Motor Through the Mountains
Motor Through the Mountains
Discover a number of unique attractions throughout the Allegheny National Forest Region of Pennsylvania
Experience slow two-lane byways while learning about America’s industrial and agricultural history on this motorcycle road trip which offers stunning vistas, great eateries, wineries, and even a brew pub or two.
MUST-VISIT MUSEUMS
Begin your adventure in Bradford, Pennsylvania, just a quick drive south on Route 219 from Ellicottville, New York. Two major museums to check out in Bradford are the Zippo/Case Museum & Flagship Store and the Marilyn Horne Museum. The Zippo lighter, invented in 1932, along with Case knives, and their newest addition Northern Candles, are still “Made in America.” Their gift shop is the only place in the world that carries the complete line of Zippo lighters and Case knives. Admission is free! The museum is open daily at 1932 Zippo Drive, Bradford, PA.
Nearby, the Marilyn Horne Museum, located within the National Historic District of Downtown Bradford, highlights the talents of this world-famous opera star born in Bradford. Enjoy a short movie of her career while seated in a replica of her favorite opera house, then explore the interactive musical displays. Browse their gift shop, enjoy a coffee or snack, then back on the bike to drive over the mountain to Eldred.
Drive Route 346 East to the Eldred World War II Museum where an M255 tank seems to burst through the museum wall. Highlights include a working submarine periscope, award-winning video, vehicles, and an exhibit on the seven fronts of the war. During World War II, Eldred was the site of a British and American munitions plant that produced mortar and over eight million bombs. Fifteen hundred people, mostly women, worked there, 24 hours a day from January 1942 to May 1945, supporting the war effort.
SERENITY GLASS PARK
Depart Eldred driving on Route 446 East, merging onto Route 155 to Serenity Glass Park in Port Allegany. Serenity Glass Park is a sparkling artisan creation constructed of glass blocks which played a large part in the community’s rich industrial history of glass production. Eddie’s on Main offers a broad selection of lunch entrees. Now head west on Route 6 towards Smethport. Lynn Hall is located between Port Allegany and Smethport; this building is a prime example of modernism architecture. Treat yourself to a stay in the Architect’s Suite or The Cottage.
TREASURES ALONG ROUTE 6
Heading west on Route 6 is a scenic delight. The roadway winds up and down, twisting side to side, with each fold of the roadway offering a new glimpse of rural life among the forestlands and farmlands of northern Pennsylvania.
In Smethport, turn off Route 6 to visit Old Town Smethport, located at 113 Water Street and the Old Jail Museum at 502 W. King Street. Old Town Smethport is a step back in time. See a real stagecoach up close, a Civil War cannon, and toys manufactured by Smethport Specialty Toys - the most famous being Wooly Willy. Painted holiday lawn ornaments from the original America’s First Christmas Store are on display. America’s First Christmas Store and the General Store both offer an opportunity to shop for unique collectibles and gift items. The Cottage House Restaurant located onsite offers food and beverages. If you love to explore haunted locations, tour the nearby Old Jail Museum, considered Pennsylvania’s sixth most haunted place with a resident ghost in their dungeon!
Back on Route 6, enjoy the ride past the original McKean County Poor Farm, blueberry farms, and elk farms as your elevation reaches 2,240 feet in Mt. Jewett. Turn onto the Kinzua Scenic Byway to visit the Kinzua Sky Walk, located within the Kinzua Bridge State Park at 296 Viaduct Road, Mt. Jewett, PA. The Kinzua Sky Walk is “one of the top 10 most scenic skywalks in the world.” Plan time to walk 624 feet out on the skywalk to view the Kinzua Gorge from a height of 225 feet through the partial glass floor. Then cruise back to Mt. Jewett, along Route 6, for ice cream at Lick N’Sip or Swedish breads at Kaffee Sol.
FROM LOBO WOLVES TO LOGYARD BREWS
Head west to the McCleery Wolf Center in Kane, PA. Take your photo with the statue of the Lobo wolves out front and then learn about the history of the first efforts in America to save an endangered species - the Lobo Wolves. As you explore downtown, you will find the first brewpub, the Logyard Brewery. There are a variety of other eateries, wineries, and shops in Kane. Want to enjoy the beverages? We suggest staying overnight. Choices include the retro Kane Tourist Home & Motor Inn, Airbnbs on Fraley Street, and for a special treat, an overnight at the historic Kane Manor Inn.
MORE FLAVORS TO WET YOUR WHISTLE
Continuing your road trip, drive west on Route 6. New sites to explore include CJ Spirits Craft Distillery, the historic Olmsted Manor, and the Wilds Sonshine Factory. Tours of the Wilds Sonshine Factory highlight local agriculture and the distillery process which uses sunflower seeds. Loopback on Route 6 and take Route 321 North which is a section of the Longhouse National Scenic Byway. Then head east on Route 59, returning to Route 219. Plan a stop at the Penn Brad Oil Museum to learn about the rich history of the first million-dollar oil field and explore the replica oil derrick.
Back on the bike, return to Bradford, with a planned stop at the Bradford Brew Station for some music and craft brews named after the local oil field history. Staying overnight? The Best Western Bradford Inn is within walking distance of the brewery. Just north of town is Hay-Den, an Airbnb close to the intersection of Route 219 North.
Ten of the historic sites listed are part of the Collectible McKean County History Trail which features a fun series of collectible pins which would look great on your hat or jacket! For help planning your road trip, call 800-473-9370 or click on VisitANF.com.