Northwestern Pennsylvania
Explore the Great Lakes Region of Northwestern Pennsylvania and you’ll be surprised to discover a travel destination truly unlike any other. 
From the lush and unspoiled expansive wilderness of the Allegheny-Clarion Valley to the soft sand beaches of Lake Erie up north, it’s easy to see why this tranquil region of farmland, lakes, streams, and forests is often called “The Quiet Northwest."
While it’s true that the Great Lakes Region is a perfect destination to relax, adventure, and reconnect with the great outdoors, the area’s natural beauty is really just the beginning of what makes Northwestern Pennsylvania so special. The Allegheny River Valley of Northwestern Pennsylvania is also recognized as the Oil Region, “The Valley that Changed the World,” and the Victorian Region, thanks to historical mining towns like Foxburg, Emlenton, Franklin, Titusville, and Oil City.
Explore on your own or take a guided tour of the area’s historical neighborhoods to take in views of the colossal Victorian homes and old-fashioned storefronts that dot the streets. The Oil Region’s architecture speaks volumes about the oil boom, which began not in Texas as commonly believed, but in Pennsylvania when the first successful oil well was struck in Titusville, now part of the Oil Heritage Region State Park.
Another great way to soak in the history of the Oil Region is to take a historic train tour. The Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad takes travelers through “the valley that changed the world,” and back 150 years into the heart of Oil Country history. You can also hop in the car and drive along Route 8 and Route 62 to get to Titusville, the birthplace of the oil industry, or to Endeavor and Sheffield where evidence of the great nineteenth century Pennsylvania lumber industry remains even now. Meadville to the west and Bradford, Smethport and Ridgeway to the east are close by and also offer remarkable examples of surviving Victorian structures.
Once a prominent trading center, Emlenton is known today for its antique shops, historic sites, and museums. Built primarily with oil money, Emlenton once had the reputation of housing more millionaires per capita than any other place in the world! Without ever really booming or busting during the oil craze, Emlenton prospered because of its earlier days as an economic center for lumbering, iron furnaces, and river traffic.
Emlenton has done well to preserve and celebrate its rich history, and traces of its past can be found at every corner. Just meander down to Main and Second Streets, where America's first steam-powered grist mill stands, built in 1875. Be sure to visit the Emlenton Bridge as well—it stands as the largest bridge east of the Mississippi in the entire United States!
Foxburg is home to the Foxburg Inn on the Allegheny, a fine dining restaurant decorated with rustic décor that offers great views of the Allegheny and Clarion Rivers. Foxburg is also home to the "American Golf Hall of Fame" and Foxburg Country Club. Established in 1887, the Foxburg Country Club is the oldest golf course in continuous use in the United States and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Interestingly, the course was built by and is named after Joseph Fox, who after being introduced to golf while traveling in England was so intrigued that upon his return to Clarion County, he made a three-hole course in a cow pasture. Eventually, the Foxburg Golf Club was established and the golf course was expanded to nine holes. A visit to Foxburg is a must for any golf aficionado, and don’t forget—nearby Butler County boasts more golf courses per capita than any other county in the state with dozens to choose from.
Thanks to the Clarion and Allegheny rivers, the Allegheny National Forest—which spans more than 500,000 acres—and numerous state forests, the Great Lakes Region is a hub of outdoor recreation. There are dozens of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and cycling, and the waters offer great fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. 
Over 800 miles of former railroad rights-of-way have been converted to rail-trails for biking and hiking throughout the state, with more on the way as part of Pennsylvania’s Rail-to-Trail program. Visitors travel from all around to enjoy the scenic cycling and mountain bike trails in the Allegheny Valley, including the Sandy Creek Trail and Allegheny River & Samuel Justus Trails.
Just four miles out of Emlenton is Kahle Lake, a 251-acre reservoir owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and managed by the Fish & Boat Commission for recreational fishing. Kahle Lake is part of the Big Bass Program, offering one of the best large mouth bass fisheries in the region. The Commission also annually stocks the lake with tiger muskellunge and walleye fingerlings, and a healthy population of sunfish, crappies, and perch are also frequent catches.
Nearby you’ll find the Allegheny River Islands Wilderness, located in the Allegheny National Forest. This unique 368 acre wilderness area is comprised of seven islands located between Buckaloons Recreation Area and Tionesta. Created by Congress in 1984 as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System, the Allegheny River Islands Wilderness stands as one of the smallest wilderness areas in the United States.
Black bear, white-tailed deer, turkey, squirrels, raccoons and a variety of songbirds are abundant in the area’s state parks and the national forest, and the largest free-roaming wild elk herd east of the Mississippi also takes up residence near Benezette. The elk can be seen along many roadways, particularly Route 555 and at the Winslow Hill viewing area. The Moore Hill area in Cameron County is also a favored viewing spot for local elk enthusiasts.
There are also plenty of other fun things to do within a comfortable driving distance of the Great Lakes Region and Oil Country. Visit Punxsutawney Phil and his family in their natural habitat at the Groundhog Zoo, located off Barclay Square at the Punxsutawney Memorial Library, or take a day trip to Pittsburg.
From breathtaking natural beauty and unbeatable outdoor recreation, to intriguing historical sites, one-of-a-kind galleries and museums, and the quaint and exquisite remnants of the Victorian era, Northwestern Pennsylvania offers hundreds of ways to relax, adventure, and have fun.
