Ohiopyle, PA has been named the best small town in the Northeast by USA TODAY’s 2024 Best Readers’ Choice Award.
It’s no secret to those who call Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania, home that this area is one of the Northeast’s hidden gems. Now, the rest of the world is in on our secret.
Ohiopyle was chosen from a number of charming and picturesque small towns situated in the Northeast that boast gorgeous scenery, historic charm, local cuisine, and cultural attractions. While all of these small towns have fewer than 25,000 residents, Ohiopyle takes the cake with a mere 13 full-time residents. Although some might believe a town of this size couldn’t be worthy of such a prestigious award, the 1.5 million tourists who visit annually beg to differ.
Ohiopyle is a four-season town situated along the meandering banks of the Youghiogheny River Gorge and encompasses 20,500 acres of sprawling state parkland, making the perfect natural playground and mecca for outdoor activity. The winding Youghiogheny River encapsulates our small town and can keep any seasoned or novice white water rafting enthusiast entertained for miles. The Ohiopyle State Park offers endless hiking and biking trails, including the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) trail. In the spring and summer, these trails offer spectacular views of pristine waterfalls and verdant forests rich with biodiverse landscapes. As summer turns to fall, the scenery of Ohiopyle is painted with hues of reds, oranges, and yellows and becomes a cross-country skiers haven as the snow begins to fall.
While our town draws a majority of its tourism through outdoor adventure, its historic charm can’t be missed. Ohiopyle and the surrounding Laurel Highlands boast the title of a UNESCO world heritage site and lay claim to Fort Necessity National Battlefield, Jjumonville Glen, and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob. The abundance of outdoor adventure, stunning scenery, and historic attractions isn’t what truly makes Ohiopyle the best small town in the Northeast. It’s the small-town charm of quaint eateries, local artisan shops, and friendly, welcoming locals that bring visitors back to Ohiopyle year after year.
With the area’s largest selection of vacation rental homes and cabins, 1 and 2 Bedroom accommodations at the Ohiopyle Suites (right in downtown), and The Historic Stone House Inn on the National Road. Ohiopyle Vacation Rentals offers a diverse selection of mountain accommodations for any group of occasion. We invite you to immerse yourself into the Northeast’s best-kept secret.