Student Adventure-Outdoor Itinerary (3-days)

Day 1: Outdoor Adventure & Architecture

Whitewater Rafting in Ohiopyle (Fayette County) 🚣
9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Kick off the trip with an exciting whitewater rafting adventure with White Water Adventures on the Youghiogheny River in Ohiopyle State Park! This thrilling yet student-friendly activity is a perfect way to experience Western Pennsylvania’s natural beauty. Beginner-friendly guided tours are available for safe and fun rafting.

Lunch Break in Ohiopyle 🥪
12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m.

Enjoy a picnic lunch or grab a bite at a local café before heading to the next stop.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Kentuck Knob 🏡
2 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

Tour Kentuck Knob, one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural masterpieces. This stunning home blends seamlessly into the Laurel Highlands landscape and offers students a look at organic architecture and sculpture gardens.

Overnight Stay – Hampton Inn Greensburg 🌙

After a day of adventure and architecture, settle in for the night at Hampton Inn Greensburg to rest up for Day 2.

Day 2: Art, History & Cultural Exploration

Graffiti Art Tour OR Scratch Mold Workshop with Rivers of Steel 🎨
9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Rivers of Steel showcases the artistry and innovation of southwestern Pennsylvania’s industrial and cultural heritage by fostering dynamic initiatives and transformative experiences.

Option 1: Graffiti Art Tour – Explore the Carrie Furnaces, a former steel mill turned outdoor art gallery featuring stunning large-scale graffiti.

Option 2: Scratch Mold Workshop – Get hands-on with metalworking by creating a custom iron casting mold, which will be poured into solid metal by foundry artists!

Lunch at Eat’n Park 🍽️
noon-1 p.m.

Enjoy a classic Pittsburgh diner experience with a student-friendly meal, and of course, don’t forget the famous Smiley Cookies!

Cathedral of Learning – Nationality Rooms Tour 🏛️
1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Head to the University of Pittsburgh for a guided tour of the Nationality Rooms, each representing a different country’s cultural heritage and architectural style.

Heinz Memorial Chapel Tour ⛪
2:45 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

Next, visit the stunning Heinz Memorial Chapel, known for its breathtaking stained glass windows and Gothic-style architecture.

Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens 🌿
3:45p.m.-5 p.m. ~if time allows

If time permits, explore the beautiful themed gardens, exotic plant collections, and seasonal exhibits at Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens.

Overnight Stay – Best Western Plus Cranberry North 🌙

Travel north and check in to the Best Western Plus Cranberry North for the final night of the trip.

Day 3: Nature & Wildlife Exploration

Ranger-Guided Hike at Moraine State Park 🥾
9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Start the day with a ranger-led hike at Moraine State Park, where students can learn about local wildlife, geology, and conservation efforts while enjoying the scenic trails along Lake Arthur.

Picnic Lunch in the Park 🥪
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Enjoy a picnic-style lunch at Moraine State Park, soaking in the natural beauty before heading to the final stop.

Living Treasures Animal Park (Lawrence County) 🦁
1 p.m.-3 p.m.

End the trip with a visit to Living Treasures Animal Park, where students can feed and interact with over 70 species of animals, including giraffes, camels, and kangaroos! This up-close experience is both fun and educational.