You’re driving through the Allegheny Mountains, and honestly, you might expect just trees and the occasional gas station. Then you hit Altoona. It’s this weirdly beautiful mix of grit and Gilded Age leftovers. People call it "Railroad City," and for once, a nickname actually fits.
I’ve spent a lot of time poking around central Pennsylvania. Most folks just blow through on I-99. Big mistake. If you want to understand how America actually got built, or if you just want a really good slice of square pizza, you need to stop here.
What to do in Altoona: The Engineering Marvel Everyone Mentions
Look, you can’t talk about this place without the Horseshoe Curve. It sounds like a boring history field trip, but it’s kinda mind-blowing when you’re standing there. Back in 1854, they didn't have computers or dynamite. They had picks, shovels, and a lot of horses.
The curve was the solution to a massive problem: the Allegheny Ridge was too steep for trains to climb. So, they built a massive $2,375$-foot long curve to taper the grade. Today, you can take a funicular (basically a slanted elevator) up to the observation area.
If you’re lucky, a massive Norfolk Southern freight train will come rumbling around the bend. The ground literally shakes. It’s visceral. Even if you aren't a "train person," the sheer scale of the engineering makes you feel small.
The Museum Downtown
Once you've seen the tracks, head to the Railroaders Memorial Museum. It’s in the old Master Mechanics Building. Most museums focus on the machines, but this one focuses on the people.
The exhibits show what life was like for the thousands of workers who kept the Pennsylvania Railroad running. It wasn't glamorous. It was dangerous, loud, and greasy.
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- The K4s Steam Locomotive: You can see one of these monsters being restored.
- Kelly's Bar: A recreation of a local haunt where workers would swap stories.
- The Toll: They don't sugarcoat the accidents or the industrial toll on the families.
Nostalgia is a Hell of a Drug: Lakemont and DelGrosso's
Altoona is one of the few places left where the "old school" amusement park vibe isn't a marketing gimmick; it's just the reality.
Lakemont Park is home to Leap-The-Dips. Built in 1902, it is the oldest operating wooden roller coaster in the world. It doesn't have loops. It doesn't go 100 miles per hour. But there is something genuinely terrifying and exhilarating about a ride that has been creaking along for over 120 years.
The Pasta Sauce Connection
A few miles north in Tipton, you’ll find DelGrosso’s Amusement Park. It’s famous for two things: the "Laguna Splash" water park and the food.
The DelGrosso family makes famous pasta sauce, and they own the park. You can actually smell the garlic and oregano near the food stands. Skip the standard hot dogs. Get the spaghetti or the lasagna. It’s probably the only amusement park in America where the food is the main event.
For 2026, they’ve expanded their schedule, with the Harvestfest in late September being the big local draw. They also have a new "Del-Ghoul-So's" Halloween event that's been gaining steam.
The Food Scene: Beyond the Chains
If you want to eat like a local, you have to accept "Altoona Style" pizza. It’s controversial. Honestly, people argue about it more than politics. It’s square, with a thick crust, sweet sauce, and—this is the part that kills people—a slice of yellow American cheese on top.
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29th St Pizza Subs & More is a solid place to try the local favorites. If you want something more upscale, Finelli’s Italian Villa is the go-to. It feels like stepping into a 1950s mob movie in the best way possible. Frank Sinatra on the speakers, white tablecloths, and incredible veal parm.
For a quicker bite:
- The Athenian Cafe: Phenomenal gyros. It’s a hole-in-the-wall that most tourists miss.
- Stone Cellar: Great for a craft beer and seasonal dishes.
- The Clay Cup: A cozy coffee shop downtown that’s perfect for people-watching.
Why the Architecture Matters
Walking through downtown Altoona feels like looking at a faded photograph. The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament is a massive, grey stone structure with a dome that dominates the skyline. People often mistake it for a government building because it looks so official.
Inside, it’s all stained glass and silence. It’s a "Duomo" style building that won architectural awards back in the day. Even if you aren't religious, the craftsmanship is worth a ten-minute walkthrough.
Then there’s the Mishler Theatre. It was built by Isaac Mishler in 1906 and restored to its red-and-gold glory. They still host the Altoona Community Theatre there. If you can catch a show, do it just to see the interior.
Baker Mansion
If you want to see how the "other half" lived while the railroad workers were sweating in the shops, visit Baker Mansion. It’s a Greek Revival home built by an ironmaster named Elias Baker. It’s supposedly haunted, but even without the ghosts, the period-correct rooms give you a clear picture of 19th-century wealth.
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Getting Outside the City
If the industrial history starts to feel a bit heavy, you’ve got options. Canoe Creek State Park is about 20 minutes away. It’s got a beautiful lake and some of the best hiking in the region.
You should also check out Fort Roberdeau. It’s a reconstructed Revolutionary War fort. They call it the "Lead Mine Fort" because it was built to protect lead mining operations used for bullets. It’s a bit of a drive, but the mountain views are some of the best in Blair County.
Common Misconceptions About Altoona
A lot of people think Altoona is just a "dying rust belt town." That’s a lazy take. While the population isn't what it was in 1930 (which peaked at 82,000), there’s a massive push for downtown revitalization.
The Penn State Altoona campus brings in a younger crowd, which has helped places like Levity Brewing Co thrive. It’s not a city stuck in the past; it’s a city trying to figure out how to use its past to build a future.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Visit:
- Check the Train Schedule: If you’re going to the Horseshoe Curve, check the Norfolk Southern freight schedules or Amtrak’s Pennsylvanian times so you don't end up staring at empty tracks.
- Book a Tour at Baker Mansion: They aren't always open for walk-ins, so check the Blair County Historical Society website first.
- Wear Comfortable Shoes: Downtown Altoona and the Railroaders Museum involve a lot of walking on uneven pavement and industrial floors.
- Visit Sheetz: It sounds weird to suggest a gas station, but Sheetz started here. The "super" Sheetz on 17th St is basically a local landmark. Get the MTO (Made-To-Order) fries.
Altoona isn't a polished tourist trap. It’s a real place with real history, and that’s exactly why it’s worth the trip. You get the sense that the city doesn't really care if you like it or not—it's just going to keep being Altoona. And there’s something pretty refreshing about that.