PA Counties

7 Must-See Attractions in Washington County

Rusty Glessner

A collage of 4 attractions from Washington County, PA including Meadowcroft, the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, the Duncan and Miller Glass Museum, and Sarris Chocolate Factory.

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

A map of Pennsylvania counties with Washington County highlighted in red.

The county was established in 1781 and is named in honor of General George Washington.

Washington County historical marker in front of the county courthouse in Washington, PA.

The county seat is Washington, nicknamed “Little Washington” to distinguish it from Washington, D.C.

The Washington County Courthouse in Washington, PA.

Washington County claims two legendary voices as its own – Perry Como, the smooth-voiced icon of mid-20th century radio and television, and Bobby Vinton, the “Polish Prince” whose romantic ballads topped the charts in the 1960s and 70s.

Perry Como Monument in his hometown of Canonsburg, Washington County PA. — The Perry Como monument in his hometown of Canonsburg, Washington County.

From historical attractions to museums to a candy-lovers paradise, here are 7 of the best things to see and do in Washington County.

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.

Bright yellow vintage Toledo streetcar on display inside the Trolley Display Building at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum in Washington County, Pennsylvania.

1. Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village

Visiting Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village in Washington County is like stepping into a time capsule of North American history.

Collage of four photos at Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village in Washington County, PA, showing the entrance to the archaeological rockshelter built into a hillside, a historic marker explaining the site’s significance, a museum exhibit displaying prehistoric artifacts with interpretive artwork, and an archaeologist actively excavating inside the shelter.

This National Historic Landmark in western Pennsylvania offers an incredible blend of archaeology and living history that connects visitors to thousands of years of human life.

Exhibit panel at Meadowcroft Rockshelter in Washington County, PA, titled “North America’s Time Capsule,” describing the site as the oldest place of continuous human habitation on the continent, with evidence of 19,000 years of prehistoric human activity and artifacts that illuminate the lives of early hunter-gatherers and farmers.

From prehistoric shelters to pioneer homesteads, Meadowcroft tells a story that spans nearly 20 millennia.

Collage of three photos at Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village in Washington County, PA, featuring a costumed interpreter standing outside a 19th-century one-room schoolhouse with a bell tower and small wooden outbuilding, an interior view of the school with desks, a central wood stove, and a teacher addressing children, and a rustic brick fireplace and hearth inside another historic building displaying period cooking tools and household items.

2. The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum

Visiting the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum in Washington County is a journey back in time to the golden age of streetcars.

Collage of four images from the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum in Washington County, Pennsylvania, showing vintage trolleys inside the Trolley Display Building, a Steelers-themed trolley at the boarding platform, a motorman operating a trolley during an excursion, and the entrance to the museum’s Trolley Display Building.

This unique museum combines education, history, and hands-on experiences that delight both children and adults.

With one admission fee, guests enjoy access to the museum and visitor center, the trolley display building, and a scenic four-mile round-trip ride on a vintage trolley.

Bright orange vintage Valley Route trolley stopped at the Washington County Fairgrounds platform outside the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum in Washington County, Pennsylvania, with a railroad signal and surrounding hills visible in the background.

3. The Duncan & Miller Glass Museum

Visiting the Duncan & Miller Glass Museum in Washington County is a passage back into the golden age of American glassmaking.

Collage of four photos from the Duncan and Miller Glass Museum in Washington, PA featuring decorative glassware displays, colorful glass swan bowls, intricate vintage pieces, and a museum banner highlighting visitor information and tour details.

The museum tells the story of the Duncan & Miller Glass Company, which began in 1865 in Pittsburgh before relocating to Washington, PA after a devastating fire in 1892.

Illuminated display cases at the Duncan and Miller Glass Museum in Washington, PA showcasing an extensive collection of intricately crafted glassware, including vases, pitchers, bowls, and decorative pieces in clear and colored designs.

Known for its artistry and craftsmanship, the company produced some of the finest American tableware for nearly a century until it closed in 1955.

Close-up view of decorative glass dishware at the Duncan and Miller Glass Museum in Washington, PA, featuring intricately patterned plates, cups, and bowls in vibrant shades of gold, red, and clear glass.

4. Sarris Candies

Visiting the Sarris Candies’ Chocolate Factory Store and Ice Cream Parlour in Canonsburg is a must for anyone with a sweet tooth and a sense of nostalgia.

