Mercer County, PA, is home to many businesses that help make the area worth visiting. Some give travelers a place to stay. Others offer outdoor recreation, family activities, golf, local food and drink, shopping, or seasonal experiences.
The James E. Winner Jr. Tourism Initiative Award recognizes tourism-related businesses in Mercer County that take initiative, create new opportunities, and contribute to the local visitor experience. The award honors businesses that are idea-driven and willing to keep moving forward, even when challenges arise.
Looking at the award’s history is also a helpful way to understand Mercer County tourism. Its past winners show the range of experiences visitors can find across the area, from parks and golf courses to greenhouses, breweries, farms, and family attractions.
The James E. Winner Jr. Tourism Initiative Award is presented to a tourism-related business in Mercer County. It recognizes businesses that do more than serve visitors. It honors those who help create reasons for people to visit, stay longer, and explore more of the area.
That can look different from one business to the next. For one winner, it may mean creating a family attraction. For another, it may mean expanding outdoor recreation, supporting local events, improving the visitor experience, or building a destination that adds something new to the county.
The award’s history shows that tourism in Mercer County is not limited to a single type of business or community. It is built through many local efforts that work together to give visitors a fuller experience.
Past winners include:
Together, these winners reflect many of the reasons people visit Mercer County.
Terra Nova House represents the role of local lodging and hospitality. Places like this help visitors turn a day trip into a weekend stay, giving them more time to explore nearby shops, restaurants, events, and attractions.
Tam O’Shanter Golf Course points to Mercer County’s connection to golf and outdoor recreation. Golfers looking for a relaxed getaway can build a trip around a round of golf, local dining, and time spent in nearby communities.
Keystone Safari highlights Mercer County’s family-friendly side. Animal encounters and outdoor activities give families a reason to plan a day trip or weekend visit, especially during warmer months.
DJ’s Greenhouse shows how seasonal businesses can become part of the visitor experience. Garden centers, workshops, plants, and special events can draw both residents and travelers who enjoy browsing, learning, and spending time outdoors.
Buhl Park reflects the importance of public spaces in tourism. Parks give visitors a place to walk, play, attend events, enjoy the outdoors, and spend time together without needing a packed schedule.
Cobblehaus Brewery at the Falls adds another layer to the county’s food and beverage scene. A local brewery with a scenic setting gives visitors a place to relax and pair a casual stop with nearby attractions.
Cool Spring Ranch continues the tradition of seasonal, family-focused tourism. Activities like corn mazes, hayrides, pumpkin-themed attractions, and farm experiences help make fall a strong season for local travel.
The award’s past winners show that Mercer County tourism is built around variety. Visitors can come for a golf trip, a family outing, a seasonal event, a scenic stop, or a quiet weekend away.
That variety matters because travelers often look for more than one thing to do. A family visiting Keystone Safari may also want a place to eat afterward. A couple stopping at Cobblehaus Brewery at the Falls may want to explore nearby shops or trails. Someone visiting Buhl Park may decide to spend more time in the area once they see what else is close by.
This is where local businesses play an important role. Each attraction, restaurant, park, lodging property, or event contributes to the overall visitor experience. The James E. Winner Jr. Tourism Initiative Award recognizes businesses that contribute to that experience in practical, visible ways.
For visitors, the award list can also be used as a starting point for planning a Mercer County trip.
Families may want to build a trip around Keystone Safari, Cool Spring Ranch, and Buhl Park. Golfers may want to include Tam O’Shanter Golf Course in a weekend getaway. Garden lovers can plan a seasonal stop at DJ’s Greenhouse. Visitors looking for a relaxed food-and-drink experience can make time for Cobblehaus Brewery at the Falls.
The award winners also show that Mercer County can be visited year-round. Spring brings garden centers and outdoor spaces back to life. Summer is a good time for parks, golf, animal attractions, and local events. Fall is a natural fit for farm activities, pumpkins, corn mazes, and scenic drives. Winter offers a slower pace for shopping, dining, overnight stays, and planning a return trip.
The James E. Winner Jr. Tourism Initiative Award tells a story of local businesses that have helped shape Mercer County as a place to visit. Its past winners reflect the county’s mix of outdoor recreation, family attractions, local hospitality, seasonal experiences, and community gathering places.
Whether you are planning a family day trip, a weekend getaway, a golf outing, or a quiet afternoon exploring somewhere new, Mercer County offers plenty of ways to build a visit around local businesses and attractions.
Start with one place that interests you, then see what else is nearby. That is often the best way to experience Mercer County: one stop, one community, and one local business at a time.
