Tioga, Potter, McKean and Warren counties are some of the more scenic areas in Pennsylvania, and if you are traveling throughout the Route 6 Corridor, you will have the pleasure of taking in the beautiful landscapes these counties have to offer. This region, known as the Scenic Route 6 landscape of the PA Wilds, is also home to a variety of PA Route 6 Artisan Trail members sure to make your next road trip a unique experience!
Entering Tioga County and heading west, stop in Blossburg at the Blossburg Company Store. Here you’ll find all you need for your fiber arts projects and an expansive collection of yarns and supplies housed in a beautifully renovated historic building. If you happen to be in Blossburg the weekend of September 9-10, 2023, head over to Island Park for A Just Cause, an annual craft show featuring local artisans.
Next stop along on PA Route 6 is the charming town of Wellsboro, home of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. Spend a few hours shopping for games the whole family will enjoy at Pop’s Culture Shoppe, where you can also play games and puzzles in their game room. Just up the street is Highland Chocolates. This tasty stop is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth with handmade chocolates and favorite childhood candies. Their nearby factory is also open for tours so you can see exactly how these chocolates are made.
Also in Wellsboro is Stained Glass Reflections, a full service working stained glass studio with a great collection of stained-glass products. Purchase something to take home or set up a personalized class to create your own.
If you need a little pampering, Emerge Healing Art, Spa & Salt Cave will help you get back to feeling your best. Book a massage, facial or time in the area’s only salt cave, and take home some of their signature skin care products.
About a block away is Gmeiner Art & Cultural Center. Take in some local art at this community art center. With exhibits changing monthly, Gmeiner also hosts guest speakers and presentations on various topics of interest. See their website for a schedule of events.
Heading out of town on Route 6, call ahead and arrange an appointment to visit the studio of local photographer PA Suncatcher Linda Stager. Contact information and a sneak peak of her work can be found on her website. Edge of the Woods Photography is another local photographer who captures the local scenery from a different view. You can see her work on her Facebook or Instagram page. Still in the Wellsboro area, Cottage Glassworks offers fused glass art pieces. Get a truly unique piece as no two pieces are exactly alike!
A little further west on Route 6 is Mack’s Chainsaw Art, a must-stop if you’re looking for something to add to your outside spaces. They offer all sizes of chainsaw carvings with premade carvings onsite, or they can create a custom piece to suit your needs.
A little north of Wellsboro, in the town of Middlebury Center, stop by Aunt Lulu’s Embroidery. She specializes in custom embroidery and screen printing.
And no trip through the Wilds would be complete without a stop in Westfield at Patterson Farms, Pennsylvania’s largest maple syrup producer. Tour their facilities and learn the history behind maple syrup and take home some of the best tasting syrup around.
Heading into Potter County and into the town of Galeton, visit Lydia’s Country Store, a unique shopping experience located in a 120-year-old Victorian house. Here you will find locally made products, home décor, and gifts for every occasion. Just up Main Street is A Stroll Down Memory Lane, which boasts over 9,000 square feet with an eclectic collection of just about anything imaginable in this century-old hardware building. The work of over 250 regional artists, vendors, and consigners are represented here. You won’t be disappointed.
Traveling west on Route 6 out of Galeton, you will arrive at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum. This fun and educational experience lets you discover the spirit of Pennsylvania’s lumbering past while learning to care for the forests of the future. Check out their interactive exhibits and outdoor exhibits for family-friendly fun.
Another artisan just slightly north of here is DRW Designs and 1 of a Kind Gourds. These unique hand painted gourds would be a unique souvenir of your trip across PA Route 6. Her products are sold in The Potter County Artisan Center in nearby Coudersport or online. The Artisan Center is home to all locally made products ranging from hand woven baskets to fine art paintings. Several classes are available to join each month to help you explore your creative side.
Another Artisan Trail Member who has his work in the Artisan Center is Curt Weinhold. He specializes in fine art photography of the beautiful landscapes and wildlife of the PA Wilds Region. Browse his gallery of photos online.
While in Downtown Coundersport, stop by Cream N Sugar for a bite to eat and indulge in one of their homemade sweet treats. They also have a small shop with locally made products. Olga Gallery Café & Bistro is also downtown. This one-stop-shop is full of beautiful art along with great food and drinks inspired by Olga herself.
Looking to spend the night? Frosty Hollow Bed and Breakfast offers relaxing country comfort and scenic views in the middle of God’s Country. Wake up and enjoy the beautiful surroundings while enjoying a cup of coffee and a delicious homemade breakfast. Don’t leave without shopping in their mercantile filled with jams, jellies, and other homemade goodies. Maybe even plan to stay an extra night so you can visit Cherry Springs State Park and experience one of the darkest night skies East of the Mississippi.
South of Coudersport, near the town of Austin, visit Austin Dam Memorial Park. This is the site of the Austin Dam break, the second-worst dam break in Pennsylvania history. View the ruins and hike one of the trails in the park. The grassy area near the dam is also the site of many festivals and music events throughout the year.
