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
Mine - www.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.
Kayak the Schuylkill
- schuylkillriver.org/schuylkill-river-watertrail
Locust Lake/Tuscarora
State Park- www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/LocustLakeStatePark/Pages/default.aspx
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
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.
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 Winery – longtroutwinery.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
Farm – www.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.