10 Best Outdoor Fall Activities in Pennsylvania

10 Best Outdoor Fall Activities in Pennsylvania

There’s no better place for fall activities than the great state of Pennsylvania. Whether your favorite fall activity is a nice hike in the woods, a scenic bike ride, an outdoor festival or the like, Pennsylvania comes to life with activities during the autumn season. Here are 10 outdoor fall activities you won’t want to miss out on this coming season.

Hike at Ricketts Glen State Park with Bob Neff Tours

Ricketts Glen State Park is enjoyable any time, but it’s in its glory during the fall months. There’s nothing quite like the view of rushing waterfalls when beautiful fall foliage is the backdrop. Bob Neff Tours will take you on a tour of “PA’s most beautiful state park,” where there are 22 “named” water falls! No matter where you want to go, Bob Neff Tours will take you there. And then to Texas Roadhouse for dinner after.

Bike the Poconos with Blue Mountain Sports

There’s really no better bike tour in Pennsylvania than Blue Mountain Sports’ Pocono tours. Choose from two different trails: The Lehigh Gorge, or the Historic Switchback trail. Perfect for beginners, the Switchback trail covers 11-18 miles long, and can accommodate 1.5-hour rides, or upwards of three hours. The Gorge trail is great for intermediate to advanced riders, covers 60 miles, and can be completed in about eight hours. (Or less, depending on how much you want to cover.) Admire scenic Jim Thorpe in all its fall glory while enjoying fresh mountain air.

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Fall Foliage Festival, Jim Thorpe, PA

Another awesome outdoor attraction in Jim Thorpe is the annual Fall Foliage Festival, which draws an increasing number of visitors each year. There are fall treats, live music, beautiful foliage to behold, and you can even take a ride on the antique train! After enjoying the festival, be sure to grab dinner and drinks at one of Jim Thorpe’s best restaurants, like Moya or Stone Row Pub & Eatery

Tour Fallingwater

Fallingwater is, without a doubt, Frank Lloyd Wright’s master work. It’s a sight to behold during any season, but stands out even more during the fall months. Picture this: Amazing architecture atop waterfalls with picturesque fall foliage in the background. It’s truly a sight to behold. Those traveling to experience the wonder of Fallingwater can make their stay even more enjoyable by booking a room at a local resort or hotel, like Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, for example.

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Take a Fall Foliage Kayak Tour with L.L. Bean

What’s a better way to experience Pennsylvania’s amazing fall foliage than to see it up close? L.L. Bean’s guided fall foliage kayak tours allow you to do just that, while enjoying a peaceful kayak session too. Kayak tours take place in Gibsonia, Marsh Creek State Park, and Nockamixon State Park. We would recommend heading to Nockamixon, so you can end the afternoon with some hand-crafted fall-inspired ice cream from Owowcow Creamery’s nearby Ottsville location.

Tour the Wolf Sanctuary of PA

If you’re the unconventional type, you’ll want to visit the Wolf Sanctuary of PA this season. Located in “the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country,” the sanctuary offers public tours on Tuesday/Thursday and Saturday/Sunday, as well as private tours and a Full Moon tour event. While all tours are memorable, the Full Moon tour events offer many exciting fall activities like bonfires, BYO marshmallow roasting, live music, and, of course, tours of the sanctuary. Bring a blanket or chair, relax, and enjoy an evening with the wolves!

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The National Apple Harvest Festival, Arendtsville, PA

The National Apple Harvest Festival has been delighting Pennsylvania residents and visitors alike with delicious fare, great music, beautiful arts and crafts, demonstrations, and more for over 50 years. The festival occurs the first two weekends in October and packs enough activities, events, and fun for folks of all ages to enjoy the entire weekend.

Visit Bushkill Falls

There’s a lot to do at Bushkill Falls. There’s an amazing series of eight waterfalls, hiking trails, observation decks, a maze, paddle boats, mini golf, and fishing, just to name a few things. Discover the beauty of Bushkill Falls—“the Niagara of Pennsylvania—this fall.

Hersheypark in the Dark, Hershey, PA

Herysheypark is a Pennsylvania staple. Whether you’re a PA native or from out of state, Hersheypark in the Dark is a fall activity that’s fun for the whole family. There’s trick-or-treating, 13 different roller coasters to ride, and a tour of Creatures of the Night at ZooAmerica, all included in the price of admission. Make a vacation out of it and stay at one of Hershey’s three resorts! There’s certainly enough to see and do—you'll be entertained for the entire stay.

Admire Autumn’s Colors at Longwood Gardens

When it comes to admiring all of the colors of autumn, Longwood Gardens is one of the best places in the state where you can admire each and every one. The Autumn’s Colors event begins in early October and runs through mid-November. Visitors of all ages are welcome to walk through the outdoor meadow garden, enjoy the conservatory, walk through the woods, and admire the lake, while kids can play on the pumpkin playground and wander through the garden railway. 

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