I-80 and PENNSYLVANIA

• Mercer County
  • Sharon
  • Mercer
• Grove City
• Brookville
• Milesburg
• New Columbia
• Williamsport
• Bloomsburg
• White Haven

Mercer County

  Sharon, Sharpsville, Hermitage and West Middlesex are the principal communities, here, and they have a lot of "largests and biggests' to brag about. Things like: 'world's largest shoe store', 'world's largest off-price fashion store', 'America's largest holiday displays', even 'world's largest Chocolate Kingdom'.

Sharon

  Sharon has some rather different restaurants. But the name that really got our attention is 'Quaker Steak and Lube' at 101 Chestnut. We found that it is a home-grown fast food chain now franchising units in northeast Ohio and western Pennsylvania. Though you can "cook your own steak", their specialties seem more in the area of chicken wings and hamburgers. The 'lube' bit is a reflection of their race car and motorcycle theme (there are even a few on display).
  From I-80, take exit 4-B which puts you on the OH-80 freeway. Follow it to the first exit (OH-18),  exit and turn left on 18. Follow OH-18 southbound to Chestnut Street and turn left and into their parking area.

Mercer

  We certainly couldn't pass up an eatery with a name like 'Mercer Mercantile and Ice Cream Shoppe' at 108 North Pitt Street. As expected, this is an old-timey soda fountain complete with all the diet-breaking goodies. It was a real treat to indulge in a real, old-fashioned Sundae with all the trimmings. If you're a senior citizen, you will certainly enjoy their antique, but working, juke box well stocked with 45s from the 40s to 70s period.
  From I-80, take exit 15 and follow US-19 northbound to the center of Mercer. US-62 (W. Market Street) will be on your left; the next street on your right is Diamond Street. Turn right, here, go one block and the Ice Cream Shop is just to you left across the street. Parking does not seem to be a problem in Mercer.

Grove City

  Wendell August - The oldest and largest forge still in operation in the U.S.A. is here in Grove City. Tours of this fascinating forge are conducted 9a-4p Monday through Saturday. Their gift shop has extended hours: 9a-5p Monday through Saturday (the gift shop stays open until 8p on Fridays; Sundays 11a-5p only).
  Watch these skilled artisans create unique metal giftware in aluminum, bronze, copper, pewter and sterling silver. Here is a great place to do some of your Christmas shopping; give gifts that are not only really different but useful.
  An additional - and unexpected - attraction is their large, salt water 'reef' aquarium well stocked with brilliantly colored marine life.
  Then, as an extra bonus for the kids is the model train constantly circulating overhead on a 200 foot long loop of track.
  From I-80, take exit 24, turn left and follow PA-173 southbound into Grove City. Just after you pass the lake (on your right) is PA-208. Turn right, cross the little bridge and turn right into Riverside Street. Follow Riverside around the bend (it becomes Opre Ave) to its end at Madison Avenue. You'll see Wendell August to your left at 620 N. Madison Avenue.
  For more information phone (toll-free) 1-800-923-4438 or visit their web site at: Wendell August.

Brookville

Pause a few moments in your cross-country drive and allow yourself to go back 150 years in time. A good portion of downtown Brookville including some 300 buildings, has been preserved or restored to its 19th Century appearance. Old timey shops, street lamps, the flavor is all there. A short but very interesting walking tour has been designed - pick up the guide sheet at the Chamber of Commerce.
  One very special attraction is their Victorian Christmas Celebration held the first weekend of December each year. It is almost like being whisked into the pages of a Dickens novel. They even have carolers on the street. Contact the Chamber for more information at 1-814-849-8448 or visit their web site at Brookville Chamber.
  From I-80 eastbound, take exit 78 and head south on PA-36 to US-322. Turn left and drive into downtown. 3 blocks after you pass White Street is Pickering Street. Turn right on Pickering and it is a little over a block to the Chamber at 70 Pickering Street.
  From I-80 westbound, take exit 81 and follow OH28 south (west) to its merge with US-322. Continue westbound on US-322. 2 blocks after you pass Franklin Avenue is Pickering. Turn left on Pickering and it is a little over a block to the Chamber at 70 Pickering Street.

