Hosted

Experiencing Socially Distant Skiing at Seven Springs

We were hosted by Seven Springs when visiting for this story; however, all opinions are our own.

Much like everything else in 2020 (and onward into early 2021), the current environment has resulted in a number of changes for experiences throughout the region. The ski season at Seven Springs in the Laurel Highlands is no different.

While skiing is inherently an activity that can be enjoyed at a distance, the ski resorts in the Laurel Highlands have made many changes for the 2020-2021 season to ensure guests are safe when off the slopes. Naturally, we wanted to see what it was like towards the start of the season and share some things you can expect if visiting Seven Springs this year!

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Empanada Fusion Review – Empanada Pickups Around Pittsburgh

Empanada Fusion is a bit of a different food concept for Pittsburgh – instead of having a brick and mortar restaurant or a food truck, Empanada Fusion offers its empanadas at weekly drop off spots in and near the city. All you have to do is pre-order your empanadas online and pick them up at the spot you specify (with locations changing weekly).

The empanada fillings are a mix of traditional and fusion flavors, with an emphasis on non-traditional flavors. The menu changes weekly but typically you can find about four meat options, four vegetarian options, and two sweet dessert options.

We were contacted by Empanada Fusion and received a complimentary order and wanted to share more about it in this review!

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Phipps Conservatory’s Summer Flower Show – Back in Bloom

We've been enjoying the great outdoors a lot during 2020's social distancing, and this is something that has not changed as businesses open back up. One indoor spot we were pleased to hear was reopening in the Green Phase is Phipps Conservatory as it is one of the places we love to visit multiple times per year to check out their seasonal flower shows.

The 2020 Summer Flower Show coincided with the botanical garden's reopening and has the theme Back in Bloom. This theme is a celebration of all things nature coinciding with the botanical gardens being welcome back guests who are in need of a little nature therapy.

While the artwork in this show is a bit more subdued compared to other shows, this really allows for the colorful flowers to shine as the focal point. While visiting, be sure to look out for uplifting quotes about nature found throughout the conservatory as well!

As with every review of the flower shows, we wanted to share a few of our favorite rooms from this one. However, as the focus point in this show is purely on the flowers, we have a bit reduced commentary when compared to other articles.

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Phipps Conservatory for the Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show

The Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show, aptly themed “Out of This World” for 2020, brings these two beautiful plants (both favorites of ours) to the forefront of the Conservatory.

As always with our show features, we wanted to share a few of our favorite rooms from this show and hope you'll make it out to visit for yourselves!

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5 Places to Enjoy Frank Lloyd Wright in the Laurel Highlands

For those who have explored the Pittsburgh region, odds are good you know about the iconic building, Fallingwater, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in the Laurel Highlands. It is one of the most stunning houses in the area, and one of the architect's finest works.

But there are actually several spots where you can see buildings designed and inspired by Wright in the Laurel Highlands, as well as a few from a student of his as well!

In this one, we wanted to share all of the spots where you can enjoy some Frank Lloyd Wright tourism fun on an outing (or two) in the Laurel Highlands.

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Lumaze Offers an Indoor Christmas Light Display in Pittsburgh

At this time it does not appear that Lumaze is returning in 2020. However, we will look out to see if it is returning in 2021.

What do you get when you pack a large warehouse in Pittsburgh's Strip District with over 1,000,000 holiday lights, arranged in unique designs, and set to an overall theme? 

You get Lumaze Pittsburgh. This international holiday show made its local debut in 2019 with lights, music, and a whole lot of holiday cheer.

But is this one worth attending? For us, it really depends on how much you love Christmas lights!

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Seven Springs Resort Review – A Mountain Resort for All Seasons

We've been fortunate enough to visit Seven Springs in the Laurel Highlands on many occasions. Sometimes just to ski, others as a hotel base to explore the region at large (in nearly every season, too).

This has allowed us to experience most of the property, and in this one wanted to share more in a rather comprehensive review!

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Aqueous Review – A Seafood Feast in the Laurel Highlands

From the moment you walk into Nemacolin's Falling Rock, the property's boutique luxury hotel (located about a mile and a half away from the main chateau at their golf course), you may notice some familiar design elements. That is because this property was built using many design elements used by Frank Lloyd Wright.

This theme continues into the property's on-site seafood restaurant, Aqueous, and provides an ambiance that is worth traveling for as much as the food itself!

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Phipps Conservatory’s Fall Flower Show – Japanese Inspirations

Phipps Conservatory is known for being one of the largest botanical gardens in the region, and also for their seasonal flower shows that are truly events not to be missed.

For the fall 2019 flower show, Phipps is transporting you to Asia with the theme Japanese Inspirations- recreating numerous festivals all adorned with stunning fall flowers!

As with all of our show reviews, we're not going to share every room in the Conservatory (you'll have to visit yourself to see them all!). Instead, we're going to feature a few of our favorite rooms from the show to highlight a cross-section of the displays!

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