Pittsburghers have plenty to do in the city. Explore a little further afield, however, and you’ll discover a smattering of charming small towns. Most offer peace and quiet and a throwback to yesteryear with quaint Main Streets and friendly townspeople. Here are seven underrated towns around Pittsburgh that definitely deserve a second look.
- Grove City
Wikipedia/Canadian2006 Nearly an hour from Pittsburgh, Grove City is generally known for the college of the same name and its popular outlet shops. But, for a truly unique experience, visit Olde Town Grove City. Stroll along the sidewalks, stopping in the different stores and restaurants. Or, watch a movie at The Guthrie Theatre, an old-fashioned one screen theater.
- Foxburg
Facebook/Go Foxburg Snuggled along the Allegheny River, the tiny town of Foxburg is about an hour and a half from downtown Pittsburgh. The charming town of only 200 offers plenty of opportunity for exploring on foot and by bike. Other popular attractions include Foxburg Wine Cellars, Foxburg Golf Course & Country Club, small shops, and the Allegheny Grille.
- Franklin
Wikipedia/Doug Kerr Spend a delightful day in the fairy tale town of Franklin, just about an hour and a half from Pittsburgh. The town, dotted with Victorian-inspired buildings, dates back to the 1740s. Find plenty to do, including visiting Franklin Fountain Park, browsing the quaint shops, and dining at the town’s eclectic eateries, such as the Irish Pub and Restaurant.
- Indiana
Flickr/Jon Dawson Many people associate Indiana with IUP (Indiana University of Pennsylvania), but the enchanting small town boasts far more than a popular university. Home of Hollywood legend Jimmy Stewart, Indiana welcomes fans to visit the Jimmy Stewart Museum, the Silas Clark House, and the Indiana County Historical Museum. Indiana, about an hour and fifteen minutes from downtown, is also known as the Christmas Tree Capital of the World.
- Bedford
Wikipedia/Aude Discover the natural and historical beauty of Bedford, an hour and a half from downtown Pittsburgh. The breathtaking town features an historic walking tour, a World War II Monument, a pinball parlor, and Pitt Theatre, which dates back to 1939. Make time to tour the nearby historic covered bridges and snap a selfie with the giant Coffee Pot.
- Dunbar
Wikipedia/Canadian2006 Travel a little over an hour to the cozy town of Dunbar, home to around 1,000. Visit the Dunbar Historical Society. Snap photographs of the the breathtaking Robinson Falls waterfall. Dunbar is also within a half an hour of Fallingwater and Ohiopyle State Park.
- Smicksburg
Facebook/Smicksburg Furniture Discover the rural charm of the tiny town of Smicksburg. Home to only 44, Smicksburg welcomes visitors to stop by its quaint shops like Smicksburg Country Store, Country Cupboards, and Timeworks. The cozy town also features several scrumptious restaurants - Country Junction Restaurant, for example - and the Brick House Bed and Breakfast.
What else would you add to the most underrated towns around Pittsburgh? Share your thoughts below! Click here to read about the eight rural towns near Pittsburgh that are downright delightful.
Wikipedia/Canadian2006
Nearly an hour from Pittsburgh, Grove City is generally known for the college of the same name and its popular outlet shops. But, for a truly unique experience, visit Olde Town Grove City. Stroll along the sidewalks, stopping in the different stores and restaurants. Or, watch a movie at The Guthrie Theatre, an old-fashioned one screen theater.
Facebook/Go Foxburg
Snuggled along the Allegheny River, the tiny town of Foxburg is about an hour and a half from downtown Pittsburgh. The charming town of only 200 offers plenty of opportunity for exploring on foot and by bike. Other popular attractions include Foxburg Wine Cellars, Foxburg Golf Course & Country Club, small shops, and the Allegheny Grille.
Wikipedia/Doug Kerr
Spend a delightful day in the fairy tale town of Franklin, just about an hour and a half from Pittsburgh. The town, dotted with Victorian-inspired buildings, dates back to the 1740s. Find plenty to do, including visiting Franklin Fountain Park, browsing the quaint shops, and dining at the town’s eclectic eateries, such as the Irish Pub and Restaurant.
Flickr/Jon Dawson
Many people associate Indiana with IUP (Indiana University of Pennsylvania), but the enchanting small town boasts far more than a popular university. Home of Hollywood legend Jimmy Stewart, Indiana welcomes fans to visit the Jimmy Stewart Museum, the Silas Clark House, and the Indiana County Historical Museum. Indiana, about an hour and fifteen minutes from downtown, is also known as the Christmas Tree Capital of the World.
Wikipedia/Aude
Discover the natural and historical beauty of Bedford, an hour and a half from downtown Pittsburgh. The breathtaking town features an historic walking tour, a World War II Monument, a pinball parlor, and Pitt Theatre, which dates back to 1939. Make time to tour the nearby historic covered bridges and snap a selfie with the giant Coffee Pot.
Travel a little over an hour to the cozy town of Dunbar, home to around 1,000. Visit the Dunbar Historical Society. Snap photographs of the the breathtaking Robinson Falls waterfall. Dunbar is also within a half an hour of Fallingwater and Ohiopyle State Park.
Facebook/Smicksburg Furniture
Discover the rural charm of the tiny town of Smicksburg. Home to only 44, Smicksburg welcomes visitors to stop by its quaint shops like Smicksburg Country Store, Country Cupboards, and Timeworks. The cozy town also features several scrumptious restaurants - Country Junction Restaurant, for example - and the Brick House Bed and Breakfast.
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