Location: Huntingdon
Top Things to do in Huntingdon
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9 Things to Do in Huntingdon That You Shouldn't Miss
Huntingdon is a borough in (and the county seat of) Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located along the Juniata River, approximately 32 miles (51 km) east of Altoona and 92 miles (148 km) west of Harrisburg. With a population of 7,093 at the 2010 census, it is the largest population center near Raystown Lake, a winding, 28-mile-long (45 km) flood-control reservoir managed by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Restaurants in Huntingdon
1. Lincoln Caverns and Whisper Rocks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 211 reviews
Reviewed By Anna S
We visited yesterday. My husband had been in the caverns as a child, but my children and I had never been. It was well worth the drive! Our tour guide Mike was fantastic! He made learning fun for the kids and did an excellent job explaining things as we went along. We made it just in time for the last tour of the day, and Mike still took his time and made sure we enjoyed our stay. Both kids did the panning for gems and stones and had a great time. They were both delighted with the pieces they found. Thank you for a wonderful afternoon outing!
2. Swigart Auto Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 45 reviews
Reviewed By rkhawg - Lakeland, FL
This is a small, family run museum, with roughly 30 cars on display at any given time.
But they have 150+ cars stored elsewhere that they rotate in and out on a semi-regular basis.
Some are restored to concours condition, while others remain an unmolested artifact of bygone days.
Of equal historical value are the memoribilia items filling the lobby.
Train and auto enthusiasts alike will find reasons galore to smile.
3. Allegrippis Trails
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By BrentF23 - Altoona, Pennsylvania
The Allegrippis Trails at Raystown Lake were designed by mountain bikers and built by the international mountain bicycling association. It's a premier single-track mountain biking trail system located in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, near Lake Raystown.
There are 24 trails in the system that are arranged in such a way that it gives riders endless combinations with each new ride. Whether you are mountain biking, hiking, trail running, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, it allows you to personalize the length and distance of your route.
The trails are rated "easiest,” "moderate,” and "most difficult”. They can all be safely ridden by users of all skill levels. Helmets are not only suggested but required.
The trails are open for public use year-round although certain exceptions always apply.
4. Greenwood Furnace State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By Donna S - New Cumberland, Pennsylvania
Lol......nothing like kicking off the first day of the year with an intense straight up the mountain hike......it's a great work-out whether you hike it, run it, crawl up it......such a sense of accomplishment when you finally reach the overlook, even on a stark winter's day! Just beautiful! This trail is NOT for the faint of heart....its for those who appreciate a good challenge and an intense work-out!!
5. Isett Acres Museum
Overall Ratings
5 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By gabeinthewoods - Pittsburgh, PA
As you will see from the other reviews, the Isett Heritage Museum is a wonder-filled place unlike anything you are likely to experience elsewhere. I would basically call it a hands-on museum. It has thousands of items used in homes and business between 1870-1980s.
Getting there. Use GPS and it will take you there. You head to Huntingdon, PA -- it's 40 min. from State College and 2.5 hours from Pittsburgh. You'll see Musaum signs that lead you up an easy hill along a ridge for a few miles and then you'll see signs to enter. Drive in, turn right where sign points to parking. It's just past the sign ( 40feet). ALL ROADS ARE PAVED AND IN GREAT SHAPE GETTING THERE.
Someone will "guide" you through the exhibits which means that you get to go at your speed. When you see something of particular interest, just ask your guide about it. Not only will they tell you what it is -- in a totally non-academic way -- they will often show you what it does. Everything is out on shelves and picking up items is super okay.
I usually burn out at museums after 90 min. My wife and I were there for 3 hours and we didn't even notice the time passing. But, if you only have an hour, it is more than well worth it.
Some of my favorite things were --
Original Tinker Toys and Log Cabin Blocks
Player piano that Pam our guide showed us how it worked
The hand crank phonograph
All the board games I played as a child 55 years ago
Wooden gas and water pipes from who knows when
Machines I'd never seen or even heard of
The fireless cooking stove
There are also amazing dolls, old radios, the original projection screens (remember how horrible they were), antique cars, cool model trains that are running ---- tens of thousands of items.
If i were teaching anywhere near there I'd have my students over there in a second. This is Americana -- hands on, direct learning with the real items.
I would give this place 10 stars if possible. I'm a 2.5 hour drive from it and will be taking the grandkids there next week. Heck, we're buying membership. I think it'll take at least two more visits to see everything. There's an entire building we never got to. And, they change items in and out so there is always something new.
It's an easy drive from State College and perfect way to spend an afternoon.
6. Whipple Dam State Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By kcreig - Duncannon, Pennsylvania
Yet another under utilized PA State Park. This state park offers a beach and swimming (no life guard) no-motor boating (canoes and kayaks or paddle boards) bring your own or rent. Picnicing areas with benches, grills and water fountains (at picnic sites). Easy access to water to put in you canoes right at your picnic site. Nice trails and many restrooms. The water was very low on the day we visited. Many trees and very well shaded. Enjoy a day at the state park, this one ranks up there.
