Indiana, PA, is known as actor Jimmy Stewart’s hometown and bills itself as “The Christmas Tree Capital of the World”, after an estimated 700,000 holiday trees were cut in Indiana in 1956. Today, this Pennsylvania city about an hour east of Pittsburgh has lots to offer residents.
From outdoor recreation and live music performances, to creative arts and culture, to delicious eateries, wineries and breweries, the following are some of the top things for seniors to do in and near Indiana, PA.
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1. Specialty Farms
There are several agricultural and specialty farm venues in Indiana, where visitors can get freshly grown produce and cut down their own fresh Christmas tree. Some of the top specialty farm destinations in Indiana include:
- Mytrysak Family Tree Farm and Greenhouse: Cut down your own Christmas tree and partake in holiday family activities like wreath-making classes at this Christmas tree farm. In spring and summer months, the venue sells perennial and annual plants from the greenhouse.
- The Rustic Ranch Pumpkin Patch: In the summer, visitors can walk through The Rustic Ranch Pumpkin Patch’s sunflower field. In October, visitors can visit the farm, participate in games and grab a pumpkin.
- Stutzman Farms: Stutzman Farms is an 8-acre pick-your-own and ready-picked blueberry farm. The farm opens around the beginning of each July when blueberry season begins.
Every Saturday morning from June through October, there’s also the Indiana County Farmers’ Market in downtown Indiana. Visit the free event for farm-grown goods, including produce, flowers, baked goods and more.
2. The Indiana Theater
The historic Indiana Theater seats 300 people for films, concerts and live events, like poetry readings, comedy shows and theater performances. Check out the calendar to see what’s on each week.
3. Indiana Players
The Indiana Players form a nonprofit community theater group that has been going strong in Indiana since 1977. The group presents a variety of musical, comedy, mystery and drama productions at their main venue, the Philadelphia Street Playhouse.
4. Indiana Art Association
The Indiana Art Association promotes appreciation for and participation in the visual arts in Indiana, presenting exhibits and classes in the Artists Hand Gallery. Residents can check out events like calligraphy workshops, drawing and painting classes, framing courses and more.
The group presents two main exhibitions a year, an Open Art exhibition in November and an Annual Spring Exhibition, both of which offer cash awards and feature categories for both professional and non-professional artists.
5. Yellow Creek State Park
Yellow Creek State Park in Indiana County resides on nearly 3,000 acres and includes a sand beach, picnic areas, the 720-acre Yellow Creek Lake and educational and recreational programs from spring through fall. Programs include guided walks, evening events and education about the park’s natural resources, as well as water activities like pontoon boating, kayaking, canoeing, pedal boating and stand-up paddle boarding.
6. Golf
There are several beginner to expert golf courses in the Indiana area. These include:
- Cherrywood Golf Course: This par 3, 9-hole course also has disc and frisbee golf events, as well as foot and soccer golf events. There are also unique tournaments and challenges, like teeing off from one hole to get to the green of another.
- Chestnut Ridge Golf Resort: Built in 1964, this golf course offers views of the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania and features three sets of tees for all levels.
- Tom’s Run Golf Course: This golf course is named for the creek that runs through the laurel-lined canyon-filled course.
There are many other golf courses within 20 miles of Indiana, most of which are public. Whether you enjoy walking on shorter courses or want to feel like a playing champion, there’s lots of golf variety in the area.
7. The Jimmy Stewart Museum
As Jimmy Stewart’s birthplace, it’s fitting The Jimmy Stewart Museum commemorates the “It’s a Wonderful Life” actor. Visit the museum to see memorabilia from the actor’s career, his personal life and his World War II military service. There’s also a special “Indiana Gallery,” which focuses on the history of his early childhood and schooling.
8. Indiana University of Pennsylvania Lively Arts
The Lively Arts organization of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania presents nearly 200 performing and visual arts events a year, spanning genres including Broadway musicals, world music and dance performances, live theater productions, classical symphony shows and contemporary musicians. Residents can see shows at several venues at the university, including both student productions and performances from world-renowned performers.
9. Parks & Trails
There are so many parks and trails to explore in Indiana County, whether you want to sit with a good book, or engage in a more active nature walk. Some top nature destinations include:
- Buttermilk Falls Natural Area: The Buttermilk Falls Natural Area features a 45-foot waterfall and scenic woodland in the nearly 50-acre natural area. Visitors can rest at the picnic pavilion, visit the falls overlook viewing area or hike on the trail.
- Hemlock Lake Park: Hemlock Lake Park consists of a 205-acre park and a 60-acre lake, with two boat launches and areas for hiking, hunting and fishing.
- Memorial Park: Memorial Park in Indiana hosts a free summer concert series on the park’s bandstand and has benches to take in the park’s views.
These are just a few spots residents can visit to get in touch with nature. From relaxing on the water, to see breathtaking waterfalls, there’s lots to see and do outside in Indiana.
10. Wineries & Breweries
For those who enjoy freshly made drinks, there are several wineries and breweries in Indiana County. Some top destinations close to Indiana include:
- Disobedient Spirits: This craft distillery produces diverse varieties of whiskey, vodka, gin, rum and brandy. Visit to try a handcrafted cocktail made with one of the distillery’s spirits.
- Levity Brewing Co.: This popular local brewery produces dozens of diverse beers to accompany its American and Mexican-inspired food menu. The brewing company also hosts live music and trivia events and features fire pits and picnic tables outside.
- Raspberry Acres Winery: Raspberry Acres Winery is a small winery in nearby Blairsville. It’s located on a 137-acre farm and produces a variety of berry and grape wines visitors can enjoy on the lakefront patio.
- Ungrapeful Winery: Ungrapeful Winery, also in nearby Blairsville, produces wines ranging from semi-sweet to sweet, with small batch dry and off-dry varieties. In the summer, the winery hosts live entertainment on weekends at the pet-friendly venue.
There are even more wineries and breweries within an hour’s drive of Indiana, where you can meet the people who made your drink before you sip.
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Visit Moorehead Place in Indiana
Seniors who live at the Moorehead Place senior lifestyle community for personal care and short-term care have even more enjoyable things to do right at the residence. Each day, there’s a full schedule of programming, with activities like:
- Bingo
- Card games
- Coffee and conversation groups
- Exercise classes
- Happy hours
- Meditation classes
- Trivia competitions
The residence is within a short drive away from the destinations listed in this article, too. To learn more about Moorehead Place, find out more about Senior Lifestyle, or schedule a tour today.