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:
Omni Bedford Springs Resort (Bedford)
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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 it all, consider the Taste of Bedford Spring package. 2138 Business 220, Bedford; (814) 623-8100.
The Colebrook Railroad (Boyertown)
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Take in the splendor of fall foliage and reconnect with nature from the comfort of beautifully restored 100-year-old rail cars on The Colebrook Railroad. This nonprofit in Boyertown offers a number of excursions throughout the year, including the Fall Foliage ride, a two-hour ride during weekends in October through one of the most scenic and historic regions in the Northeast. You can even make arrangements to enjoy drinks and meal on the train’s Garden and Dining cars! Grab your tickets now for what is sure to be an unforgettable experience! 100 S. Chestnut St., Boyertown; (610) 367-0200
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 House 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 Package at The Spa at Hershey
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Take in Fall Foliage at Deerfield Health Spa & Retreat (East Stroudsburg)
This cozy country inn in an old Victorian home offers home-cooked, healthy meals, a day spa and fitness classes included in its pricing. Autumn is the ideal time to visit, with fall foliage in full splendor. Take in the colors while canoeing the Delaware River, antiquing in the area, or just soaking in the hot tub. There are also plenty of opportunities for hiking in the 70,000 acres of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area that surround Deerfield. The spa provides daily guided hikes by experienced naturalists, ranging from beginner-level nature walks to Dingman Falls to more challenging excursions along portions of the Appalachian Trail. 650 Resica Falls Rd., East Stroudsburg; (800) 852-4494.
Island Glamping at The Shawnee Inn (The Poconos)
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- Season of Smoke photos: Omni Bedford Springs Resort
- Feature photo: Whispering Pines Farm
- Deerfield photo: Deerfield Spa
- Gateway Lodge photo: Gateway Lodge
- Landis Guest House Photo: Landis Farm
