PA Counties

6 Must-See Attractions in Butler County

This collage features four distinct images from Butler County, Pennsylvania: Top left: A tranquil lakeside scene with a picnic bench under the shade of green trees, overlooking calm waters with hills in the distance. Top right: A whimsical outdoor sculpture resembling a classic UFO, placed on a lawn in front of a row of local businesses including the Grand Avenue Salon and China House. Bottom left: An angular, futuristic-looking building with metallic panels, suggesting an avant-garde architectural style, under a cloudy sky. Bottom right: An intricately carved white statue of a deity flanked by two large, ornate dragon sculptures, displayed in a museum or gallery with informative placards. Each photo represents a unique aspect of the cultural and aesthetic diversity found in Butler County, from natural beauty and public art to innovative architecture and artistic exhibits.

If you’re looking for the best things to see and do in Butler County, you’re in the right place!

A simplified black and white map of Pennsylvania highlighting Butler County in red. The map shows the county boundaries within the state, with Butler County located towards the western part of Pennsylvania. The surrounding counties are outlined but not labeled, and the map does not include any city names or geographical features. The highlighted area clearly indicates the location of Butler County for easy identification. — Butler County is shaded in red and is located in western PA.

The county was formed in 1800 and is named in honor of General Richard Butler, who served with General George Washington in the Continental Army.

A historical marker in Butler County, Pennsylvania, mounted on a blue post. The sign is topped with the state's coat of arms and reads "BUTLER COUNTY - Formed March 12, 1800 from Allegheny County. Named for Gen. Richard Butler, Revolutionary officer. A young George Washington had crossed this area, 1753. County seat was established at Butler in 1803, and the county was home of the Harmony Society, 1804-15. PENNSYLVANIA HISTORICAL AND MUSEUM COMMISSION 1981." In the background is a red brick building with a mural of General Richard Butler depicted as a revolutionary figure with the words "GENERAL, JUDGE, SENATOR." A parked car is partially visible in the lower left corner, suggesting the photo was taken in an urban setting. — Butler County historical marker.

Constructed in 1885, the county courthouse in downtown Butler is a three-story brick and sandstone building that showcases the High Victorian Gothic style, featuring a prominent central four-faced clock tower topped with two double pyramid-shaped roofs.

A clear day view of the Butler County Courthouse in Butler, Pennsylvania. This stately stone building features a central clock tower with a pointed spire, large arched windows, and a symmetric facade with two smaller towers flanking the main structure. In front of the courthouse is a circular fountain with water jets, surrounded by a well-maintained lawn area with benches. Lush green trees partially frame the scene to the left, and a blue sky with a few clouds provides a bright backdrop. The courthouse sits at the end of a street lined with historic buildings, conveying a sense of the town's heritage and civic pride. — The Butler County courthouse.

Butler County is known as the “birthplace of the Jeep”.

This image features a historical stone monument in Butler, Pennsylvania, proclaiming it as the "Home of the 'Jeep'". The monument has an etched illustration of a classic Jeep at the top and an inscription that reads: "Presented to the citizens of Butler County, Pennsylvania, in deep appreciation of their uniting efforts in cooperation with the United States Army in creating, originating, developing and building the first 'General Purpose' vehicle for the Armed Forces of the United States in the year 1940, which later became famous throughout the world as the 'Jeep'". The text acknowledges the citizens and mentions the American Bantam Car Company, the designers, and engineers involved. In the background, there is a two-story stone building with arched windows, alongside a church with stained glass and a pointed steeple, set against a partly cloudy sky. Bare tree branches frame the image on the left, suggesting it was taken in late autumn or winter. — Monument dedicated to the birthplace of the Jeep.

Butler County is also the birthplace of Bret Michael Sychak, better known as Bret Michaels, frontman of the rock band Poison.

An energetic live concert scene at Hersheypark Stadium with a performance by Bret Michaels, who is a native of Butler, PA, and his band Poison. The stage features vibrant lighting with green hues and multiple screens showing close-ups of Bret Michaels wearing a bandana and singing passionately into the microphone. The crowd is lively and engaged, with many hands raised in the air, capturing the excitement of a live music event. The atmosphere suggests a warm, enthusiastic response to the performer. — Butler County native Bret Michaels performing at Hersheypark Arena in 2022.

From state parks to museums to roadside attractions, here are 6 of the best things to see and do in Butler County, Pennsylvania.

Simply click on the blue text links on the map above or in the descriptions below to read more in-depth information about each destination.

Mural in downtown Butler, PA.

1. Moraine State Park

Moraine State Park is a 16,725-acre recreational area named for its hilly deposits of gravel, sand and clay (moraines) that were deposited at the end of the last glacial period (about 12,500 years ago).

