Laurel Highlands Tourism: Four Seasons of Adventure, History, and Scenic Beauty in Pennsylvania

Welcome to another episode of Howard Fox's Outdoor Adventure Series podcast  In today’s episode, Howard sits down with Eric Knopsnyder, Director of Public Relations and Community Outreach at Laurel Highlands Tourism.  Nestled in southwestern Pennsylvania, the Laurel Highlands is a regional gem that captivates visitors with its stunning landscapes, vibrant outdoor recreation, cultural richness, and historic significance. Eric shares insights into the area’s recent rebranding, the legacy and evolution of tourism in the region, and the many pillars that make Laurel Highlands a four-season destination—highlighting not only the abundance of accessible natural wonders, like Ohio Pyle’s waterfalls and scenic overlooks, but also the unique blend of family fun, history, and global attractions such as Fallingwater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Eric raises several points, including the region’s forward-thinking approach to tourism, its appeal to visitors from across the U.S. and abroad, and the personal connections forged by those who live and work to promote this special place. Whether you’re looking to hit the trails, sample local rye whiskey, or reflect at historic sites, the Laurel Highlands in Pennsylvania welcomes you to discover its many treasures. DISCUSSION Introduction to the Outdoor Adventure Series and Guest Introduction Introduction of Eric Knopsnyder and his role at Laurel Highlands Tourism 00:27 Overview of Laurel Highlands’ appeal for outdoor adventure, arts, culture, and architecture 00:35 Personal Connection and Involvement in Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) Personal anecdotes about meeting at OWAA conferences 01:03 Eric’s involvement in a panel discussion at the conference 01:22 How Eric became part of the panel and importance of networking at OWAA 01:33 Overview and Rebranding of Laurel Highlands Geographic clarification and emphasis on location in Pennsylvania 01:38 The counties that make up Laurel Highlands: Fayette, Somerset, Westmoreland 03:48 Regional proximity to Pittsburgh, Maryland, West Virginia 03:54 Significance and motivation behind the recent rebranding from "Go Laurel Highlands" to "Laurel Highlands Tourism" 03:36 Historical Roots and Naming of the Laurel Highlands The origin of the name "Laurel Highlands" from mountain laurel plants 06:00 Role of state parks in the naming and outdoor focus 05:50 Background on the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau and its history since 1958 06:46 Tourism’s Economic and Cultural Impact Comparison to other regions where tourism replaced faltering industries 07:13 Laurel Highlands’ roots in coal mining and the strategic move towards tourism 07:44 The resilience and forward-thinking of the community in promoting tourism since the 1950s 08:16 Four-Season Destination Qualities Laurel Highlands as a year-round tourist destination 08:54 Breakdown of outdoor activities by season:Summer: hiking, cycling, whitewater rafting 09:09 Fall: renowned fall foliage and festivals 09:36 Winter: three ski resorts, winter sports, and unique positioning vs. other areas 10:03 Spring: trout fishing 11:24 Key markets and accessibility within a day's drive for one-third of the US population 11:13 Visitor Demographics and Noteworthy Attractions Major sources of visitors: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., New York, Ohio, and international (London) 12:05 Fallingwater as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a driver of global tourism 12:19 Pillars of Tourism in Laurel Highlands Architecture: Multiple Frank Lloyd Wright properties (Fallingwater, Kentuck Knob, Polymath Park) 13:58 Family fun: Idlewild and Soak Zone amusement park 15:10 Craft beverage scene: The Pour Tour, birthplace of Monongahela rye whiskey, Old Overholt 15:47 Food and beverage culture, including coffee clubs and local dining scene 18:39 History: French and Indian War starting point, Flight 93 National Memorial, and significant historical events 28:35 Virtual Tour of the Laurel Highlands Website Introduction to the website and navigation features 19:03 Ohio Pyle’s status as a top small town for adventure 19:07 Pittsburgh Steelers’ connection to the region and training camp 20:04 Highlighting festivals, bonfires, craft beverages, and year-round events 20:30 Outdoor adventure opportunities: whitewater, cycling, hiking 19:37 Scenic views, overlooks, waterfalls (Cucumber Falls, Bachman Rock) 26:01 Accessibility for all levels of outdoor interest, including easy access to major sights 26:06 Trip length and visitor behavior—weekend vs. extended stay 27:09 Dark Sky and Nature Experiences Opportunities for stargazing and potential for dark sky designations 24:08 The value of scenic drives and widespread natural beauty 25:57 Cultural and Historical Depth Abundance of galleries, museums, and arts/culture events 28:28 Importance and emotional impact of Flight 93 National Memorial 29:22 Coverage of historic sites spanning from George Washington to September 11th 28:35 Personal Insights and Reflections Reflection on growing up in the region and personal transformation 20:47 Discussion of diversity of experiences, accessibility, and value 22:47 Importance of regional pride, community, and the contribution of the Laurel Highlands Tourism team 33:49 Professional Experiences and Challenges Realization of the region’s strengths compared to other Mid-Atlantic destinations 34:18 Experiences with journalists and content creators, and expanding awareness 35:49 Aspirations to make Laurel Highlands a global destination 36:17 Philosophy and Advice for Exploration Encouragement to be proactive in discovering local adventure 37:25 A call to experience the Laurel Highlands and its offerings 38:19 LEARN MORE To learn more about Laurel Highlands Pennsylvania, visit their website at https://www.golaurelhighlands.com/ and on these social sites: Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/LaurelHighlandsPA/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurelhighlandspa/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQV91NOL3zAymQuXEtnd7mQ  NEXT STEPS Check out our recent episode about Rorest Bathing and Rewilding with Robert Hensley, whom Eric graciously introduced us to: https://www.outdooradventureseries.com/healing-through-nature-robert-hensley-on-forest-bathing-sound-therapy-and-rewilding/ Visit us at https://outdooradventureseries.com to like, comment, and share our episodes. KEYWORDS Eric Knopsnyder, Laurel Highlands Tourism, Laurel Highlands, Fallingwater Frank Lloyd Wright, OWAA, Outdoor Adventure Series, Podcast Interview #EricKnopsnyder #LaurelHighlandsTourism #LaurelHighlands #Fallingwater #FrankLloydWright #OWAA2026 #OutdoorAdventureSeries #PodcastInterview My Favorite Podcast Tools:   Production by Descript Hosting Buzzsprout Show Notes by Castmagic Website powered by Podpage Be a Podcast Guest by PodMatch Banner Customization by Nano Banana & Canva