Social Event Descriptions

Monday

Whitewater Rafting

Spend the day with Wilderness Voyageurs rafting the Lower Yough (pronounced "Yok") where the scenery is beautiful and the rapids are challenging. The river runs through the protected wilderness of Ohiopyle State Park. This is an excellent river section for the novice rafter, with a sense of adventure. The Lower Yough is a Class III "Drop & Pool" river, meaning that a calm deep pool separates every whitewater rapid. This will allow you to catch your breath and prepare for your next wave of fun. (Beginners are welcome but must be at least 12 years old.)

Hiking/Biking

If whitewater rafting isn't the kind of adventure you are looking for, join Wilderness Voyageurs for an unforgettable day of hiking or biking. Located in the heart of the Laurel Highlands surrounded by state parks, state forests and state game lands, Wilderness Voyageurs has an incredible network of trails in its backyard. This bounty of trails will allow for a trip tailored to the group's ability level. Get ready for an action-packed, sweat-soaked and mud-caked day of exploration! Bikes are an additional fee at the site.

Frank Lloyd Wright Tour

Falling Water, one of Frank Lloyd Wright's most widely acclaimed works, was designed in 1935. This architectural masterpiece, designed as a weekend home for the Kaufman family, exemplifies Wright's concept of organic architecture. Instead of facing the waterfalls on Kaufman's property, it rises above them in a harmonious union of art and nature. The house is now entrusted to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. See first hand the only public Wright work that is fully intact with its original and unique furnishings that he designed to compliment the nature surrounding and built into the Kaufman home. Attendees must be 12 years of age or older.

Just seven miles away, Wright's Kentuck Knob is an extraordinary mid-50's Usonian home framed by spectacular mountain vistas. Contemporary sculpture and historical artifacts enhance the beautiful woodland setting. Its woods and gardens are interspersed with sculptures by famous contemporary artists such as Sir Anothony Caro, Andy Goldsworthy, Claes Oldenburg, George Rickey, Richard Serra, to name but a few. These two historical and unique architectural sites will provide you with a day of intrigue and fun.

Tuesday

National Aviary and Pittsburgh Zoo

Discover the wild side of Pittsburgh at these two incredible zoos. Don't miss the opportunity to experience America's only accredited indoor zoo just for birds, the National Aviary. Its features interactive feedings and over six hundred birds in indoor, free-flight exhibits. Continue your wildlife adventure at the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium. This outstanding zoo/aquarium is home to more than 2,000 animals in lifelike, natural settings. See the new Water's Edge Exhibit featuring polar bears, otters, walruses and more. Venture beneath the exhibit in a glass tunnel where you can watch the polar bears swim all around you. This day will allow for a fun exploration of wildlife from the air, land and seas.

Kennywood Amusement Park

Allow Kennywood Park, the "roller coaster capital of the world," to entertain you and your family all day. This national historical landmark features several hart-stopping roller coaster rides as well as other thrilling rides. Treat yourself to good old-fashioned fun and don't forget to ask about the good old-fashioned food too! America's finest traditional amusement park awaits you.

Canoeing Allegheny River w/ Adventure Outdoors

Enjoy a leisurely tour of scenic Pittsburgh with Adventure Outdoors. Begin your day with a half-day canoe trip on the Allegheny river. See the nation's "Most Livable City" from a perspective few ever experience. Your canoe trip will end at the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela and the Ohio rives where you will partake in a much deserved lunch. Come out and have a good time with Adventure Outdoors on Pittsburgh's famous rivers.

Casino

With various casinos in the Pittsburgh area, you will have several opportunities to tempt lady luck. Enjoy playing in the newly built casinos fully equipped with slot machines, cards, table games and more. Try your luck in the Steel City and enjoy our newest attraction. For additional information on what casinos are in the area, please contact the Greater Pittsburgh Convention and Visitors bureau.

Golf Outing

Nestled in the rolling hills of Western Pennsylvania, Suncrest is an exquisite public golf course. It has many features that set it apart from other golf courses. Its rolling contoured fairways guide you to "postage stamp" greens. Most of the holes are tree lined, and will provide an exciting challenge for all, regardless of handicap. It also features separate tees on each hole for men, women and seniors. If you are in the mood for a relaxing day this is the perfect activity for you.

Wednesday

Phipps Conservatory - Complimentary Spousal Luncheon

This 13-room Victorian glasshouse has walls of glass, floors of flowers and color from ceiling to the sky. It is comprised of one of the finest collections of flora around. The new 12,000 square-foot Tropical Forest Conservatory features cascading in-door waterfalls in a one-of-a-kind exhibit space unlike any other in the world today. The conservatory also features the unique Dale Chihuly glass exhibit where nature meets art. The Phipps Conservatory is a must see with all its intense beauty condensed into one place

Gateway Clipper Fleet Dinner Cruise

Come aboard for a night of cruising Pittsburgh's three mighty rivers. The entire ship has been reserved exclusively for NAWEOA participants to enjoy. Take pleasure in the breath-taking view of the city at night from the water's perspective. Join your friends, family and colleagues for a spectacular firework show, delightful dinner and elegant evening aboard the Gateway Clipper Fleet.

Thursday

Flight 93 Tour/SGL 93 Dedication and Torch Run/BBQ

Upon arrival at the United Flight 93 National Memorial, National Park Service Staff will provide a program on the events that lead to the tragic loss of Flight 93. Immediately following is the NAWEOA 2010 Torch Run which will start at ground zero of the crash. The course will run through the park grounds in honor and memory of the brave American heroes of that tragic day. Following the Torch Run, there will be a ceremony dedicating Pennsylvania Game Lands 93 to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Officer Richard Guadagno.

Following this day of remembrance, there will be an evening of relaxing at a barbeque which will be held at the Southwest Regional Office.

For more information please visit the Flight 93 section of this web site by clicking here

Friday

The Monongahela and the Duquesne Inclines
Around the turn of the century, nearly a dozen inclines carried workers between Mount Washington and the city and its factories below.  Today, only two of those inclines still exist—The Monongahela and the Duquesne.  The historic Monongahela Incline opened in 1870, and has been beautifully restored in recent years.  Steeper and shorter than the Duquesne Incline, the Monongahela travels 635 feet at a 35 degree angle.  At the top, the Monongahela Incline deposits passengers amid Mount Washington’s famed restaurants and scenic overlooks. 

You can take a ride on the Duquesne Incline cable car that has been in operation since 1877, to the observation deck to enjoy the spectacular views of the Ohio and Allegheny River Valleys and downtown Pittsburgh's Golden Triangle. The Upper (Grandview Avenue) Station of The Duquesne Incline is located in the center of Pittsburgh's "Restaurant Row," overlooking the view of Downtown Pittsburgh's beautiful Golden Triangle, ranked the second most beautiful view in America by USA Weekend Magazine !

To learn more about the Inclines, visit: http://incline.pghfree.net/

A map will be provided with a list of restaurants that you may visit for lunch.  Learn more about your restaurant choices and view the list at:  http://incline.pghfree.net/restaurants.htm

Saturday

Tour of Amish Country in Volant

Discover Volant's rich history and beautiful countryside. Find out how a village devastated by the Great Depression was revived twenty years later. Find treasures of the past in the 30 shops and restaurants that now reside in Volant. This once sleepy little village, is now one of western Pennsylvania's most popular tourist attractions. Volant's merchants invite you to take a break from the fast paced world of today, step into the past and enjoy shopping as it used to be on Old Fashioned Main Street of Volant.