A pier along the South Shore of Lake Arthur at Moraine State Park.

The centerpiece of Moraine State Park is 3,225 acre Lake Arthur, a man-made version of an even larger glacial lake that once existed in this same area thousands of years ago.

Bench overlooking the south shore of Lake Arthur at Moraine State Park in Butler County, PA. — Lake Arthur at Moraine State Park in Butler County, PA.

Lake Arthur features 42 miles of shoreline, as well as numerous boat launches, fishing jetties, and swimming areas.

Fishing jetty on Lake Arthur at Moraine State Park.

Lake Arthur was even cast in a feature film, used to portray the Hudson River in The Pale Blue Eye starring Christian Bale.

Lake Arthur at Moraine State Park on a September morning. — Lake Arthur at Moraine State Park was used as a stand-in for the Hudson River in “The Pale Blue Eye.”

And 21 year-old George Washington (yes THAT George Washington) is believed to have passed through what is now Moraine State Park in 1753, on a mission to evict the French from territory claimed by the British.

History of George Washington traversing what is now the Glacier Ridge Trail at Moraine State Park.

2. The Maridon Museum

The Maridon Museum in downtown Butler is the only museum in Western Pennsylvania specifically focused on Asian art and culture.

Exploring the Maridon Asian Art Museum in Butler County Pennsylvania — Scenes from the Maridon Museum.

The museum’s permanent collection includes over 800 art objects, including jade and ivory sculptures, tapestries, paintings, vases, and other assorted artifacts.

Some of the objects at the Maridon Museum depict emperors and legendary figures from Asian cultures.

The Maridon Museum is named after Mary Hulton Phillips and husband Don Phillips, Don being the grandson of the founder of T. W. Phillips Gas and Oil Company, also based in Butler.

The Maridon Museum in Butler County has been western PA's premier museum of Asian art and culture since opening in 2004. — The Maridon Museum in Butler County has been western PA’s premier museum of Asian art and culture since opening in 2004.

All of the items on display at the museum were personally collected over a lifetime by Mary Hulton Phillips.

A small sampling of the Asian artwork on display at the Maridon Museum in Butler County Pennsylvania. — A small sampling of the Asian artwork on display at the museum.

3. Playthings, Etc.

Playthings Etc. is a stealth bomber-shaped toy store along Route 8 in Butler County, billed by the owners as “The World’s Coolest Toy Store!”

Playthings Etc is a large stealth bomber-shaped toy store located along Route 8 in Butler County Pennsylvania. — Playthings Etc. Toys and Hobbies along Route 8 in Butler County.

In this aerial view (provided by the store) you can REALLY see just how closely the structure resembles the once top-secret aircraft.

Aerial view of Playthings, Etc - the stealth bomber shaped toy store in Butler County Pennsylvania. — Aerial view of Playthings, Etc. (photo credit: Playthings, Etc.).

Inside you’ll experience a space-age atmosphere where you can try many of the 6,000 toys on display.

The science fiction-themed interior of the stealth bomber toy sore in Butler County PA. — The science fiction-themed interior of Playthings Etc.

4. The Snowman

The Snowman is a one-of-a-kind, 13 foot-tall concession stand in Butler County that dispenses delicious frozen treats from his round white belly!

The Snowman is a one-of-a-kind concession standing 13 feet tall and made of fiberglass.

The Snowman is believed to have been built as a one-off mobile concession stand in New Mexico in the 1970s, according to owner Brian LaChance.

Visitors to the Snowman in Butler County can enjoy outdoor seating and free Wi-Fi.

Looking for a way to capitalize on the traffic driving past their property en route to Moraine State Park (which sees nearly 2 million visitors/year), Brian and his wife Debbie purchased the Snowman in Cincinnati in 2013 and set up shop on a plot of land next to their house.

The Snowman sits on a plot of land next to the owner's home and horse pasture. — The Snowman sits on a plot of land next to the owner’s home and horse pasture.

5. The Mars Flying Saucer

The Mars Flying Saucer is a spaceship-themed roadside attraction in the small town of Mars, Pennsylvania, 25 miles north of Pittsburgh.

The Flying Saucer is a tribute to the town's extraterrestrial name. — The Flying Saucer is a tribute to the town’s extraterrestrial name.

The town is believed to be named after the Red Planet, which in turn was named after the Roman god of war.

Mars Pennsylvania is named after the Red Planet, which in turn is named after the Roman god of war. — Mars, Pennsylvania is named after the Red Planet, which in turn is named after the Roman god of war.

