Sitting just to the northwest of the City of Pittsburgh, the 444 square miles of Beaver County are home to over 170,000 residents. The county was originally established in 1800, and since then has blended small-town charm with a blossoming cultural scene, offering locals and visitors alike a one-of-a-kind experience. Home to an eclectic collection of historical landmarks, fun and quirky day-trips, nationally renowned parks and trails, and even a Polo club, Beaver County has something for everyone!
1. Bradys Run Park
Beaver County’s largest park clocks in at over 2,000 acres, housing a multi-use Recreation Facility with four tennis courts and an indoor track; a horse rink; beautiful walking and hiking trails; a 22-acre lake; and even a great dog park for your furry friends!
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2. Merrick Art Gallery – Annual Show
For over a century—that’s right, over 100 years—the Merrick Art Gallery has been an art hub for the residents of Beaver County. From April 9th - May 11th this year, the Merrick Art Gallery will be home to the Beaver Valley Artists (BVA) Annual Show, which promotes local artists and bolsters community engagement with the arts. The exhibit is free to the public, so come out and support the arts! If you can’t make the showcase though, the Merrick Art Gallery’s permanent collection of 19th century oils is equally breathtaking. For more information about the showcase, visit the Beaver Valley Artists website.
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3. Grandpa Joe's Candy Shop
The name says it all. Carrying a wide variety of vintage candy favorites, Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop is sure to make you feel like a kid again! From delectable homemade fudge and gourmet chocolates to their $5 Fill-A-Box special, there’s something sweet for the whole family! And if you come for the sugar, stay for the soda pop, as Grandpa Joe’s carries more than 325 flavors of Old Fashioned Glass Bottled Soda.
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4. Three Rivers Paintball
Heralded as the largest paintball facility in Western Pennsylvania, the family-owned and operated Three Rivers Paintball boasts of more than 70 acres of land. From novices to paintball pros, you can test your skills in the open play sessions, or you can check out more specialized events scheduled throughout the season. Perfect for friends, family, or the craziest work retreat you’ve ever had, you’ll have a ball!
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5. Beaver Area Heritage Museum & 1802 Log House
If you’re a history buff, you’ll enjoy this next one! Voted one of America’s best local museums and featuring rotating exhibits on the culture, people, and events of Beaver County, you’ll learn how history shaped modern Western Pennsylvania at the Beaver Area Heritage Museum. Housed in a renovated 90-year-old railroad station, you’ll feel like you’re really back in time! And on the same grounds, visit the 1802 Log House to learn more about the lifestyle and everyday living conditions of the typical frontier family.
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6. B.F. Jones Memorial Library
Built in 1928 on the Ohio River, the B.F. Jones Memorial Library is a tribute to the late steel magnate Benjamin Franklin Jones. The large Italian-Renaissance-style building is a real gem, with stately Ionic columns, travertine flooring, ornamental ceilings, wrought iron screens, and stained glass medallions featuring Mother Goose rhymes. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Library is an essential stop for all art and architecture lovers.
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7. Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center
Not only can you catch professionally produced exhibitions, including musicals, an orchestra, concerts, plays, ballet, and other dance performances, the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center is also home to the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School and the Henry Mancini Academy. Come and see the charter school’s One-Act Festival on April 21st-22nd, and Peter Pan: Dancing through Neverland on April 28th-30th and May 5th-7th.
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8. Racoon Creek State Park
This beautiful state park features a 101-acre lake with an accessible fishing pier and 500-foot beach open late May to mid-September, perfect for a few spring and summer trips with friends and family! From the first day of trout season through mid-October, you can rent canoes, rowboats, kayaks, and hydro-bikes to spend a hot day cooling off on the water. For all of the campers out there, primitive camping is available, but those who don’t like roughing it can always opt to stay in a modern cabin. During your stay at Raccoon Creek State Park, don’t forget to check out the Frankfort Mineral Springs, a nationally renowned health spa during the 1800s that is believed to still retain its healing powers; the Wildflower Reserve, a 314-acre botanical oasis with over 700 species of wildflowers; and the historic Kings Creek Cemetery.
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9. Darlington Polo Club
Unique in our region, the Darlington Polo Club was established in 1937 and remains one of the only Polo clubs in our region. Every Friday night in the late spring and summer, new and serious fans alike can experience a live Polo match in a casual, family-friendly atmosphere. Don’t forget your lawn chairs though, because this Polo club is more “hometown sports” than “country club.” During the action, you can enjoy French fries, funnel cakes, and other fried treats served up by the local Lion’s Club.
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10. Beaver Brewing Company and Petrucci Brothers Brewing
What better way to end your day in Beaver County than to kick back with a cold drink? Although the Beaver Brewing Company and Petrucci Brothers Brewing are located on opposite shores of the Beaver River, both are worth a visit! Both breweries focus on craft and boutique beers, and both provide taprooms to sample brews in-house. For a refreshing spring beer, try Beaver Brewing Company’s Chamomile Wheat — which features cracked wheat and floral flavors — or Petrucci Brother’s Promised Raspberry Wheat — a wheat-based ale with notes of tart raspberry.
For more information about Beaver Brewing Company, visit their website.
For more information about Petrucci Brothers Brewing, visit their website.