Plan a budget-friendly picnic date in the great outdoors of Western Pennsylvania
Nothing screams summer like a scenic alfresco picnic.
Take your sweetie on a “datecation” outdoors for a fresh-air experience that doesn’t break the bank.
Outdoor-inspired destinations abound in Western Pennsylvania, and those seeking an adventurous date are sure to find the perfect picnic spot.
So pack a picnic, pile into the car and road trip to one of these Pittsburgh-area spots for a date filled with a dose of nature.
A picnic primer
The beauty of a picnic is that the menu can be customized for each person.
Aspinwall-based food and lifestyle expert Sarah Zimmerman Tuthill owns EZPZ Gatherings, specializing in made-to-order gathering boards and boxes.
Zimmerman said scouting out a picnic location is half the fun.
“There’s just something romantic about fresh food and fresh air, but for a date-worthy picnic there’s some simple things you can do to make it feel special,” Zimmerman said.
Picnic essentials include a picnic basket or cooler, serving ware, blanket, toss pillows, cloth napkins, trash bag, paper towels, bug spray/sunscreen and a bouquet of fresh flowers.
Suggested food choices include finger-food items such as cheese and charcuterie — small bites and foods that can handle warmer temperatures such as fruit, crackers, chips, cookies and hummus.
“Pre-slice and package up several of your favorite cheeses, some salami or prosciutto, nuts and olives, and you’ve got a simple but elegant picnic,” Zimmerman said.
Don’t forget to take picnic photos to commemorate the date and use a cellphone for music.
Allegheny Observatory, Riverview Park
Get starry-eyed on the grounds of the University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Physics and Astronomy Allegheny Observatory in Riverview Park.
The spacious grounds provide trees for shade, open areas for picnics and an up-close view of the building constructed between 1900-1912.
The three domes house two separate refractors and a telescope.
The neoclassical observatory is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Reservations are required for free public observatory tours, offered most Thursdays and Fridays through August, and can be made by calling 412-321-2400.
The observatory is located at 159 Riverview Ave. in Perry North.
Loyalhanna Creek
The Loyalhanna Creek is a 50-mile-long tributary of the Kiskiminetas River that runs from Ligonier to Saltsburg.
The creek allows easy access for almost 10 miles in the Laurel Highlands from Ligonier to Latrobe.
Popular for trout fishing, kayaking and swimming, the creek offers large boulder options for the more adventurous picnic goers. Bald eagle sightings are common.
Don’t forget water shoes and sensible footwear for this picnic as the rocks on the creek bottom are known to be slippery.
Public water trail access sites can be found online at loyalhannawatershed.org.
Bushy Run Battlefield
Add a side of American history to your picnic at Bushy Run Battlefield, a historic site focusing exclusively on Pontiac’s War, one of the most significant Native American conflicts in American history.
The battlefield encompasses more than 200 acres in Westmoreland County. Self-guided trails, tours and interpretive exhibits are available.
Sue Sherman of Greensburg recently visited the historic battlefield and was surprised at the expansive grounds.
“I love that it’s a big open space and you can find lots of places to go and sit and explore,” Sherman said. “It’s just really peaceful and tranquil here and perfect for a picnic.”
Sherman visited the Bushy Run Battle monument placed on the spot where the first day of battle began on Aug. 5, 1763.
The monument features three bronze statues representing the American, British and Native American forces that fought.
“The fact that it was turned into this beautiful memorial site is inspiring, and I love all the trees and the walkability factor,” Sherman said.
Numerous walking trails include the Iroquois, Flour Sack and Edge Hill trails.
The park grounds are open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk.
Bushy Run Battlefield is located at 1253 Bushy Run Road in Penn Township.
Hartwood Acres Park
More than 600 acres await at Hartwood Acres Park in Indiana and Hampton townships.
A part of the Allegheny County Parks, Hartwood Acres includes a historic mansion, a dog park, a meadow, a grove and abundant trails for hiking, walking, horseback riding and more.
Explore the Carol R. Brown Sculpture Garden and its 14 large-scale sculptures.
The park is the home of the 1929 Tudor country estate designed for John and Mary Flinn Lawrence.
Mary Flinn Lawrence sold 400 acres to the Allegheny Parks Commission in 1969. After her death in 1974, the new park opened to the public in 1976.
Book a guided ($12 for adults) mansion tour by calling 412-767-9200.
Hartwood Acres Mansion is located at 200 Hartwood Acres in Indiana Township.
Keystone State Park
Head to Derry Township and explore more than 1,000 acres of Keystone State Park and its main attraction, 78-acre Keystone Lake.
Several areas in the park offer picnic tables, parking and restrooms.
Two pavilions have charcoal grills and electrical outlets, and unreserved pavilions are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The public beach area is a great picnic option on hot days.
Keystone State Park is located at 1150 Keystone Park Road in Derry Township.
Northmoreland Park
Tucked away in rural Allegheny Township, Westmoreland County, Northmoreland Park offers more than 500 acres and is the largest park in the county.
The park’s jewel is the popular Northmoreland Lake, which is stocked with warm-water fish and trout.
The 17-acre lake provides plenty of locations for picnics, and free recreational kayaking and canoeing is permitted from May to October.
A paved trail of 1.1 miles circles around the lake and offers great views of the lake.
Northmoreland Park, open daily from 9 a.m. to dusk, is located at 280 Markle Road in Allegheny Township.
(Editor’s note: This story was updated on June 6 to correct several locations.)
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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