On the banks of the Monongahela, Belle Vernon lives up to its name: "belle" is the French word for "beautiful." Certainly, this town has a kind of classic beauty that will never fade away with time, but instead it will grow with age and experience. Yet it's had plenty of experience already: born from a single log cabin in 1813 and grown with the aid of the tenacious Speer family, Belle Vernon will celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2013. There's no better way to celebrate Belle Vernon's birthday than with the addition of the only thing it lacks: you and your family.
Belle Vernon is an officially recognized borough of Pennsylvania, which also means that the great Steel City is not far away. Not many outside of New York City can say they live in a borough, but you can. The perks of living in a borough include a short commute to wherever you need to go in the Pittsburgh area. You may find yourself with a more free time each day because you live in Belle Vernon. Fortunately the city itself is so fascinating you'll find endless ways to spend that time: for instance, in one of Pittsburgh's many art galleries, such as the Carnegie Museum of Art, or at a mandatory Steelers game. Just kidding, we promise Pittsburgh residents don't force you to root for their team (we hope), but you may be swept up by Steelers fever sooner or later. (Don't blame us.)
We also have to mention that the aforementioned art museum is property of Carnegie Mellon University, engineering powerhouse and home of the future geniuses of America. Pittsburgh is a city with great intellectual acumen, however, as the home of literary lights as various as Gertrude Stein, Michael Chabon, and Annie Dillard, not to mention the business leaders of corporations such as US Steel, H.J. Heinz Company, and PNC Financial Services. Here, there's considerable history to discover, so take time to appreciate living in a city with such rich local lore, and visit a museum or simply walk on a historic street.
In terms of more local attractions, we hope golf is on your list, because Belle Vernon is known for its challenging courses: Nature also forms an essential part of the Belle Vernon landscape, so take your kids to the Cedar Creek Park to spend time in the Pennsylvania woods. The area is especially beautiful in the fall, with deciduous trees dropping their leaves right and left. You can take the photographs, but your kids will jump in fresh piles of leaves, in a classic gesture that celebrates the arrival of fall. If you're looking for a little indoor fun, Riverside Shoppes is a popular shopping destination where you can find the latest styles.
Belle Vernon is both beautiful and historic, and it's hard to think of a better combination than that. You'll love calling this borough of the self-titled City of Champions your new home.
