Suggestions for a short getaway, Ohio perhaps?

Submitted by happyjazzycook t3_y80iua in pittsburgh

I am going to need to get away for a couple of days to regain some sanity before the holiday season arrives (early to mid-November). Am familiar with PA and WV, but haven't explored Ohio at all and would like to try to find something there. I enjoy historical towns, inns or b&b's, but at this point anything that's 2-4 hours' drive and I don't have to cook or clean or plan or deal with everyday life would be enjoyable. Suggestions, please?

Edited to thank you all for the great suggestions! I'm making a list, didn't realize that there was so much to do a couple of hours' drive away. 🙄 I think that eventually we will use most of these.

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PghSubie t1_isxephi wrote

If you want to see Ohio, then consider Hocking Hills. Cleveland can be fun too. In PA, have you been to Ohiopyle? Erie? Gettysburg?

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ctownstaydown t1_isy822e wrote

Explore the caves at Hocking Hills! Athens is an eclectic college town like 40 min away from there with some nice restaurants/breweries.

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SultanOfSwat0123 t1_it0dpe3 wrote

As an Ohio U alum I have never seen Athens referred to as eclectic 😂😂😂. It’s Heaven on Earth don’t get me wrong, eclectic not so much. If you are going to spend a weekend there you should pack an extra liver or two as it more than likely won’t be a relaxing getaway and if it is then you did it completely wrong. November isn’t a great time of year to visit. I would save Athens for September or October at the latest or the spring when things blossom.

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FoxZaddy t1_isy9hlb wrote

Yes, hocking hills!

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tshelly56 t1_isz1orx wrote

They just completed the new Hocking Hills State Park Lodge and it looks really nice. Not a lot of rooms though, so book in advance.

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ButtersHound t1_isxcphx wrote

Shenandoah np is 4 hours. Get a nice airbnb with a view and a hot tub.

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mr_pgh t1_isxhkzp wrote

Or stay in one of the lodges! Meadows is near a lot of great summit hikes

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witchyteajunkie t1_isxfvez wrote

Winchester, VA is a great little historic town - about 3 hours away.

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ne0peaches t1_isxzc5x wrote

Yessss my sibling went to college there and I visited frequently. Cute place, but kinda pricey.

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MycoMountain t1_isyanad wrote

Does that small burger place on old town still exist? They made little sliders

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witchyteajunkie t1_isydwtq wrote

Yes! They were closed so I didn't get to try it, but they still have awesome prices.

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jralll234 t1_isxg10r wrote

Just did a weekend in Akron, exploring Cuyahoga Valley National Park. 2.5 hours away, decent outdoor recreation. Akron is big enough to have good restaurants, I’m sure some museums, etc.

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DIY_Creative t1_isxh5m9 wrote

Did you do the Cuyahoga Valley Railroad!? They have a trip that goes through the National Park. We did it last year and it was pretty cool (albeit it slightly too long as we did the entire loop and it was like 3.5 to 4 hours maybe).

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jralll234 t1_isxhz08 wrote

We bought tickets but all of the railroad trips were canceled last minute due to erosion of the track bed.

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DIY_Creative t1_isxi7t2 wrote

Ah crap, that stinks. But it's cool enough to do a daytrip just for the railroad so maybe in the future.

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severalfishnotaguy t1_isxq6we wrote

I went to college in Akron before moving out to Pittsburgh. It's a fun city with a lot of hidden gems! Only downside is it is very much a commuter city, and most restaurants in the downtown area are closed (or have very limited hours) on the weekend.

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MaynardWaltrip t1_isxjnc5 wrote

Hocking Hills.

Beautiful outdoors area. A TON of cool air bnb options. Excellent if you’re looking to disconnect.

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crushedrancor t1_isxwvqq wrote

Hocking hills is one of my favorite get aways definitely on the upward end of your 4 hour travel range but it doesn’t ‘feel’ like ohio at all Search around the town of Lancaster for small town vibes or cabins by the caves for rustic charm

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jamierocksanne t1_isytzpf wrote

Came here to suggest it too. It’s unfreakinreal like hard to believe it’s in Ohio.

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soggymuffinz t1_isyn7di wrote

We stayed in an A frame near Hocking hills and it was a wonderful weekend. Had a hot tub and everything.

