Promised Land for Railroad Buffs-New Entries!!

The Railroaders Museum, World Famous Horseshoe Curve, Pennsylvania Railroad Shops ,Convention Center, and Baker Mansion all have ties to the early 19th century when steam engines ruled! My favorite is the Horseshoe Curve where, as a child, I would climb the 150+ steps to get to the top to view the engineering phenomenon that linked communication between the north and south. One of the few places on earth where you can view the panorama of an entire freight train as it curves around the mountain forming a horsheshoe. Today there is a modern funicular car that transports you to the top but engineers on passing trains still toot their whistles to the delight of visiting crowds.

The new Railroaders Museum is full of living history,artifacts,videos, documents, research...everything you want to know about the history of the railroad. Baker Mansion(former home of Elias Baker,steel and iron magnate), is filled with restored furnishings,period antiques and lots of history about the area,including the Johnstown Flood.

Quick Tips:

At one time over 100 trains (passenger and freight) came in and out of Altoona. Now they are limited to one passenger train in each direction and a relatively few freight trains. Check train station for approximate times to catch the thrill of seeing a train pass by at the top of the Horseshoe Curve! Allow yourself several hours to view the Railroaders Museum(more if you are a buff). Morning is a good time to go because you can get a 24 hour ticket that includes pass to the Horseshoe Curve.

Best Way To Get Around:

The absolute best way to get to Altoona,if you are a railroading buff, is to come by train! Traveling west you can get a train at major stops from New York,Philadelphia, Lancaster,Harrisburg. Traveling east from Chicago you can catch one in Chicago,Columbus,Pittsburgh. If you are traveling east,you can actually experience going around the Horseshoe Curve. It's a thrill to be able to see the front and back of the train at the same time! Once there you are better off with a car. There is some bus service within the town area, but you will need a car for outlying areas such as Horseshoe Curve.

We were looking for a quick meal before a movie and didn't want to spend a lot of money or get dressed up. I wanted a place with some local color. Phoenix turned out to be a great pick. I had to save gathering the history for a later date (with more time), but I did see and taste a typical Saturday night..I liked! Very casual,informal atmosphere...typical local Ma & PA restauarant. But the food was a little more than the standard local stuff and deserves a mention. My baked orange roughy was a steak, not filet and was seasoned and baked perfectly. It reminded me a great deal of lobster. Mom's fried oyster's (a favorite of hers) were also excellent and the portion was large. Rod's prime rib looked more like half of a cow. It was huge!! And it melted in your mouth...real top quality stuff. Rich ordered Shrimp Scampi but the shrimp looked small and the sauce was a little greasier than I would have thought. We had a choice of a side order of spaghetti ,potato or broccoli & carrots. The vegetables also were cooked to perfection...not oversteamed at all! We received a tossed salad with choice of dressing but as time was limited we skipped dessert. The bar is stocked with favorites and a nice selection of wine by the glass. I plan to return here again on my next visit.

If you are in Altoona for any length of time, this is the one restaurant you do not want to miss!It's much more cozy and elegant than your typical local Italian restaurant.

The best part is the food...specialities are too numerous to mention but include outstanding antipasto platters, special veal, beef and poultry dishes, homemade pastas, steamed shrimp, northern and southern Italian specialties and an interesting variety of appetizers. Ingredients for menu items are selected daily from quality markets, a tradition started by founding chef, Phil D'Allosso and his wife Edith. The tradition of fine food has been carried on by Phil's daughter Gloria and her husband,now head chef, Danny Taddei. The newly-remodeled main dining room provides a relaxed and unhurried atmosphere, while the well-trained staff go out of their way to make you feel at home. In the second dining room you can admire local artwork and stained glass that seem to give life to what could be a dull and ordinary space. The intimacy of this area makes it popular for couples or those seeking a quieter space. The newest room is elegant and just right for an evening of dining among friends. A cozy cocktail lounge and bar are perfect for a before or after dinner drink, and a banquet room is available for parties up to 60.

The Allegro also offers catering service for any size venue and they just started marketing their own canned Allegro Gourmet Italian Sauce ( it is the best) so you can take a little taste of Allegro home!

You will learn not only about the history of steam and its role in the growth of our nation,but will catch many colorful and informative glimpses of life in the early 19th century when Altoona was first settled by workers for the PRR. The 3 floor museum is actually housed in former shops and offices of the railroad(my dad worked in a first floor corner office- I remember it vividly!). It is organized and presented in an effective style that has something that will appeal to everyone. I was most fascinated by the 2 films, the personal vignettes, the hospital records and information provided by railroad doctor and sites too numerous to mention.

I made a pilgrimage om a cold,rainy morning in October to experience the Horseshoe Curve as an adult. As a child, hearing the eerie sound of a train going up the mountain in the middle of the night,was somehow comforting. The wailing train whistle and the steady chug of the engines meant that fathers were working,goods were moving, people were happy. Whenever ANYONE came to visit from out-of-town, my father loved to truck us all up there to see the trains. The big thrill was climbing the over 100 steep steps to reach the top.(There is now a modern funicular you can ride to the top but the steps are still available). At the top you can see for miles and miles. The highlight of the tour is if you are lucky enough to be there when a train comes around the curve. I happened to catch two freight trains at the top,but to my disappointment the engineers (on the engines in the back of the train) seemed oblivious to the small crowd gathered and did not acknowledge the childrens' gestures with a friendly "toot" of the horn or blow of the whistle. I dont ever remember an engineer who didnt reciprocate this gesture. It always seemed like it was fun for them to put on a show by blasting that horn as long and loud as possible. There is still something exhiliriating and unexpalinable about the thrill you get when that train passes by! Maybe its the building anticipation as you hear and feel the engines as they labor their way up the steep mountain from Altoona. I walked down the steps but since renovated,they did not present the same challenge they did when I was younger. There is a small museum there also that provides an educational exhibit about the building of the curve. This was the piece I was missing as a child. Every time I go to the museum I learn something new. I never appreciated the brainpower,manpower and importance that this achievement represents to the country and the world. Its worth a trip to Altoona to see this "modern wonder of the world".

Believe it or not, this ultra-modern, state of the art amusement park and waterslide can trace its historic beginnings back to the days of the railroad. Of course there are also the typical Arcade and skill-type games. For some people the main highlight of Lakemont Park is still the food. They are famous for popcorn, caramel corn, cotton candy, softserve ice cream and a host of other treats.

While Legion Park is not huge by any standards, it is well worth the trip-expecially if you are a family on a budget! There are activities and exhibits here to keep your child entertained (literally) with challenging physical activities, discovery and fun for hours. It is difficult to describe but we have seen every age(from toddlers to seniors) walk thru and try the different levels of fun. It's a great place for grandparents to head with visiting grandchildren. Plus there is a fantastic garden area filled with several different outdoor exhibits that are every bit as much fun for the adults! Bring a picnic lunch and eat under the shade. There are no concession stands to distract the kids. Several pavilions are available for rental for large parties. I went to a wedding reception here that included many, many children. It was perfect for that type of activity! Kids could play within sight of parents...Band played in the pavilion and caterer set up barbeque for guests.