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Butler, PA: Where Fun Never Gets Old – Best Things to Do and Places to Visit

Butler sits 35 miles north of Pittsburgh and competes on being a real town rather than a commuter strip. Pittsburgh has the stadiums, the museums and the prices that go with all of them. The townships down the road have the shopping and the parking. Butler has a symphony, a theatre in an old church and a courthouse from 1885. Come for the town rather than for the attractions.

Planning a trip to Butler, Pennsylvania and wondering what to do? You are in the right place. Butler is a working city with plenty in it and plenty to see. Family, friends or solo, there is a version of it in Butler.

Outdoors people do well here, because Butler runs its parks properly. Succop Nature Park is where you get clear of the traffic, with walking, birdwatching and somewhere to sit with a picnic. Alameda Park is the other, with a playground, mini-golf and a swimming pool.

Butler also carries cultural attractions worth the time. The Maridon Museum is the one for art people, with its collection of Asian art and artifacts. The Butler County Symphony Orchestra is the other, running live performances across the year. And for something with the family, the Family Bowlaway Fun Center does bowling and arcade games.

Key Takeaways

• Butler, Pennsylvania is a vibrant city with a variety of fun things to do and places to visit.
• Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the parks and outdoor activities in Butler, while culture lovers can visit the Maridon Museum and Butler County Symphony Orchestra.
• Family Bowlaway Fun Center is a great destination for some family-friendly fun.

The Vibrant City of Butler

Welcome to Butler, Pennsylvania, a city with more going on than its size suggests. Local or visitor, there is always something here. Outdoor time through to indoor entertainment, Butler covers it.

Looking for somewhere to slow down? Check out Succop Nature Park, where you get a quiet walk, birdwatching and fishing. And for something harder, the Butler County Trails handle a proper hike or bike ride.

For indoor time, Butler has options. Playthings Etc. is a toy store that works on adults as much as children, with a wide selection of toys and games. And Ghost Riders 2 is the indoor amusement park, running go-karts, laser tag and more.

Butler also holds good museums and cultural institutions. The Butler County Historical Society covers the city’s past, while the Maridon Museum holds Asian art and culture. And for the performing arts, there is the Butler Little Theatre or the Butler County Symphony Orchestra.

And no visit to Butler works without the local food. Classic American fare through to international cuisine, Butler has the range. Check out the Butler Farm Market for fresh produce and homemade things, or eat at one of the restaurants and cafes in town.

So what are you waiting for. Come and see what Butler actually holds.

Fun Things to Do in Butler

Looking for a full day in Butler? These are the best things to do in town. Family attractions through to something with more edge, there is a version of each.

Family Fun Center

For family entertainment in one place, the Family Fun Center is the answer. Miniature golf, a laser tag arena and arcade games between them will fill an afternoon. And there is food on site when the energy runs out. It works properly with a group.

Catch a Show

For live entertainment, Butler is covered. The Butler Little Theatre runs shows across the year, musicals through to comedies. And it supports the local arts scene, which is worth something on its own.

Take a Ride

Looking for something with more movement in it? Pullman Park is the historic ground here, and the rides people describe, the carousel built in 1920, the Tilt-A-Whirl and the Scrambler, belong to the amusement park elsewhere in the county rather than to this one. Both are worth the trip. Check which you are heading for before you set out.

Attractions Galore

Butler holds attractions that will hold your interest. Visit the Maridon Museum for its collection of Chinese art and jade, which gets described in terms that would put it alongside collections in China itself, so it is worth seeing what is actually there. Or head over to the Butler County Historical Society for the history of the area. There is more in Butler than the map suggests.

So what are you waiting for. Get out and have some fun in Butler.

Parks and Outdoor Activities

On outdoor time and parks, Butler, Pennsylvania is well supplied. Nature, a picnic, or simply somewhere to sit with friends and family, there are options.

The popular park in Butler is Pullman Park. This historic ground has been here since the early 1900s and runs a range of things. Catch a baseball game, use the playground, or take a picnic. And there are events across the year, so check the schedule.

For something wilder, Moraine State Park is the answer. This park runs over 16,000 acres and holds Lake Arthur. Fishing, boating or swimming in the lake, plus the hiking trails through it. And there are campsites if you want to stay over.

For wildlife, Succop Nature Park is the one to make. The park runs over 50 acres and holds a range of animals and plants. Walk the paths, take a picnic, or simply sit down and let it be quiet.

For something on the water, canoe the Slippery Rock Creek. The creek runs through the country around Butler and it shows you the area from a different angle. Just take a life jacket with you.

Whatever the outdoor plan, Butler has a version of it. So take the friends and family and get outside.

