Carnegie Science Center

  Many of the exhibits in the science center are geared towards middle school aged kids. Admission includes the science center exhibits, planetarium shows, a submarine tour, a large miniature railroad with local landmarks, and interactive sports exhibits.

   The submarine and the interactive sports exhibits are not accessible but most of the other exhibits are fairly easy to see.The interactive ones have movable chairs. The train exhibit is very good with a kid level platform which makes for great viewing from a wheelchair.

  RVs can be parked in the bus spaces at the back of the building. This is also the location of the handicapped parking spaces. The pay station ($10.00 for RVs) entryway is tight. Larger RVs should be parked in one of the other nearby lots.  Museum
40.446, -80.01914
         
         

Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village

   Meadowcroft Rockshelter, large, flat, cave-like area protected by a sandstone overhang, is the site of some of the earliest evidence of human habitation in the Americas. Meadowcroft Village consists of five relocated buildings. Also on the site are two interpretive areas, a  Monongahela Indian Village and a very small frontier farm ; a visitor center; and three buildings with horse racing memorabilia, farm equipment, and carriages.

  Most of the outside exhibits are not accessible due to steps, steep rocky paths, and uneven grass paths but with a very energetic pusher a visitor in a wheelchair can manage to see some of it. The rock shelter is accessed by a long flight of steps The visitor center is all accessible. The short video clips and movie about the rock shelter are worth watching.

  The parking lot is large enough for all RVs but the entrance road is steep and narrow. Meadowcroft
  40.28626, -80.48909
         
          

John Heinz History Center

  This is a Pittsburgh museum –Steelers and Pirates, Heinz ketchup and Alcoa, steel mills and coal mines, plus many other things, some which we were totally unfamiliar with, like the robot and his dog  made by Westinghouse and displayed at the 1939 World’s Fair. Give yourself plenty of time to see it all.

  The museum is all  accessible. Sidewalks and curb cuts are in good condition.

   Parking is available along Smallman Street  but it’s best to visit on the weekend when the lots are empty. The lots are large enough for RVs.  Museum
40.44682, -79.99241

Iowa!

View Iowa attractions in a larger map

 In few more weeks we'll have all of our yearly stuff completed and we'll be on our way cross country to Seattle so I'm working on more state maps. So what is there to see in Iowa?

  A lot! I was surprised. Most travelers speed through the state on their way to somewhere else , perhaps making a short stop at the Amana Colonies. However once off of the interstate there are many attractions. Almost every small town has some type of museum with free or inexpensive admission. But museums are just the start. Other attractions include factory tours , gardens , bike trails and a not to be missed sight- the world's largest popcorn ball! Spend some time exploring the backroads. Who knows what you'll discover!

Raccoon Creek State Park

   This campground has roomy sites with mature trees. Amenities include electricity in almost half the sites, flush toilets, showers, and a dump station. Many of the parking pads are paved and large enough for any RV.

  Five of the sites are handicapped accessible with paving that extends under the table. The tables have a long overhang on one end. The accessible sites are located close to the restrooms. Campground
40.49678, -80.41773

Ephrata Cloister

   In 1720, at the age of 24, Conrad Beissel left Germany to escape religious persecution. He immigrated to Pennsylvania and founded this small community in the wilderness. It had about 300 inhabitants at it’s height and there were still a few people living there in 1934.  Most of the buildings on the property date back to the 1730s and 40s.

   The museum, the main paths, and the meetinghouse are accessible but the buildings are not. Most of the buildings have a step up at the entrance and very narrow doorways.

  The parking lot is large enough for all RVs. Cloister
  40.18416, -76.1888
       
        

Mohegan Sun Casino

  This casino is very welcoming to RVers. They’ve even set aside a  lot separate from the truckers’ lot just for RVs but they do want you to check in. The phone number is posted on signs in the parking lot. The lot is big but not very level. The coveted spots are by the guard rails with a view of the river. It’s kind of noisy because of the highway and generators.

  It’s not possible to walk or roll to the casino due to busy roads and no sidewalk. The wheelchair accessible shuttles run in a continuous loop through the lots. We’ve played in this casino in the past but didn’t on this trip so I can’t report about accessibility inside. Casino
41.4854, -72.08269