Jacquie Kubin
Photo Gallery:
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort: Part 2
Read Part 1 here.
Read Part 3 here.
Plenty to do at Nemacolin Woodlands
It is easy to work up an appetite for all the great food fare Nemacolin offers. Few places are nicer for a walk or bike excursion; however if you are looking for more adventure, there is plenty of that as well.
Fatbird Zipline (Photo J.Kubin) Click to enlargeWhen thinking of ziplining through treetops one envisions more tropical locations than the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania. But Nemacolin offers guests the opportunity to reach speeds in excess of 60mph on the 1,060-foot long Fatbird Flyer Zipline that suspends riders at elevations up to 300 feet.
The Fatbird Zipline is located at the Adventure Center where plenty of other fun activities await. With over 20 miles of rugged trails and terrain to explore, the Off-Road Driving Academy has guests hitting the rough roads behind the wheels of Jeep Rubicons.
An experienced instructor takes up to four riders for a guided tour in which licensed drivers are encouraged to take the wheel. Guests can choose from the Instructional Trip, which takes approximately one and one-half hours, or the Ride Alongs, a thirty-minute journey with an experienced driver taking the wheel.
Younger guests will find plenty of activities created with them in mind. Little Tykes provides age appropriate activities and childcare for ages 6 weeks to three years, including evening care so mom and dad can spend a bit of date time together.
For children four to 15 is Kidz Klub, offering full and half days of supervised activities and entertainment.
Back at the Adventure Center guests will also find paintball, outdoor volleyball, mountain biking, a truly beautiful 18-hole mini golf and Climbing Walls.
More adventure can be found at The Wildside where families can enjoy food from the grill, bowling, arcade games, pool, and indoor climbing wall or just relax while watching the exotic bird habitat.
A new experience for us was the Shooting Academy.
Mike Luongo helps a shooter aim(Photo/J.Kubin) Click to enlarge
Located away from the Nemacolin grounds, the Academy is a 140-acre complex with 70 fully automatic LaPorte traps that include a 5-stand station. The Shooting Academy is rated at one of the national’s top sporting clays facilities.
At the Shooting Academy new shooters or experienced marksmen can test their skills at 35 clay stations spread across three courses, towers and a five-stand pavilion with an integrated Wobble Trap Field.
Insuring that even the first time shooter has fun and hits the target, National Sporting Clay Association (NSCA) certified instructors are available to teach and correct, insuring fun, and good shots, for all.
An introductory experience for us we entered the Odin sized lodge complete with the glass eyes of a variety of creatures that have fallen prey watching our progress.
Meeting our instructor, Mike Luongo, sporting clays manager, our nascent marksmen got suited up in vest with protective ear and eye protection and stepped out to the range.
Jumping onto a golf cart, Mike shared the meaning behind the many patches on his vest; He is a three times sporting clays all American, reaching these goal – making master class by the age of 16. Which is quite an accomplishment.
While experienced shooters can go out on their own, beginners go out with one of the club instructors where, due to the experience of the instructors, they are able to learn not only how to load, hold and shoot a rifle, but also to be able to anticipate, see and hit the clays.
“Sporting clay is one of the fastest growing sports today with more than twenty-three thousand members in The National Sporting Clays Association,” Mr. Luongo said. “Then there are probably ten times that number of recreational shooters.”
Shooting Academy clay stand (Photo/J.Kubin)Click to enlarge
The range was not quite what was expected. Instead of stark ground with rising bunkers to stop shot, the stands are beautifully landscaped, offering seating for non-shooters and surrounded by more incredible Pennsylvania mountain-scapes.
We learned that this is not just a sport for the boys. Rifles come in all different weights and sizes. This is not just for the boys. The cost to go out for an hour-and-a-half, with all equipment, including eye and ear protection, and 100 clays is approximately $130.00.
Lions and Tigers and Bears, along with a llama, moose and more
Unique to Nemacolin is The Wildlife Academy where guests can find numerous animal inspired activities. Younger children will enjoy Pony Rides while guests 55” or taller will enjoy the horseback walking trails through the Pennsylvania woods.
Walking, running, or driving through Nemacolin’s grounds, visitors will be surprised to find lions, and tigers and bears. As well as giraffe, laughing hyenas, camels and spitting llamas.
A Nemacolin Woodlands Llama (Photo/J.Kubin)Click to enlarge
Yes they spit. I can guarantee that. It has been years since I took a cold field shower. Or that I laughed so hard.
The magnificent creatures of Nemacolin’s Wild Safari include Humphrey the moose, Sugar and Boo Boo, the black bears and a pair of hyenas that are tons of fun. On our journey we also saw buffalo on the plain, a giant sloth, land tortoise and all sorts of furred creatures great and small.
At the Nemacolin Shooting Academy, where targets are the only game, there is a wonderful family of moose that are fun to watch.
Viewing the exotic and wonderful animals of Nemacolin, guests can opt to take a guided Safari Tour or just walk along, reading the informational signs. Taking the Safari tour allows guests to get a little closer to the animals as they come up to the handlers, and guests, knowing a special treat is forthcoming.
Reservations are strongly suggested for all activities and guests should call well before arriving to ensure that they can participate in everything they want to do at Nemacolin.
Read Jacquie's review of Aqueous Restaurant here.
Jacquie Kubin is a 15-year, award-winning veteran of travel and culinary writing. Today, Jacquie edits and directs a staff of writers for Donne Tempo Magazine, where you can read more of her entertainment, travel and culinary reviews. Jacquie is always looking for new talents who want to expand their horizons.
E-mail Jacquie with ideas, questions or to share your writing dreams. Follow Donne Tempo on Twitter and Facebook.
Falling Rock lobby seating (Photo/J. Kubin)
A young, heavily antlered moose at the Shooting Academy (and no, the are not raised for anything but photo safaris). (Photo/J.Kubin)
A Nemacolin camel, which are very cute. (Photo/J.Kubin)
A Nemacolin llama. (Photo/J.Kubin)
Nemacolins' lion pair finding refuge from the noon day sun. (Photo/J.Kubin)
Red Sheep lamb. (Photo/J.Kubin) 
A three-toed sloth. Their nails/claws are fascinating to see up close. (Photo/J.Kubin)
A Nemacolin llama. (Photo/J.Kubin)
Instructor Mike Luongo helps to see and hit the clay. (Photo J.Kubin)
Instructor Mike Luongo helps to see and hit the clay. (Photo J.Kubin)
One of 35 gun stands at the Shooting Academy. (Photo/J. Kubin)
Stitch, a marmoset monkey. (Photo/J. Kubin)
One of the Nemacolin brown bears. The bears are cute and friendly and love the marshmallows visitors can give them. (Photo J.Kubin)
Tig, the tiger, comes in for a snack. The animals have large enclosures but come in for snacks from visitors. (Photo/J.Kubin)
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