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heywaitforme1 t1_isxcedo wrote

We enjoyed Salt Fork State Park in OH. Also consider heading north to Watkins Glenn/ Ithaca, NY. Beautiful drive and incredible hiking if you are into that.

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sinjacy t1_isxi7hz wrote

The gorge trail at Watkins Glen closes after the last weekend in October and doesn't usually open until May. The rim trails are open all year, but for me the gorge trail is the whole point of hiking that park.

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heywaitforme1 t1_isybxkb wrote

Oh yeah! I’d much rather spent time in the rest of that region where there are less crowds anyway.

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SBpotomus t1_iszz2q8 wrote

Salt Fork is great and the nearby town of Cambridge is really cute. Lots of nice shops on Main Street.

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mr_pgh t1_isxi2ux wrote

Id head to Cumberland and Harpers Ferry.

Things to do in Cumberland:

  • Antiques, Craft Brewery, Restaurants
  • Confluence of GAP and C&O Rail Trails
  • Scenic Train to Frostburg (plenty of shops and restaurants)
  • Cool Old Homes

Things to do in Harper's Ferry:

  • Well, its a historic town...walk around
  • Hikes all around
  • Antienam Battlefield not too far
  • Cool shops and restaurants
  • Stay at an Air BNB within the historic district
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happyjazzycook OP t1_isxjpdz wrote

We've been there twice and it was a great trip both times (also nearby Shepardstown (sp??)). Wanted something different, though, this time.

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Boring-Rhubarb t1_isxp3xv wrote

Yeah you can probably skip Cumberland, or as the locals call it- Scumberland

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James19991 t1_isxj9ox wrote

I have cousins who went to Harper's ferry last year, and I would vote for that too based on what they told me.

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nomadjames t1_isxvn30 wrote

Ashtabula, Geneva on the lake, and anywhere around the lake in the Sandusky area are cool. I like Lake Erie in the fall and winter. The turbulence is hypnotic.

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ExtremelyHotCakes t1_isza6ui wrote

There’s a great brewery (CLAG) in Sandusky. I could go for One Floppy Đồng right now.

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nomadjames t1_iszow5u wrote

We just got season passes for Cedar Point this year and they work next year so I’ll have to check that out.

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[deleted] t1_isxc1tl wrote

Look at Hocking Hills Nice cabins on AirBnb Been there a few times

Edit- cell service can be spotty and places to eat in some of the areas can be few and far between

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Elouiseotter t1_isxicmg wrote

OP will want to read the fine print before booking any Airbnbs. Lots ask you to do some sort of cleaning now.

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[deleted] t1_isxkyjz wrote

There is that.

Have found most to be simple “put sheets and towels in bath tub and place garbage in cans”

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MonteBurns t1_it5u2zr wrote

If you’re charging me a cleaning fee, pass.

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dminjr1209 t1_isxdyrs wrote

If you're a fan of the movie, the 'A Christmas Story' house is just outside of Cleveland and is worth checking out.

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DIY_Creative t1_isxh89d wrote

Bonus tip: go to the Rowley Inn across the street - WONDERFUL neighborhood bar with amazing food! You won't regret it!

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TauterStatue t1_isxuonj wrote

Geneva on the lake

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Harvey_Rabbit t1_isy66qn wrote

Lots of good wineries up that way. Not sure this is the right time of year but if you got a nice weekend it would be good.

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CARLEtheCamry t1_isxog9h wrote

The wife and I typically take a "just to get away" vacation every 6 months. Earlier this year we stayed at this AirBnB across the river in Ohio from Parkersburg, WV. It's about a 3 hour drive, and you can take Route 7 all the way which IMO is a much easier and scenic drive along the Ohio River.

Place was small but super cozy right on the river with a great deck, inexpensive, and fit the bill of what I feel an AirBnB should be - little ancillary places rented out on the side, not messing with the local real estate market.

Parkersburg has Blennerhassett Island which has some rather interesting history involving Aaron Burr and an attempted coup of the US govt. In town there is also the Blennerhassett hotel which is "fancy" for the area with a great Sunday brunch.

The rest of the area is pretty sparse, it's the middle of nowhere Ohio/WV. But for us, who just wanted to day-drink and binge Netflix for 3 days it was perfect.

