Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary spans the border between Schuylkill and Berks Counties. The sanctuary was founded in 1934, making it the world's first sanctuary for birds of prey. Thousands of birds, including bald eagles, peregrine falcons and a variety of hawk species, migrate over the Kittatinny Ridge each year, and Hawk Mountain's staff and volunteers log the birds' activity. Hawk Mountain hosts a variety of educational programs for all ages. The Raptors Up Close program is a great way for kids to learn about the importance of hawks and owls in the food chain. Eight miles of hiking trails run through the Hawk Mountain property, with degrees of difficulty ranging from easy trek to the South Lookout to the difficult Skyline trail, which includes part of the Appalachian Trail.
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
1700 Hawk Mountain Road
Kempton, PA 19529
610-756-6961
hawkmountain.org
Heislers's Cloverleaf Dairy
Heisler's is a Schuylkill County tradition dating to 1957. Each summer, parents and kids flock to Heisler's to challenge each other on one of the two 18-hole miniature golf courses. While there, they also enjoy the ice cream. More than 40 flavors are made on the premises. The specialty of the house is the CMP sundae--chocolate, marshmallow and peanuts served over vanilla ice cream. There's also an arcade featuring skee-ball, kiddie rides and lots of video games. Heisler's is also the summer home of a flock of about 100 pairs of purple martins.
Heisler's Cloverleaf Dairy
743 Catawissa Road
Tamaqua, PA 18252
Phone: 570-668-3399
heislersdairy.com
Pioneer Tunnel
Anthracite coal was once the financial backbone of Schuylkill County, and thousands of miners risked their lives every day to fuel the U.S. industrial revolution. At the Pioneer Tunnel in Ashland, visitors get a living history lesson by traveling 1,800 feet into an authentic coal mine. The tour gives children a glimpse into the difficult lifestyle of the coal miners of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Visitors can also take a ride on the Henry Clay, a 1920s steam locomotive, and learn about the Centralia mine fire, an underground fire burning since the 1960s.
Pioneer Tunnel
19th & Oak Streets
Ashland, PA 17921
570-875-3850
pioneertunnel.com
Article Written By Molly Klinger
Molly Klinger has a degree in communications and has been writing professionally since 1990. She has experience writing about many subjects, including technology, the food and beverage industry, health issues and sports. She has been published in the Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal and Pennsylvania's Official Wine & Spirits Quarterly. Klinger holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications from the University of Scranton.
