Nemacolin Resort History

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort is the home to Lady Luck Casino all the way down in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. It’s about an hour south of Pittsburgh’s South Hills. Since it’s a resort, there are plenty of on-site attractions to get excited about.

• Now $399 (Was $̶5̶2̶9̶) on Tripadvisor: Nemacolin, Farmington. See 3,328 traveler reviews, 907 candid photos, and great deals for Nemacolin, ranked #1 of 4 hotels in Farmington and rated 4.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor.
• From Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia Nemacolin Woodlands Resort (formerly known as Nemacolin Inn) is a four seasons resort in Farmington, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. T The resort is owned by Maggie Hardy Magerko, president of the 84 Lumber Company.

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort celebrated their 25th Anniversary in 2012. Purchased by Joseph A. Hardy in 1987, the resort has grown from a small hunting retreat to one of only eight properties worldwide to boast both AAA Five-Diamond and Forbes Five-Star lodging and dining. The Lodge at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort was originally established as the hunting retreat for the Pittsburgh-based business magnate, Colonel Willard F.

However, given this venue’s location in proximity to some of the nation’s most historic areas and the Appalachian Mountain Range, you’d need to spend a week off the resort to savor the following 11 nearby attractions.

So, gear up for a family vacation if you’re heading out to the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. Because you’re looking at far more than just the casino gaming over at its on-site casino, Lady Luck. This Pennsylvania gambling destination is only beginning when you’re on the resort, at the slots, or playing the tables.

Let’s look at all of what the area surrounding Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Lady Luck Casino offer.

1 – Ohiopyle State Park

Are you up for over 19,000 acres encompassing Appalachia’s and Southwest Pennsylvania’s natural beauty of mountainous deciduous forest?

Then, the scenic Ohiopyle State Park should be on the to-do list and there are so many activities to embark on, I had to rank this one up there at number one.

Whether you’re up for hiking, kayaking, boating, fishing, sun gazing as it sets behind the mountains, or whatever your favorite activity, Ohiopyle is your one-stop nature shop.

Yeah, those casino games can be stressful, adrenaline-pumping. And they may not always end up the way you want them to. Fortunately, Ohiopyle offers greater stress relief than anywhere else on this list.

2 – Fallingwater Building

Frank Lloyd Wright designed this historic building, which served as Edgar J. Kaufmann’s summer home when he ventured into the area.

This nearby attraction has served over 4.5 million visitors since the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy acquired the land and building. Not only will it attract you and other patrons from Lady Luck Casino; this location brings in a worldwide audience to the obscure deep Southwest Pennsylvania.

3 – Great Allegheny Passage

If hiking and biking are you preferred forms of exercise, you’ll love the Great Allegheny Passage. Built for those who prefer the drier side of nature, take advantage of the hundreds of miles of trails this forested passage offers.

Just how far are we talking about?

This landmark will take you all the way to Washington D.C. if you’re up for the challenge. And yeah, people have hiked it. I once knew an individual who ventured across it on a nationwide hike from Los Angeles to New York.

Perhaps if you had an unlucky day at the casino, make a bet with a few locals that you’ll reach D.C. on your mountain bike. Hey, if you’re an endurance athlete, what do you have to lose? I got my money on you.

4 – Kentuck Knob

This venue is privately owned but always open to public tours. Serving as the home of our grand architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Kentuck Knob is really nothing more than a one-story Usonian house. Yeah, I know what you’re thinking; kind of boring.

Type “Kentuck Knob” into a Google search engine and see if you can spot the elusive cottage. But if you’re in the area, come over and make that half-mile climb above sea level and see the historic landmark for yourself. Yeah, you can probably just drive there. But there’s something thrilling and satisfying about climbing a half-mile up a mountain.

5 – Fort Necessity

Just like the land in nearby Kennywood (about an hour north near Rivers Casino Pittsburgh), Fort Necessity played a huge role in the opening battles of the French and Indian War.

And also, as in the Battle of the Monongahela on which Kennywood is located, a young George Washington saw action at the site. And also akin to the Battle of the Mon, the French decisively defeated Washington and his men.

