Fall is one of the best times to get out and enjoy all that Pennsylvania has to offer. Whether you seek nature, adventure, eye-opening culinary experiences, pure relaxation or all of the above, there is somewhere perfect for you to find a getaway in the Keystone State.
Here are just a few options, so get out your calendar, dust off your suitcase and start planning your fall getaway in PA:
The Colebrookdale Railroad (Boyertown)
Take in the splendor of fall foliage and reconnect with nature from the comfort of beautifully restored 100-year-old rail cars on The Colebrookdale Railroad. This nonprofit in Boyertown offers a number of excursions throughout the year, including the Fall Foliage and Autumn Splendor and Autumn Cider & Donuts rides with dates in October and November, journeying through one of the most scenic and historic regions in the Northeast. Autumn Splendor rides are available with brunch, lunch or dinner served in the train’s comfortable dining cars. Grab your tickets now for what is sure to be an unforgettable experience! 100 S. Chestnut St., Boyertown; (610) 367-0200.
Omni Bedford Springs Resort (Bedford)
If you prefer your weekend trips with a side of luxury, consider booking a stay at the Omni Bedford Springs Resort, situated about 90 minutes from Pittsburgh and about 3 hours from Philadelphia. In addition to spacious guest rooms, a well-appointed spa (including hot springs baths!), 25 miles of hiking trails, horseback riding, an 18-hole golf course and an aquatic center, there are lots of culinary experiences to be had on the resort’s grounds. Enjoy a sumptuous steak at the 1796 Room; snacks and Pennsylvania beers and spirits at the relaxed Tillie’s at the Clubhouse; a casual lunch or lively happy hour at the Frontier Tavern; a latte at Evitt House Coffee; or an elegant, upscale meal in The Crystal Room. To experience a themed visit or find a special deal, consider these packages. 2138 Business 220, Bedford; (814) 623-8100.
Taste of the Wilds Dinner at the Gateway Lodge (Cooksburg)
Nestled into the gorgeous Cook Forest in the PA Wilds, Gateway Lodge is a rustic-but-elegant country inn featuring private rooms, suites, cabins, a spa and an incredible restaurant, offering scratch-made, in-season, fresh, sustainably sourced food. With plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options, the carefully prepared dishes are some of the best in the region. The more casual Wildcrafter menu is available Thursday and Friday evenings, and includes easygoing dishes like gluten-free pierogis, smash burgers and salmon tacos. On most Saturday nights, find a more formal prix fixe Taste of the Wild menu, featuring dishes like cracker crusted walleye and venison back strap (reservations are required). The bar offers a deep, well-curated wine list, which has been awarded “Wine List of Excellence” multiple times by Wine Spectator. The restaurant and bar are open to the public, and worth a stop even if you’re not staying on site. 14870 Route 36, P.O. Box 125, Cooksburg; (814) 744-8017.
Stay at a Charming Farm (Manheim)
Enjoy a breather from the hectic pace of everyday life on a serene, charming farm in Central PA! The Landis Farm Guest Hhersheypark.com/…e-the-park/halloween.phpouse is a quaint, 1760s-era farm house that is open for overnight accommodations in the heart of PA Dutch Country. This cozy home, which includes a wood-burning fireplace, can sleep up to six people, and while it’s rich in old world charm, it also includes all the modern amenities you need. While you’re there, explore the 70-acre Landis Farm, which produces eggs, grows corn and soybeans and raises cattle. Farm activities include fishing at the pond, helping to feed the animals or simply strolling through the picturesque grounds. Check for availability here. 2048 Gochlan Rd., Manheim; (717) 283-7648.
Pumpkin Treatments at The Spa at Hershey
Stay Near a Wolf Sanctuary (Lititz)
Full moons and dark woods set the scene for this dramatic fall get away in Lititz, Pennsylvania. The Wolf Sanctuary of PA is an extraordinary wildlife refuge offering private, public and self-guided tours that let you observe the fascinating lives of gray wolves. There are also full moon events (for ages 16 and up) in the fall with bonfires, live entertainment and tours through the moonlit sanctuary. To make it an overnight, set up camp – so to speak – right nearby at Speedwell Forge B&B, a historic property surrounded by natural beauty. Note: there’s a two night minimum. From there, you can head to the sanctuary, check out a ghost tour in Lancaster City, catch a show at American Music Theater or the Sight & Sound Center and eat and drink your way around the region – like a bite at historic Railroad House Inn in Marietta. Speedwell Forge B&B, 465 Speedwell Forge Rd., Lititz; (717) 626-1760; Wolf Sanctuary of PA, 465 Speedwell Forge Rd., Lititz,; (717) 626-4617.
Wellness & Wanderlust Retreat in Jim Thorpe
- Wolf and Jim Thorpe photos: Pexels
- All other photos: Courtesy of the respective businesses
