shame about the train ride. SPOT THE PROBLEM. 25% off for U.S. military and federal employees. St. Hellen volcano destruction. My Dad had been going to the Too bad there isnt more history about the first train to go over it. to During checkout, shoppers may also choose to donate to the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation, which reinvests 100% of the proceeds to fund special projects in the state parks and forests in the PA Wilds. We rode part of the journey pulled by a diesel locomotive and the over the bridge by former Huntingdon & Broad Top locomotive No. However, in 1959, the bridge was sold to a company that planned to tear down the bridge. Kinzua Bridge State Park is four miles north of US 6 at Mt. Once at the bottom, the view of the bridge above you and the wreckage all around is quite impressive. My brother and nephew still go fishing around the area and we as a much bigger family now are planning a visit soon to show the grandkids were their Dads vacationed! -tours and tastings, bottle sales -cocktails, appetizers, soup and sandwiches Come and check out our 300 gallon artisan still. That locomotive pulled many train loads of Broad Top coal to Market at Huntingdon. An expanded menu is also available which includes the famous Grinder, and other subs, Panini sandwiches, pizza, salad, plus over 10 appetizers. Copyright 2022 Trip.com Travel Singapore Pte. Its a pretty big honor that people are willing to make their way here, said Amanda DePrins, Zippos marketing manager.

Since then, some of us have been to the bridge on the way out to my wifes sisters place. Assess your fitness level before you venture out on the hiking trails. The lighters were so important to soldiers, something that represented a piece of home.. Reinvented as a pedestrian walkway during 2011, visitors can stroll 624 feet out on the remaining support towers, peer miles out into the Kinzua Gorge, and gaze down through the partial glass platform at the end of the walkway. The car clubs, bike clubs and other orgs. Don't miss out on these top McKean County dishes and foodie spots. From what Ive seen, its the best state park museum in Pennsylvania. The Picture Taking Platform under the skywalk allows visitors to photograph themselves and the remaining support towers in an interesting 3D effect. Fall is bigger here-with brilliant shades of orange, yellow and red, here in the Allegheny Plateau fall color usually peeks the first three weeks of October. Seneca-Iroquois National Museum These workshops are designed to provide information and ideas that can easily be integrated into the classroom. A variety of natural history and curricula workshops are available to teachers. Our family has a camp near Mt. Learn more about Welcome Center for visitors traveling to the Allegheny National Forest and the amazing Kinzua Sky Walk. From this viewpoint, the trail gets VERY steep as it heads down to the bottom of the valley. Over the next 59 years, the Kinzua Bridge was an important freight rail link in the region.

Fresh produce is available outside. PA Wilds Conservation Shops and the We have a great mountain biking trail called Jakes Rocks, and we have motorized recreation in different parts of the forest, said Linda Devlin, executive director of the. My family had a vacation home in Lantz Corners just a short drive from the Bridge. So after taking my son to his hockey game 2 hours from our house in Bradford. Don't Threaten. A tornado in 2003 partially destroyed what was once the worlds longest and highest railroad structure. Steel park benches were bent in half from falling trees. Protect yourself and your job with CareerGuard. This 8,000 sq. Allegheny Reservoir Located on 401 North Fraley Street in Kane, PA, Bells Meat & Poultry offers a huge variety of products in a small space. Longhouse National Scenic Drive Jewett on SR 3011. ThingsTodoPost 2018 All rights reserved. Contact the park for the program offering brochure, to request a specific topic, or to inquire about availability. Some of the exhibits are hands-on for the enjoyment of all ages, while others include videos and original artifacts. Threats of harming another Choose from one of Allegheny National Forest's 14 campgrounds to set up camp and count the stars./Allegheny National Forest, One of the regions top attractions is the world-famous Zippo/Case Museum in Bradford. The visitor center features a reception area, gift shop, spectacular view of the skywalk, and two levels of self-guided and interactive exhibits that focus on engineering, environment, nature, energy, and history as they relate to the viaduct and local area. While the area is beautiful at any time of the year, it is even more beautiful during fall foliage season. CopyrightMcKean County Fair. We walked across it, hiked all of the trails and I also rode the train across when it was running. However, no matter when you have the chance to visit, consider this one of Pennsylvanias must-visit state parks. (Now nearly thirty, he says he still hasnt forgiven me!) Flickerwood Wine Cellars located in the heart of the beautiful Allegheny National Forest is open 7 days a week offering wine tasting of their over 30 varieties of award winning FWC wine. McKean County in Pennsylvanias Northern Tier may be far off the beaten path, miles removed from the nearest big city. Stop in for FREE maps, trail information, local event, tourism and travel information on local attractions. While its easy to spend all your time exploring the bridge, make sure to save time to visit the visitor center at Kinzua Bridge State Park. Plan a day trip, weekend or your whole vacation. I would love to have had the chance to ride a train across the bridge. Opened to the public in 2016, this visitor center features a fantastic museum that tells the story of the area, the bridge, and its destruction.