It occupies a prominent spot in a downtown park, next to a ship’s bell from the USS Mars, a Vietnam War-era Navy ship named after the town.

The Mars Flying Saucer occupies a prominent position in a parklet in downtown.

But it’s the Flying Saucer that has made Mars a popular pitstop for folks that seek out the unusual roadside attractions dotting PA’s landscape.

The Mars Flying Saucer is a popular roadside attraction in Butler County Pennsylvania. — The Mars Flying Saucer is a popular roadside attraction in Butler County.

6. Evans City Cemetery

The Evans City Cemetery holds a special place in horror movie history as the iconic location for the opening scenes of George Romero’s groundbreaking film, “Night of the Living Dead.”

A collage of four photos showcasing the Evans City Cemetery in Butler County, Pennsylvania, known for its role in the 1967 movie "Night of the Living Dead." The top left image shows the entrance sign for the cemetery, engraved with its name and incorporation date. The top right image captures a still from the film with two characters kneeling near a gravestone. The bottom left photo features a historical marker in downtown Evans City, commemorating the town's significance as the filming location for "Night of the Living Dead." The bottom right image presents a modern recreation of a scene from the movie, with a visitor posing near the Blair gravestone, replicating the film's iconic moment. This collage highlights the cemetery's enduring legacy as a landmark in horror cinema history.

Released in 1968, this low-budget masterpiece redefined the zombie genre and cemented its status as one of the most influential horror films of all time.

An informational plaque in Evans City, Butler County, Pennsylvania, detailing the creation of the classic film "Night of the Living Dead." The text explains how, in 1967, a group of Pittsburgh-based filmmakers led by George A. Romero ventured into making a feature-length motion picture using their own funds and equipment. They chose Evans City as the filming location for their low-budget "Monster Flick," which would later become one of the most iconic horror films of all time. The plaque also notes the film's critical reception and subsequent recognition as a classic of the horror genre. A black-and-white photo accompanies the text, showing actress Judith O'Dea, director George A. Romero, and sound technician Gary Streiner working on set, capturing the behind-the-scenes process of this groundbreaking film. The display is set against a grassy area with fallen leaves, connecting it to the town's historical role in the movie's production.

Fans of the genre still flock to this cemetery today, not only to honor the film but to walk in the footsteps of the actors who brought Romero’s terrifying vision to life.

A side-by-side comparison image showing a modern recreation of a scene from "Night of the Living Dead" at the Evans City Cemetery in Butler County, Pennsylvania. The left half features a present-day visitor posing next to the gravestone of Nicholas Kramer, imitating the iconic moment from the film. The right half shows actress Judith O'Dea in the original 1967 movie scene, gripping the same gravestone with a look of fear on her face. Both images highlight the unchanged appearance of the monument, emphasizing the cemetery's enduring connection to this classic horror film.

Nearby Attractions

Yellow Dog Village in neighboring Armstrong County is a former mining company town dating back to the early 1900s that has been called “Pennsylvania’s Best Ghost Town!”

Yellow Dog Village is Pennsylvania's Best Ghost Town. — Scenes from Yellow Dog Village.

24 Must-See Attractions in Allegheny County is your guide to some of the best things to see and do in Butler County’s neighbor to the south.

A collage of four images showcasing attractions in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania: Top left shows a dinosaur skeleton exhibit at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History; top right displays a creative arrangement of Heinz ketchup bottles in the shape of a larger bottle at the Heinz History Center; bottom left features three elephants near a watering hole at the Pittsburgh Zoo; and bottom right is an aerial view of PNC Park during a baseball game with the city skyline in the background. — Scenes from Allegheny County.

McConnells Mill State Park, in neighboring Lawrence County, encompasses 2,546 acres of the spectacular Slippery Rock Creek Gorge, which is a National Natural Landmark.

The best things to see and do at McConnell's Mill State Park in Lawrence County Pennsylvania. — Scenes from McConnells Mill State Park.

Quaker Falls is a 50 foot-tall waterfall in the newly-created Quaker Falls Recreation Area in Lawrence County.

Approaching Quaker Falls in Lawrence County Pennsylvania. — Approaching Quaker Falls in Lawrence County.

Buttermilk Falls is located in neighboring Beaver County, and is one of a handful of Pennsylvania waterfalls that you can stand BEHIND!

The author behind Buttermilk Falls in Beaver County PA. — The author behind Buttermilk Falls in Beaver County.

Brady’s Bend Overlook in neighboring Clarion County is a fantastic roadside vista perched some 520 feet above the Allegheny River.

Brady's Bend Scenic Overlook in Clarion County, Pennsylvania. — Brady’s Bend Scenic Overlook in Clarion County.

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