Looking for a little getaway from Pittsburgh? This western Pennsylvania road trip connects historic Harmony, the covered bridge at McConnells Mill, the shops of Volant, and the countryside around New Wilmington—a lovely combination of history, scenery, and time to wander.

Some weekends, I want an adventure that doesn’t require packing for a week or traveling across several states. Give me a historic little town, a covered bridge, a few interesting shops, and a country road, and I have the makings of a wonderful getaway.

That’s what draws me to this route north of Pittsburgh. Each stop offers something different, so the day has a little variety without feeling like a race from one attraction to another.

My suggested route is simple:

Pittsburgh → Harmony → McConnells Mill State Park → Volant → New Wilmington → Home

You can make it a full Saturday outing or spread the stops across a relaxed weekend. I would keep the schedule flexible, especially if you enjoy browsing shops or taking photographs as much as I do.

I would begin the morning in Harmony, leaving time for breakfast or coffee before exploring the historic streets.

Harmony’s story reaches back to 1804, when George Rapp and his followers began establishing their community here. The Harmony Society formally organized in 1805, creating a communal settlement with farms, workshops, and businesses. The Harmonists later moved to Indiana before returning to Pennsylvania and establishing Economy in 1824—today remembered through Old Economy Village in Ambridge. Growing up in Ambridge makes that connection especially interesting to me. Harmony Museum

This is the kind of town where I would take my time looking at the buildings and reading the history along the way. Historic Harmony provides a walking-tour map, which is a useful companion for exploring the area. Remember that many historic buildings are private properties, so enjoy them from public sidewalks unless they are open to visitors. 

If you want to include the Harmony Museum, plan around its afternoon schedule. The museum currently lists guided tours at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. That means a morning stop works well for a stroll, but a museum visit would require rearranging the day or making Harmony part of your second day. Confirm the schedule before leaving. 

My approach: Start with coffee, explore the streets, and leave enough room in the schedule to follow whatever catches your attention.

Next, I would head to McConnells Mill State Park for the scenery.

The park surrounds part of the Slippery Rock Creek Gorge, where steep slopes, large boulders, and moving water create a dramatic change from Harmony’s village streets. The gorge was shaped by the draining of ancient glacial lakes.  

For me, the covered bridge would be a highlight. Built in 1874, it stands near the historic gristmill. The present mill was rebuilt in 1868 after a fire, and Thomas McConnell purchased it in 1875. It once processed grains for local customers before closing in 1928. Those buildings give this scenic stop a story beyond the photographs.  

I would focus on the mill, bridge, and creek views, then decide whether to add a walk based on the weather and trail conditions. You don’t need to commit to a long hike to make this a worthwhile part of the trip.

This stop does require careful footing. DCNR warns about steep terrain, slippery rocks, and swift currents. Stay on designated trails, wear shoes with good traction, and keep out of the creek—swimming is prohibited.  

My approach: Enjoy the scenery at a comfortable pace. Getting a photograph is never worth stepping onto a wet rock or moving too close to the water.

After the park, Volant makes a pleasant change of pace.

Visit Lawrence County describes a Main Street lined with specialty shops offering items such as crafts, pottery, collectibles, clothing, and seasonal decorations. The historic gristmill also houses a retail shop. That combination of an old building and small businesses is exactly the sort of thing that makes me want to stop and look around.

I would leave this part of the day open-ended. Browse a few shops, look for somewhere to have lunch or a snack, and enjoy the town rather than trying to check off every storefront.

Shop hours can vary, so check the businesses you especially want to visit before planning your arrival. If shopping is a priority, give it a clear place in your schedule instead of saving everything for late afternoon.

My approach: Leave time for an unexpected treasure—and a little space in the car in case one comes home with you.

For the final stop, I would continue to New Wilmington and explore the surrounding countryside.

The area around Volant and New Wilmington is home to an Amish community, and Lawrence County’s tourism office highlights the rural scenery and opportunities for self-guided or organized touring. Horse-drawn buggies also share the roads here, so drive patiently and give them plenty of room.

After the earlier stops, this is where I would slow down again. Rather than adding a long list of attractions, I would enjoy the countryside and stop at businesses that are clearly open to the public.

For anyone taking photographs or making videos, be considerate. Ask before photographing people, respect requests not to film, and keep private homes and farms private. Park safely before taking any pictures.

My approach: Let the countryside be part of the experience. Every mile doesn’t need an activity attached to it.

