Laurel Highlands in running for best fall foliage destination

Western Pennsylvanians can let the rest of the country know how beautiful fall is in the Laurel Highlands, by voting for the region in USA Today’s poll of top 20 Best Destinations for Fall Foliage.

The nominees, chosen by editors of the USA Today 10Best website, also include the Pocono Mountains of eastern Pennsylvania.

Reader votes will determine the winners. Voting is available through noon Aug. 24, and votes can be cast once each day.

Winning destinations will be announced Sept. 4 on the 10Best website and will receive a badge of recognition as a 10Best Readers’ Choice.

“The Laurel Highlands has always been a popular destination for leaf peepers,” said Ann Nemanic, executive director of the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau. “The region boasts designated routes for motorcycle enthusiasts, historic routes like the National Road and the Lincoln Highway; and the 68-mile Laurel Highlands Scenic Byway is a must during the fall season.

“Now more than ever, a driving excursion is a wonderful way to enjoy outdoor open spaces,” she said.

“This is not the first time the Laurel Highlands has been featured in a national publication,” said Briana Tomack, president of the Greater Latrobe-Laurel Valley Chamber of Commerce. “We’re very proud of all we have to offer, not only the foliage.

“It’s disappointing that not a lot of the fall festivals are taking place this year, but there’s still a lot of beauty to take in — hiking, the state parks like Ohiopyle, the green spaces, the Rails to Trails and the (Laurel Highlands) Pour Tour,” she said.

Visitors who come for the foliage may find themselves pleasantly surprised by the region’s other attractions, said Chad Amond, president and CEO of the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce.

“If somebody comes to the Laurel Highlands, they’ll find so many historical sites, like Fort Ligonier and Hanna’s Town,” he said. “So many people don’t know about all our fabulous restaurants and places like The Westmoreland (Museum of American Art).”

The visitors bureau notes that the Laurel Highlands is no stranger to the 10Best list.

Previous honors include winning one of the top Best New Destinations in 2018 for the Flight 93 National Memorial’s Tower of Voices and Best Pennsylvania Attractions for Ohiopyle State Park.

Other best foliage nominees are Asheville, N.C.; Aspen, Colo.; Bar Harbor, Maine; Columbia River Gorge, Ore.; Door County, Wis.; Finger Lakes, N.Y.; Galena Country, Ill.; Gatlinburg, Tenn.; Iron Range, Minn.; Leavenworth, Wash.; Litchfield Hills, Conn.; Napa Valley, Calif.; Ozark Mountains, Ark.; Shenandoah Valley, Va.; Stowe, Vt.; Taos, N.M.; Upper Peninsula, Mich.; and White Mountains, N.H.

Details: 10best.com