Milesburg

  Penn Cave - is just east of Milesburg. As the crow flies it is only about 5 ot 6 miles from I-80 - but, as you can see, this is in the middle of ridge after ridge of fairly steep mountains. After you negotiate the bends and turns and a couple mountain passes, it is a 17 mile drive. But it isn't a bad drive and it is certainly scenic.
  Penn Cave is billed as the only all-water cavern in the U.S.A. They feature a 1-hour tour (by motor boat) along this underground stream. While we didn't go, we've been told that it is very fascinating - especially for the younger set.
  Tours are conducted from about 9a-5p Monday through Friday (last tour leaves at 4p). Exceptions to these hours are for the summer season, June through August, when the hours are extended: last tour departs at 7p. During December tours are weekend only affairs and don't start until 11a. Last tour at 4p. These schedules are subject to change so call them before setting up any schedules. Admission is $11; kids 2-12 get in for $5.25. For more information and for current schedules and rates, phone them at 1-814-364-1664. They have a website at Penns Cave but it may not be current.

  From I- 80 westbound, take exit 173 (Lamar) 'Lamar' and follow PA-64 through Lamar into Nittany. Turn left on PA-445 and follow 445 south, through the pass, to PA-192 at Madisonburg. Turn right and follow PA-192 westbound. Watch for the obvious signs; it is another 5 miles to Penn's Cave.
  From I- 80 eastbound, take exit 161 (Bellefonte) and follow PA- 26 southbound to Pleasant Gap. Turn left on PA-144 and follow it, southbound, through the pass, to PA-192 at Centre Hall'. Turn left and follow PA-192 eastbound. Watch for the obvious signs; it is another 5 miles to Penn's Cave.

Pennsylvania Military Museum at Boalsburg (south of I-80 exits 158 and 161) are CLOSED. This is the museum featuring the full-sized, semi-animated (lights and sound) replica of a World War I battlefield, trenches and all. We were told a scheduled reopening is for the summer season of 2005. This was quite an attraction - especially for the  age 8-16 crowd - previously and it is supposed to be much better (and up to date) when it re-opens. They have a page on the Penn State U web site which was still available at this writing: Military Museum.

New Columbia

Reptiland, in Allenwood, on the other side (north) of I-80 from New Columbia, is a specialized, private zoo exhibiting a wide variety of reptiles in a safe environment. They are open on a variable schedule depending on the season. During the summer their hours are from 9a-7p. Spring and Fall from 10a-6p and November through March 10a-5p. Specifics, show schedules and admission fees can be found on their web site: Reptiland.
  From I-80 take exit 210-B and follow US-6 northbound to Reptiland in Allenwood (about 6 miles from I-80).

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Williamsport

  While not on I-80, Williamsport is an interesting community. There is an excellent 'loop' which runs up to Williamsport and back to I-80 on the other side.
  Eastbound on I-80 take exit 178 and follow US-220 to Williamsport. After the first 5 mile you are on freeway. Return to I-80 (assuming you wish to continue eastbound on I-80) just follow I-180 back to I-80 at exit 212.
  Westbound on I-80 take exit 212 and follow I-180 to Williamsport. To return to I-80 (assuming you wish to continue westbound on I-80) follow US-220 westbound back to I-80 at exit 178.

Hiawatha Paddlewheel Riverboat Cruise - Our favorite attraction in the Williamsport area is the Hiawatha Paddlewheel Riverboat Cruise. It only take an hour, its not a huge boat and it's only $7.50 ($3.50 for kids).
  They have other, specialty cruises including the Friday Night Dinner Cruise (out favorite), a Family Night Cruise which is truly intended to include the kids, and even concert cruises (you really have to view the schedule for this). We particularly enjoy the quiet, sedate, cruise on the peaceful Susquehanna River.
  Operating from May through October (weather permitting), they have a web site with the specific schedules and other details at Riverboat.
  From I-80, take exit 212 and follow I-180 to and through Williamsport. I-180 will eventually curve close to the Susquehanna River after you pass downtown. You want to exit at Reach Road. Then follow the signs to the dock.

