Pittsburghers may disagree on plenty of things – where to get the best slice of pizza, the best hometown sports legend of all time, and the need for bike lanes (yep, it’s a controversy). However, one thing most of us will likely agree on is Mister Rogers was one-of-a-kind and one of the most beloved Western Pennsylvanians of all time. Follow in Mister Rogers footsteps this summer, at least for a few days, on the Fred Rogers Trail Near Pittsburgh.
Mister Rogers has been a household name for generations, a beloved public figure who most of us watched growing up. Today, we can get a peek into his life on the Fred Rogers Trail, which takes us to some of the most prominent spots in Mister Rogers’ life.
Flickr/Glindsay65
Created by Visit PA and the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau, the Fred Rogers Trail can be done in three days, if you want to visit each stop. However, if you don’t have three days, whittle it down to just the destinations you really want to check out.
Flickr/David Pinkerton
Start the trail, for example, at St. Vincent College in Latrobe. There, you’ll find an exhibit of Mister Rogers at the Fred Rogers Center. The exhibit features artifacts, narratives, and even treasured memorabilia.
Flickr/Tim Engelman
If you’re bringing kiddos along on the trail (which is kid-friendly), you’ll definitely want to plan to spend a few hours or an entire day at Idlewild Park and SoakZone.
Flickr/Jeremy Thompson
Idlewild generally opens in the late spring for the season and is home to Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, which replaced Mister Rogers Neighborhood, and still features all of the characters we grew up with.
Facebook/Idlewild & SoakZone
Other stops in the Latrobe area include Unity Cemetery, where you can visit Mister Rogers’ grave, and Latrobe Area Historical Society.
Flickr/Greg Dunlap
The Fred Rogers Trail also includes a few stops in Pittsburgh – the Duquesne Incline, the Heinz History Center (home to Mister Rogers’ set), and the Mister Rogers Statue “Tribute To Children.”
Facebook/Heinz History Center
You’ll also head to the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum in Washington, finishing the trail at Buttermilk Falls Natural Area. Featuring a waterfall, the natural area was once owned by Mister Rogers’ grandfather.
Trip Advisor/audikos
Click here for the entire trail itinerary from Visit PA. Or, go here for the official website of the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau.
Flickr/Greg Dunlap
Have you ever been on the Fred Rogers Trail near Pittsburgh? What was your favorite thing about it? Share your experience in the comments! Since we’re talking about everyone’s favorite neighbor, plan a meal at Mandarin Gourmet Restaurant, where you can reenact a scene from “A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood.”
Flickr/Glindsay65
Flickr/David Pinkerton
Flickr/Tim Engelman
Flickr/Jeremy Thompson
Facebook/Idlewild & SoakZone
Flickr/Greg Dunlap
Facebook/Heinz History Center
Trip Advisor/audikos
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Address: Latrobe, PA 15650, USAAddress: Idlewild & SoakZone, 2574 Lincoln Hwy, Ligonier, PA 15658, USAAddress: 114 Chapel Ln, Latrobe, PA 15650, USAAddress: Duquesne Incline, 1197 W Carson St, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USAAddress: 1212 Smallman St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, USAAddress: 1 Museum Rd, Washington, PA 15301, USAAddress: Buttermilk Falls Natural Area, Route 18 & First Avenue & Homewood Borough, Beaver Falls, PA 15010, USA