Hollidaysburg, PA Area Guide

Canal-era infrastructure put Hollidaysburg on the map, and traces of that period survive in the downtown's 19th-century streetscape. The Hollidaysburg Historic District preserves blocks of Victorian homes, foursquare architecture, and commercial buildings that date to the borough's industrial prime, when foundries, machine shops, a silk mill, and rail classification yards defined the local economy.

Today, the Everett Railroad Company keeps the railroad spirit alive with excursion rides along a 23-mile track departing from the depot in Hollidaysburg. The Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site, about a 20-minute drive away, tells the broader story of the canal-to-rail connection that once made this small borough a hub of Pennsylvania commerce.

Allegheny Street draws a steady mix of diners to its local restaurants and pubs at the heart of the historic district. Luigetta's of Hollidaysburg, a casual downtown sandwich shop, and Mayfield, an American bistro at The Capitol Hotel, are two established spots that reflect the borough's dining scene of mainly independently owned dining. The Plank Road commercial corridor on the western edge of town rounds out the options with familiar quick-service stops.

Getting around Hollidaysburg on foot is practical thanks to downtown sidewalks and connected walking trails, and the Rails to Trails network along the river extends that reach for cyclists and pedestrians heading out of town. Amtran, the Altoona Metro Transit system, operates two bus routes within the borough, with stops along Allegheny Street and Montgomery Street.

By car, U.S. Highway 22 provides east-west access, Pennsylvania Route 36 (Penn Street) connects north toward Altoona, and Interstate 99 runs about four miles to the west. Amtrak service is available at the Altoona station roughly 11 minutes away, and State College Regional Airport is approximately 48 miles out.

Legion Park is one of the borough's most active green spaces, featuring a wooden play structure with slides and tunnels, the Discovery Garden designed for outdoor education, and a Time Garden with a 25-foot sundial at its center. Chimney Rocks Park, at the southern end of town, offers hiking trails that climb to natural limestone pillars on a ridgeline, rewarding visitors with sweeping views of the valley and downtown below; its open field also hosts live music performances.

Rails to Trails of Central Pennsylvania follows the Juniata River from Hollidaysburg all the way to Huntingdon, welcoming hikers, cyclists, and equestrians while providing river access for fishing and kayaking. Canoe Creek State Park is about 15 minutes away by car, and Fort Roberdeau, a historic site with park grounds, is just seven minutes from the borough.

Rents in Hollidaysburg run roughly 26 percent below the Pennsylvania statewide average for one-bedroom units, making it one of the more affordable rental markets in the state. One-bedroom apartments average $1,161 per month and two-bedroom units average $1,471 per month, with median household income in the borough at $63,182. Modest rents paired with a compact, walkable downtown keep overall housing costs accessible compared to larger Pennsylvania metros.

The Hollidaysburg Historic District doubles as the borough's primary shopping corridor, with clothing boutiques, specialty stores, and gift shops occupying well-preserved 19th-century buildings along Allegheny Street. Hometown Market on Church Street handles everyday grocery needs without leaving downtown. For larger-format shopping, Hollidaysburg Plaza and Holliday Towne Center are just a few minutes' drive away, while Plank Road Commons about three miles northwest brings a Walmart Supercenter and Sam's Club within easy reach.

From the limestone-pillar views at Chimney Rocks Park and the heritage excursions of the Everett Railroad to the walkable Victorian streetscape of the Hollidaysburg Historic District and the riverside Rails to Trails network, Hollidaysburg packs a wide range of outdoor, cultural, and historic attractions into three square miles.