Today, they have reconstructed Fort Necessity. So, pay a visit to this old battleground between British and French soldiers and have a drink and a bite at the Mt. Washington Tavern.

The fort is open daily, along with guided tours. And since you’re only looking at a ten-minute drive from the casino, what is there to lose? Especially if you’re a history buff.

6 – Duncan House

Yet another Frank Lloyd Wright design. What can’t this guy build? The Duncan House can trace its roots back to 1957, so it’s a rather newer building in terms of historic landmarks and attractions.

A fun fact about the Duncan House is that it was originally built in Lisle, Illinois, before being dismantled and reconstructed in its current location. The house serves as a stellar example of Wright’s finest works and serves as an epitome of Wright’s Usonian designs.

7 – United 93 Memorial

Created in remembrance of the crew members and passengers who passed on September 11^th, 2001, the memorial serves a dual-purpose in protecting their final resting place while also telling their courageous story.

The flight was one of four hijacked airliners on September 11^th, 2001. While two airliners hit the World Trade Center and another hit the Pentagon, the 40 passengers and crew members took action to prevent United 93 from hitting its target.

This is a fantastic place to visit if you’re on vacation with the entire family and to tell your kids about the courageous actions these passengers took in one of the darkest days in American history.

8 – Christian W. Klay Winery

While there are plenty of fantastic dining options at Nemacolin and Lady Luck Casino, you’ll probably find yourself tempted to see what is available around town.

Well, if you’re into complimentary tastings and vintage wines, then the Christian W. Klay Winery is your top destination on this list. Located just minutes from Nemacolin, gear up for tours, tastings, and special events that include live entertainment.

Open seven days a week, you can hit up this venue any time you’re looking for something different.

9 – Ridge Runner Distillery

If you stop at the Christian W. Klay Winery, you may as well make the Ridge Runner Distillery the second act of your quest to experience the area’s finest wine and liquor around.

Uniqueness is the best way to describe the flavor of the Ridge Runner Distillery’s grape-based wines and liquor. One thing is for certain: You can place a safe bet that what you’re about to experience is unlike anything you’ll find at your local grocery store.

10 – Touchstone Center for Crafts

Technically, it’s a craft school. So, get ready to immerse yourself in both contemporary and experimental techniques infused with historic techniques in trades like blacksmithing, glass, oil, watercolor painting, ceramics, photography, and printmaking.

So, if you have a thirst for knowledge or just want to enhance your artistry, Touchstone Center for Crafts is definitely a place to circle in red.

11 – Laurel Caverns

If you’re into caves and mystics, then the Laurel Caverns is probably the first stop on the list. This 430-acre geological park is the home to Pennsylvania’s largest cave.

So, let your inner-adventure seeker shine as you explore nearly three miles of passages in this cave. It’s a fantastic way to get in a challenging and thrill-seeking hike whenever you’re up for an endurance workout.

Oh, and if those natural sculptures you see out west mesmerize you, don’t worry. You’ll find plenty of natural sculpturing deep within these caves. Even if you’re on a time limit to return to the casino for another round of intense gaming action, make sure you stop and admire what you’ll find within the catacombs of the Laurel Caverns.

When you return to Nemacolin, you’ll find yourself refreshed and ready for the second half of the day after you undertake perhaps the greatest hiking and thrill-seeking experience in the area around.

It’s definitely worth taking a break from the gaming floor to visit.

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort Map

Conclusion

While Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Lady Luck Casino isn’t located in or anywhere close to a large city, the nature and historical sites provide plenty of attractions off of the resort.

Nemacolin Resort History

Starting with Ohiopyle State Park all the way to the Laurel Caverns, you probably can’t think of a greater area that offers the best in natural scenery that Southwest Pennsylvania offers. And between the nature and beauty that you’ll find at several of these locations, you’ll also experience history, architecture, fine wine, arts, crafts, and trades.

If you’re the hands-on type of adventurer, you’ll love all 11 of these attractions outside of Nemacolin Resort and Lady Luck Casino.

Have you been to any of the nearby attractions surrounding Nemacolin in Southwest Pennsylvania? Or have you taken a trip and played at the casino itself? If so, let us know in the comments and share your experiences with other readers.