Huntingdon: local rooms, events and more

Photo: Harrison Keely · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Town and around · Pennsylvania · 43k people

Huntingdon

Locals say Juniata Valley

Heart of the Juniata Valley

Juniata BlueJuniata Gold

Welcome to the Juniata Valley! Whether you're here for the lake, the mountains, or the small-town charm, you'll find a friendly community. Come share what you love about living here.

Clubs for Huntingdon

No clubs for Huntingdon yet.

The room

Huntingdon Quiet now Heart of the Juniata Valley

One room for everyone around Huntingdon. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

Ask the neighbours

All

A 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 Huntingdon. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

Raystown Lake Largest lake entirely in Pennsylvania, popular for boating and fishing.
Trough Creek State Park Scenic gorge with Rainbow Falls and Balanced Rock.
Juniata River Scenic river for kayaking, fishing, and riverside walks.
East Broad Top Railroad National Historic Landmark narrow-gauge railroad.
Lincoln Caverns Limestone caves with guided tours.
Juniata College Liberal arts college with a scenic campus and cultural events.

Outdoors Boating and fishing on Raystown Lake
Outdoors Hiking the Standing Stone Trail
With kids Swimming at Raystown Lake beaches
With kids Riding the East Broad Top Railroad
Evenings Bonfires and campfire gatherings at Raystown Lake
Evenings Live music at local taverns
Locals love Lake beaches and picnic spots
Locals love Mountain hiking trails

Through the year

Huntingdon County Fair August Agricultural fair with rides, exhibits, and local food.
Raystown Lake Triathlon July Annual triathlon with swim, bike, and run around the lake.
Juniata River Sojourn June Guided paddling trip down the Juniata River.
Raystown Lake Dragon Boat Festival August Team paddling races with music and food on the lake.
East Broad Top Railroad Fall Foliage Excursions October Scenic train rides through autumn-colored mountains.

Humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Winters are cold and snowy; summers warm and humid. Best times to be out are late spring and early fall. Best: Spring and fall offer mild temperatures and colorful scenery.

Talk like a local

“the lake”: Raystown Lake, the main recreational body of water.
“the Broad Top”: The East Broad Top Railroad and surrounding area.
“Juniata”: The Juniata River or the valley region.
“yuns”: You all (regional dialect).

Getaways

State College Home of Penn State University, with museums, dining, and college-town energy.
Altoona Visit the Horseshoe Curve and Railroaders Memorial Museum.
Lewistown Explore the Juniata River waterfront and historic downtown.
Chambersburg Historic downtown with shops, galleries, and the Capitol Theatre.

Local flavour

Teams

Juniata College Eagles NCAA Division III

Also rooting for Penn State Nittany Lions (NCAA Division I, nearby in State College), Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL), Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB), Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)

Eat and drink

Whoopie pie A Pennsylvania Dutch dessert, popular across central PA.
Scrapple A breakfast meat common in Pennsylvania Dutch country.
Pierogies Eastern European dumplings, a regional staple.
Sheetz A local convenience store chain known for made-to-order food, founded in Altoona.

Where people go

Raystown Lake A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir, a major outdoor recreation hub.
Allegheny Mountains The surrounding ridge-and-valley landscape.
Juniata River A major waterway running through the county.
Covered bridges Several historic covered bridges dot the county.
Trough Creek State Park A scenic state park with waterfalls and hiking trails.

Heritage and traditions

The Juniata Valley is proud of its scenic mountains and rivers, its historic railroads and iron heritage, and a close-knit rural way of life that values the outdoors and community traditions.

This time of year in Huntingdon

Fall foliage excursions October The East Broad Top Railroad runs special autumn trains through the colorful hills.
Covered Bridge Artisan Fair Fall Local crafters and artists set up near one of the historic covered bridges, selling handmade goods.

