Besides the following amusement parks, less than an hour away are several other attractions, including Kennywood Park, Sandcastle, the Waterfront, the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium, the National Aviary, the Phipps Conservatory, Mount Washington & Grandview Avenue, and the Point & the Golden Triangle.
Idlewild Park and SoakZone
Route 30 East, Ligonier, Pennsylvania
Established 1878, Idlewild Park is the oldest family amusement park in America. It features 16 major rides, including 2 roller coasters and an antique merry-go-round. SoakZone is a water park with 14 water slides, a pool, and a beach. Other activities include boat rentals, picnic areas, and pony rides. For the smaller children, there’s the Story Book Forest and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood of Make-Believe.
Hours
Open during the summer months, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Gates open at 10 am. The park is closed on Mondays except holidays.
Phone: (724) 238-3666
Group Sales: (724) 238-6784) or (800) 4-DAYFUN
Fax: (724) 238-6544
Directions
Exit 7 (Irwin) of the PA Turnpike, Route 30 East. 2.5 miles west of Ligonier on Route 30. Alternately, take Exit 9 (Donegal), turn left on Route 31 East, and left on Route 711; Idlewild will be on the left just before Ligonier.
Living Treasures Animal Park
Route 711 South, Donegal, Pennsylvania
The Living Treasurers Animal Park features over 500 wild animals, including pygmy goats, lions, bears, kangaroos, peacocks, prairie dogs, zebras, camels, ostriches, miniature horses, monkeys, alligators, reindeer, otters and tigers. The petting zoo and pony rides will thrill young children.
Hours
Memorial Day through Labor Day, 10-8; April, May, September and October, 10-6
Phone: (724) 593-8300
Directions
Exit 9 (Donegal) of PA Turnpike, turn left on Route 31 East, then right on Route 711 South.
Caddie Shak
Donegal, Pennsylvania
Caddie Shak is a 50-acre family-oriented recreational facility. They have two 18-hole miniature golf courses, three Go-Kart tracks, Bumper Boats with water cannons, three paintball fields, batting cages, an arcade, a driving range, beach volleyball, a picnic grove, and a kiddie area.
Hours
10-10 Sunday-Thursday, 10-11 Friday and Saturday, Memorial Day through Labor Day, and 12-7 Monday-Friday and 10-10 Saturday and Sunday in Spring and Fall
Phone: (724) 593-7400 or (724) 593-7416
Directions
Exit 9 (Donegal) of PA Turnpike, turn left on Route 31 East, proceed 1.5 miles to Caddie Shak.
Statler’s Fun Center
Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Statler’s Fun Center offers a go-kart track, par-3 golf course, driving range, arcade, and paintball. They are open March-October. For more information call (724) 539-7655 or fax (724) 539-7805.
ErReR Hill Farms
Friedens, Pennsylvania
ErReR Hill Farms offers farm tours and a specialty shop with unique gifts. They raise Angus cattle, 100 ostriches, 25 llamas, and miniature horses. They are located 8 miles north of Somerset, Pennsylvania on route 601 north. (Take exit 10 Somerset of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.) Call (814) 445-4440 for hours and directions.
