Top Fall Destinations in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania offers numerous delightful places to visit during autumn, but a select few truly stand out. Let’s explore some of the best fall destinations in Pennsylvania. 

Renowned as the site of the pivotal Battle of Gettysburg, the small town of Gettysburg consistently attracts history buffs throughout the year. However, fall is an incredible time to experience this historic gem, when visitors can stroll through the grounds where the battle occurred while enjoying fall foliage. Also, Gettysburg hosts numerous festivals throughout the fall season, such as the National Apple Harvest Festival, scheduled for October 7th and 8th and October 14th and 15th. 

Pittsburgh, as one of Pennsylvania’s largest metropolitan centers, offers a wealth of year-round attractions. However, the Steel City truly comes alive during the autumn. Visitors and residents can catch a Steelers game at Acrisure Stadium, bike and admire fall colors along Pittsburgh’s many rivers, and enjoy seasonal attractions such as the Pittsburgh Zoo’s Halloween event, ZooBoo.

Lancaster serves as a premier cultural hotspot. It is renowned for its exquisite Amish country and vast farmland, as well as its incredible farm-to-table food cuisine and vibrant arts scene. During the fall, enjoy the harvest season by visiting a pumpkin patch, corn maze, or apple orchard; touring local farms and settlements; or partaking in one of the city’s many fall festivals. The nearby New Holland Fair, between October 4th and 7th, is a seasonal staple.

The town of Jim Thorpe, nestled in the Pocono Mountains, is renowned for its historical significance as the resting place of the legendary Native American athlete after whom it was named. During the autumn season, Jim Thorpe’s fall foliage is stunning; visitors and residents can see it in the town’s lush and forested trails and surrounding charming historical architecture and a winding waterway. 

New Hope, a historic destination, features remarkable architecture, including several centuries-old mansions and buildings. Fall brings festivals and endless excitement to New Hope, from ghost tours of the city to classic autumn festivals at local farms and apple orchards. Visitors can also shop on New Hope’s Main Street, which houses artisan boutiques and tasty restaurants, among the bright autumn foliage that enriches the town’s setting.