Altoona
Around Altoona
Photo: Csoldner187 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Pennsylvania · 120k people
Altoona
“The Railroad City”
Where the rails climb the Alleghenies
gold
Welcome to Altoona, where the mountains meet the rails. Whether you're here for the Curve, the history, or just passing through on the way to State College, you'll find a friendly community with a proud industrial heritage. Grab a slice of Altoona-style pizza and settle in.
Clubs for Altoona
No clubs for Altoona yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Altoona. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Altoona. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Horseshoe Curve Famous railroad engineering marvel, a National Historic Landmark.
- Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum Tells the story of railroading in Altoona.
- Lakemont Park One of the oldest amusement parks, home to the Skyliner coaster.
- Peoples Natural Gas Field Home of the Altoona Curve minor league baseball team.
- Allegheny Mountains Scenic mountain range surrounding the region.
- Mishler Theatre Historic performing arts venue in downtown Altoona.
- Outdoors Hike the Lower Trail
- Outdoors Visit Horseshoe Curve
- With kids Spend a day at Lakemont Park
- With kids Visit the Railroaders Memorial Museum
- Evenings Catch a show at the Mishler Theatre
- Evenings Go to a Curve night game
- Locals love Pizza parlors
- Locals love Diners
Through the year
- Blair County Fair August County fair with rides, livestock, and food.
- Railfest September Railroad-themed festival at the Railroaders Memorial Museum.
- Altoona Curve Opening Day April Home opener for the minor league baseball team.
- Hollidaysburg Canal Day August Community celebration with crafts and music.
- Altoona Summer Concert Series June–August Outdoor concerts at Heritage Plaza.
Altoona has a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Winters are cold and snowy, summers warm and humid, and spring and fall are mild and pleasant. Best: Spring and fall are ideal for outdoor activities with mild temperatures and colorful foliage.
Talk like a local
- “yinz”
- Second-person plural pronoun, like 'you all'.
- “gum band”
- Rubber band.
- “pop”
- Soda or soft drink.
- “redd up”
- To clean up or tidy.
Getaways
- Huntingdon Visit Raystown Lake and historic sites.
- Johnstown See the Johnstown Flood Museum and incline.
- State College Penn State campus and downtown scene.
- DuBois Outdoor recreation and small-town charm.
Local flavour
Teams
- Altoona Curve Eastern League (Double-A, MLB affiliate)
Also rooting for Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB), Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL), Penn State Nittany Lions (NCAA Division I)
Eat and drink
- Altoona-style pizza Thick Sicilian crust, pepperoni under and over cheese, cut into squares.
- Pierogies Classic Pennsylvania staple.
- Chipped ham from Isaly's Local chain known for this sliced deli meat.
- Sheetz Convenience store chain founded in Altoona, known for made-to-order food.
Where people go
- Horseshoe Curve Historic railroad landmark and engineering marvel.
- Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum
- Lakemont Park One of the oldest amusement parks in the U.S.
- Allegheny Mountains The surrounding landscape defines the region.
Heritage and traditions
Altoona is proud of its deep railroad roots, the engineering marvel of the Horseshoe Curve, and its resilient mountain-town character.
This time of year in Altoona
- High school football on Friday nights Fall A fall tradition that brings the community together.
- Leaf peeping in the Alleghenies October Drives and hikes to see the autumn colors.
Say it like a local: “pop” — soda / soft drink
Festivals
- Lakemont Park Holiday Lights December A drive-through light display during the winter holidays.
- Hollidaysburg Victorian Christmas December A holiday celebration with historic decorations, carols, and activities.
Landmarks with a story
- Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site The first railroad over the Alleghenies, a key link in the canal system.
- Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament Seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, a landmark of faith.
- Temple Beth Israel A historic synagogue serving the local Jewish community.
- Fort Roberdeau A Revolutionary War fort in Blair County, now a living history site.
- Hollidaysburg Historic District A well-preserved 19th-century town with many historic buildings.
Food traditions
- Altoona-style pizza Thick, rectangular pizza with a sweet sauce, pepperoni, and cheese added after baking—a local favorite.
- Pierogies Polish dumplings, often served with onions and butter, reflecting the area's Eastern European heritage.
- Chipped ham from Isaly's Paper-thin sliced deli ham, a signature sandwich meat from the local chain.
- Sheetz MTO subs The convenience store chain started in Altoona and is known for made-to-order sandwiches and snacks.
- Haluski A hearty dish of cabbage and noodles, common in the region's Eastern European communities.
Music and arts
- Mishler Theatre A historic venue for live performances, including theater, concerts, and classic films.
- Altoona Symphony Orchestra A community orchestra performing classical and pops concerts.
- Local community theater Several groups produce plays and musicals throughout the year.
A little history
- 1854 Horseshoe Curve completed
- 1834 Allegheny Portage Railroad opened
- 1849 Altoona founded as a railroad town
- late 1800s Altoona became a major railroad hub
- 1980s Railroad industry decline and economic shift
Rivalries
- Altoona Curve vs. Harrisburg Senators Eastern League baseball rivalry.
- Altoona vs. Johnstown Friendly regional pride and sports competition.
- Penn State vs. Pitt College football rivalry with many local fans on both sides.
- Altoona Area vs. Hollidaysburg Area Local high school football rivalry.
- Game day Altoona Curve baseball
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Outdoors Hunting in state game lands
- Outdoors Cross-country skiing or snowshoeing
- With kids Attend a show at the Mishler Theatre
- With kids Visit the Blair County Historical Society
Locals speak with a Western Pennsylvania accent, using 'yinz' for 'you all' and 'pop' for soda. You'll also hear 'redd up' (to clean) and 'gumband' (rubber band).
Only here
- The Horseshoe Curve is a world-famous railroad engineering marvel.
- The Altoona Curve baseball team is named after the Horseshoe Curve.
- Sheetz convenience stores started here in 1952.
- Isaly's chipped ham is a local delicacy you won't find elsewhere.
New here? A few tips
- Learn to say 'yinz' and 'pop'—you'll fit right in.
- Try an Altoona-style pizza—it's a local institution.
- Visit the Horseshoe Curve and the Railroaders Memorial Museum to understand the city's soul.
- Expect cold, snowy winters; pack a warm coat and boots.
- Catch an Altoona Curve baseball game in the summer—it's a beloved pastime.
Make this page better
Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.
Sign in and join a club here to suggest.
Part of Altoona area
Nearby
Every areaHuntingdonPennsylvaniaHeart of the Juniata ValleyJohnstownPennsylvaniaSteeped in history, rising from the flood.State CollegePennsylvaniaWhere the mountains meet the gridiron.BedfordPennsylvaniaGentle hills, covered bridges, and the quiet rhythm of farm life.DuBoisPennsylvaniaWhere the mountains meet the small townIndianaPennsylvaniaWhere the groundhog predicts spring and the hills hold you close.LewistownPennsylvaniaLocal rooms for Juniata Valley.SomersetPennsylvaniaWhere the mountains meet the maple.
Altoona, PA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.