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WikiSummarizerBot t1_isxohpa wrote

Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park

>Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park is a state park located on Blennerhassett Island, a small island in the Ohio River, located in Wood County, West Virginia, USA. The property was the site of a Palladian mansion owned by Harman Blennerhassett, a participant in some of the alleged intrigues of Aaron Burr, and his wife Margaret Agnew. While the original mansion burned to the ground in 1811, a detailed replica, which can be toured, was built on its foundations in the 1980s. The Blennerhasset mansion greatly resembled George Washington's Mount Vernon, due to its Palladian style.

^([ )^(F.A.Q)^( | )^(Opt Out)^( | )^(Opt Out Of Subreddit)^( | )^(GitHub)^( ] Downvote to remove | v1.5)

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StoshBalls_3636 t1_isxetju wrote

I have never been, but have heard rave reviews for Hocking Hills State Park near Columbus. Great hiking, if that is your thing.

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damtaxmann t1_isxy26a wrote

Check out Getaway.com tiny houses near Lisbon OH. The tiny homes are really cool and situated in the woods behind a farm a little over an hour from PGH. My wife and I have stayed there twice. The town of Lisbon is old and has a brewery. Also not far from the giant flea market in Rogers OH if you are into that. Only warning is I think the tiny homes might have gotten really expensive during the pandemic.

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stadulevich t1_isxyf1t wrote

Check out Bedford Springs. Highly recommend for a trip away to clear the mind.

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beebeebeezzzzz t1_isy4run wrote

Ogelbay Park in Wheeling, WVa. Christmas light display starts Nov 10. Lots of local hiking, golf, gift shops. Some fun restaurants. Just over an hour from Pittsburgh.

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tooborednotto t1_isyjjbh wrote

If you like airplanes and/or history, and Dayton isn't too far, I would always always advise a trip to the Airforce museum in Dayton, OH. It's no fee for entry, and IMO, it's more than you can realistically see in a day. And it makes a great trip when the weather starts to turn since it's all indoors. If the entirety of aviation history doesn't sound interesting to you, I would probably look for something else though. Haha. But if that sort of thing interests you, it's an affordable and interesting weekend trip.

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DIY_Creative t1_isxhtt4 wrote

Ohio is great! There are a lot of suggestions in the thread for outdoorsy stuff but if you're looking for city life any of Cleveland, Columbus or Cincy are fantastic (though Cincy would be a little outside your 2 - 4 hours drive time).

Cleveland - art museum is free, they have great breweries and food too

Cincy - American Sign Museum is a MUST see; Cincy Zoo and Botanical Garden is fantastic; Gaslight District is a cool, quieter hip spot; Over the rhine is a cool, but busy neighborhood; Skyline Chili, Graeter's, goetta

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westinghousesghost t1_isxk4tk wrote

I can't stop playing that scene from The Patriot in my head... "Tell me about...Ohio"

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shouldseetheotherguy t1_isy717e wrote

Niagara On the Lake in Canada is 4 hours away. Wineries, restaurants and AirBNB’s galore.

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Fine-Designer5474 t1_isz2jw4 wrote

Go to Cleveland and check out the Rock Hall for a day

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cmac4ster t1_isxdkap wrote

My parents loved Akron. They were there for their anniversary about 5 years ago, they still talk about it fondly. Especially Swenson's drive-in; I go to school in Ohio and they always make sure we stop there on move-in/drop-off days.

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TheRedDeath30 t1_isxe2ux wrote

Not sure what side of Ohio you're looking. I'm a Western PA guy but have played about 15 OH courses

You can stay around Canton and play a good number b of courses if you want quantity. Nothing there is say Maple Hill quality but Punderson and The Grassman are both excellent courses in that vicinity.

You want a good trip consider Ashtabula. Course is good but the park is beautiful and on the lake. You can stay at Geneva on the Lake which is a destination spot

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didjital t1_isxe9yl wrote

We just stayed in a beautiful Airbnb in the historic town of Zoar, OH. Not much in the way of restaurants, but the restored buildings were really amazing. We stayed in The Schoolmaster's House which was clearly very old but also very comfortable.

https://historiczoarvillage.com

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Jonny_Thundergun t1_isxepl2 wrote

If you love outdoorsy stuff, there are a ton of parks all over the state.

