This town in the Alleghenies was founded in 1849 by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and the town still attracts railway buffs with the Railroader's Memorial Museum and the Horseshoe Curve, where trains turn through a 220° curve 795 yds long to overcome a height difference of 227 ft per mi.
The Horseshoe Curve is a 220-degree curve in Altoona to help trains get over a height difference while traveling through the Alleghenies. It opened in 1854 and revolutionized rail travel.
Hours:
April 2 to May 6: 11am-4pm
May 7 to November 1: 10am-6pm; Sun:11am-6pm
November 2 to November 22: 11am-4pm; Closed: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu
The Pennsylvania Railroad relied on the workers of Altoona to design, build, test, operate and repair any railway items. Altoona's greatest accomplishment was the K4s passenger steam locomotive.
Address: Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum, 1300 Ninth Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602-2487, United States
Phone: 1 (814) 946-0834, Fax: 1 (814) 946-9457
Hours:
May 7 to November 1: 10am-5pm; Sun:11am-5pm
November 2 to December 27: 10am-5pm; Sun:11am-5pm; Closed: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu
Baker Mansion, a Greek Revival home, was built in 1846 and has thirty-two rooms. American Indian and railroad artifacts are on display as well as several carved oak pieces that were imported from Belgium.
Address: Blair County Historical Society, 3419 Oak Lane, Box 1083, Altoona, PA 16602, United States
Phone: 1 (814) 942-3916, Fax: 1 (814) 942-7078
Fort Roberdeau, originally constructed in 1778, features a reconstructed Revolutionary War stockade surrounding six log cabins. It also includes an 1858 barn containing exhibits and a museum shop, an education center in an 1860 farmhouse and three nature trails. Fort Roberdeau was also known as the "Lead Mine Fort," it protected lead mining and smelting operations, which provided ammunition to the Continental Army.
Hours:
May 1 to October 31: 11am-5pm; Sun:1pm-5pm; Mon:1pm-5pm
Lakemont Park has more than 30 rides and attractions including the Island Waterpark, two rollercoasters, two Go-Kart tracks, the kids Mini-Indy Go-Karts, Spins'n Grins Kiddieland, an 18 hole miniature golf course, arcade, and games.
Address: Lakemont Park, 700 Park Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602-5980, United States
Phone: 1 (814) 949-7275, Fax: 1 (814) 949-9207
Tips: Hours vary throughout the season, call for times.
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Altoona
