Fall , Seasonal , Fairs & Festivals , Leisure, Shopping & Fun
NEPA Fall Fun 2021
Posted: September 14, 2021
Sink into that Autumn State of Mind with Some of NEPA’s Favorite Fall Activities
Cure those end of summer blues with cooler nights, campfires and corn mazes.
Sure, we love our NEPA summers, and, yeah winter’s kind of cool, but somewhere around the middle of September, we flip into fall mode. Temps drop. Summer clothes say bye-bye, and, miraculously our closets fill with comfy jeans, sweaters and hoodies. That’s right. It’s boots and crunchy leaves season.
Fall is where NEPA truly shines. The nights are just cool enough for cuddling by a campfire and the days still have that leftover tinge of summer. Sunny weekends welcome long country drives in search of those first hints of autumn. And the crisp cold — but not COLD-cold — mornings scream for coffee on the porch.
Hang up the swim trunks and hike up those heavy socks.
Of course, we’re not even close to done with the outdoor fun. There’s no better time of year for long, peaceful hikes, or checking out cool historical sites. We’ve still got some Drive-In movie season left, and so many awesome, outdoor dining spots still to hit.
Fall is the perfect time for discovering NEPA’s adorable downtowns. Stop by the local shops. Grab a latte and plant yourself on a park bench. Or, go ahead and make a weekend out of it. There’s a little B & B down the road and they’ve got a vacancy with your name on it. Just sayin’…
Get out there and discover all that this spectacular season has to offer. And if you’re having trouble coming up with cool things to do, we got you. Check out this convenient, fall fun list.
Popular NEPA Fall Activities
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Celebrate the Season
Fall Fairs and Festivals in NEPA
Spend a day at the county fair. Load up on tasty carnival-style treats, or soak in all the trappings of autumn at the local harvest festival. Fall in NEPA is prime festival season and we’re celebrating everything from apples to animals to food trucks and more.
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Pickin’ Apples
Brace’s Orchard – Dallas, PA
Load up on the iconic crispy fall treats at this popular orchard in Dallas. They offer many varieties of fresh picked apples and other assorted autumn favorites. They even have fresh-baked pies and cider (in adult and non-adult versions).
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All Aboard the Fall Foliage Express
Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway – Jim Thorpe, PA
Hop on this vintage turn-of-the-century train coach for an unforgettable cruise along the beautiful Lehigh River. Snap gorgeous pics of the rolling river and the Pocono Mountains in all their vibrant autumn glory.
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Pick Out That Perfect Pumpkin
Whistle Pig Pumpkin Patch – Noxen, PA
This year’s porch-perfect Jack O’Lantern is out there waiting for you. You just have to find him. Set out in search of the right gourd at this Endless Mountain’s gem in Noxen. Enjoy campfires, hayrides, play areas and so much more.
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Load Up the Blankets and Popcorn
Drive-In Movie Theaters
Cool autumn nights make for some of the best memories at the drive-in movie theater. Catch that hot, new blockbuster from the comfort of your car, or snuggle up for a cult classic at one of NEPA’s vintage drive-in theaters.
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Lose Yourself in a Corn Maze
Roba Family Farms – North Abington Twp., PA
Head out to this NEPA fall favorite and get lost in the giant corn maze. Bring the family. Tackle the challenge together, or race the kids to the finish. The farm also features picnic sites, play areas, entertainment and plenty of food.
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An Evening Asleep Under the Stars
The Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort – Shawnee on the Delaware, PA
Rough it in style at this alluring resort situated along the rolling Delaware River in the southern Pocono Mountains. Enjoy a luxurious tent for two on a secluded island in the middle of the river. Sites feature electricity, restrooms and an attendant.
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Rides, Family Fun and Foliage
Knoebels Amusement Resort – Elysburg, PA
Pack up the family for a fall day of fun, food, rides, games and so much more at America’s largest free-admission amusement park. Enjoy Hallo-Fun weekends through October.
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Seek Out Some Local, Seasonal Beers
DiscoverNEPA Brewer’s Loop
Autumn is one of the best times of year to be on the lookout for new beers. And, at just about every one of NEPA’s 30+ craft breweries, you’ll discover a new favorite. Sample robust stouts, creamy porters, crisp festbiers and more.
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Capture that Foliage on Foot
Hike NEPA’s Local, State & National Parks
Fill your Instagram with fabulous fall pics from NEPA’s many hiking trails. Stop by majestic waterfalls. Roll through scenic meadows. Take the trail less trekked and discover that unknown spot for unforgettable photos.
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Uncork NEPA’s Finest Fall Wines
Maiolatesi Wine Cellars – Scott Twp., PA
Head out to the rolling hills of Scott Twp. for a mesmerizing sunset-laden sip of homegrown vino. This local favorite also features a robust menu of wood-fired gourmet pizzas and comfort classics to pair with their sweet whites and full-bodied reds.
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Hop on the Bike for an Autumn Adventure
Lackawanna River Heritage Trail – Scranton
Don’t pack those bikes away just yet. Get out and cruise along the scenic Lackawanna River on this expansive trail that runs from Pittston to Union Dale. Jump on at any one of the trails 30 convenient trailheads scattered throughout NEPA.
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A Historic, Scenic Ride Through Scranton
Electric City Trolley Museum – Scranton, PA
Hop on, take a ride and learn all about the Electric City’s fascinating trolley history. The route runs through the city passing historic sites like the Iron Furnaces and the Crown Avenue Tunnel. After the ride, visit the museum for interactive exhibits.
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Apple Cider (for kids and grown-ups)
Lakeland Orchard & Cidery – Scott Twp., PA
Spend the day among the rambunctious goats, seemingly endless rows of apple trees and adorable fall-themed attractions. The popular U-pick orchard also features a Cider Garden and live music on the weekends.
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Experience Autumn from the Water
Pocono Whitewater – Jim Thorpe, PA
Take on the cool, clear whitewater rapids of the scenic Lehigh River and get an up-close view of vibrant autumn in the Poconos. Bring the family, or a group of friends and combine your rafting excursion with a hike or bike ride.
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Enjoy NEPA’s Bountiful Harvest
NEPA’s Farmers Markets
Load up your basket with farm-fresh produce from right here in our own backyard. All over NEPA, all through the fall, local farms, apiaries, orchards and more gather in town squares and parks to bring you the best the season has to offer.
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Ride the Pocono Rails by Bike
Soarin’ Eagle Rail Tours – Hawley, PA
Experience the beautiful Pocono Mountains with a unique, 6-mile rail bike tour in Hawley. Pedal straight down the historic railroad, along the scenic Lackawaxen River and through Hawley on a 2 or 4-person rail bike.
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A Fall Visit to the Farm
The Lands at Hillside Farms – Shavertown, PA
Stroll along the tranquil grounds of this 412-acre educational farm in Shavertown. Stop by and visit the adorable farm animals. Check out the antique, working greenhouses. And, of course, don’t forget about the ice cream.
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Saddle Up for Fall Foliage
Horseback Riding in NEPA
Experience the seasonal sights of Northeastern Pennsylvania on horseback at one of the region’s local stables. Whether you’re a seasoned rider, or a newcomer, these pros will have you striding along on the trails in no time.
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Add a Little Friendly Competition to Your Foliage
Golf in NEPA
Hit the links one last time and take in the spectacular sights of the fall season from these perfectly manicured greens and fairways. From sprawling mountain views to stunning river valley vistas, NEPA’s golf courses have it all.
Article Updated from its Original Version Published on 09/16/2020.
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