If you love city stuff, restaurants, bars etc. gGo to Columbus.

If you are a thrill seeker, go to Cedar Point. Halloweekends are a blast.

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earble t1_isxwc4p wrote

We just got back from a cross country drive. Our first stop was at a B&B called the Mill House in Grand Rapids, Ohio, near Toledo. It's a converted flour mill on the Maumee River. Beautiful walking trails, charming small village (visit Wild Side Brewing if you like beer). Who knew Ohio could be so pretty?

Nice comfortable room, simple but full breakfast, friendly but not overbearing hosts. Highly recommended.

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LL_is_a_Cool_J t1_isy0y5i wrote

If I was going anywhere in Ohio it would be to that giant antique/flea mall out on 43 (?), to somewhere like Lorain on Lake Erie or maybe around where one of the air museums are.

I was born in Ohio on an AFB and the only time I’ve ever been back since we left decades ago was when I was forced to go there for work. Seriously, a boring state unless you have multiple hobbies.

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flyover51 t1_isy67m8 wrote

An offshoot of historical, but I would Highly Recommend Dayton Ohio for its airforce museum. It has one of the best collections of historical aircraft.

Otherwise at the moment there is also a Renaissance fair going on in the area.

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vitopie t1_isyu7cb wrote

new river gorge

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road_robert2020 t1_isxj8i9 wrote

If you’re into historical sites check out the Spread Eagle Inn and Tavern in Hanoverton. Beautiful old restaurant/inn that once hosted Abraham Lincoln. You wouldn’t expect such a nice place out in the middle of nowhere.

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PittsburghBirdNerd t1_isxq9y1 wrote

Yellow Springs Ohio is at the higher end of your driving limit (about 4 hours), but is a very cute historic town with lots of cute BnBs and an old inn. Lots of biking, nature, hiking in a state park that borders the town.

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LimeMime565 t1_isxt3kr wrote

Cherry Springs near Erie is great if you want some unique camping

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j_reid0555 t1_isy2bow wrote

Blackwater Falls area in WV is amazingly beautiful

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DocAuch22 t1_isy2ovc wrote

Serpent Mound in Peebles, Ohio is a must-see site. Very peaceful location with small crowds this time of year.

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allistarkaye t1_isy4xwq wrote

If your in the Cleveland area, Great Lakes brewing has amazing food (and beer)

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Roger_Gallagher t1_isyih1e wrote

Geneva OH is nice. Bonus mural of the James Gang in the little downtown strip

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BisonAthlete92 t1_isyw6w5 wrote

Do you like sports? You can check out the hall of fame in canton

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zelenadragon t1_iszs6yr wrote

Stan Hywet house and gardens in Akron are a lovely place to spend a day

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Repo_co t1_iszwnvm wrote

Go to Akron and get some Barberton fried chicken!

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morrison1813 t1_it0d9tt wrote

Try Columbus, Oh. My wife and I have gone a few times for long weekends and always had a blast.

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happyjazzycook OP t1_it0e2qk wrote

I've heard the zoo is great, but what did you like?

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morrison1813 t1_it0fiqm wrote

I liked the brewery district, short north, COSI, lots of cool restaurants and shops, good music. We’ve always gone when the penguins are playing in Columbus and stayed for a couple days.

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happyjazzycook OP t1_it0gzoz wrote

Definitely would try the brewery district, thanks for the suggestion!

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Mountain_Ferret9978 t1_it0gjbo wrote

Cuyahoga Falls. Cute little town outside Akron with a beautiful state park.

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theherbpuffer t1_itabq76 wrote

Hocking Hills is the place to go in Ohio

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sataninspirit t1_isz34l5 wrote

no one wants to go to ohio. Not even people who live there.

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kronus87 t1_isxd53g wrote

Avoid Ohio at all costs.

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happyjazzycook OP t1_isxdoke wrote

b/c of the political environ?

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kronus87 t1_isxdwp2 wrote

Nah I dont follow politics, wouldnt auprize me if they fucked that up too though lol. Anyone who grew up on the Pa side of the OH border general has a distaste for that state. Only upside to be found is cheap gasoline!

