While I was working on my new book, Lost Amusement Parks of Western Pennsylvania I ran across a curious little park located in the Aspinwall section of Pittsburgh. The problem is that some of these parks were so small and lasted for such a short amount of time that they have been almost completely lost …
The summer is winding down and so is our summer of the “Western Pennsylvania Amusement Park.” We’ve visited some perennial favorites such as Kennywood Park as well as some smaller gems such as Conneaut Lake Park. So after visiting all of these historic amusement parks, which was the best you ask? After a summer of …
Nothing says summer relaxation like some quality time floating in a lazy river. While there are places in the area where you can actually float on the river, if the man made variety is more your speed, then this 1,200-foot lazy river at DelGrosso’s Amusement Park & Laguna Splash is something that you have to …
When it comes to the lost amusement parks of Western Pennsylvania, one of the ones that stands out in the minds of many longtime residents of Pittsburgh is West View Park. While I never had the chance to experience West View, as it closed in 1977 (six years before I was born), I had the …
Lakemont Park has transformed itself into a unique family entertainment complex complete with go-karts, miniature golf, and batting cages, but two things that still prominently stick out in the park are the wooden roller coasters. While the park may have gone through a transformation, the owners (thankfully!) made the decision not to just keep the …
There is something about storybook parks that has always fascinated me. Maybe it has something to do with Storyland in Schellsburg being my first love along the Lincoln Highway, or maybe because they have all but disappeared. Regardless, when I found out about Conneaut Lake Park’s Fairyland Forest I was intrigued. I saw some old …
If you know me and you know my blog you know that I love discovering the hidden history of locations that we know and love. Especially if those histories are hiding right under our noses. This is the case of Killarney Park which eventually became Camp Christian, a Christian summer camp. I’ve been familiar with …
Where do you think Pittsburgh’s first roller coaster was located? Kennywood Park? West View Park? Maybe even Luna Park? Would you be surprised if I told you it was located at the Point? When most people think of Pittsburgh’s Point at the turn of the century, they think not of an area where people would …
I’ve previously written about White Swan Park in Coraopolis, but for those on the eastern side of the city, Rainbow Gardens was the place to go. The Start of White Oak’s Rainbow Gardens Located in White Oak at the intersection of Lincoln Way and Route 48, Rainbow Gardens got its start as a roller rink …
Winter in the northeast can be brutal. As soon as January rolls around, we are already dreaming of when spring will appear. While many of our usual summer activities have to be suspended for the cold months, I am always looking for ways to get the family out of the house and enjoying destinations that we may have not been to before. Lake Erie Shores & Islands are best known for Cedar Point — and Cedar Point’s roller coasters. However, as we found out on a recent visit to the area, there is so much more to do than just ride roller coasters.
There is something about amusement parks that bring out a sense of nostalgia. This is especially true for amusement parks that are no longer around. If you can believe it, at one time there were more than two dozen Pittsburgh amusement parks, many of them being trolley parks. Trolley parks were an attempt by the …
Around the 1900s Pennsylvania trolley parks appeared on the scene. They were from an era when trolley cars were a major mode of transportation. While it was easy for the trolley companies to attract customers during the week, but the question of how to sell tickets on the weekend was raised. This was the birth …
