At the entrance to the Flight 93 National Memorial stands a 93-foot tower with 40 wind chimes, representing the 40 passengers and crew members. The memorial in Somerset County honors the 40 people who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. The Wall of Names also offers a clear, tangible form of remembrance: the names of the passengers and crew are engraved on 40 individually selected, polished white marble stones.
Experience the Flight 93 National Memorial
The Memorial Plaza stretches for a quarter mile along the landscape at the crash site. The Flight 93 Visitor Center Complex includes exhibits, a viewing window, a bookstore, the Flight Path Walkway and an overlook. Another way to explore the memorial is the seven-stop Flight 93 Site Tour. On foot, it is 2.2 miles long and takes about an hour; alternatively, you can drive between the stops. This gives you two different ways to plan your visit without confusing the approximate hiking time with the drive between stops.
Forests, Lakes and Trails
Laurel Hill State Park combines an expansive mountain landscape with 63-acre Laurel Hill Lake, a centerpiece of the 4,062-acre park. A 1.25-mile compacted gravel trail runs along the lake. It is accessible and suitable for walking and biking. On the water, a six-mile canoe and kayak trail leads to the historic Kings Covered Bridge. Check launch and take-out conditions before your trip.
Kooser State Park offers a different landscape: 250 acres of forest crossed along its entire length by a trout stream. At Mt. Davis, the Natural Area encompasses 581 acres around the summit. At 3,213 feet above sea level, it is Pennsylvania’s highest point. An observation tower offers a 360-degree view; the highest point is accessible by vehicle. Weather can affect conditions, so it is worth checking them before your visit.
For longer hikes, Forbes State Forest offers more than 250 miles of trails and roads suitable for hiking. The 70-mile Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail also runs through the forest, between Ohiopyle and Johnstown. Spruce Flats Bog is in the Laurel Mountain Division of Forbes State Forest. For cyclists, the 9/11 Memorial Trail connection at the Great Allegheny Passage near Garrett heads north to the Flight 93 National Memorial outside Shanksville.
History and Regional Discoveries
The Somerset Historical Center is a 150-acre museum of rural history. It focuses on life in southwestern Pennsylvania, from the first farmers to the present day. The exhibit Patterns on the Landis on display in the Visitors Center, preceded by an audiovisual program. The grounds can also be explored on guided tours. The Walter's Mill Covered Bridge stands on the grounds; it was built in 1859 and moved here in the early 1960s.
The Pennsylvania Maple Museum is included in general admission to the Somerset Historical Center and is part of the guided tour. In 2026, it is open for tours Wednesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; check the hours before your visit. A seasonal addition to the history of maple production is the Pennsylvania Maple Festival. Guests can experience and take part in the steps of making maple syrup—from tapping the trees to a pancake and sausage meal with pure Somerset County maple syrup. Festival dates vary from year to year.
The history of the Quecreek Mine Rescue Site is also brought to life. Visitors can walk to the rescue shaft from which the miners were brought up from a depth of 240 feet after 77 hours in icy darkness. The site includes the original rescue capsule and the drills used in the operation. In an auditorium, visitors can also watch a live presentation about the mine accident and the rescue of the nine trapped miners. Wharton Iron Furnace is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
More Activities and Visitor Planning
Seven Springs Mountain Resort offers downhill skiing and snowboarding, tubing in summer and winter, and a variety of activities throughout the year. Operations are seasonal. In 2026, weather permitting, the outdoor area of Monument for Life Memorial Park is open daily from sunrise to sunset; check this information before your visit.
Discover more destinations: Somerset, Windber, Franklin, Potter County, Delaware, Dauphin, Bedford, Juniata.
Return to the main travel overview: Pennsylvania.