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James19991 t1_isxjd8f wrote

It was more Trumpy than Texas in 2020, so that's really all you need to know about how it has gone politically in the last 10 years.

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tnh0199 t1_it206o3 wrote

I don’t know if this is the hill to die on living in PA lol… I’ve seen a higher concentration of trump signs living here for 3 months than I did living 21 years in Youngstown

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James19991 t1_it2aejx wrote

Don't be a troll. You know perfectly well Biden won in PA by 1% when Trump won in Ohio by 8%. So that means Pennsylvania is 9 points to the left of Ohio, because math is still a thing that matters.

Funny you bring up Youngstown too considering it is in one of the few counties in the country that went from voting for Clinton to Trump.

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tnh0199 t1_it2fdi3 wrote

I’m not being a “troll” lol, I didn’t say anything about percents, or the election, literally just about trump signs. You commented on the “trumpiness” of the state, which is all I was commenting on and which is true, but PA is literally just as bad. Still a silly hill to die on when I see 10+ a day. Youngstown is not a county either, so I’m not sure where you were going with that one. Have a good day buddy :)

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[deleted] t1_it2r49d wrote

[deleted]

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tnh0199 t1_it385fm wrote

Buddy, I’m not a troll because I think it’s foolish that you’re fighting about how your state isn’t “trumpy”. I’m sorry I misread, but being a grown man attacking people on Reddit for being “illiterate” doesn’t help your case. Just because you choose to ignore the trump signs and flags everywhere doesn’t mean they don’t exist. If you wanna fight for how liberal your state is go move to California or something? You’re literally acting like a child going “but Pa is less trumpy then Ohio😡😡😡” Like okay…. That doesn’t mean the majority still aren’t republican

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James19991 t1_it3btkv wrote

Lol sorry I used facts and they showed you were wrong. I never said PAV isn't Trumpy in parts, just that it's nowhere as red as Ohio, and that's a fact. Ohio is a red state at this point, and Pennsylvania is still a purple state.

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tnh0199 t1_it3i8dr wrote

You didn’t show me I was “wrong” considering all I was pointing out was that Pennsylvania is in fact “trumpy” like you were calling other states. This isn’t a pissing contest, and once again I don’t know how a grown man is typing these replies and not feeling like a condescending loser. If you wanna fight about facts so bad, why did the department of state report that there is 4 democrats registering as republican for every republican switching to democrat. The highest conversion rate in a decade❤️ I genuinely don’t know why you keep comparing Ohio and Pennsylvania when just because it is less so than Ohio, that doesn’t mean PA isn’t what you so intelligently call “trumpy”. And if by “in parts” you mean the few liberal cities the state has, that doesn’t really count sir.

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James19991 t1_it3lcyl wrote

I thought you were done replying to me two posts ago lol. Like I really give a fuck what would think of me anyway... And yeah, I kind of did show you were wrong considering states with a 9 point separation in how they vote in a presidential election aren't really that similar.

Friendly reminder also once again that half of Pennsylvanians live in blue Allegheny County or SPEA, not in whatever you're surrounded by in the backwoods.

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tnh0199 t1_it3o2m9 wrote

I mean, considering I live on the SouthSide I don’t think that’s backwoods, your argument really isn’t holding up here. And I didn’t ask you to care what I thought about you bud, just said you’re acting embarrassingly. Funny how you wanna talk about previous stats and ignore the current ones I brought up. You live in a blue collar state, just because you don’t leave the city doesn’t mean it isn’t “trumpy”. Literally that’s the only point I was talking about and you got so defensive because it’s true. If I can drive 10 minutes from my apartment either way and see 6+ trump signs and flags in that time, your state is in fact trumpy. I never said the states were similar. Literally just that pa is also “trumpy.” You don’t get liberal savior points for acting like that’s not the case

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James19991 t1_it3pfbp wrote

I'm regularly in Mt Washington, the Southside, and Carrick, so I'm calling bs that you supposedly see all of these Trump signs within 10 minutes of your apartment. Your supposed signing sightings are nothing but antidotal evidence, not real data. Donald Trump lost Allegheny County by 20 points, so there is little that is Republican about this county.

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brutustyberius t1_isxnjof wrote

No self respecting Pittsburgher should ever go to Ohio…unless it’s to watch the Steelers beat the Browns.

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