Butler County is in West Central Pennsylvania, about an hour north of Pittsburgh and two hours south of Erie, Pennsylvania. The county actually encompasses a very large area and includes a number of small towns, which weave into each other seamlessly. As you drive through scenic rolling hills, you may find yourself in Cranberry Township, Zelienople, Harmony, Mars, Saxonburg, Slippery Rock, or Butler - just to name a few of the towns in the vicinity.
The warmest months in Butler County are June, July, and August - but you won't get too toasty! The thermometer rarely passes 80 degrees and summer temperatures range from 58 to 81 degrees. Pretty perfect!
As for the other seasons, prepare to bundle up. You'll enjoy all four seasons and then chilly weather in the winter with an average daily temperature of 43 degrees. Snow typically falls intermittently from mid-November to early April.
Driving around Butler County is a breeze. This is small town living at its finest. Friendly people abound and there is free parking at most restaurants and attractions in the area.
Fun Fore All is a Family Fun Park with over 70 games in the arcade, 36 holes of miniature golf, go karts, batting cages, and a variety of outdoor kiddie rides. The best way to experience the park is to buy a timed play pass, which will give you access to all that the park offers for 2, 3, or 4 hours.
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Grove City College is a highly ranked and nationally recognized Christian college, located in Grove City, Pennsylvania. GCC also has an incredibly beautiful campus! If you are in the area, consider taking a tour to learn more about the college's programs and to admire the magnificent architecture.
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What kid would not want to enter a giant spaceship-shaped toy store? Babies to teens will enjoy wandering the aisles at Playthings Etc, admiring toys, puzzles, and gadgets of all kinds. Best of all, much of the toy store's merchandise is unboxed and available for you to play with! Friendly associates are on-hand to do demonstrations, answer questions, and play alongside children in the store. Kids will love being here, but beware! You may get sucked into the Twilight Zone of Fun. ;)
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Butler County is replete with interesting, quirky, and delightful shops to wander through. For example, Baldinger's has candy for purchase by the piece, scattered around on shelves and in barrels throughout the store. Right next door (but in the same building), you can also pick up a bottle or two of local wine.
Built in 1805, the charming yellow building was once a store front, an inn, and a furniture store - and is now home to North Country Brew Pub in Slippery Rock, PA. Lovely vines hang out front where you can dine al fresco in nice weather. Be sure to take note of the intricate, hand-carved door and the beautiful black walnut furniture pieces throughout. Also: the food is farm-to-fork delicious!
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Our family stayed in our RV at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Camp Resort at Kozy Rest, which is a destination in and of itself for families with young children! Click for our full campground spotlight.
We would love to return to Butler County in the future to continue to explore the many small towns in the vicinity. On our next trip, we hope to:
Watch this page for continued updates and top tips for planning a trip to Butler County, PA. For additional resources and sample itineraries, consult the Visit Butler County website.