Holiday Inn Express and Suites Altoona

Altoona is one of the great railroad cities of the United States, and the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Altoona is a sensible base for travelers whose trips lean toward rail history. The brand is IHG's mid-priced, breakfast-included choice, usually offering clean rooms, modern fitness and business facilities and easy access to highways. Altoona is roughly half an hour to forty-five minutes west of Huntingdon on the Route 22 corridor, which puts the East Broad Top, Raystown Lake and the Rockhill Trolley Museum within a day's reach. The attraction of staying in Altoona is the choice of services. The city has far more restaurants, shopping and evening options than Huntingdon, and it is the gateway to the Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark and the Railroaders Memorial Museum, which many Huntingdon County railfans combine with their trip. If the county's own hotels are full on a busy weekend, Altoona is the most practical overflow base.

A chain hotel in a city offers advantages beyond convenience. Parking, elevators, consistent standards and 24-hour desk service make it easy for families and travelers arriving late. Check the current amenities list when you book, including breakfast, pool and pet policies, as these vary. Rooms are generally straightforward, with workspace and coffee, and suites provide extra space for families.

Think about drive times when you plan. From Altoona, the trip to Huntingdon is roughly forty-five minutes depending on traffic, and Rockhill Furnace and the East Broad Top add another stretch south. That is manageable for a day, but not ideal for several consecutive early-morning departures. Many visitors pick Altoona for one night to include rail sights in the Altoona area, then move to Huntingdon for the lake and the East Broad Top.

The hotel suits rail-themed weekends especially well: spend one day on the Altoona-area railroad sights, the next on the East Broad Top and Rockhill Trolley Museum, and a third on the lake. In winter, the proximity to larger roads and services is a bonus when mountain weather turns, and in summer, rates are typically reasonable midweek. For travelers who want to maximize rail heritage in a single trip and appreciate chain-hotel reliability, it is an efficient base.

Ask the front desk about local dining and about nearby attractions, since staff in railroad towns often have good recommendations. If you plan to leave early for the East Broad Top, check the breakfast start time so you can eat before you go.