Altoona began as a Pennsylvania Railroad shopping and maintenance hub. After being established in 1849, the region quickly expanded into a borough. By 1868, it was formally incorporated as a city. Altoona experienced rapid growth in the late 1800s, doubling in size between 1870 and 1880. The Civil War sparked the city's rapid expansion, increasing the locomotives' demand. Many historically significant locations, including Horseshoe Curve and the Downtown Altoona Historic District, can be found in Altoona today. The famous railroad lines that contributed to the city's success are still accessible to visitors.
Visit the Penn Alto Building in downtown Altoona while you're there. This nine-story building, built in 1921, also has a partial penthouse. This building was formerly a hotel before it started renting out apartments. The City Hall Commons is the name given to the Penn Alto Building. Altoona is at the foot of Brush Mountain, a 30-mile ridge where eagles, vultures, and kites are among the numerous soaring birds. The summers in Altoona are frequently warm and muggy, while the average temperature of the winters can vary greatly.
Remember to attend a performance at the storied Mishler Theatre on Twelfth Avenue. This theater was initially constructed around 1906, but a fire a few months later resulted in interior damage. It was well-liked for many years before the owner retired after its 1907 reopening. The Blair County Arts Foundation acquired the location in the 1960s when the city contemplated demolishing it. Through 1969, the theater was given a second chance to open; ever since then, it has enticed guests.
Visit Jack and George's for a taste of Altoona. This hidden gem offers premium sandwiches and the "best fries in town." For those who enjoy Italian food, consider visiting Tony's Italian Restaurant. This eatery has a plethora of Italian cuisine, including pizzas and pasta. The Graziella Room offers an unforgettable experience with diverse flavors and aromas. Learn history at Railroaders Memorial Museum, where you can find exhibits devoted to Altoona's history as a railway town. The museum houses artifacts, photographs, and other memorabilia related to Altoona's railway history.
Four Seasons at Raystown Lake has 38 back-in and pull-through sites with full hookups. Additionally, you will discover cable, Wi-Fi, and good cell coverage at the campground. During hunting season, take pleasure in hunting on state game lands where you can pursue deer and other smaller game. The campground is close to the shores of Raystown Lake, allowing you to enjoy a little fishing, and it has a swimming pool.
Waterside Campground has 230 full-hookup back-in and pull-through sites. You will be charged a minimum of $38 per night. The heated swimming pool makes camping convenient in the late fall. It also provides call boat rides and canoe rentals so that you can enjoy the water. You will appreciate good cell reception, a shower, and hiking with your pet.
Explore Hemlock Hideaway, which spans 83 acres. The campground has 100 back-in and pull-through sites with full hookups. You will enjoy outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, and hiking trails with your pet. They have children's playgrounds, making it a convenient vacation for your children. The campground charges $40 per night.
Visit Blue Knob State Park to experience the wilderness and activities on these 6,128 acres of woodland in Bedford County's northwest. It is approximately 26.2 miles from Altoona, Pennsylvania, and it is the second-highest mountain in Pennsylvania. Enjoy the Allegheny Front spur while looking eastward at the picturesque Ridge and Valley Appalachians. You can expect to find wilderness all around you in Blue Knob State Park, where there are eight different hiking trails with three different levels of difficulty. After a strenuous hike, you can cool off in the swimming pool, which has a depth going up to five feet. Enjoy recreational activities such as wildlife observation, hunting, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, and snowmobiling.
Explore Trough Creek State Park in western Pennsylvania, where the vast Raystown Lake offers world-class boating, fishing, and on-land adventures. Experience the difficult hiking trails that wind through the park's peaks and ravines. Visit the famed Ice Mineshaft and take the brief but challenging Balanced Rock Trail to Rainbow Falls and Balanced Rock. Explore the 2.4-mile Burmbaugh Trail, which presents some of the best views in the park. Enjoy mountain biking on the 3.5-mile Old Forge Road and fishing to catch trout in Raystown Lake and Great Trough Creek.
The 3,480-acre Black Moshannon State Park in Pennsylvania's central highlands is 42.8 miles from Altoona. The State Park is accessible all year round. Enjoy activities around the lake, where fishing is abundant, during the spring, summer, and fall. You will appreciate the views of the nearby forest, and hunting is permitted. Enjoy hiking and cross-country skiing on the six available trails of varying lengths.
Visit the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site, 16.3 miles from Altoona, Pennsylvania. You can see the replica furniture used in the Lemon House to depict how the homestead may have appeared in 1840. Discover how the Skew Arch Bridge was built using stone from the original railroad. You'll want to explore nearby hiking trails and fantastic bike-riding areas. Discover how in the early 1800s, businesspeople in Pennsylvania faced a serious issue. Building inclined train tracks that used cables to pull trains up and over mountains was the solution.
