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Wednesday, February 1, 2006

GETTING THERE: Punxsutawney, Pa., is about 240 miles from Washington. Take I-270 about 25 miles to Frederick and I-70 west to I-76 west (the Pennsylvania Turnpike), then I-99 north to U.S. 22 west, which becomes U.S. 422. Take U.S. 119 north to Punxsy.

STAYING THERE: The Pantall Hotel (135 E. Mahoning St., 800-872-6825, http://www.pantallhotel.com/ ) is a grand old hotel on the town square. Rooms range from $70 to $125. To be closer to nature, try the two-room Elk Farm Bed and Breakfast (27821 Lake City Rd., Route 949, 814-772-6810, http://www.elkcountyelkfarm.com/ ). It's $118 for two weekend nights, $49 per weekday night.

EATING THERE: An Italian local favorite is Neko's Restaurant (206 Elk Run Ave., 814-938-0338) which has $3.99 lunch specials. Mary's Place (17080 Route 36 S., 814-938-2962) feels like you're eating in someone's home because the restaurant is in an old house adorned with family memorabilia. Main courses range from $10 to $20. The New Anchor Inn (466 Harmony Rd., 814-938-8060) is known for its $35 surf-and-turf dinner.

BEING THERE: There's lots of groundhog shopping to do. The Chamber of Commerce (102 W. Mahoning St.) sells official souvenirs. You can also stop by Phil's off-season home, the Punxsutawney Groundhog Zoo, off Barclay Square (124 W. Mahoning St.). If you're planning to make the scene at Gobbler's Knob tomorrow morning, it is a block from one of the shuttle stops ($5 per person, or you can walk the 1 1/2 miles). Plan on boarding by 5:30 a.m. if you hope to squeeze in for Phil's appearance. For wildlife viewing and hiking, head north on Route 119 and take Route 219 to Ridgway and the Allegheny National Forest . Go east from Ridgway on Route 120 to 255 south, then take 555 east to see Pennsylvania's elk herd , the largest in the East. Info: The elk have their own tourist season (the fall rut), but the locals prefer winter for easy viewing. Northwest Pennsylvania' s Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau, 800-348-9393, http://www.pagreatoutdoors.com/ .

INFO: Punxsutawney Chamber of Commerce , 800-752-7445, http://www.punxsutawney.com/ .



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