8 Things to Do in Oil City That You Shouldn't Miss

March 11, 2018 Layne Dawes

Oil City is a city in Venango County, Pennsylvania, that is known in the initial exploration and development of the petroleum industry. Initial settlement of the town was sporadic, and tied to the iron industry. After the first oil wells were drilled in 1861, Oil City became central in the petroleum industry while hosting headquarters for the Pennzoil, Quaker State, and Wolf's Head motor oil companies. Tourism plays a prominent role in the region by promoting oil heritage sites, nature trails, and Victorian architecture. The population was 10,557 at the 2010 census, and is the principal city of the Oil City, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Restaurants in Oil City

1. Oil Creek State Park

305 State Park Rd, Oil City, PA 16301-5933 +1 814-676-5915
Excellent
68%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 28 reviews

Oil Creek State Park

Reviewed By hipnik - Greensburg, Pennsylvania

Traveled to the park for an overnight stay. Bicycled the 9 mile paved path from the park office to the museum. The rangers were friendly and helpful. The museum was enjoyable but a little pricey at $10. The next day, hiked a 6 mile loop. The park was clean, well maintained, and highly organized (the trails were clearly marked and included maps hand carved). One of the PA parks I've experienced.

2. Allegheny River Trail

Route 322, Franklin, PA
Excellent
88%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 40 reviews

Allegheny River Trail

Reviewed By w m - Wexford, Pennsylvania

The weather was fantastic and the trail was almost completely smoothly paved the entire route from Franklin to Oil City! We are arrived surprised to find Festival taking place in Oil City. What a nice thing to trip up on! It was our turn around spot and it was thoroughly enjoyable. We were surprised to find such nice spots for picnicking and sightseeing along the way as well.

3. Oil City Library

2 Central Ave, Oil City, PA 16301-2795 +1 814-678-3072
Excellent
86%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 14 reviews

Oil City Library

Reviewed By bagnato1 - Olney, Maryland

I'm prejudiced because I spent so much time here when I was growing up and in school many years ago. I guess I realized even then how lucky Oil City was to have a quality library in a beautiful building. Now, during a brief visit, I discovered it has been wonderfully maintained, with a bank of computers for internet access.

4. DeBence Antique Music World

1261 Liberty St, Franklin, PA 16323-1361 +1 814-432-8350
Excellent
91%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 31 reviews

DeBence Antique Music World

Reviewed By Linda44149 - Strongsville, Ohio

Located in downtown Franklin, this one time 5 and dime store now houses 3-levels of numerous and assorted musical instruments, primarily antique mechanical music devices such as calliopes, player pianos, phonographs, music boxes, and other music memorabilia. Some pieces are priceless originals. A small entry fee is charged that includes a first-floor narrative tour, demonstrating several instruments by the staff, and a self-guided tour of the second floor and basement level. The mechanical ingenuity and complexity of the times demonstrated by these instruments is amazing as well as entertaining. All combined there are thousands of pieces in this collection. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and accommodating. An elevator is available for access to all floors. The second floor is primarily pianos and organs, and the workshop. The basement level contains radios, phonographs, juke boxes, player pianos, and other assorted memorabilia. Some of the devices in the basement can be played for a quarter. Restrooms are available on the first floor. Most of the pieces in this collection are truly works of arts as well as functional state-of-the-art entertainment devices of their day. Highly recommend a visit where you could easily spend 2-3 hours. A small gift shop is located at the front of the store.

5. Samuel Justus Recreation Trail

Oil City, PA
Excellent
65%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 14 reviews

Samuel Justus Recreation Trail

Reviewed By CharlieB24 - Cambridge Springs

Easy to find parking in Franklin, and this rail trail also connects with the Allegany River trail and the Sandy Creek trail... Lots of places to take a break, portable restrooms here and there, excellent scenery.. Justus trail is about 6 mi one way.

6. Two Mile Run County Park

471 Beach Rd, Franklin, PA 16323-7599
Excellent
55%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 11 reviews

Two Mile Run County Park

Reviewed By cherimatanimalhouse - Titusville, Pennsylvania

We live close to this park. It is very well maintained. Miles and miles of hiking, biking, cross country skiing, and horseback riding trails. Great canoeing, fishing on the lake. They have a variety of picnic areas some covered, a maintained life guard beach area, snack bar, camping, some sites secluded. Playgrounds for children, They used to rent out some cabins but I don't know if they still do. One year we rented a campsite just to use during the day for our annual family get together. I take my dogs there often for walks. We are very much an outdoors family and use this park often.
It is fantastic for any type of get together large groups or small.

7. Oil City Warehouse Mall

30 Pumphouse Rd, Oil City, PA 16301-2506 +1 814-678-2200
Excellent
67%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3 reviews

Oil City Warehouse Mall

What is the Oil City Warehouse Mall? A 34,000 sp foot home decor superstore featuring sales areas for new and pre-owned furniture, mattresses, foundations, bed frames, home decor, re-purposed items, antiques, primitives as well as independent dealers in antiques, currency, collectibles, glassware, pottery and many more!

Reviewed By JanetPG62528GE - Union City, Pennsylvania

I have been looking for a side by side antique secretary, had a picture of one and went in and asked at the desk if they had an item like this and was so excited when the lady said yes and took us right to...MoreThank you so much for your review! Please come see us again soon.

8. Venango Museum of Art, Science and Industry

270 Seneca St, Oil City, PA 16301-1304 +1 814-676-2007
Excellent
60%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
20%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5 reviews

Venango Museum of Art, Science and Industry

Reviewed By LaurieTravels62 - Oil City, Pennsylvania

Great little museum in Oil City! Nice review of the Oil Industry.

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