Explore Archives - Discover the Burgh

Enjoying Camp Life at Bear Run Campground Near Moraine State Park

Last Updated On August 20, 2019

Camp life near Pittsburgh is a cherished thing. Everyone knows someone with a camper, and virtually every camp is about an hour away from home (at least, every camp we've ever heard of through friends and acquaintances).

We, unfortunately, never got to experience camp life until only recently, and our first outing brought us to Bear Run Campground near Moraine State Park as guests of the Butler County Visitor's Bureau. After spending two days at the property, we now fully understand why camp life is so popular!

The Compass Inn Museum Preserves the 1800s in the Laurel Highlands

Last Updated On August 20, 2019

You may know a lot of what life was like during the early days of Pittsburgh's history thanks to the forts found nearby and famous battles that took place leading up to the Revolutionary War.

But the period after the war quiets down a fair bit (apart from the brief Whiskey Rebellion) until a few decades later due to the War of 1812. This triggered a rapid increase in iron production, which subsequently became the steel industry, and ultimately modern Pittsburgh as we know it.

One spot in the Laurel Highlands, the Compass Inn Museum, captures the history from this rather calm period, around the turn of the 19th century, and showcases what life was like for those living in (and more appropriately, passing through) southwest Pennsylvania around this time!

The Big Mac Museum in North Huntingdon is a Quirky Spot

Last Updated On August 19, 2019

In the category of off-beat Pittsburgh museums, the Big Mac Museum in North Huntingdon may be the most unusual of them all.

While this one is quite small and found, quite literally, inside a McDonald's, it does highlight the history of the famous burger that was invented nearby!

A Guide to the Best Pittsburgh Parks, Hiking Trails, and Green Spaces

Last Updated On August 13, 2019

When it comes to parks in Pittsburgh, hiking trails, and other green spaces, we certainly have a lot to choose from.

In fact, it seems like you can pick any direction, drive a few minutes, and find yourself surrounded by beautiful nature. So if hiking near Pittsburgh (or even in the city limits) is on your radar, you are really in luck here!

In this guide, we wanted to share some of the best Pittsburgh parks, trails, and hiking options nearby for those who want to get out and enjoy the great outdoors!

A Break in Nature at the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve in Latrobe

Last Updated On August 7, 2019

We're not used to thinking about nature reserves as being “new,” but the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve on the campus of Saint Vincent College in Latrobe is just that.

The 50-acre nature reserve came about after many in the area expressed displeasure in the development of nearby Route 30. To ensure that the land near Saint Vincent College was not over-developed, and protect the beauty of nature that the land held, the reserve was ultimately incorporated in the year 2000.

Descending into the Earth at the Laurel Caverns in the Laurel Highlands

Last Updated On July 31, 2019

We are big fans of caves, and in southwest Pennsylvania, our options to go underground are a bit limited.

Closer to the city it is much easier to find an old coal mine to go deep into (like at the Tour-Ed Mine and Museum) than it is to find a cave. But for those who want to make the drive in order to explore a gorgeous cave system (and the largest cave in Pennsylvania), the 90 minute trip to the Laurel Caverns in the southern Laurel Highlands is for you!

15 Reasons to Visit Pittsburgh in August – Summer Events and More

Last Updated On August 13, 2019

August in Pittsburgh is most certainly the peak of summer. Numerous sunny days means a number of great outdoor events, as well as many opportunities to beat the heat with ice cream, a cold adult beverage, a museum with air conditioning, and more.

In this one, we wanted to share some of the best things to consider checking out in Pittsburgh during the month!

So if you are looking for things to do in Pittsburgh in August, check out the following options!

Solving Carnegie’s Millions at Escape Room Pittsburgh in Homestead

Last Updated On July 24, 2019

For the longest time, we never really saw the allure of escape rooms. We knew of their popularity and saw how many escape rooms in Pittsburgh were popping up, but it wasn't much of a priority for us.

It wasn't until we found out that friends of ours love escape rooms that we decided to check one out, and we made our way to Escape Room Pittsburgh at their Homestead location to try our hand at a challenging room.

The theme? An appropriate Pittsburgh connection aptly named Carnegie's Millions. Our goal? To save the world, of course!

Sewickley Heights Borough Park is a Great Off-Leash Park to Explore

Last Updated On July 19, 2019

Sewickley Heights Borough Park is a large, 1,000-acre park located about 25 minutes west of downtown Pittsburgh that offers numerous trails to explore for those who want to get out in nature.

But what makes this park one of our favorites is not the trails alone, but rather the fact that it is open to off-leash roaming with your furry friend!

16 Pittsburgh Weekend Trips to Get Out of the City and Explore Nearby

Last Updated On August 21, 2019

Discover the Burgh is, at its heart, a Pittsburgh blog.

As such, we do not feature destinations and attractions outside of the metro area- so more-or-less anything beyond what we would call a Pittsburgh day trip (about 60-90 minutes each way). You can see more of this on our interactive Pittsburgh map at the end of every post here as well.

While we do explore elsewhere in Pennsylvania, the country, and world quite a bit on frequent trips each year, we have decided to publish all non-southwestern Pennsylvania content on our sister travel blog, Living the Dream.

On this site, we've covered journeys from as a close to home as Cleveland, the Finger Lakes in New York, or the Bourbon Trail in Kentucky all the way to international destinations like Thailand, Mount Everest in Nepal, and Easter Island to name a few.

But to share Pittsburgh weekend trips ideas that you can take within a few hours of driving, this guide was born!