You will love the Johnstown Flood National Memorial, located 33.7 miles from Altoona, Pennsylvania. Start your visit to the monument by watching a documentary about what happened on that tragic day in the visitor center. Visit the exterior of a few of the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club's cabins by going on a hike. Discover why a wreath-laying ceremony and luminary lighting ceremony are held on May 31st every year. Anglers will be interested in visiting the Cascades Day Use Area for fantastic native trout fishing.
Flight 93 National Memorial is about an hour's drive from Altoona and is located in western Pennsylvania. Learn about the four commercial airplanes subjected to a coordinated terrorist attack. One struck the Pentagon in Washington, DC, and two crashed into the World Trade Center towers in New York City. The fourth aircraft went down in a field not far from Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Visit the Flight 93 Memorial, which serves to preserve the site and as an educational center. Enjoy hiking in the trails with your pet on a leash, but they are not permitted on the memorial's grounds.
The Allegheny National Forest is 517,000 acres and is about a two-hour drive from Altoona. As you hike, there are numerous opportunities to see some of the more than 300 different animal species that inhabit the forest. Gray squirrel, raccoon, snowshoe hare, beaver, mink, red and gray fox, muskrat, and black bear are just a few. You will enjoy gazing at the stars at night, and you can go geocaching. Additionally, you can engage in various outdoor pursuits, including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling on the Allegheny River and the Kinzua Reservoir.
Visit the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, which span 1.8 million acres of Virginia's Appalachian Mountains. You will see over 40 tree species, most of which are pines or hardwoods. Enjoy fishing in the forest's rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes. Follow the trail off Virginia Highway 58 for about 0.5 miles to enjoy geocaching. You will encounter frequent sightings of woodpeckers, Eastern box turtles, dragonflies, and damselflies at the Fenwick Mines Day Use Area's short trail. You can also experience stargazing from Virginia's highest point, Whitetop Mountain.
The Monongahela National Forest is 919,000 acres in size and is about 129 miles from Altoona, Pennsylvania. You will be able to see over 75 different tree species, 225 different bird species, and various wildlife. You will enjoy seeing diverse wildlife, including white-tailed deer, woodcocks, rabbits, squirrels, and wild turkeys. On clear nights, the park provides fantastic night sky views and has many geocaches you can explore in the forest. The campgrounds are family-friendly, have potable water and a shower, and pets are allowed.
Shenandoah National Park is approximately two hours from Altoona and encompasses 300 square miles of the state's Blue Ridge Mountains. Explore the famous Skyline Drive, a route that spans more than 100 miles north and south along the peak of the park's mountains. You can explore the park more thoroughly on the many hiking trails available, including a significant portion of the renowned Appalachian Trail. Enjoy various outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, fishing, and horseback riding.
Visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park, which is 204 miles from Altoona along the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron. The park has four distinct seasons, with a wide range of temperatures from one month to the next. You will adore the more than 100 available waterfalls, including Brandywine Falls, which is 65 feet tall and the tallest waterfall in Northeast Ohio. Enjoy hiking on the park's 125 miles of trails, 100 miles of river, and scenic railroad. Other enjoyable activities besides hiking include bird watching, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, stargazing, picnicking, horseback riding, and biking.
The New River Gorge National Park is a four-hour drive from Altoona, Pennsylvania. It was sculpted over eons by flowing water's gentle but persistent power. You will appreciate the lovely Appalachian greenery and the rolling hills that rise out of the water. Winter temperatures range from 20 to 40 degrees, while spring and fall temperatures range from 30 to 70 degrees. You will love hiking, which is very popular, and there are many trails in the park. You are welcome to explore the park on foot, by bike, or by climbing. In addition, you can kayak, swim, and go fishing.
In most areas, the price to rent a motorhome is around $200 a night and the price to rent a towable trailer is around $120 a night.
What does RVshare Protection cover with my Altoona, PA RV rental?RVshare's protection plan standard package covers up to $300,000 in comprehensive and collision coverage based on the value of the RV. It also includes free 24/7 roadside assistance and free towing and tire service. For more information on RVshare insurance, click here.
What is included in my Altoona, PA RV rental?You should find any amenities that are included with your rental in the listing details. But it never hurts to check in with the owner before you arrive at the RV or have it delivered to ensure you have everything that is needed to have a fun and enjoyable trip!
Can I have my Altoona, PA RV rental delivered to a specified location?Many owners on RVshare.com offer delivery, and will even set it up for you at the campsite. Choose the 'Delivery' filter to narrow down your search results to RVs that can be brought to your home or destination. Check the listing details for any information regarding extra fees for delivery, or ask the owner if you are unsure.