Collage of four images from Sarris Candies’ Chocolate Factory and Ice Cream Parlour in Canonsburg, PA, featuring the glass candy counter with assorted chocolates, the elaborate chocolate castle display, shelves with giant chocolate bars and teddy bears, and the outdoor seating area under bright red awnings.

This family-run business has been a staple in Washington County for decades, delighting visitors with its irresistible chocolates, old-fashioned ice cream parlour, and whimsical décor.

Interior of Sarris Candies’ Chocolate Factory and Ice Cream Parlour in Canonsburg, PA, featuring a large ice cream sundae sculpture, shelves filled with boxed chocolates and plush toys, and a colorful mural of chocolate bunnies and Easter-themed decorations along the upper wall.

Covering an entire city block, the Sarris factory store has grown from humble beginnings into a beloved landmark known across the region.

Exterior view of Sarris Candies’ Chocolate Factory and Ice Cream Parlour in Canonsburg, PA, featuring the red and brick building with outdoor seating, bold red signage on the roof, and bright red awnings along the sidewalk under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

5. McClurg Covered Bridge

At just 24 feet long, McClurg Covered Bridge in Washington County holds the title of the shortest covered bridge in Pennsylvania.

Collage of four photos of the McClurg Covered Bridge in Washington County, Pennsylvania, showing side and front views of the red 1880 Kingpost truss bridge, the interior walkway, and a plaque detailing its 1987 relocation, 1988 restoration, and list of donors.

Today, it offers visitors a chance to step back in time while strolling through Hanover Township Park.

McClurg Covered Bridge in Washington County, Pennsylvania, a small red wooden Kingpost truss bridge built in 1880, surrounded by tall pine trees with a park bench nearby.

6. The Antique Center of Strabane

The Antique Center of Strabane in Canonsburg is a treasure trove for anyone who appreciates antiques and decorative arts.

Collage of four photos from the Antique Center of Strabane in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, showing aisles of vendor booths filled with antiques, vintage advertising signs and posters, displays of early American furniture and decorative arts, and the exterior of the building with its “Antiques” signage and entrance.

This award-winning shop brings together a wide variety of vendors, all conveniently located on one floor, making browsing both enjoyable and easy.

Booth at the Antique Center of Strabane in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, featuring framed vintage artwork, an ornate floral glass lamp, decorative glassware, pottery, and collectible pieces displayed on and inside a wooden display cabinet.

7. Vintage Secrets Antiques

Stepping into Vintage Secrets Antiques in Canonsburg is like walking into a living museum of treasures from the past.

Collage of four photos from Vintage Secrets Antiques in Canonsburg, Washington County, PA, featuring vendor booths filled with colorful vintage décor, glassware, collectibles, and home goods, along with an exterior view of the storefront and sign for the three-level multi-vendor antique mall.

With three levels and more than 45 vendors, the store is packed with antiques, collectibles, and vintage décor that appeal to every taste.

Vendor booth at Vintage Secrets Antiques in Canonsburg, Washington County, PA, showcasing vintage home décor including brass wall plates, framed art, glassware, ceramics, an antique wooden cabinet filled with collectibles, and assorted retro household items.

Nearby Attractions

33 Must-See Attractions in Allegheny County is your guide to some of the best things to see and do in Washington County’s neighbor to the northeast.

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.

27 Must-See Attractions in Westmoreland County is your guide to some of the best things to see and do in Washington County’s neighbor to the east.

A collection of four photos depicting attractions in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. Top left: A large historic cannon displayed outside with the Fort Ligonier museum entrance in the background. Top right: A whimsical, large book-shaped mural with a fairy tale theme, inviting visitors to walk through to a park. Bottom left: A person stands on a rocky outcrop overlooking a stunning autumn forest vista. Bottom right: A lineup of colorful kayaks and canoes on the grassy shore of a tranquil lake with a dock in the background.

22 Must-See Attractions in Fayette County is your guide to some of the best things to see and do in Washington County’s neighbor to the southeast.

Collage of four seasonal outdoor scenes in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, showcasing a hiker photographing the autumn foliage, Fallingwater house surrounded by winter snow, a photographer capturing a frozen waterfall, and a person jogging on a wooden bridge amidst vibrant fall colors.

Discover more than 1000 exceptional destinations worth exploring all across Pennsylvania with the interactive PA Bucket List Travel Map!

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