There’s something magical about fall in Pennsylvania. The air turns crisp enough for your favorite sweater, the hillsides burst into fiery shades of red and gold, and every weekend seems to come with the promise of pumpkins, festivals and cozy seasonal fun. 

If you’re new to the Keystone State or just looking to make the most of autumn, this quick guide is your ticket to some of the best fall adventures around, from scenic drives and apple-picking to spooky thrills and hometown festivals.

 

Celebrate Pennsylvania Fall Festivals

Fall in Pennsylvania is festival season, and each town has its own way of celebrating the season. You’ll find everything from small-town parades and handmade crafts to live music, food trucks, and family-friendly fun. Here are a few favorites to add to your list:

  • Bedford, PA Fall Foliage Festival – A beloved annual tradition that transforms downtown Bedford into a fall wonderland, complete with art vendors, live entertainment and the kind of small-town charm that makes you want to linger all weekend.

  • Bloomsburg Fair – One of the state’s largest fairs, this end-of-September event in Bloomsburg is a celebration of Pennsylvania’s agricultural roots with rides, concerts and classic fair food galore.

  • National Apple Harvest Festival – Just outside Gettysburg, this October festival in Biglerville celebrates everything apple, from cider to pie to handmade crafts.

  • Autumn Leaf Festival – Celebrate fall’s changing colors in Clarion at this award-winning celebration in the scenic Allegheny Mountains, where you can enjoy classic small-town fun like a parade and antique tractor show.

No matter which direction you travel, you’ll find a local fall festival waiting to welcome you.

 

Explore Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes

No fall weekend is complete without a visit to a pumpkin patch or corn maze. Pennsylvania’s family-run farms know how to turn a simple day outdoors into a memory-making adventure. You’ll find hayrides rumbling through fields and laughter echoing through towering corn stalks. Then, finish off the day with a cozy cup of warm cider in hand.

  • Linvilla Orchards — This charming orchard does more than just pumpkins. You can hop on hayrides through the fields or take the moonlit “Witch’s House” ride. Then roast marshmallows around a campfire and sip cider while you wander through their PumpkinLand display. 

  • Grim’s Orchard & Family Farms — More than 10,000 pumpkins are waiting for you here. After selecting your favorites, ride out to the fields on a hayride or stroll through their groomed corn maze. Be sure to stop by the orchard for apple-picking too!

  • The Hellerick’s Family Farm — Their five-acre maze is a favorite, complete with barnyard animal cutouts built into the design. Combine that with hayrides, goat visits, corn chute slides and more for a full day of fall fun. 

  • At the Barnyard — Whether you’re solving the “mystery of the castle” on their winding paths, riding in their covered wagon or jumping aboard the barrel train, this spot blends classic maze fun with hands-on farm experiences.

From the city center to the countryside, you’ll find plenty of corn mazes to explore, each one a little different but all packed with seasonal fun. Don’t forget to grab a pumpkin (or three) to carve later!

 

Visit Haunted House Attractions in PA

If you like your fall adventures with a little extra adrenaline, Pennsylvania is home to some of the spookiest haunted attractions in the country. From eerie hayrides to ghost tours in historic towns, there’s no shortage of places to test your bravery. 

  • Field of Screams – Visit this haunted attraction legend with multiple themed experiences, live actors and plenty of jump scares. 

  • Eastern State Penitentiary – Walk the cellblocks of this historic prison by night for one of the most atmospheric haunted tours anywhere. They even have special Halloween experiences for extra spooks. 

  • Haunted Hayride at Reaper’s Revenge – This mix of outdoor scares, haunted woods and movie-quality effects is one of the best haunted hayrides in the state. People come from far and wide to get scared out of their wits all while having a blast. 

  • Ghost Tours in Gettysburg – If you like your spooks with a little bit of history, then take a candlelit stroll through one of America’s most haunted battlefields with seasoned storytellers leading the way.

When you’re ready for a thrill, there are plenty of haunted places in Pennsylvania to visit. Just maybe bring a friend to hold onto.

 

Plan Your Pennsylvania Fall Getaway

Fall in Pennsylvania is made for exploring, whether you’re road-tripping to a foliage-filled festival, wandering a pumpkin patch and corn maze or braving a haunted hayride after dark. Mix and match your favorite seasonal stops to build a weekend (or even just a day) that’s full of color, flavor and small-town charm. Start planning your trip today!