Slow down and experience life in the slow lane as you drive through Butler County, Pa., but feel free to detour off the main roads to get to know the locals and appreciate the uniqueness of this area of Western Pennsylvania.

Quaint and quirky. That’s how most people describe this unique area, just north of Pittsburgh. Buckle up as we sample some of the interesting flavors of Butler County.

A great place to start on your journey is Four Points Alpacas, where you will meet owners Jan and Don Phillips. Jan and Don decided to spend their retirement years raising alpacas on their 13-acre farm and hosting visitors in their charming four-room guest cottage — The Inn at Four Points. Visitors can wake up to rolling hills and 22 alpacas — all with unusual names and different colors  — and experience the alpaca lifestyle. They are gentle animals, perfect for small farms, and provide fine smooth fiber for clothing. An alpaca garment is as soft as cashmere yet stronger and warmer than wool. There is a store on the farm where you can purchase alpaca garments. 

Potential alpaca owners or guests who just want a unique, relaxing farm experience can watch, feed or walk alpacas to get to know these unusual animals. The farm is located at 6187 Brown Road, Butler, Pa. For information, call 724-586-9677 or 724-355-7570 or visit www.fourpointsalpacas.com.

It always astounds me that the most beautiful museum collections can be tucked away in the most unlikely places. Butler County is home to the Maridon Museum, the only museum in the Western Pennsylvania region with a specific focus on Chinese and Japanese art and culture. The museum — both the objects and the buildings that house them — is the gift of Butler County native Mary Hulton Phillips, who has donated her wide-ranging Asian collection of more than 800 jade and ivory sculptures, tapestries, furniture, landscape paintings, scrolls and artifacts. 

Museum tours can be scheduled in advance. The Maridon Museum is located at 322 N. McKean Street in downtown Butler, Pa. Operating hours are Tuesday–Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Adults can tour for $4; students and seniors for $3. Children under 8 are free. For information, call 724-282-0123 or visit www.maridon.org.

Unusual towns

In 1804, Harmony was founded as the first home of the German communal Harmony Society by Christian Separatists from Wurttemberg who were seeking religious freedom. Shortly after they arrived, they adopted celibacy and became America’s most successful communal group. The group was dissolved by its few remaining members in 1905. Harmony is also an important site along the route of George Washington’s 1753 mission that sparked the French & Indian War. 

You can get a flavor of the history of the town by visiting the Harmony museum. Admission includes a guided tour of three historic buildings. You can also go on a walking tour of the town. Stop by the museum to get a map. Harmony is also home to shops, dining and other attractions. 

Harmony is located 18 miles north of Old Economy, Exit 27 of I-79. For information, call 888-821-4822 or 412 452-7341 or visit www.harmony-pa.us or www.harmonymuseum.org.

Have you ever been to Mars? I have — Mars, Pa., that is. Founded in 1873, this little town is known for its silver Martian space ship in the town square. The community is nestled in a small valley along Breakneck Creek, with PA 228 located about a mile south of Mars and the Mars-Evans City Road located to the north. If you would like a commemorative Rover envelope postmarked from Mars, visit the town’s website for information. This town is a fun, quirky side trip. For information on Mars, visit www.purvisbros.com/mars/marstop.

Unique shopping destinations

If you’ve been to Mars to see the spaceship, you shouldn’t be too surprised to see a building shaped like a B-2 Stealth Military Aircraft along Route 8. That’s Playthings Etc. To get into the store, open the thrust (vec-doors) and you will find a fun store for adults and children alike that is filled with “out of this world” toys!  Inside this unique toy store you will experience a futuristic atmosphere and get to play with many of the toys and see demonstrations.  From classic and futuristic toys, from toddler toys to big kid toys, the store offers hobby products to educational toys. For information, call 724-285-7529 or visit www.playthings-etc.com.

Do you remember going into penny candy stores when you were a kid? Well, you still can buy penny candy at Baldinger’s Foods From All Nations, a local landmark in Zelienople where you can find the largest assortment of candy in one place. The store, which was originally opened as a fruit stand by the late Allan Baldinger, has been in business for nearly 75 years. In fact, the store still sells penny candy. “It costs us 2 cents apiece but we still sell it for a penny,” said manager Betty Sabo, who has worked at the store for 48 years. Sabo said that Baldinger sold his stamp collection to buy the original fruit stand. 

Cashiers still use an old wooden cash register that is opened by turning a crank handle. “We used to have chocolate-covered ants, chocolate-covered bees, fried grasshoppers and fried caterpillars,” Sabo said. In fact, they still have a can or two of those to show people. Today, Sabo says the best selling confectionary is Malted Milk Balls. Baldinger’s is getting ready to relocate down the highway, so you may want to call first. It is open 7 days a week, except for legal holidays. For information, call 724-452-9310.

Rest and relaxation

If you are an outdoor enthusiast or just need to relax after visiting all of these unusual places, Moraine State Park is the place to go for boating, sailing and fishing. The 16,725-acre park, with its 3,225-acre lake, Lake Arthur, was recently named the 2008 Park of the Year for its conservation and restoration of a land once ravaged by continental glaciers and massive mining for gas, coal and oil. 

Moraine State Park offers two swimming beaches, 10 boat launches, several fishing piers and numerous picnic areas. A paved seven-mile bike trail winds near the shoreline, with bike rentals available. Moraine State Park also offers many miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding adventures. To take a one- to four-hour horseback ride through the park, contact Moraine Trails LLC at 724-679-7644. Hours are Thursday–Sunday. Reservations must be made one week in advance.

Moraine State Park is located at 225 Pleasant Valley Rd., Portersville, Pa. For information, call 724-368-8811 or visit www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateParks/parks/moraine.

Give yourself a relaxing treat while visiting Butler County at OSIRIS Wellness and Day Spa, where you can rejuvenate your body, mind and spirit. This unique spa destination, located in a beautiful, serene setting on six wooded acres, draws you in as you pull up in the driveway. Check your stress at the door as you enjoy the pampering of the excellent staff offering various spa and relaxation treatments. 

OSIRIS Wellness and Day Spa is open Wednesday–Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. by appointment only. The spa is located at 1511 Mars-Evans City Road in Evans City, Pa. For information, call 724-538-4004 or visit www.osiriswellness.com.

For information on these and other Butler County sites, visit www.visitbutlercounty.com.