Fern Hollow Nature Center is a small park of just 33 acres located in Sewickley, PA. While it can be explored in a quick visit, this one has some unique perks for those who are in the area and want to get out in nature!
Year: 2019
Autumnfest at Seven Springs is an Event for the Entire Family
When you think of Seven Springs in the Laurel Highlands, odds are good one of your first thoughts is about it being a popular destination for skiing in Pennsylvania. We are the same way.
In fact, it wasn't until recently that we visited Seven Springs outside of winter and got a chance to explore the resort during their Autumnfest celebrations (as guests of the resort).
So in this one we wanted to share a bit more about what you can expect when visiting Seven Springs for this fall event, and also feature a few of the attractions that can be experienced on the property outside of the deep freeze of Pennsylvania winters!
North Country Brewing Review – A Restaurant with Brewery
We had all intentions of visiting North Country Brewing in Slippery Rock and writing this post in the style of our other brewery reviews (like Grist House or Strange Roots). But shortly after we arrived, we knew that doing so would be a disservice.
Why? Well, even though North Country Brewing is just that, a brewery, its Slippery Rock location is as much of a restaurant as it is a brewery, and we left with this one having the beer as a secondary thought.
So just as you may visit The Harmony Inn for the food and enjoy North Country's beer along with it (a second restaurant this brewery owns in the town of the same name), you will likely do the same when visiting the brewpub in Slippery Rock as well!
It is because of that reason that this particular review follows our restaurant review format, because today, we're talking about the food.
Dish Osteria Review – An Italian Gem in South Side
Dish Osteria in South Side is a cozy, traditional Italian restaurant that initially opened way back in 2000. While we had never made a visit before they closed in 2017, the spot had long been on our list of places to try. When they re-opened in the spring of 2019 we knew we had to make it a priority to hit up this much-loved Pittsburgh institution.
Devil’s Hollow Conservation Area in Sewickley – A Silent Green Space
Devil's Hollow Conservation Area is a 76-acre green space just outside of Sewickley that was acquired by the Allegheny Land Trust in 2016.
While small, this is just one of many great hiking opportunities in the Sewickley area that we just love!
Millvale Food Truck Roundup is the Rally Pittsburgh Needs
If there is one thing that Pittsburgh certainly lacks, it is food truck rallies.
We have amazing food trucks in Pittsburgh, and apart from finding them at breweries and periodic events, getting to enjoy an assortment of food trucks can be tricky at times.
There was the brief attempt at a food truck park, but when that did not return after its first season it seemed like we were back to the drawing board. Enter the Millvale Food Truck Roundup, a periodic food truck rally that takes place at Grist House and Strange Roots on select weekends throughout the year.
It may be our favorite food truck rally yet.
Churchview Farm’s Happy Hour Series Offers a Serene Hilltop Experience
Churchview Farm is an urban hilltop in Baldwin, just south of Pittsburgh, that is popular for their frequent dinner and happy hour pop-ups.
But when we say popular, we really mean it- tickets to these events often sell out within minutes!
We were fortunate enough to snag two tickets to a happy hour at Churchview Farm, and wanted to share what the experience was like in this one!
Alta Via Review – Big Burrito Goes Italian in Pittsburgh
Alta Via is the newest concept from the Big Burrito restaurant group that brings house-made pastas and other Italian fare to the Fox Chapel/Aspinwall area. As Big Burrito has been around Pittsburgh for decades and was part of the initial reawakening of the Pittsburgh restaurant scene, we are excited to see the introduction of a new concept from them.
As this one grew, they later expanded to open Alta Via Pizzeria in Bakery Square, and in 2023 added a Market Square location for Alta Via, too!
Italian in Pittsburgh gets better by the year.
Grove City Outlets is a Massive Shopping Mall Near Pittsburgh
I'll be honest- in our quest to support local we often overlook some of the more commercial and national entities that are available in the city. Shopping is no different.
As such, I never expected to find myself stopping at Grove City Outlets. But on my way home from a trip to Erie and Presque Isle State Park, I saw the outlets coming up and decided to pull over.
While the outlet is still a commercial retail space for national brands, I have to say that the collection of shops is rather impressive all the same.
Rafting the Lower Youghiogheny with White Water Adventurers
Ohiopyle State Park is Pittsburgh's nature hub. There are so many options to get out and explore, be it for hiking, outdoor adventure activities, and more. But of those, there is none that we love more than white water rafting in the Laurel Highlands.
We're no stranger to rafting the Middle Youghiogheny's Class I and II rapids (an easy trip out on the water), but what we really love is getting out on the Lower Youghiogheny's Class III and IV rapids for some excellent white water!
Recently, I was invited back down to the Laurel Highlands to be a guest of White Water Adventurers, Inc. in order to check out their new Taste of the Yough tour and catch some white water in a day trip from Pittsburgh. In this one, I wanted to share a bit more about what the experience is like.
Note: Select photos and video clips in this article were provided courtesy of White Water Adventurers, Inc. I was joined on the outing with I've Been Bit travel blog and the Laurel Highland's Visitor Bureau. (Angie sadly missed this one.)