Say it like a local: “slippy” — Slippery

Festivals

Huntingdon Victorian Christmas December Held in December, the historic downtown is decorated, with carolers, horse-drawn wagon rides, and holiday shopping.
Juniata College Arts Festival April A spring celebration of student and local art, music, and theater performances on campus.
Raystown Lake Summer Concert Series Summer Free outdoor concerts at lakeside venues featuring local and regional bands.
Huntingdon County Maple Weekend March Local sugarhouses open for tours and tastings of fresh maple syrup and candy.
Old Home Week Summer A small-town tradition with parades, picnics, and reunions, held every few years in some communities.
Community Church Picnics Summer Many rural churches host summer picnics with potluck dinners, games, and fellowship.

Landmarks with a story

East Broad Top Railroad A National Historic Landmark and the last surviving narrow-gauge coal railroad in the eastern US, with a restored roundhouse and shops.
Standing Stone A Native American landmark that gave the area its name; a replica stands near the Juniata River.
Huntingdon County Courthouse An 1884 Victorian building with a distinctive clock tower, in the center of the historic district.
Rockhill Furnace A village with the East Broad Top shops and a preserved iron furnace from the 1800s.
Fort Shirley A French and Indian War fort site near Shirleysburg, marked by a historical marker.
Huntingdon Historic District A walkable area with Victorian homes, churches, and the old canal-era warehouses.

Food traditions

Whoopie pie A Pennsylvania Dutch dessert of two chocolate cakes with creamy filling, found at bakeries and farm stands.
Scrapple A breakfast meat made from pork scraps and cornmeal, often fried and served with maple syrup.
Pierogies Eastern European dumplings filled with potato, cheese, or sauerkraut, typically boiled and sautéed with onions.
Sheetz A convenience store chain that originated in Altoona, beloved for made-to-order sandwiches and snacks.
Chicken pot pie A thick stew with square noodles and chicken, a Pennsylvania Dutch comfort food, not a pie.

Music and arts

Bluegrass and old-time music Local jam sessions and small festivals keep Appalachian string-band music alive.
Quilting A traditional craft among Pennsylvania Dutch and rural families, with quilts sold at auctions and fairs.
Folk art and woodcarving Local artisans create carvings, signs, and rustic furniture inspired by the mountains.
Juniata College arts The college hosts art exhibits, theater productions, and concerts that enrich the local scene.

A little history

Pre-1700s Native American presence
1750s European settlement and frontier forts
1800s Iron and coal industries
1873-1956 East Broad Top Railroad
1876 Juniata College founded

Game day Friday night lights
Game day Raystown Lake Triathlon
Outdoors Hunting deer and turkey
Outdoors Fishing for bass and trout
With kids Swimming at Raystown Lake beaches
With kids Riding the East Broad Top Railroad

Locals speak with a mild Appalachian twang mixed with Pennsylvania Dutch influences. You'll hear 'redd up' for clean, 'slippy' for slippery, and 'outen' for turn off, along with a few German-derived words like 'smearcase' (cottage cheese).

Only here

The East Broad Top Railroad is the only surviving narrow-gauge coal railroad in the eastern United States.
Raystown Lake is the largest lake entirely within Pennsylvania.
The Standing Stone is a unique Native American landmark that gave the region its name.
The county has over a dozen covered bridges, many still in daily use.

New here? A few tips

Prepare for all four seasons: winters are cold and snowy, summers are warm and humid. Layered clothing is key.
Try a whoopie pie and scrapple within your first week—they're local staples.
Explore the covered bridges and the East Broad Top Railroad to understand the area's history.
If you drive on rural roads, watch for deer, especially at dawn and dusk.
Get a fishing license and try your luck at Raystown Lake or the Juniata River.

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.

Part of Altoona area

Nearby

Every area

AltoonaPennsylvaniaWhere the rails climb the Alleghenies State CollegePennsylvaniaWhere the mountains meet the gridiron.LewistownPennsylvaniaLocal rooms for Juniata Valley.Juniata CountyPennsylvaniaWhere the Juniata winds through quiet farmland.DuBoisPennsylvaniaWhere the mountains meet the small town BedfordPennsylvaniaGentle hills, covered bridges, and the quiet rhythm of farm life.ChambersburgPennsylvaniaHeart of the Cumberland Valley JohnstownPennsylvaniaSteeped in history, rising from the flood.

Huntingdon, 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.