Thursday, May 16, 2019

Top 10 things to do in Schuylkill County


Nestled in the mountains of east central Pennsylvania, Schuylkill County is a cultural heritage destination like no other!  There’s something for everyone; from the great outdoors, to history, to America’s Oldest Brewery and everything in between!  Here is our top 10, in no particular order.


Hawk Mountain- www.hawkmountain.org
Founded in 1934, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is the world's first refuge for birds of prey and an international center for raptor conservation. Their 2,600-acre mountaintop preserve offers incredible scenic overlooks, eight miles of trail, a Visitor Center, native plant garden, and the Acopian Center for Conservational Learning. 
Hawk Mountain is open daily from 9am -5pm year-round, has an 900’ ADA accessible Silhouette Trail, offers corporate meetings and retreats, provides engaging educational programs and is home to awesome events including eco-tours, Birds & Brews and their Arts Tour and Sale.  1700 Hawk Mountain Road, Kempton, PA 19529. Call 610-756-6961.


Pioneer Tunnel Coal Minewww.pioneertunnel.com
Pioneer Tunnel is a horizontal drift mine 1800 feet straight into the side of the Mahanoy Mountain. You make the trip in comfort, riding in open mine cars pulled by a battery-operated mine motor. The temperature inside the mine averages 52 degrees, so a sweater or jacket is recommended. 
Travel back through time on an old-time narrow gauge steam locomotive, the Henry Clay. Built in the 1920s, The Henry Clay takes you on a scenic three-quarter mile ride around the side of Mahanoy Mountain to show you another kind of mining called strip mining at the Mammoth Stripping. GPS: 2001 Walnut St. Ashland, PA, 17921. Call 570.875.3850.


Yuengling Brewery - www.yuengling.com/visit-us/
Come and tour Yuengling, America’s Oldest Brewery, in historic Pottsville, PA. Unique, free
tours, where you can experience nearly 200 years of American brewing history are offered daily and on special weekends at this National Historic Landmark. Discover our famous hand-dug caves that were used for beer fermentation before refrigeration and our iconic brew house with its breathtaking stained-glass ceiling. Enjoy a free sample, and check out how we survived Prohibition at our adjacent creamery business and current gift shop & tasting room.
5th & Mahantongo Streets, Pottsville, PA 17901. Call 570.628.4890.





Locust Lake - Known for its popular camping area, Locust Lake State Park nestles on the side of Locust Mountain. The 52-acre Locust Lake is located between two campgrounds and is surrounded by beautiful forests. Hiking and fishing are popular activities in the 1,772-acre park. Park also features camping, hiking, swimming, fishing, boating, playground and interpretive programs. Accessible from I-81, Exit 131 and Routes 54, 61, and 209. Call 570-467-2404.
Tuscarora - When viewed from the lake or the day-use area, Locust Mountain seems to drop right into the southern side of Tuscarora Lake. The scenic picnic area plays host to many day trips and family reunions, and the lake is a popular fishing spot. 

The 1,618-acre park is home to the park office and visitor center for Tuscarora and Locust Lake state parks. Visitors are welcome to gather information about the parks, the environmental education program, and local attractions. Locust Lake State Park is nearby. Located in Rush and Ryan Townships, and accessible from I-81 and Routes 54, 209 and 309. Call 570-467-2404.


Dine alfresco at Tamaqua Station Restaurant – Find us on Facebook
Take a step into the past as you enter Tamaqua’s authentically restored 1874 Philadelphia & Reading Railroad. Saved from the brink of demolition and restored to its Victorian grandeur, the Tamaqua Railroad Station now serves as a county Visitors Center, as well as a cultural and economic hub in Historic Tamaqua. 

Chef/Owner John Ross invites you to delight in burgers, wings, and fresh salads.... plus salmon, steaks, crab cakes, and so much more. Enjoy approachable casual fine dining in the beautifully restored Tamaqua Train Station or its covered outdoor deck. You will quickly discover that this is “your stop for fine food and spirits”! Open 5 days a week, including Sunday Brunch, and reservations are strongly suggested. 18 North Railroad Street, Tamaqua, PA 18252. Call (570) 668-3800.


