Madison / Pittsburgh S.E. KOA

Our area offers many opportunities for family-fun, including amusement parks, museums, animals, golf, shopping, sports, hiking, biking and historical sites.

Pittsburgh

There's fun for everyone at Station Square! Ride the Monongahela Incline and take the Just Ducky Tour with the kids, or take the evening off with a dinner cruise on the Gateway Clipper and a romantic carriage ride. Finish off the day in Bessemer Court for the water fountain shows.

The Pittsburgh area has many museums. The Carnegie Museum of Natural History, located in the same building as the Carnegie Museum of Art, has real dinosaur bones, precious gems, and beautiful mineral displays all provided through a fund from Andrew Carnegie. Also sponsored by the fund is the Andy Warhol Museum, which serves as both a museum and resource center on the life of Andy Warhol.

The Carnegie Science Center and Sports Works are great kids' museums for rainy days. The museum includes a 360-degree theatre, submarine tour, a huge miniature railroad, kitchen theatre, planetarium, and many other exhibits, activities, and theatres. The Sports Works Center is part of the Science Center, but located across the street. It has many fun things to do, such as a rock wall, miniature golf, and trampoline, and explains the science of each activity.

Family Fun

Kennywood, once an old-fashioned trolley park, has become the most popular amusement park in western Pennsylvania. The Phantom's Revenge, Skycoaster, and Pitt Fall make up some of the modern parts of the park, while the 3 old-fashioned wooden roller coasters, carousel, and paddleboats create a slower-paced, family-fun atmosphere. Idlewild and Soak Zone is slower-paced and oriented towards younger families and groups. Climb the giant net in Jumpin' Jungle, meet 'The Little Old Lady Who Lived in a Shoe' in Storybook Forest or King Friday VIII near Raccoon Lagoon, ride all of the rides in Olde Idlewild, and cool off at the Soak Zone.

Three opportunities to visit animals exist within out area. The Pittsburgh Zoo, the largest and most well known is a great place to spend a sunny afternoon. The Zoo is home to thousands of amazing animals representing over four hundred species, including 32 threatened or endangered species. Living Treasures Animal Park not only has a petting zoo but also houses many exotic animals which include zebras, tigers, camels, ostriches, monkeys, kangaroos, and parrots. Located in historic North Side's West Park, the National Aviary is home to more than 600 birds of more than 200 species, many of which are endangered or threatened. From hummingbirds to Andean Condors, their birds represent nearly every continent.

Located less than an hour away, Ohiopyle State Park encompasses more than 19,000 acres of rugged natural beauty and serves as the gateway to the Laurel Mountains. The Youghiogheny River provides some of the best whitewater boating in the Eastern U. S. as well as spectacular scenery. A great day trip is Cucumber falls and the Natural Waterslides. Bring swimming stuff! (Canoe and Kayak Outfitters are everywhere! Laurel Highlands River Tours, Ohiopyle Trading Post, White Water Adventures, and Wilderness Voyageurs Outfitters are good places to start!)

In 1934, Edgar and Liliane Kaufmann commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright to build their home, Fallingwater. Acquaintances of Edgar and Liliane, Mr. and Mrs. I.N. Hagan, loved Fallingwater and in 1953, also commissioned a house from Frank Lloyd Wright. Sculpture Garden accents the House on Kentuck Knob.

Local

Motordrome Speedway is a Nascar-sanctioned racetrack located conveniently off Rt. 70 in Smithton, Pa. The asphalt track is ½ mile in length and hosts six divisions of cars--- NAPA Late Models, Pro Trucks, Smail Pontiac GMC Modifieds, Subway Street Stocks, Yellow Book Chargers and Advance Auto Parts American Flyers. Races for the 2005 season take place every Friday night from April 1 through September 16, with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. and the first race beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The Madison Club, a premiere public golf course located within less than 5 minutes of our campground boasts a championship yardage of 6,900 yards and a par 72. The 7 lakes, 62 sand traps, level bent grass fairways, large USGA greens and five teeing areas make for a round of golf that all will be sure to remember. A local public golf course, Cedarbrook offers the conditioned quality of a country. The golf facilities include two impeccably manicured 18-hole championship golf courses, full practice range, practice putting and chipping greens. Cherry Creek takes pride in its country club condition that is available to the public year round. They proudly boast their USGA specified bent grass greens, lush bent fairways, and thick rough overseeded with rye. The natural beauty of gentle rolling terrain, the wooded setting, along with numerous ponds, streams and bunkers combined with 18 magnificent holes makes Cherry Creek a truly unique golfing experience.

The local area offers many places to shop. Our local mall, Westmoreland Mall, has over 100 shops, 4 department stores, and a Food Court. A Lenox Glass Factory Outlet is located less than a half hour away from the campground. Also, many Antique stores are located on Route 31. A directory of them is available at our main building.

The Youghiogheny River Trail, a hiking and biking trail, is part of the Great Allegheny Passage, the main line of a trail system running from Cumberland MD, to the forks of the Ohio River at Pittsburgh. One entrance is in the town of West Newton, 15 minutes away. The trail is a great place to spend a sunny afternoon walking or biking (bikes are available for rent at the entrance)

Pittsburgh Pirates Home Games (April - October)

Route 40 National Pike Festival

Held the third weekend in May.

Pennsylvania Arts and Crafts Heritage Festival

Held Memorial Day Weekend.

Westmoreland Arts and Heritage Festival

Held Independence Day Weekend.

Steelers Summer Camp at St. Vincent’s College

Held the third week of July thru the middle of August.

Fayette County Fair

Held the fourth week of July.

Pittsburgh Steelers Home Games (August - November)

Westmoreland County Fair

Held the third week of August.

Greater Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival

Held on weekends mid-August through September

Pennsylvania Arts and Crafts Colonial Festival

Held Labor Day Weekend.

Ligonier Highland Games

Held the second weekend of September.

Farmers and Threshermens Jubilee

Held the second weekend of September.

Scottdale Coal and Coke Heritage Festival

Held the third weekend of September.

Ligonier Days

Held the second weekend of October.

2011

Weekend Scheduled Fun

Most weekends have scheduled activities and there is crafts every Saturday morning from Mother's Day to Labor Day

April 2: Opening Weekend

It's time for campfires again! Campground opens up and it's a good time to practice your fishing in our licensed pay lake. Please, catch and release only

May7: Mother's Day Weekend

Treat Mom to a weekend away from the house. Bring your RV or rent a kabin or lodge. Free breakfast for Moms on Sunday morning.