Almost Heaven West Virginia

Our journey takes us across the Bluegrass State of Kentucky to Barboursville, WV, for our overnight stay.

Today we make our way Northeast through West Virginia to the small town of Weston to the Museum of American Glass, dedicated to the region’s and nation’s rich glass heritage. After lunch on your own, we will visit the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum which served as a sanctuary for the mentally ill from 1864 to 1994. We travel to Blackwater Falls State Park, named for the amber waters of the Blackwater Falls, where we will make our home for the next two nights at the Blackwater Falls State Lodge. Dinner tonight will be at the Smokehouse at the Lodge. (B,D)

We will have a short drive to Romney, WV, where we will board the scenic Potomac Eagle and travel along the peaceful south branch of the Potomac River, one of the most scenic railroads in the United States. Our next stop is at Smoke Hole Caverns, which is tied to the Seneca Indians, who used the front section of the caverns to smoke wild game. We will return to the Blackwater Falls Lodge for a quiet and peaceful evening of rest. (B,L,D)

After a delicious breakfast, we make our way into Pennsylvania’s beautiful Laurel Highlands, where we visit “Falling Water” designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for the Kaufmann family in 1936. The house is cantilevered over a mountain waterfall and is considered the most important example of modern architecture in the world. The fall foliage should be beautiful in Pennsylvania this time of year. Tonight, relax, unwind and have fun as we enjoy our sunset dinner cruise on Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers. Pittsburgh is our home for the night. (B,L,D)

A local guide joins us for a Pittsburgh city tour featuring some of the highlights of Pittsburgh. Next, we head to Phipp’s Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, a Pittsburgh gem—a thriving oasis with many unique environments to explore. Our day continues to Berlin, Ohio, to the center of Amish Country, where we enjoy the experience of dining in an Amish home. After dinner, hold on to your seats and get ready for some explosive laughter at the Amish Comedy Theater. (B,D)

A unique educational experience awaits us at the Amish and Mennonite Heritage Center. Our Amish adventure continues to Heini’s Cheese, the best variety of cheese. Our next stop is Hershberger’s Farm and Bakery, a one-of-a-kind destination. After lunch on your own, we depart for a backroads tour to see the natural Amish countryside, on our way to Sugarcreek, Ohio where we will see the world’s largest cuckoo clock and some shopping in the unique stores. We will continue on to Columbus, OH, our home for the night. (B)

As the journey comes to an end, the memories will last forever. (B)