Discover the Magic of Autumn in Pennsylvania

Autumn is a gorgeous season on the East Coast of the United States! Experience the vibrant colors and festive spirit of autumn in Pennsylvania. Discover the best spots for fall foliage, scenic drives, harvest festivals, and outdoor adventures. 

When people think of Autumn and leaf viewing on the East Coast, they usually think of Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont.

However, you can see wonderful colors and enjoy fun fall activities without the crowds in Pennsylvania.

Buck County, located about forty-five minutes north of Philadelphia is famous for its historical sites, wineries, and charming covered bridges, and it wholeheartedly embraces the autumn season.

In this post, we share destinations and activities you can enjoy autumn in Pennsylvania with friends and family.

Best Way to See the Autumn Leaves

The best way to see the striking fall colors in Pennsylvania is on a road trip.

Whether you arrive in your own car or rent one when you arrive in Pennsylvania, traveling by road is the best way to appreciate the many colors of autumn.

A great way to see the fall colors is to follow the Covered Bridge Driving Tour itinerary on the Bucks County website.

You can choose between the Eastern Half Loop or the Western Half Loop and enjoy the covered bridges and the stunning foliage along the way.

If you’re feeling ambitious, you can tackle both loops in a single day. We completed both loops on consecutive dates, with stops to eat and explore. It was great!

Some of these covered bridges are inside state parks, which allows you to hike and explore the views on foot.

You can drive through several of these covered bridges, but some require you to get out and walk.

Autumn Activities to Enjoy

In addition to leaf viewing, autumn is a time of fairs and festivities.

There are so many things to do during the fall months in Pennsylvania.

Here are some of our favorites:

Shady Brook Farms

Located in Yardley, this farm and market is a local favorite any time of the year.

During the fall season, they have Fall Fest.

This festival includes activities like wagon rides, pumpkin picking, a maze in the cornfields, and much more.

While there, don’t forget to visit the farmers market for treats made with the fresh apples, pumpkins, and fruit of the season. Remember to taste the homemade ice cream!

Peddlers Village

This is an old trade village with charming colonial-style buildings, and gardens that have been converted to a lovely shopping, dining, and events area.

With activities changing year-round, during Autumn they have an apple festival where you can sample different treats made of apple.

Their Scarecrow in the Village event is especially lovely, where you can enjoy a display of scarecrows created by local businesses and organizations.

Peddlers Village is located in Lahaska, between Doylestown and New Hope. For event dates, you can visit their website.

New Hope Railroad

What can be more fun than watching the multi-colors of autumn pass by while traveling on an old steam train?

Whether you ride in the train wagon with family or enjoy a dining car experience with friends, this is a truly unique experience.

Their Autumn adventure is a two-hour ride along the New Hope Branch route. This route takes you through forests, corn fields, homes, and close to a creek.

We sat outside in the “uncovered” car. It was beautiful and the views were unobstructed but it was also chilly so check the weather and bundle up.

We also recommend you make reservations in advance as the Fall Foliage Excursion sells out fast.

Apple Picking

It wouldn’t be autumn without apple picking with family and friends.

Strolling through the orchard, picking the best apples, enjoying your bounty back home, or at the hotel.

There are several orchards in Buck County. These two have wagon rides and markets where you can purchase treats made from fresh fruit.

• Solebury Orchards near New Hope
• Styer Orchard near Newtown (also for pumpkin picking)

Depending on where you stay, you might find a different apple-picking orchard closer to your hotel.

Wineries

Buck County is known for its excellent wineries.

If you enjoy wine tasting then the Bucks County Wine Trail is perfect for you.

Each winery has its distinct personality and almost all of them have live music events throughout the weekend.

Many of the wineries also have food, whether they prepare it in their kitchen or they host different food trucks throughout the season.

We visited several wineries and enjoyed their good wine and pleasant ambience.

• Crossing Vineyards and Winery – near Washington Crossing, this is a beautiful 200 year estate with indoor and outdoor seating and popular for events. You can stroll through grapevines during your visit.
• Rose Bank Winery – near Newtown, housed in a beautiful 1719 Manor House and its adjacent barn this venue has great wines in a stunning setting. Indoor and outdoors seating available, also popular with weddings.
• Bishop Estate Vineyard and Winery – near Perkasie, large barn like structure with inside and outside seating. It has an area where you can bring your own chair. Try their seasonal pumpkin wine.

If you don’t drink wine many of the wineries also offer their own version of cider.

Sesame Place

In October, the theme park Sesame Place hosts spooky and fun events including Count’s Halloween Spectacular.

This is the main event, where the park’s iconic character, Count von Count, hosts a Halloween-themed show filled with music, dancing, and spooky fun. It’s designed to entertain children and create a festive atmosphere.

Children can enjoy trick-or-treating throughout the park, with various candy stations and themed activities.

Some of the park’s rides and attractions receive Halloween makeovers, adding to the seasonal fun.

Kids are encouraged to dress up in their favorite Halloween costumes, and there may be costume contests or parades.

Sesame Street Muppets, rides, and fall/Halloween themes, need I say more?

Other Exciting Events

There are so many events available during the fall season in the different towns of Buck County, Pennsylvania. The following two are notable:

• PumpkinFest at Tileworks in Doylestown – this event gathers some of the best pumpkin carvers in the area and takes place in the facilities of The Tileworks, not far from Fonthill Castle. Pumpkins and castles? How cool is that?
• New Hope Arts & Crafts Festival – this festival brings together over 160 artists and craftsmen, showcasing a wide variety of media. From paintings and jewelry to wood and glass art, you’re sure to find something you love here.

It’s always a good time for Ice Cream

We love ice cream! We will eat ice cream any time of year even if it’s cold outside.

During our visit, we discovered that Buck County has some really good, homemade ice cream.

Most of these places have seasonal ice creams that are so worthy of exploring.

Be sure to stop at one of these venues (or all of them like we did) and enjoy a seasonal treat.

• Moo Hope – Main Street New Hope
• Uncle Dave’s Homemade Ice Cream – Shady Brook Farm in Yardley
• Zebra Striped Whale – Main Street Newtown
• Owowcow Creamery – Durham Road, road 413, at The Shops at Wrightstown.

Driving & Accommodation Tips

If you fly into Philadelphia Airport rent a car and drive north on Interstate 95 and onto 295 North, for about forty-five minutes. This will take you to the Langhorne-Yardley towns of Bucks County on the south end of the county.

If you live in New Jersey or New York and are driving; cross from New Jersey into New Hope via 202 or from Princeton via 295 to Yardley. Once you cross the Delaware River you are in Bucks County.

There are many hotels and cute B&Bs in Bucks County where you can spend the night. The area is also full of good restaurants.

The county’s website has a good list of lodging and restaurants.

Depending on the amount of time you have you can spend your time at one of the charming towns or visit several of them.

Our favorites in this area are New Hope, Doylestown, Yardley, Newtown, and Perkasie. But there are several more all with interesting and fun things to do.

Pennsylvania an Autumn Destination Alternative

Autumn is a wonderful time of the year and you can enjoy the changing colors and wonderful festivals without the crowds.

Bucks County, Pennsylvania is a great alternative for scenic rides, great hiking, and fun events for all the family.

We hope these ideas and insights inspire you to explore this scenic area of Pennsylvania in the United States.

Enjoy the autumn colors, the fall flavors, and the pumpkin spice!