Northwest Pennsylvania's Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau serving Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Elk, Forest, & Jefferson Counties
Destinations: Saint Marys

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Saint Marys

Founded in 1842 by a group of German Bavarian Catholics as a haven from religious persecution, Sanct Marien Stadt (St. Marys) is rich in history, tradition and heritage.

From its humble beginnings to the present day, the story of St. Marys is one of success. It is a story of people with a deep conviction, and of festive, friendly people.

St. Marys is a unique community, from its somewhat confusing downtown design to its German Bavarian origins. In 1994, a consolidation of the Borough of St. Marys and Benzinger Township, made the new City of St. Marys the second largest city by land area in Pennsylvania. At 99.3 square miles, only Philadelphia is larger at 135.1 square miles.

Drink from the "eternal tap" at Straub Brewery, see where the elk roam free, celebrate during a Hometown Festival, or visit one of the smallest historical chapels in the nation.

St. Marys is a vibrant community made up of individuals who know the value of experience and have used it for their own success and progress. Known as the "Carbon Capital of the World", the strong industrial base makes it the perfect place to start a business, raise a family or spend an enjoyable vacation.

Accommodations

Best Western Make your reservation on-line!
1002 Earth Road
St. Marys, PA 15857
814 834 0000
Complimentary deluxe continental breakfast, Outdoor heated pool, Exercise facility, Whirlpool available, Safe deposit box, cable TV with HBOŽ, CNN, FOX News, ESPN1 and ESPN2, Free local calls, Dataports, Free wireless high-speed Internet access, Coffee/tea maker, Hairdryer, Complimentary newspaper, Business Plus Rooms available, cordless telephone, recliners, large work desk, microwave and refrigerator

Comfort Inn - St. MarysMake your reservation on-line!
976 South St., St. Marys
(814) 834-2030 

Free continental breakfast, cable TV, free movies & local phone. Indoor heated pool. Pets allowed.

Gunners Restaurant & Inn
33 S. St. Marys Street
St. Marys, PA
814-834-2161

Newly remodeled guest rooms, full restaurant, lounge with live piano music, weekend entertainment. Banquet & meeting facilities. Be Casual, Be Fancy, Be Yourself!

Old Charm Bed & Breakfast
444 Brussells Street., St. Marys
(814) 834-9429 
info@oldcharmb-b.com
Come as a guest; leave as a friend. This 1917 home has 6 bedrooms, private baths, TV and phone. Full breakfast. Close to elk herd, golf courses and Straub brewery. Also, features gift basket shop. V/MC/AE/DHS

Click here to view hotels in St. Marys available for on-line booking

Attractions

Decker's Chapel
Rt. 255, 3 miles S of St. Marys.
One of the smallest churches in the nation. Built in 1856 by Michael Decker Sr. as a monument after recovering from a farm injury. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors welcome any time.

Eastern Continental Divide
East of Benezette, Rt. 255 to Rt. 555, near Sinnemahoning. 
This North American highland separates waters flowing to the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. A sign here indicates eastern waters flow to the Atlantic and western waters flow to the Golf of Mexico.

Elk Herd
Once roaming free across the Commonwealth, elk were completely eliminated from the state by 1867. Rocky Mountain elk were reintroduced from 1913 through 1926 and now number more than 500

Elk are highly social animals. They can be seen in their natural habitat along many roadways encompassed by the 227 square-mile elk range. Primary routes are 120, 255 and 555. Best times for activity are at dawn and dusk.

Cows live just north of Benezette and weigh up to 500 pounds. Most calves are born from the end of May to mid-June. Bulls form "bachelor" groups, living primarily near Saint Marys except during the September and October breeding season. They can weigh as much as 800 pounds.

Autumn is a particularly good time to hear the bugle call of the elk, especially on a moonlit night. Sounds range from grunts to whistles, screams and roars. From a distance, they have been described as being similar to a musical flute.

The Dent's Run viewing area is located near Benezette off of Route 555. Starting at the Benezette Hotel, travel north along Winslow Hill Road for 3.5 miles. Visitors may park here and take photographs, but feeding the elk is against the law.