Traveling west on PA Route 6, you’ll enter McKean County and the vast Allegheny National Forest, with the first stop in Port Allegany, where you can take in a concert in the Town Square Gazebo. Town Square Concerts are held every Thursday evening through the summer months.
A little north of Route 6, in Duke Center, is Little Mountain Winery. Established in 2021, they welcome you to stop and find your new favorite wine and enjoy a peaceful atmosphere to sit and relax.
Further north is Bradford, home of the Bradford Creative and Performing Arts Center. Check their website for a full schedule of events and plan your visit to include one of their many arts programs and shows.
Back on PA Route 6, head west into Kane, “A Star in the Forest,” where you’ll find plenty of places to dine, shop, and have an adventure! Nearby Flickerwood Wine Cellars, home of the “Wine that Rocks,” offers over 30 varieties of wine and a menu of sandwiches and appetizers. If you happen to be in Kane during the end of June, plan to spend an afternoon at Art in the Wilds, a juried fine art show held annually where makers from surrounding areas set up for you to experience their creativity.
Downtown Kane is home to several other members of the PA Route 6 Artisan Trail, too, including Twisted Vine Winery, which offers free tastings and specializes in uniquely flavored wines. Enjoy a new flavor with a delicious meal while sitting on the outside patio.
Not into wine? No problem. Right down the road is Logyard Brewing. Specializing in IPA’s, but also offering Lagers, Shandys and seasonal specialties, they strive to bring you a one-of-a-kind beer. Visit their taproom downtown, decked out with their family’s history in the logging industry, or inquire about a private tour of their brewery.
Not a beer or wine fan? Still not a problem. Head over to CJ Spirits and enjoy spirits made with local grains and pure Allegheny Mountain spring water.
Another fun stop in Kane is the Laughing Owl Press, a letter press company that offers custom design work for all your special occasion needs. Using machines that date as far back as the early 1900’s, they create what you imagine, and they are happy to share that with you. Their retail store is full of their work along with other gift items.
Heading west on PA Route 6 from Kane is a distillery that produces spirits directly from the sunflowers they grow, the Wilds Sonshine Factory. Their tasting room has the longest bar made from one continuous piece of wood. While there, stop into the artisan gift shop displaying the works from local artisans.
Not too far beyond Kane you come to the town of Ludlow where Olmsted Manor sits on the hill above PA Route 6. This historic mansion, which was completed in 1917, is now home to a retreat center and also hosts workshops for photographers, writers.
Crossing over into Warren County, you’ll come to the town of Sheffield, where the Johnny Appleseed Festival is held every October. This festival is popular for those that like to watch and compete in timber sports. In addition, there are lots of food vendors and locally made products available and kids activities to keep everyone busy.
In the town of Warren, be sure to stop at Warren Antiques & Giftware. This large retail space is home to vendors of all kinds including antiques, locally made products, collectibles, and gifts. Not far away is Ekey Marketplace, which is like having six shopping experiences in one! From a floral shop and boutique to a farmer’s market and winery, Ekey Marketplace is a must-see in Warren.
Just down the road is Crary Art Gallery. This nonprofit art gallery is home to permanent art exhibits from the Crary family and others as well as works from local artists. Check out their website for the most current exhibits. Interested in having your memories captured as you are traveling PA Route 6? We have a photographer for that! Local photography studio Moments in Time Studio specializes in family, pet, and senior photos.
Last but certainly not least, as you are finishing your PA Route 6 Artisan Trail tour through the PA Wilds, consider stopping at the Wild Wind Folk Art Festival in Pittsfield. Now in its 43rd year, this arts and craft show showcases over 100 artisans and food vendors at the Warren County Fairgrounds and offers a fun way to spend a September day!
And once you’re home, sifting through the many photos and memories made along the way, drop us a line and share your adventure with other travelers who love PA Route 6 as much as we do! Want more Artisan-inspired itineraries? Check out this page on our website devoted to exploring the creative side of PA Route 6!
The PA Route 6 Alliance, a 501(c3) corporation, was established in 2003 to manage the PA Route 6 Heritage Corridor and to implement the Management Action Plan, branding and marketing plans, community development programs, and other planning efforts along the corridor. The Alliance includes representatives from all 11 counties, 9 convention and visitor bureaus, 4 heritage areas, local development districts, local business owners, Chambers of Commerce, and other interested parties along the corridor.
Author: Guest Contributor
The Pennsylvania Wilds is home to more than 2 million acres of public land, 50 state game lands, 29 state parks, 8 state forests, 2 National Wild & Scenic Rivers, abundant wildlife, hundreds of miles of land and water trails, some of the darkest skies in the country, and the largest elk herd in the northeast.
The PA Wilds team is grateful to share the many stories of this region through the words and images of our talented guest contributors.