Fighter’s Heaven: Muhammad Ali Training Camp fightersheaven.com
In 1972, the great Muhammad Ali began preparing for his biggest fights at a training camp in
rural Deer Lake, PA called Fighter's Heaven. Today, through the preservation and restoration of the Training Camp, we're creating a destination that will, for decades to come, remind some, and educate others, about the remarkable and inspirational life of Muhammad Ali. Our Public Opening is being planned for June 2019. Hours will be from 10:00am-5:00pm on Saturdays & Sundays. Visits/Tours can be arranged for weekdays by contacting us with a day and time that works for you. 58 Sculps Hill Road, Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania, 17963. Call (570) 968-2961.


Tap a pint at Stoker’s Brewing Company – Find us on Facebook
Stoker’s Brewing Company is conveniently located at 36 Mauch Chunk Street (Route 309 N) Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, and is a “must stop” coal region destination. The charm and character of original hardwood floors, exposed high ceilings, and abundant natural light combined with the bold contemporary elements of a prominently displayed gleaming microbrewery provide dramatic
testimony to patrons that the beers enjoyed on-site are being handcrafted in small batches just steps away from where they sit. Authentic German biergarten tables imported from Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, wooden barrel tabletops, and backyard biergarten create a casual, friendly, and sociable atmosphere conducive to the enjoyment of good friends and freshly brewed local craft beer.
Twelve distinctive styles of small batch handcrafted beers are available on both a regular and seasonal basis. Feel free to bring your own food with you, or order in from local restaurants; menus are available on-site. Cheers!
Hours. Thursday 4p-9p, Friday 4p-10p, Saturday 1p-10p, Sunday 1p-7pm


Disc golf at Long Trout Winerylongtroutwinery.com/site
Experience a unique bohemian wine boutique with peace signs, tie dyes, and bell bottoms, flower rings of baby’s breath and daisies, headbands and halter tops, yellow subs and blue meanies, beads and weeds, ‘60s music veiled in smoldering incense, and clean, crisp homemade style wines like everyone’s Grandpa used to make at Long Trout Winery. We are an unequaled slice of time and tradition where being “different” is what it’s all about!
Disc Golf - The 18-hole, par 3 course, was skillfully designed by Ed (Skeeter) Hoffman, owner of Acehole’s Inc., a Disc Golf sporting goods business. The 4,500 ft. course offers diverse terrain including woodlands, an open meadow, elevations, water, and a soon-to-be renowned classic barn shot into a Hanging Basket (which is 1 of the 4 hanging baskets currently known). Long Trout Disc Golf is listed with the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA). Tournaments are held regularly. Please visit our Events page for more info. The course can be played free-of-charge, during Long Trout Winery’s normal business hours: Wed. 6 PM – 9 PM, Sat. 12 PM – 6 PM, & Sun. 12 PM – 5 PM.  84 Fork Mountain Road, Auburn, PA 17922, Phone: 570-366-6443


Hope Hill Lavender Farmwww.HopeHillLavenderFarm.com
Recently named number 3 of Travel Channel's most beautiful lavender farms you can visit in the U.S., Hope Hill Lavender Farm has a beautiful farm store stocked with the highest quality lavender products, friendly animals, and unsurpassed scenic beauty. 2375 Panther Valley Road, Pottsville, PA 17901. (570) 617-0851
2019 Hours: May, Every Saturday: 10am - 3pm, June: Every Saturday & Sunday: 10am - 3pm; July, Every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, & Sunday: 10am - 3pm; August, Every Saturday & Sunday: 10am - 3pm; September 7th & 21st: 10am - 3pm; October 5th & 26th: 10am - 3pm; November 2nd, 23rd, & 30th: 10am - 3pm; December 7th, 14th, & 21st: 10am - 3pm.
-->