Make It a Two-Day Getaway: Where to Stay

If I were turning this road trip into an overnight getaway, I would look for accommodations around New Wilmington or New Castle. That would give me a comfortable base for exploring Volant and the countryside without driving all the way home that evening.

The Inn on Market — New Wilmington

For a stay that fits the small-town atmosphere of this trip, I would consider . This bed-and-breakfast is located across from Westminster College in New Wilmington, and breakfast is included. Its historic building would make an appealing companion to a weekend spent discovering local history. theinnonmarket.com

The Jacqueline House of Wilmington — Near New Wilmington

Another option is The Jacqueline House, located at 3213 State Route 956, between New Castle and New Wilmington. It offers four Victorian-style guest rooms with private bathrooms, plus breakfast included with your stay. Its rural setting appeals to me for a quiet finish to a day of exploring. 

Hampton Inn & Suites — New Castle

If you prefer a traditional hotel, is another option to compare. The hotel offers complimentary hot breakfast, making it convenient to eat before heading out for the second day. hilton.com

Room rates and availability depend on your travel dates. Before booking, check the total price, cancellation policy, and check-in arrangements.

I would aim to arrive early, find a legal parking space, and photograph the location of my car before heading into the festival. My first walk would be for getting oriented: finding the activity areas, restrooms, and places where I could take a break.

After browsing, I would choose lunch and leave the afternoon flexible for entertainment, more shopping, or the car display if visiting Sunday. Rather than trying to do everything, I would pick two or three priorities and let the rest of the day unfold around them.

Comfortable walking shoes, layers, a charged phone, and a small amount of cash would be on my packing list. I would budget separately for food, purchases, parking, and any paid activities. Anyone needing accessible parking or a shorter walking route should contact the organizers ahead of time for current arrangements.

For an overnight trip, I would compare accommodations before committing to the weekend and check cancellation policies carefully. Festival traffic and parking can add time to a journey, so I would also leave room in the schedule for a slower arrival and departure.

If I’m spending the night, I would use the extra day to explore two more covered bridges. With McConnells Mill already on the itinerary, that would make three historic covered bridges in one weekend—my kind of Pennsylvania adventure!

My Updated Two-Day Plan

• Day One: Pittsburgh → Harmony → McConnells Mill → Volant → overnight near New Wilmington. Prioritize any shops you want to visit before they close.
• Day Two: Breakfast → explore New Wilmington → Banks Covered Bridge → optional detour to Kidd’s Mill Covered Bridge → head south toward Pittsburgh.

For me, those extra stops would turn a little getaway into a wonderful mix of small-town history, countryside scenery, and covered-bridge discoveries. I would leave room for photographs and a lunch stop rather than hurry straight home.

Banks Covered Bridge is a natural addition to this trip. Built in 1889, this white-painted bridge spans Neshannock Creek in the countryside between Volant and New Wilmington. Its Burr arch truss construction gives visitors another style to compare with the bridge at McConnells Mill.

I would make this a leisurely photography stop, taking time to admire the wooden construction and surrounding scenery. It remains an active, single-lane crossing used by cars and horse-drawn buggies, so keep the entrance clear and find a safe, legal place to stop.

Navigation address: 202 Covered Bridge Road, Volant, PA 16156.

Kidd’s Mill Covered Bridge — Transfer, Mercer County

For a longer second-day adventure, I would continue north to Kidd’s Mill Covered Bridge near Transfer. It is Mercer County’s only remaining historic covered bridge and crosses the Shenango River. Its unusual Smith truss construction makes it an especially interesting stop for anyone who enjoys these wooden landmarks. Kidds Mill Covered Bridge

This stop extends the trip beyond the original route, so I would treat it as an optional excursion before heading home. Search for Kidd’s Mill Covered Bridge, Transfer, Pennsylvania, on Kidds Mill Road when planning your drive.

This is my kind of little Pennsylvania getaway: a bit of history, a covered bridge, small-town shops, and country roads that invite me to slow down.

I like having a route to follow while still leaving room to wander. Maybe I’ll spend longer looking at historic buildings. Maybe a shop window will pull me inside. Maybe the best part will simply be standing somewhere beautiful and enjoying the moment.

Whether you bring a friend or head out on your own, this route offers a reason to get out and explore close to home.

Which stop would you explore first?

Find more adventures at ontheroadwithsusan.com.