Cultural Attractions in Butler

Culture people will find more in Butler than expected. Museums through to symphonies, there is a version for most tastes.

The Maridon Museum

First, The Maridon Museum, which holds a collection of Asian art and artifacts. Jade through to ivory and porcelain. And the museum cat, Marzipan, turns up if you are lucky.

Butler County Symphony Orchestra

For classical music, the Butler County Symphony Orchestra is the one. They run performances across the year, and the standard is higher than a town this size has any right to.

Butler Little Theatre

For the performing arts, the Butler Little Theatre is the place. They run shows across the year and the local talent carries them. And the building itself is worth seeing, because it is an old church.

Other Museums

There is more than The Maridon Museum in Butler. The Butler County Historical Society holds artifacts and exhibits telling the county story. And for military history, the Veterans Museum of Butler County is the one.

Conclusion

So those are the cultural attractions in Butler. Art, music or theater, there is a version of each. Get out and use them.

Family Bowlaway Fun Center

Looking for somewhere straightforward with the family? Family Bowlaway Fun Center is the answer. The place has been running for over 65 years, which tells you something.

The main draw at Family Bowlaway is the cyber bowling. This is not the bowling alley you remember. Flat-screen televisions and live entertainment turn it into something closer to a party. And the neon and the music finish the job.

And the food matters too. The pizza at Family Bowlaway is good enough to distract you from the bowling. And the bar and grill handles anything more substantial.

So Family Bowlaway Fun Center works for an afternoon with the family. A few games or simply a slice of pizza, both are covered.

Food and Drink Experiences

You cannot visit Butler, Pennsylvania without eating properly. Brick oven pizza through to good wine, Butler covers most tastes.

Start at Mac’s Brick Oven Pizza. The crust comes out crisp and the toppings are fresh, which is most of the argument. Take the classic Margherita, or the BBQ Chicken if you want something different.

For Italian cuisine, head over to Mama Rosa’s Restaurant & Lounge. The homemade pasta and meatballs are the reason people go back, and they do the job of a trip to Italy. And take the garlic knots and the tiramisu.

Wine people should make Rustic Acres Winery. The tasting room runs a wide range, from dry through to sweet. And you can tour the vineyard and see how the winemaking actually works.

To take the wine outdoors, Succop Nature Park is the setting for it. The grounds and the outdoor seating make it the right place for a picnic. Check the park rules first, because not every green space allows a bottle.

Butler is known for its grapes and the wineries are where you taste the result. South Shore Wine Company is a local favorite for its award-winning wines, though the Lake Arthur views attached to it in this listing belong to the state park rather than to that winery, so check the address before you drive.

A slice of pizza or a glass of wine, Butler’s food and drink will not disappoint.

Shopping in Butler

Everybody likes a good shopping trip. Butler has options across the range. A new outfit or an unusual gift, something will catch you.

For fresh produce and local goods, check out Freedom Farms – Local Market. This farmers market runs fresh produce, meats and other locally sourced products. The money goes to the farmers here, and the food is better for the short journey.

Toy people should make Playthings Etc. This toy store runs everything from classic board games to current action figures. It is a serious shop rather than a small one. You will lose more time in it than you planned.

Looking for something stranger? Butler County runs a set of quirky and unique places. You can visit Mars and have the out-of-this-world version of an afternoon, take a treat from a 13-foot snowman, or walk into a spaceship full of toys. Butler County keeps turning them up.

So get the bags ready and take a day in Butler for the shopping.

George Washington came through here in 1753 as a young surveyor, and there is a monument in Diamond Park that says so. The courthouse went up in 1885 and is still doing the job it was built for. The Little Red Schoolhouse dates from 1834 and you can walk into it. And the Maridon holds Asian art that nobody expects to find in a Pennsylvania county seat. None of this was staged for visitors.

Entertainment Venues

Butler, Pennsylvania runs entertainment venues that will fill an evening. Bowling or the current blockbuster, Butler has both.

Bowling

Looking for something the whole family can do? The bowling alleys in Butler are the answer. Classic tenpin through to cosmic bowling, there is a version for everyone. These are the best alleys in Butler:

Bowling Alley	Address	Phone Number
Family Bowlaway	540 Fairground Hill Road	(724) 283-8630
Sherwood Lanes	1313 Sherwood Drive	(724) 287-2766
Colonial Lanes	225 New Castle Road	(724) 282-4646

Movie Theaters

For a night at the movies, Butler has several theaters. Current blockbusters through to indie films, something will suit. These are the best cinemas in Butler:

Movie Theater	Address	Phone Number
Regal Cinemas Moraine Pointe Cinema	300 Moraine Pointe Plaza	(844) 462-7342
The Strand Theater	119 North Main Street	(724) 742-0400
The Pioneer Drive-In	273 Criders Church Road	(724) 482-3770

Grounds

For an outdoor venue with live music or a festival on it, Butler is covered. These are the best grounds in Butler:

Ground	Address	Phone Number
Starlight Drive-In	1985 N Main Street Ext	(724) 284-5003
Pullman Park	100 Pullman Park Place	(724) 287-2777

Butler, Pennsylvania covers most interests, so get out and start.

