Greensburg, Pennsylvania was incorporated in 1799 and has been a thriving community since then. It was an early leader in the steel industry, influential during both World Wars, with many of its factories producing armaments for the military. Later, Greensburg produced steel for municipal building projects throughout the mid-Atlantic states and regional mining operations.
Over time, it expanded its economy to include manufacturing sectors such as automotive parts and electronics. It was among the few Pennsylvania towns that experienced sustained growth even through the 1980s' tumultuous industrial downturn. Greensburg is still home to a robust manufacturing sector and boasts some of Western Pennsylvania's most vibrant stores and recreational facilities.
With the opening of Greengate Mall in 1965, Greensburg became a retail destination, attracting people from all over the region. The historic downtown district offers its unique charm, with various independently owned stores featuring everything from antiques to books. You can find national stores like Macy's and Sears and small-scale local shops here. Visit Little E's Pizzeria for dinner or Vallozzi's Greensburg for Italian cuisine. You will also love Hoss's Steak and Sea House, known for its food and cozy atmosphere.
Greensburg is also home to several recreational facilities, including the Greensburg Country Club and Excela Health Park. Explore The Palace Theatre for live performances, or visit the Palace Park for outdoor fun. Greensburg is also home to several trails, including the Westmoreland Heritage Trail, which stretches from Latrobe to Jeannette, and the Hempfield Area Trail System.
Campgrounds Near Greensburg, Pennsylvania
At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park near Greensburg, take pleasure in one of the 118 back-in and pull-through campsites. Check out the main on-site attractions, including the pirate lagoon, the train rides, and Boo Boo's spray zone. Children will delight in the swimming holes, water slides, train rides, fire truck rides, and picnic basket rides. They do allow pets and have a good cell signal.
Smith Grove Campground offers weekend events, sports tournaments, and other fun activities during the summer. You will enjoy hiking with your pet, and children can burn off some energy at the playground. Full hookups and showers are available as well.
Visit the Mountain Top Campground, which offers 158 full-hookup back-in and pull-through sites. You will enjoy going on hikes with your pet by your side. Both showers and good cell reception are available. The surrounding countryside is a beautiful place to unwind, and the RV park has larger sites than the average one.
State Parks Near Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Learn about the expansive 1,200 acres of Westmoreland County's Keystone State Park, located 13 miles from Greensburg. Visit Keystone Lake, where you can go fishing in cold and warm water and enjoy beachfront activities like swimming and boating. Discover the trails ideal for biking and hiking in the spring and summer or for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. About half of Keystone Lake State Park is accessible for hunting during designated seasons, but hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is not permitted. The available campsites include everything from contemporary cabins to big-rig-friendly RV sites with electrical hookups.
Visit Kooser State Park, about 28 miles from Greensburg and constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. You will appreciate boating and fishing on Kooser Lake, an artificial creation from the Great Depression that spans 4 acres. You might come across bluegill, bass, and trout when fishing at the lake. You can go hiking on the 1.5-mile Kooser Trail or the one-mile Kincora Trail, which bears the name of an Irish Roman Catholic priest. Also, enjoy cross-country skiing on either of the available trails in the winter.
Take in the scenery as you travel 32 miles from Laurel Hill State Park to Greensburg. You will appreciate hiking on trails that lead through forests, up mountains, and alongside Laurel Hill Creek. You can use various watercraft, such as canoes, kayaks, hydro bikes, paddle boats, and stand-up paddleboards. Enjoy ice fishing in the winter and trout and bass fishing in the lake or stream. You can also find sledding and snowmobiling opportunities on the hills when it snows.
National Sites Near Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Explore Friendship Hill National Historic Site, which is dedicated to the life and legacy of former U.S. Representative Albert Gallatin. You will discover the impact he had on the settlement of the west in the early 19th century. Fleeing Europeans from the French Revolution sought refuge on his property. He later served as a U.S. Representative, Secretary of the Treasury, and diplomat. You can explore the manor house and its grounds at this site while learning about the area's history and how he funded Lewis and Clark’s expedition.
Flight 93 National Memorial in Stonycreek Township is dedicated to the 40 passengers and crew of United Flight 93 who tragically lost their lives on September 11, 2001. It is about an hour's drive from Greensburg and is a solemn reminder of the heartache felt throughout the country that day. Learn about the actions of the brave passengers and crew as you pay your respects to those who perished. You can take a self-guided site tour, including a visitor's center, memorial plaza, and other features.
Visit Johnstown Flood National Memorial, about an hour from Greensburg, and learn about the tragic events of May 31, 1889. This site marks where nearly 2,200 people perished when the South Fork Dam collapsed during a torrential downpour. It features a museum and guided tours of the area to help visitors understand the role of engineering, industrialization, and natural disasters in this American tragedy.
National Forests Near Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Allegheny National Forest is located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and is about a two-hour drive from Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Explore the 517,000 acres of land that provide many opportunities for geocaching and watching the night sky with little light pollution. There are many opportunities to see some of the more than 300 species of animals that call the forest home while hiking there. These creatures include the black bear, white-tailed deer, snowshoe hare, red and gray fox, muskrat, gray squirrel, raccoon, and wild turkey. Numerous outdoor activities are accessible, such as hiking and water sports on the Allegheny River and the Kinzua Reservoir. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling are among the available winter activities.
Visit the Monongahela National Forest's 919,000 acres of diverse habitats, which are only 105 miles from Greensburg. Take advantage of the more than 800 miles of forest trails. There are trails for hikers of all skill levels, from novices to seasoned outdoor enthusiasts. The largest lake in the forest, Lake Sherwood, offers you a range of water sports opportunities, including paddling. Additionally, numerous rafting outfitters in the region provide whitewater rafting excursions. You can see more than 75 tree species and 225 bird species while hiking. Along the way, you might spot black bears, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and squirrels all over the forest. In the rivers and lakes, take pleasure in fishing for over 60 non-game fish species and 12 game fish species.
Take pleasure in a four-hour drive from the 202,814-acre George Washington and Jefferson National Forests to Greensburg. More than 40 tree species can be seen while hiking, with pines and hardwoods making up most of them. Savor the opportunity to observe deer, water shrews, rock voles, and numerous other endangered or threatened species. You will enjoy fishing in over 50 miles of streams in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. Enjoy geocaching by following the trail off Virginia Highway 58 for about half a mile.
