Settled just outside the town of Venango, the inn is located near many local attractions in the town and the surrounding Crawford County area to tickle your fancy and sense of hometown adventure.
Amidst the lovely western Pennsylvania scenery, you can explore these hidden local gems and learn more about the culture and land of Venango, PA.
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Sprague Farm & Brew Works
Just a short drive from the inn, stop in for farm craft beer at Sprague Farm & Brew Works. Located on a sprawling 65 acres next to French Creek, the brewery is housed in an old dairy barn and features unique filtered and keg-conditioned beers and fine local entertainment. The famous brew pub, named Bierhalla, echoes Norse mythology in a tastefully decorated barn loft. The carefully crafted menu is unique and designed to compliment the house beers. Sprague Farm & Brew Works prides itself on being the only brewery in Pennsylvania brewing “estate beers” – beers made exclusively with ingredients grown on the property.
Located in Cambridge Springs, Campbell Pottery Store and Gallery is home to artists Bill and Jane Campbell. Since 1991, the century-old barn has been home to the couple’s art studio; master potter Bill features artwork from his own kiln as Jane manages the studio store. The studio also displays the work of many other local craftsmen specializing in mediums such as wood, candles, blown glass and jewelry. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from March 1 until December 31, the studio is full of treasures that are sure to impress.
Woodcock Lake Park is located north of Meadville and is one of 16 flood control projects in the Pittsburgh District. The lake and dam provide a diverse array of recreation activities and is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the outdoors of Crawford County. The lake is surrounded by beaches, trails, parks and pavilions that offer views of lake scenery and opportunities for swimming, boating and hiking. The lake is home to many types of wildlife, and fishing includes smallmouth bass, walleye and various pan fish. There’s also an education center and a nine “hole” disc golf course.
Serenity Gardens Botanical Park is the inn’s next door neighbor. The 20-acre property is a Certified Wildlife Habitat of the National Wildlife Federation and includes walking trails and multiple gardens open to the public in daylight hours. Warbler Trail and Old Field Trail are under half a mile and are rich with various flora and fauna. Serenity Gardens’ location on the Atlantic Flyway and the bird-friendly habitat make it an excellent location for birdwatching. Peak times for birdwatching are April, May and June; the mornings are optimal times for viewing warblers, wrens, thrushes and woodpeckers. July, August and September are prime months for observing insects and monarch butterfly migration. The gardens also host a seasonal perennial shop specializing in native Pennsylvania plants and flowers.
Located in the heart of Meadville, the Market House is the oldest continuously-run market structure in Pennsylvania, dating back to 1870. The market is a destination for locally-grown produce, eggs, meats, home-baked goods and specialty items. With a farmer’s market the second Saturday of the month, this local food source is a must for your grocery experience.
This beautiful house, once home to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Henry Baldwin, is now home to the Crawford County Historical Society. Built in the 1840s, the museum showcases the history of the home and Crawford County through preservation, workshops, events and tours. The museum, open seasonally, is proud to announce that local partnerships have provided free general summer tours for the public. Surrounding the home are botanical gardens with great walking trails.
Open all year round, the Davenport Fruit Farm saw three generations of the Davenport family from 1910 to 2017. Now under new ownership, the farm has 14 acres of fruit trees where new owner Jeffrey Boswell hand crafts ciders and wines. There is a tasting room for ciders and wines, an orchard and a recently added event hall that seats up to 99 guests. Fall is a prime time for buying apples and pears grown from the farm’s 1400 fruit trees. The farm offers group tastings and tours of the farm and will often feature local live music.