Although more than one-third of the elk range is public land, visitors should be respectful of private property.

Historical Society of St. Marys & Benzinger Twp.
319 Erie Ave., St. Marys
(814) 834-6525

See an extensive collection of historical artifacts dating to the community's founding. One of Pennsylvania's first German settlements, St Marien Stadt, was founded in 1842 by the German Catholic Brotherhood.

St. Joseph Monastery
Church St., St. Marys
(814) 834-2267 

First foundation of Benedictine sisters in the United States in 1852. Visitors are welcome to attend daily mass at the chapel or any of three daily prayer times. Join them during the summer for Lunch with the Lord. Tours & retreats.

Straub Brewery
303 Sorg St., St. Marys
(814) 834-2875 

Award-winning family-owned brewery since 1872. Tours M-F 9-12. Gift shop & Eternal Tap Mon-Fri 9-5 & Sat 9-1.

Recreation

Bavarian Hills Golf Course
Benzinger Road, St. Marys
(814) 834-3602

18-hole championship course. Driving range, pro shop, putting green, club rentals, snack bar & lounge.

City Parks of St. Marys
Benzinger Park, Fleming Rd.  (814) 834-7551
Memorial Park, Woefel Ave.  (814) 834-9418

Memorial Park's enormous swimming pool has sliding boards, diving boards & looping waterslides, Creative Play land, softball, baseball, basketball, tennis, volleyball and T-ball.

Restaurants

Benezette Store & Restaurant
(814) 787-7456 
Up-to-date elk sighting information. Affordable rooms and camping.  Groceries, camping needs, ATM, rooms, restaurant. Open 7 days a week, 6 am-9 pm.

Gunners Restaurant & Inn
33 S. St. Marys Street
St. Marys, PA
814-834-2161

Newly remodeled guest rooms, full restaurant, lounge with live piano music, weekend entertainment. Banquet & meeting facilities. Be Casual, Be Fancy, Be Yourself!

Services

Coldwell Banker 1st St. Marys Real Estate
200 Washington St., St. Marys
(814) 781-7337 

Expect the best - your house online - everyday until SOLD. Homes, cabins, lots & acreage.  **Put Coldwell Banker 1st St. Marys Real Estate to work for you!**

Elk Regional Health Center
Johnsonburg Rd., St. Marys
(814) 781-7500  788-8000 

Acute care health center, long-term care facility.

Saint Marys Chamber of Commerce
4 Shawmut Square, St. Marys, PA 15857
(814)  781-3804

Shops & Specialties

A Basket of St. Marys/The Attic Wonderland
444 Brusselles Street, St. Marys
(814) 834-9429

Customize a gift basket with locally-made crafts and products for any age or occasion. Unique gifts for all seasons in the Attic Wonderland, including Christmas. Bridal registry. info@oldcharmb-b.com

Benezette Store & Restaurant
Rt. 555, Benezette
(814) 787-7456  

Up-to-date elk sighting information. Affordable rooms and camping.  Groceries, camping needs, ATM, Fishing & hunting supplies & licenses. Open 7 days, 6 am-9 pm.

Carved in Stone
724 S Michael St., St. Marys
(814) 834-3397 

Ornamental stones individually hand carved. Specializing in custom artwork. The gift that lasts a lifetime. V/MC/AE/DIS

Side Trips
  • Discover Pennsylvania's only free-roaming elk herd (300+) near Benezette. I-3 30 minutes
  • Hike, bike or drive through Pennsylvania's only National Forest - the Allegheny. 10 minutes
  • Tour a winery or shop for antiques near Ridgway. Saint Marys is also known for antiques, a brewery, Benedictine convent and national historic chapel to choose from. G-2/H-2 20 minutes
  • A drive along the Wild & Scenic Clarion River from Ridgway, Rt. 949, is particularly lovely en route to Clear Creek State Park. F-5 45 minutes
  • Rent a bike and trek a Rail-to-Trail system just minutes away in Ridgway. Feeling adventurous? It extends 18 miles to Brockway.  G-2 20 minutes
  • See the towering trees, a national treasure, in historic Cook Forest State Park. E-3 60 minutes

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