Jenny Crowley, 2021-22 Miss McKean County. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. A friend and I rode across the bridge in October 1987 on the excursion train. Open on Sundays of holiday weekends. The Flagship Store is still open, but with capacity limited to 50 guests. The overlook is excellent for viewing the skywalk and the valley. As the largest and tallest bridge in the world at the time of completion, its not hard to understand why. I called for the hours, and even though the museum wasn't open on Tuesdays we were told to come and he would open to give us a tour. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. Thats quite the story, Mark. If you love PA waterfalls, you won't want to miss this waterfall book from Jim Cheney, author of Uncovering PA, featuring more than 180 great waterfalls. However, when it did, it instantly became a must-visit tourist destination in Pennsylvania. Be Proactive. I will never forget July 21, 2003. This was about 30 years ago! The Viaduct, once the longest and tallest railroad structure at 2,053 feet long and 301 feet high, was partially destroyed by a tornado in 2003. My most memorable place to visit. We have a great mountain biking trail called Jakes Rocks, and we have motorized recreation in different parts of the forest, said Linda Devlin, executive director of the Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau, the tourism promotion agency for McKean County. What a great experience. He just loves reminiscing over that! The foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the restoration and preservation of the Kinzua Viaduct, the promotion of the viaducts historical and cultural significance, as well as supporting the state park. Fortunately, giant stone steps have been installed recently, but the trail is still one of the more challenging official trails Ive done in PA. When I was on the road in the 80s, early 90s, I had the opportunity to ride the train across Unfortunately, I told myself, Oh, Ill get around to that later, Im too busy now, Ill do it later/sometime/whenever Yeah, too late now. A former slave whose name I forget, became a very successful entrepreneur and prominent in the community. They correlate to Pennsylvania Academic Standards, vary in length, and most are STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) related. A beautiful place to visit. Low around 75F. Can never go wrong with getting the 6 glass sampler. However, in 2002, it was discovered that the bridge had serious structural flaws that necessitated repairs, and the bridge was closed to traffic. I honestly believe the Lord dropped that tree in front of us to keep us from the harm just up ahead. A lot of seasonings and marinades are available. We stopped at the Kinzua Visitor Center but it was closed due to Covid. or anything. The way its shown in the top photo is what it looks like today. Head to more natural sites such as theAllegheny Reservoirand Hector Falls or pay a visit to the Old Jail Museum. This month, Recreation News is giving away a getaway for two to Shenandoah National Park! It almost felt like losing a member of the family. In 1949, when all that mangled steel still soared mightily above the gorge, an article on the famous span was printed in the Erie Railroad Magazine (the company employee and customer publication of the bridges builder and owner). Friendly staff. Copyright 2013-2022 Uncovering Media, LLC - All Rights Reserved, must-visit tourist destination in Pennsylvania, Visiting Bilgers Rocks: Pennsylvanias Best Rock Outcropping, How to Get to Chimney Hollow Falls in the PA Grand Canyon, Uncovering the History of Logging at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum, How to Get to Nelson Falls in Tioga County, Pennsylvania. Eldred WW II Museum Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during these unprecedented times. Ultimately, Kane chose to keep going straight across the Kinzua Valley. A two-plug, electric-vehicle charging station is available for public use in the bus and RV parking area near the picnic pavilion. Looking for things to do in McKean County? Visited the bridge many times and walked the crude triangle track the train used in the woods on the other side to turn around to return to Marionville. We had already turned off Route 6 and were on the road leading to the bridge, when a tree fell across the road in front of us. accounts, the history behind an article. My family rode the train over the bridge in 1992. Make No. I was sad to see it blown down, but we were excited they decided to preserve its memory in this way leaving the wreckage for all to see. Carnival rides, food vendors, livestock and horse shows, motor sports, music and more! My dad worked on the railroad on construction with Mike Rich. online reservations or call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757), from 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Monday to Saturday.

Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.. Our trained staff will assist you in planning your visit to the area. McKean County is "trail central" in Pennsylvania! Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. Jim Cheney is the creator of UncoveringPA.com. PA Route 6 Alliance. Use the 'Report' link on After the bridge was destroyed, they left the rubble below and made the remaining bridge an observation deck. HOME OF TWO AMERICAN ICONS - Zippo Lighters & Case Knives! However, visiting the new skywalk, I was awestruck at its beauty, spanning 600 feet out into the valley and roughly 225feet above the Kinzua Creek below. What a wonderful website!

