Altoona is a city in central Pennsylvania Blair County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is the principal city of the Altoona Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). The population was 46,320 at the time of the 2010 Census, making it the eleventh most populous city in Pennsylvania. The Altoona MSA includes all of Blair County and was recorded as having a population of 127,089 at the 2010 Census, around 100,000 of which live within a 5-mile (8.0 km) radius of the Altoona city center according to U.S. Census zip code population data. This includes the adjacent boroughs of Hollidaysburg and Duncansville, adjacent townships of Logan, Allegheny, Blair, Frankstown, Antis, and Tyrone, as well as nearby boroughs of Bellwood and Newry. Having grown around the railroad industry, the city is currently working to recover from industrial decline and urban decentralization experienced in recent decades. The city is home to the Altoona Curve baseball team of the Double A Eastern League, which is the affiliate of the Major League Baseball team Pittsburgh Pirates. It also houses the 75+ year-old Altoona Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Teresa Cheung. Prominent landmarks include the Horseshoe Curve, the Railroaders Memorial Museum, the Juniata Shops of the Altoona Works, the Mishler Theatre, the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, and the Jaffa Shrine Center.

Altoona was developed thanks to the Pennsylvania Railroad. The company has a workshop in this area which gave rise to a community supported by the railroad. One of the major tourist attraction in this town is the Horseshoe Curve, a track used to allow trains to cross the Allegheny Ridge. The complete railroading history of Altoona is exhibited in the Railroaders Memorial Museums. The Mishler Theatre was an important recreation spot in town. The locals here are pretty excited about baseball and you can catch a game at Park Avenue if you are a fan. If you have kids along with you when visiting Altoona, check out the Lakemont Amusement Park. Travel to Altoona if you are a fan of railroads.