The historically preserved Old Economy Village reminds visitors of a time before the industrialization of western Pennsylvania. Located right in the heart of downtown Ambridge, PA, the village is the perfect hidden gem of a tourist destination because of its surprising location and appearance. The village was originally settled by the Harmonites, a religious sect of Germans, and their buildings and structures remained untouched, even as surrounding Ambridge rose to great prominence and then eventually fell into to decades long decline.
Parking and Public Transportation at Old Economy Village
There is a parking lot by the Visitor Center and many spots in the streets surrounding the village. Parking is free. Unfortunately, there are no easy options for public transportation to the the village.
Best and worst time to go to Old Economy Village
The village is closed from January 1 through April 1. The winter holidays are a great time to visit because they decorate everything in holiday cheer. However, if you don't want to brave the cold of December, visit on Saturdays in the summer. Each Saturday has a theme that showcases life in the olden days, like blacksmithing, woodworking, and gardening.
Admission to Old Economy Village
Adult tickets cost $10-$15, with a small discount for senior citizens. Admission for children ages 3-11 costs $5-$8, and children under age three are free. Active military members also get in for free. Also, be sure to check the website for hours, they vary by day and certain days of the month.
Must see/do at Old Economy Village
The village is pretty compact, so you can see all of it very easily. If you visit in the summer, try to go on Saturdays, so you witness volunteers dressed in traditional Harmonite garb performing traditional Harmonite chores.
Other places to visit near Old Economy Village
Ambridge, unfortunately, has seen much better days. However, locals still swear by Pizza House, aka Police Station Pizza. Carry-out only, order by number of slices first, then toppings. Down river in Rochester, is another Beaver County favorite, Brighton Hot Dog Shoppe. Cheap chili dogs and fries covered in cheese sauce. Just a bit farther down river in Beaver, is Cafe Kolache, which specializes in Czech style pastries.
Insider tip for visitors to Old Economy Village
When driving to the village, make sure to stay very observant of the road and road signs. Beaver county has some quirky driving conditions, like three way intersections with only two stop signs and traffic lights on barely visible street corners. Follow MapQuest's directions closely and don't rely too heavily on a GPS. If you are not paying attention, good chances you will miss a turn along the way.
Author's bio: Ryan Deto, originally from California, has been exploring the streets of Pittsburgh for more than four years. He has been published in "LA Weekly" and has traveled to more than a dozen countries and more than 40 states throughout America.