Little League Baseball Museum - If you and/or your kids (or grands - if they are with you) are involved in Little League baseball, you will probably be interested in the Little League Baseball Museum in Williamsport. Little Leage began in Williamsport in 1939 and has really thrived.
  Interactive display, videos of special events and personal successes and some educational moments (e.g., nutrition) all contribute to a visit well worth the one or two hours spent.
  Visit their web site for schedules, events: Little League. 
  From I-80, take exit 212 and follow I-180 to exit 26 in Williamsport. Exit and follow Via Bella Street to US-15. Follow US-15 southbound across the river. Watch for the signs.

Bloomsburg

  You might call this the land of covered bridges - you know, those old time bridges with a roof and walls. According to the Visitors' Bureau, there are 24 such bridges in the Bloomsburg area. The Columbia County website lists and describes them: Covered Bridges.

Columbia Montour Visitors' Bureau - The visitors' bureau has two offices. One in Danville (I-80 exit 224) at 316 Mill Street; phone: 1-570-275-8185 - and one in Bloomsburg (I-80 exit 232) at 121 Papermill Road; phone (toll-free) 1-800-847-4810.
  The Bloomsburg office is most accessible from I-80. Take exit 236-B and follow PA-487 northbound to Main Street. Turn left and follow Main to Mill Street, turn left, go to the end and turn left again. Their offices are about half a block down the street on your left.

Bloomsburg area attractions - Most of the 'attractions' in and around Bloomsburg are 1 to 3-day affairs. Things like their annual Renaissance Jamboree, which is great fun for the entire family, or the traveling Rod and Custom Americruise featuring a entourage of hot-rods and other custom cars. We suggest you contact the Visitors' Bureau to find out what might be happening when you expect to be in the area. For contact information, see above.

White Haven

C&B Trains and Museum - Drop in, year-round - and watch this 'O' Gauge scale model run on a layout modeled after the local area. 
  Located in the former LC&N Canal Depot, oldest building in White Haven, this 280 sqft layout include true-to-scale buildings (modeled after local structures), scale model cars - even motorcycles around a biker bar. The building also houses a museum and a gift shop.
  For more information, phone 1-570-443-8940. If they have a web site we couldn't find it. Al Zagofsky of the Times News newspaper in Lehighton wrote an very informative article about C&B Trains. You can view it at: C&B Trains.
  From I-80 take exit 273 and drive into town. At Berwick Street turn right, go 4 blocks to Main Street and turn left. The building (a massive-looking stone structure) is about a block and a half ahead.

Audubon's Lehigh Auto Tour - If you enjoy viewing birds and other wildlife, the Audubon Society has prepared a special auto tour. It is a 53-mile loop circling the area between I-81 and I-476, south of I-80.
  For more information - including a map of the tour - visit their web site at: AutoTour - or write them at:

Audubon
P.O. Box 134
Weatherly PA 18255.

Hawk Falls

Hawk Falls is in Hickory Run State Park, noted for its rock field (see the State Park web site for details about this interesting phenomenon). The glacial activity that created this rock field also was responsible for Hawk Falls which drops a good 25 feet. There is a good, ¾-mile long trail (moderate difficulty) to Hawk Falls. There are about 22 other trails only four of which are considered to be 'difficult'. This is a well maintained park and you should have a very enjoyable visit here.

From I-80, take exit 274 and follow PA-534 east to the park entrance road (about 6 miles). It will be on your left.

Additional information (and some photos):

Waterfalls-Guide.com/hawk

Stroudsburg

The topography of this area of northeastern eastern Pennsylvania has created a land of beautiful waterfalls - and most are very conveniently accessed from I-80.

Bushkill - From I-80 in East Stroudsburg, take exit 309 and follow US-209 northbound about 11 or 12 miles to Bushkill. Here you will be able to view at least four noteworthy waterfalls. More specific directions to each individual waterfall will be found in the write-ups referenced below:

Waterfalls-Guide.com/bushkill