Enter your best produce, livestock, handiwork, baked goods,preserves! The Longhouse National Scenic Byway, a 29-mile driving loop was named by US Today as one of the top scenic drives in the United States. Its a pretty big honor that people are willing to make their way here, said Amanda DePrins, Zippos marketing manager. Without a doubt, Kinzua Bridge State Park in McKean County is one of the best state parks in Pennsylvania. While trying to connect the rich coal mines of Elk County with the Pennsylvania Railroad track in Bradford, he had to make a difficult and expensive choice: should he build the largest railroad bridge ever attempted, or should he route his line eight miles across difficult terrain to an easier crossing? Click here for more! You can challenge our rugged backwoods or - if you prefer - you can have the luxury of modern conveniences and "rough it easy". I have a few photos of it too. The third viewpoint is located directly under the bridge and offers a great look through the remaining trusses. Get some exercise. Golf is Now Available at M-NCPPC Courses in Prince Georges County! Both views are great for viewing fall foliage, which peaks the first two weeks of October. That sounds like a great experience. Westline Inn My grandfather, M. Earl Ganoe, who was born in Clarion in 1887, told a story about how as a young man, he had climbed to the top of the bridge and left his initials there It wouldnt surprise me if that was a fairly popular thing to do. A pedestrian walkway, built atop six surviving support towers, provides stunning views of the Kinzua Gorge. Four Mile Brewing, Olean, NY Very sad, but very great as a State Park. Its quite a sight! But he seemed to enjoy it. We enjoyed being able to walk on the bridge and see all the work that has been done to preserve that important historical site. You have permission to edit this article. Though the kids did enjoy the skywalk, but they never got to enjoy the train ride. And, bring water and snacks with you. The Kinzua Skywalk offers breathtaking views of the gorge. Pennsylvanias Great Outdoors region is known for its abundant natural beauty. We provide up-to-date info on everything from must-see scenic spots to local hangouts. Im glad they preserved its memory as they have, but sorry that it was necessary vs. having an intact, strengthened bridge on which to still ride excursion trains.

The majority of large-scale distortions within the viaducts debris field are attributable to secondary impact damage as the airborne structure segments became earthbound. An emotionless, nearly clinical description that essentially says that all that steel got tossed about like Jack Straws and came crashing down in the permanent, jumbled heaps now visible from the SkyWalk. Learn about major attractions such as the Kinzua Sky Walk at the Kinzua Bridge State Park, and the region's 600+ miles of year-round, multi-purpose trails. Reinvented as a pedestrian walkwayduring 2011,visitors can stroll 600 feet out on the remaining support towers, peer miles out into the Kinzua Gorge, and gaze down through the partial glass platform at the end of the walkway. The question Ive posed to several weather experts over the years of whether Kinzua Viaduct might represent the Most Massive Man-made Structure EVER Toppled by a Tornado on earth. Visited the bridge many times before the tornado. Get your 2022 Zippo Limited Edition Lighter before they're gone! I rode over the Kinzua bridge in 1987 as part of a National Railway Historical Society excursion. The Kinzua Sky Walk, constructed on the historic towers of the Kinzua Viaduct, once the longest and highest railroad viaduct in the world is located at the Kinzua Bridge State Park. Want to eat like a local? This 301-foot-high Pennsylvania landmark was twisted and strewn about the valley floor by the very stuff you are breathing as you read thisbut, of course, while moving REALLY fast. Pretty remarkable to ponder, when listening to your own breath as you inhale and exhale, that this structure weighed over 6.7 million pounds and now only a fraction of it remains standing. I rode over that bridge in the caboose of a train in 1950. Penn Brad Oil Museum The major forest roads provide access into some of the best hunting and fishing areas in the Eastern United States. C.J. It really was a beautiful bridge, so breath taking to see a giant in the middle of the woods. We are now a winery, brewery, distillery and full service restaurant. It was so sad to see it like that. Catoctin Furnace African American Cemetery Interpretive Trail. Restaurants in McKean County. Small side trails take visitors up to the wreckage (though the area between the wreckage is now closed), and a small, rickety bridge crosses the small Kinzua Creek. Despite the quality of the bridge, the use of iron in its construction did not allow it to accommodate the large locomotives that soon came along, and the bridge was completely dismantled and rebuilt from steel in 1900. Was neat to learn the history. Visit the Share with Us. If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit. Whether traversing landscapes by bicycle or car or traveling forests by foot or snowmobile. for as breathtaking as it was, Im sure it had to be breathtaking in fear too. Its neat that weve become a global travel destination., The museum, which does not charge admission, shines a spotlight on Zippo lighters and Case knives. We'd love to hear eyewitness McKean County has developed into a year-round vacation land matching the interest of hikers, campers, snowmobilers, fishermen, birdwatchers, skiers, photographers or anyone else wanting to get away from it all. McKean County is a city in Pennsylvania, United States. I was back last year to see the new look out. Thank you! The bridge itself only took 94 days to complete, an engineering feat in itself, andwas over 300 feet high and 2,500 feet long. Discover the best top things to do in McKean County, United States including Bell's Meat and Poultry, Kane Historic Depot and Museum, Marilla Bridges Trail, Zippo / Case Museum & Flagship Store, Kinzua Bridge State Park, Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau, Flickerwood Wine Cellars, Twisted Vine Beverage, Olde Schoolhouse Village Shoppes, CJ Spirits. When you choose CareerGuard as your preferred professional liability partner, you get: Do you have co-workers, neighbors, friends, or family interested in the home buying process?