Explore the Charming Borough of Bedford
Bedford is a charming borough in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, known for its rich history and beautiful natural surroundings.
The town was founded in the mid-18th century and played an essential role in the region’s development during the colonial era. Today, Bedford offers visitors a unique blend of small-town charm and rich cultural heritage.
One of the main attractions in Bedford is the Bedford Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The district features well-preserved 18th and 19th-century buildings, including several notable examples of Federal, Georgian, and Victorian architecture.
Visitors can take a walking tour of the district to explore the town’s historic buildings and learn more about the area’s fascinating history.
Another popular attraction in Bedford is the nearby Shawnee State Park, a 3,983-acre park in the beautiful Allegheny Mountains. The park offers various outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, boating, and camping. Visitors can also enjoy the park’s scenic picnic areas and take in stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
A Perfect Getaway: Relaxing and Fun Things to Do in Bedford
Located at the foot of the Allegheny Mountains, Bedford, Pennsylvania, is an exciting and fun place to visit.
Town has a variety of attractions, including a distillery, brewery, and whiskey distillery. It also has a fascinating history. It is a place where the Whiskey Rebellion occurred.
The Bedford Brewing Company is a family-owned brewery that uses local ingredients and spring water to produce its delicious beers. The brewery also serves a wide range of drinks. The brewery is located on Railroad Street.
Another exciting activity in Bedford is the On-Target Archery Program. This program is available at the Omni Bedford Springs Resort. The program uses recurve bows to shoot at 10 to 20 yards. This program is suitable for beginners and advanced archers alike.
Omni Bedford Springs Resort
Located in the scenic Cumberland Valley, Omni Bedford Springs Resort and Spa is a historic resort. It offers a wide variety of luxury amenities.
There are 216 guest rooms, four specialty suites, and several dining options. In addition, the property has been refurbished with a $120 million restoration. The resort is a National Historic Landmark.
Initially, the resort was built as a medicinal facility. The mineral springs were believed to have unique healing properties. It was also a center for outdoor recreational activities. These activities included fishing, horseback riding, tennis, and bowling.
Over the years, the resort transformed into a luxury vacation resort. Today, the Omni Bedford Springs Resort & Spa offers a full-service spa, golf course, fitness center, and restaurant. The resort has also been recognized as a AAA Four Diamond resort.
The Springs Eternal Spa is a 30,000-square-foot facility. The signature treatment is “The Bedford Baths,” which is soaking in the mineral-rich springs with herbal steam. This treatment is also offered in the hotel’s new outdoor pool.
Other attractions include the National Civil War Museum and the Allegheny Arts Council. The resort also offers a variety of activities for kids aged 4 to 12. Guests can also enjoy UTV rides and river rafting.
Omni Bedford Springs Resort & Spa offers 216 rooms, four specialty suites, and several luxurious spa amenities. Scenic mountain trails surround the resort. It is located near Old Bedford Village in Bedford, PA.
Jean Bonnet Tavern
In the Somerset County region, Jean Bonnet Tavern is a historical landmark dating back to 1762. This pre-Revolution building was once a French fort. In 1779, Jean Bonnet purchased the property with his wife, Dorothy.
The Jean Bonnet Tavern was built on Old Forbes Road, the only road connecting eastern Pennsylvania with the Ohio River.
British General John Forbes built this road in the late 1750s to capture Fort Duquesne from the French. When Fort Duquesne was taken, General Forbes renamed it Fort Pitt.
The Jean Bonnet Tavern was used as a meeting place for farmers in the Whiskey Rebellion. The Jean Bonnet Tavern was also used as a trading post for the French.
Jean Bonnet is rumored to have a friendly ghost that roams the tavern. Jean Bonnet’s tavern features chestnut beams, stone walls, and a wood-burning fireplace.
There is also an outside dining area on the second floor. There are four guest rooms. There is a full dinner and lunch menu. The restaurant serves soups, burgers, and desserts.
Old Bedford Village
Located on the site of a former Monongahela village, Old Bedford Village is an open-air museum that preserves and interprets the region’s rich historical heritage. It includes more than 40 log and stone structures from pre-twentieth century central Pennsylvania.
These buildings serve as a reminder of life in the early American settlements of the Allegheny Mountains.
There are many activities to enjoy at Old Bedford Village. The museum features a model of a Native American village, as well as some artifacts and history exhibits. You can also take a horse and buggy ride through the town and learn how people lived in the past.
Old Bedford Village is a nonprofit organization that preserves the region’s history. It also employs residents. It is open from April through October.
The Big Coffee Pot
Probably one of the most famous roadside landmarks in the country, the Big Coffee Pot is a fun-to-see novelty building in Bedford County. This 18-foot-tall, 18-foot-wide, brick-covered structure has no coffee but a museum.
While it’s not in the best shape, it’s worth a visit. It’s one of a handful of roadside giants in the United States.
It’s so famous that it’s included on several “must-see” lists. That’s because it was the first to be built along the Lincoln Highway, America’s first coast-to-coast highway. The building was constructed between 1925 and 1927.
Initially, it was attached to a gas station. It’s now located along Route 30 Business in Bedford County. It was photographed for the U.S. Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information in 1943.
Coral Caverns
Located in the town of Manns Choice, Coral Caverns is a unique cave in Pennsylvania. It is part of the Upper Silurian limestone. Coral Caverns is the only cave with a fossilized coral reef.
The reef is made of fossilized coral and sea creatures and is more than 420 million years old. This is a rare sight to see, especially in the state of Pennsylvania.
The reef comprises silicified bryozoans and Platycerium gastropods that protrude from a limestone matrix. These are the fossils of the first life ever to inhabit the planet.
The museum at Coral Caverns contains fossils and rocks. The museum also has some artifacts from caving history. It is also an educational and fascinating experience. The owner of Coral Caverns is more than happy to give tours of the museum.
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