Exploring Nearby Cities

You have worked through Butler and you are not ready to go home. There are nearby cities worth the drive. Here are a few:

Pittsburgh

Then there is Pittsburgh. The Steel City, the City of Bridges, the City That Loves You Back. Sport, history or simply good food and drink, Pittsburgh has all of it. Check out PNC Park, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, or Heinz Field, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Walk the Strip District for the restaurants and the shops. And go up Mount Washington for the view over the skyline.

New York

New York is not nearby, and hear us out anyway. For a road trip there is no better target than the Big Apple. Take a Broadway show, visit the Statue of Liberty, or simply walk Central Park. The food and drink are the other reason. Just be ready for what New York costs.

New Castle

Looking for something closer? Head to New Castle, a short drive from Butler. This town holds the Cascade Park, with hiking trails, a swimming pool and a mini-golf course. And the Lawrence County Historical Society Museum covers the area’s history properly.

Western PA

This is not a city, and Western PA has too much in it to leave out. Drive the rolling hills and the small towns of Amish Country. Visit Fallingwater, Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece of modern architecture. Or simply drive the country roads and stop at the farms and markets along them.

Wherever you go, there is plenty within easy reach of Butler. So pack the car and get on the road.

Special Events in Butler

Butler, Pennsylvania keeps a full calendar, and there is usually something on. Weddings through to business meetings, the town hosts properly. These are the special events worth timing a visit around.

Lunch Series Concert

Lunch and live music at the same time is a sensible arrangement. The Lunch Series Concert is where that happens, with local musicians playing every Wednesday from noon to 1 in the afternoon at the Diamond Park Gazebo. So take your lunch to the park and sit down.

Jazz Ensemble

Jazz people should look up the Jazz Ensemble. The group covers a range of jazz styles, Miles Davis among the material. They play at venues across Butler, so watch for the next date.

Freedom Farms

For something educational, Freedom Farms is the place. The farm runs tours, workshops and events covering sustainable farming. And you can pick your own fruit and vegetables. It works as a family day and you come away knowing something.

So Butler, Pennsylvania runs a real calendar of events. Music, food, or simply a good day out, there is a version of each. So mark the dates and go.

Historical Monuments

Butler, Pennsylvania carries a long history and the monuments to prove it. History reader or simply after something with substance, these are worth the walk.

First is the George Washington Monument. Yes, really. Butler has its own George Washington Monument and it earns the stop. It marks George Washington’s visit to this area in 1753, when he was a young surveyor. The monument stands in Diamond Park, which is a good place to sit afterwards.

Next is the Butler County Courthouse, built in 1885 and still in use. This building is the one to see if architecture interests you at all. There is a clock tower and a grand staircase, and it opens to the public for tours.

And last is the Butler County Historical Society. This museum keeps the history of the area, with exhibits running from local industry through to the Civil War. It sits in an old mansion and opens to the public for tours.

So those are three historical monuments worth the time on a visit to Butler, Pennsylvania.

Art and Fashion in Butler

Butler may not be known as a fashion capital, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have its own unique style. In fact, the Maridon Museum (link: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g52289-d2140786-Reviews-The_Maridon_Museum-Butler_Butler_County_Pennsylvania.html) houses an impressive collection of Asian art and fashion pieces.

You find everything from intricate tea pots through to Meissen porcelain. But the piece that stops people is the Scholars Table, a 300-year-old table cut from a single piece of wood. It has a room to itself, which tells you what the museum thinks of it.

And the collection of Chinese snuff bottles is the other one to look at. They carried powdered tobacco and they come in every shape and size. Some carry decoration fine enough to need a second look.

Butler also has a few local boutiques and shops where you can find unique fashion pieces. You never know what you’ll find at The Dressing Room (link: https://www.facebook.com/The-Dressing-Room-Butler-PA-120190391327/), which carries everything from vintage clothing to modern accessories.

If you’re looking for something more mainstream, head to the Clearview Mall (link: https://www.shopclearviewmall.com/), where you’ll find all your favorite stores. But don’t forget to stop by the local shops, too. You might just find a hidden gem that you can’t live without.

