Sleeping & Eating
Ligonier 1
5 Ligonier Tavern American^ $$
(137 West Main St; mains $10-20; h11:30am-
9pm, to 10pm Fri & Sat, to 8pm Sun) This warm
and friendly restaurant, the finest in town, is
housed in a thoroughly renovated Victorian
home just off the central square. There’s a
variety of salads and sandwiches at lunch
as well as interesting appetizers like lobster
wontons, while the dinner menu includes crab
cakes, shepherd’s pie and cranberry walnut
chicken. There’s a second-floor outdoor patio
and live music some weekend nights. It’s a short
walk to Fort Ligonier.
Ohiopyle State Park 3
4 Laurel Guesthouse Guesthouse^ $$
(%724-329-8531; http://www.laurelhighlands.com/
lodging; Grant St, Ohiopyle; s/d $80/90; a)
This small place has three bedrooms, two
shared bathrooms and a kitchen and living room
furnished like a comfortable suburban-style
home. It’s especially good for groups, although
this and two other similar setups (with the
same pricing and contact info), the Ferncliff and
MacKenzie guesthouses, get filled in advance
during summer months.
Farmington
4 Nemacolin Woodlands
Resort & Spa Resort $$$
(%724-329-8555; http://www.nemacolin.com; 1001
Lafayette Dr; r from $200; aiWsc#)
Occupying 2000 acres 8 miles south of Ohiopyle
with a grand French chateau–style hotel as
the centerpiece, Nemacolin offers a variety of
accommodations and restaurants catering to
every taste. Rooms in the chateau are large and
have high ceilings and chandeliers. Take off-roading
lessons, get a gander at the $50 million private art
collection, go dog sledding in the winter, tour the
‘wildlife habitat’ and of course end the day with a
massage in Nemacolin’s first-class multi-floored
spa facilities. Kids are especially well looked after.
Pittsburgh 5
5 Primanti Bros Fast Food^ $
(%412-263-2142; http://www.primantibros.com; 18th
St, close to the intersection with Smallman St;
sandwiches $6; h24hr) A Pittsburgh institution
on the Strip, this always-packed place specializes
in greasy and delicious hot sandwiches – from
knockwurst and cheese to the ‘Pitts-burger
cheesesteak.’ Other outlets are in Oakland, Market
Square in downtown and the South Side.5 The Original
Oyster House Seafood $
(20 Market Sq; sandwich $6; h10am-10pm
Mon-Sat) Operating in one form or another since
1870 and still drawing crowds of devotees for its
deep-fried-fish sandwiches (Pittsburgh wouldn’t
do it any other way), it’s fair to call this restaurant-
tavern a Pittsburgh classic. A mix of locals of all
stripes form a line out the door at lunchtime but
it’s a strictly lowdown, pretension-free place with
paper plates and plastic cutlery.4 Inn on the
Mexican War Streets Boutique Hotel $$
(%412-231-6544; http://www.innonthemexican
warstreets.com; 604 W North Ave; r incl breakfast
$139-199; paW) This historic mansion on
the North Side is near several museums. Expect
hearty homemade breakfasts, charming hosts,
stunning antique furnishings and an elegant
porch, plus a martini lounge and the four-star
restaurant Acanthus.4 Omni William Penn Hotel Hotel^ $$$
(%412-281-7100; http://www.omnihotels.com; 530
William Penn Place; r from $200; paW)
Though originally built by Henry Clay Frick
nearly 100 years ago, his European inspiration
is alive and well in this elegant and stately
downtown behemoth. High tea is served in the
grand lobby which is (surprisingly) otherwise
a welcoming meeting place for non-guests
who tend to grab coffees from, yes, the
attached Starbucks. Above-average service,
contemporary room furnishings, a spa, several
dining options and a newly reopened basement
speakeasy bar round out the offerings.NEW.JERSEY.&.PENNSYLVANIA.TRIPS.13
.PITTSBURGH & THE LAUREL HIGHLANDS