7. Rothrock Outfitters
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Whether pedaling or paddling in central Pa, we have you covered. Paddling: -Canoe, Kayak, Paddleboard Rentals -Shuttle Service and River Trips -Guide Services and group events -Paddleboard Clinics, Guided Lake Tours. Pedaling: -Bike rentals and demos, fatbikes, 29ers, singlespeeds, rail trail bikes, you name it. -Full service repair shop to get you back up and riding as soon as possible. Accomodations- Adventure Suites above the shop provides a place to stay during your next Adventure. Bike and pet friendly suites available.
Reviewed By Vince S - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Rockroth Outfitters is a go to shop for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, biking, and non-motorized boats (kayaks and canoes). They have a wide selection of outdoor clothing as well, definitely have something for whatever activity you are getting into. The walls are lined with all kinds of bikes, ropes, clamps, gears, tents, tarps, boots, etc, etc, etc.
Even more impressive than the selection of items is the knowledge held by the staff. They all have a wealth of information to pass along about any item in the store, as well as any outdoor activity. Ask a question, you will get the answer you seek, and then some.
Rothrock also has kayaks and canoes for rent if you are looking to take on one of Huntingdon's rivers or Raystown Lake.
Very cool shop to check out while in Huntingdon. Would recommend for any outdoor enthusiast!
8. Trough Creek Candle Co.
Overall Ratings
1 based on 3 reviews
We provide a unique shopping experience, located above the Stone Town Gallery & CAFE. We make 100% Soy Candles, soy tarts, melts, brittle, and fixins. We also make our special blend of Country Hips & Sticks along with our refresher sprays, room/linen sprays, warming oils, and our unique primitive, country home decor. Stop in and you may just find that one-of-a-kind gift you've been looking for!
Reviewed By Brenda R
In my opinion this business doesn't deserve the 1 ranking I had to give in order to place this review......I placed an online order...almost a month later, the items have not shipped!!!! Tried emailing twice, left a voicemail AND sent a facebook message that was marked as seen....No attempt to reply to any of my forms of communications have been made!!!
9. Raystown Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 121 reviews
Reviewed By Carynbw - New Market, MD
We have been visiting Raystown Lake for over 30 years and is a late summer/early fall family tradition of ours, which has now expanded from our immediate family to extended family and friends visiting together.
First, it should be known that there are two main places where there are a variety of accommodation options.
1) The US Army Core of Engineers/Raystown Lake area (Susquehana Campground, Nancy's Camp, Branch Camp, etc)
AND
2) The Lake Raystown Resort / RVC Outdoor Recreation area which includes Pine Cabins (some waterfront), Beachfront Bungalows and a variety of camping options as well as hotel-style rooms at the lodge.
AND
3) Private vacation rentals found on sites such as VRBO and Homeaway
(I would post links to these if I could, but it is not allowed for some reason)
For some reason this information is hard to find for such a big lake, and it seems like there should be plenty more lodging options so I am always looking for new places to try. SO IF YOU KNOW OF OTHER PLACES, PLEASE TELL ME!
I do have to agree with several of the reviews of the ornery rangers and US/ACE management - we had several similar experiences, and we are a family group with young and old (not partiers or hooligans) but it seems that every year, for the many years we visited there, they seemed to have a problem with something - even in the check-in process, you learned about some rule or something was pointed out in a lecture-manner that you hadn't even done or thought of doing. We always joked how we were scared to go there and would appoint the most well-spoken and lawyer type in the group to be the ambassador of the group, because it seemed like we were going to get in trouble for something, and every experience and interaction with the staff was a bad one. I'm not sure what the deal is, and maybe it's changed, as we haven't graced those doors in about 5 years now after switching over to the Lake Raystown Resort area, where they are just nicer.
The Lake Raystown Resort has a lodge, cabins and campgrounds (both the pine and bungalows have campsites near by if you are looking for mixed accommodations like we always are). There is a marina and a boat dock, these can both get a little busy in the summer but after Labor Day things clear out quite a bit. We were there in August this year and I expected the lake to be more crowded, but it's a big lake so we never felt that. There is also a water park in the resort open during peak season, though it was closed for the 2 weeks preceding labor day weekend, which was a true bummer for us.
PETS: I do wish it was a little more dog-friendly, they are allowed at campgrounds but not near bungalows or cabins, except for the few "dog-friendly" Pine Cabins where you are charged a $50 pet fee (per night) in addition to a higher overall nightly rate for the cabin (by about $50) for a total of about $100 extra per night than the regular Pine Cabins. We use a mix of lodging (cabins and campsites) but we hang out and do most meals by the cabins, and the website and confirmation letters sound pretty strict about dogs not being allowed "near the cabins", so we always leave ours at home.
BEACH: The one beach in the resort was also over-run with algae and it was very dangerous to walk on the (concrete bottom) lake in the small, roped-off beach area. Nicer beach at the US/ACE area, from what I remember.
ENJOYING THE WATER: If you have a boat, you have access to as much water as you want, and the cliffs for jumping (2 places we know of), but without a boat, you pretty much have just the small beach, though you can get into the water through the waterfront campsites (bring water shoes)
Anyway, it's a great place, and I expect the family tradition to keep on with my children when they are grown, as it's something everyone looks forward to every year. Check it out for yourself and see what I mean!
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