Discover Tarentum

Tarentum is a river community on the Allegheny River. The borough brings together several interests that can shape a stay: riverside spots, local history, mining, and park and community activities. If you’re looking for a specific focus for your trip, these themes are easy to distinguish—from a small historic riverside spot to a heritage museum and an underground mine tour.

Riverfront and Local History

Chartier's Old Town is a historic site and a small green space on the banks of the Allegheny River, near Riverview Memorial Park. Here, the area’s historic character meets its location right on the water. As a small riverside spot, Chartier's Old Town complements the history found in the museums with an outdoor place to visit. This site brings together a historic connection and Tarentum’s riverside setting.

Museums and Mining History

The A-K Valley Heritage Museum is located at the corner of Lock Street and East Seventh Avenue in Tarentum. It is housed in an Art Deco-style limestone building constructed in 1931 as American Legion Post 85. In the entrance hall, murals depict the home front during World War II. The architecture, original use, and subject of the artwork are presented side by side: the building itself, its history as an American Legion post, and the home front depicted in the murals offer different historical points of reference.

Tour-Ed Mine & Museum offers an underground tour 160 feet below ground, led by experienced coal miners. The grounds also feature an authentic Pittsburgh & Shawmut Railroad caboose. Other features include historic attractions, a picnic pavilion, and a train ride. In contrast to the Heritage Museum, Tour-Ed focuses on the underground tour and mining; the caboose adds a specific railroad artifact to the grounds.

Park Activities and River Access

The centrally located Riverfront Park in Tarentum has several baseball fields, a deck hockey area, and a spray park for children. The park offers a variety of activities: baseball, deck hockey, and a spray park specifically intended for children. If you’re traveling with children, the spray park is a specific destination within the park; the baseball fields and deck hockey area also give the site a sporting focus.

Tarentum Access is a concrete boat ramp on the Allegheny River in the Borough of Tarentum. A 2024 waterway map lists more than 20 on-site parking spaces and an accessible asphalt path to the pier. Parking and access conditions may change, so check them before your trip. The park and the access point serve different interests: the park offers sports and activities for children, while the access point provides a boat ramp and a path to the pier.

Events and Seasonal Activities

The Tarentum Recreation Board plans and hosts a Summer Concert Series, holiday parades, seasonal celebrations, and other family-friendly community events. Dates vary by event. If a concert or parade is the reason for your trip, check the specific date in advance.

The Tarentum Farmers Market is also seasonal. Offerings include fresh local fruit and vegetables, meat, handmade crafts, baked goods, and hot foods, including pierogies. The market combines food with crafts and prepared dishes. If you’re planning to make the market a fixed part of your itinerary, check the season and market dates in advance.

Explore more destinations: Kennedy Township, Clairton, Etna, Coraopolis, Morgan, Mount Lebanon, Monroeville, Munhall

For the broader travel overview: Allegheny.