So Butler is not Paris or Milan, and it has a character of its own. Asian art through to local boutiques, there is more here than expected. So dress properly and go and look at it.

Butler Country Club

Looking for somewhere to play a round? Butler Country Club is the answer. This historic club sits just 35 miles north of downtown Pittsburgh, which makes it easy to reach for a quick round.

Butler Country Club is known for its greens and fairways, which are kept properly. And if the game has slipped, the club runs lessons with experienced professionals to get it back.

Butler Country Club is not only for golfers. There are tennis courts, a swimming pool and a clubhouse with a restaurant and bar. So the backhand or the sun lounger, both are available.

And the history of the club is part of it. Butler Country Club has been running for over a century and has had notable events and guests through it. So the round comes with something behind it.

So Butler Country Club is the one for a day on the greens. Take the clubs and go.

Interactive and Educational Experiences

Butler, Pennsylvania is not only entertainment. It also runs interactive and educational experiences worth the time. These are the best of them:

Interactive Exhibits

For hands-on learning, the interactive exhibits are the way in. The Maridon Museum is where to start. The museum holds Asian art, jade, ceramics and metalwork among it. You get close to the exhibits and there is touchable material among them.

Guided Tours

To learn about Butler’s history, take a guided tour. The Butler County Historical Society runs tours of the Little Red Schoolhouse, built in 1834. You get what school was actually like in the 1800s, with the antique desks and inkwells still in place.

Knowledgeable Guides

To learn about the Amish way of life, there are tours of the Amish Farmlands in Lancaster. The guides take you through the countryside and show you how the Amish live, the traditions and the farming done without modern machinery. It is the far side of the state from here, so treat it as a separate trip.

Maps

To explore Butler on your own terms, get a map. The Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau produces maps of the area. Use it to find the attractions and the restaurants, and you will not miss the things that are not signposted.

So Butler runs interactive and educational experiences worth the time. Exhibits, guided tours, good guides or simply a map, there is a version for how you like to learn. So go and learn something.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best way to spend a day in Butler, Pennsylvania?

For a full day in Butler, start the morning at the Maridon Museum. The Asian art and artifacts in it are unusual for a town this size. Then head to Rustic Acres Winery for a tasting and a picnic lunch. In the afternoon walk the Succop Nature Park. And finish with a show from the Butler County Symphony Orchestra.

What are some hidden gems in Butler County?

For something in Butler County that people miss, Playthings Etc. is the one. This toy store works for children and adults alike. And the other is the Cummings Coffee & Candy shop, which does the best coffee and homemade chocolates in town.

Where can I find the best pizza in Butler, PA?

On pizza in Butler, Pizza Joe’s is the answer. The pizza comes out fresh and there is a long list of toppings to work through.

What’s the most Instagram-worthy spot in Butler?

For the Instagram-worthy spot in Butler, check out the historic Pullman Park. This baseball stadium was built in 1934 and the age of it is what makes the picture. And the Maridon Museum is the other, for the Asian art.

Are there any quirky attractions in Butler County?

Yes, Butler County runs some genuinely odd attractions. The Living Dead Museum is the best known, dedicated to zombie films, though it has moved more than once, so check where it is currently before you drive. And Freedom Falls is the other, a waterfall off the main road that is worth the walk.

What’s the nightlife scene like in Butler, PA?

On nightlife in Butler, there is a version for most people. For something relaxed, check out Cummings Coffee & Candy, which turns into a bar in the evening. And for live music, head to the Butler Brew Works, which runs a good list of craft beers and puts bands on regularly.

Frequently asked questions about Butler, Pennsylvania

Is the Maridon Museum worth an hour?

It is, and it is the genuine surprise of this town. A county seat of this size having a serious collection of Chinese and Japanese art is not something you plan for. The jade, the porcelain and the carved work all repay a slow look rather than a circuit. The Meissen porcelain is the other half of the collection entirely. Check the opening days before you drive over, because they are limited.

Is Moraine State Park worth the drive from Butler?

Yes, and it is the best outdoor day in the county. Over 16,000 acres wrapped around Lake Arthur gives you swimming, boating, fishing and a great deal of trail, and it never feels crowded outside high summer. There is camping in the park if you want to stay over. Go early on a hot weekend if you can. The boat launches fill up a long time before the trails do.

What is actually at Pullman Park?

Baseball, and a great deal of history with it. The ground dates from the 1930s and it is still in use, which makes it one of the older working ballparks anywhere in this part of the state. There is a playground and picnic space alongside it. Check the fixture list before you head out there. Watching a game in a stadium that old is the whole point of the place.

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