Writer: Joshua Andino
2 min read October 2021— The pumpkins are out, the leaves are changing color and hot summer sunshine is giving way to cooler breezes and early sunsets. As autumn approaches across much of the United States, people are looking to capitalize on cooler temperatures and beautiful scenes to make the most of the season. From Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, there are more than enough options for families, friends, young and old alike, whether that be the Philadelphia Music Festival to a scenic hike through Allegheny National Forest. Here are five things to do to make the most of fall.
Kicking off the month of October and making its in-person return is the Philadelphia Music Festival (PMF), the nonprofit music festival that promotes music education, local musicians and artists with events and showings from Wednesday to Sunday. Internationally recognized Moor Mother, the Brewerytown spoken word poet, rapper, and experimental musician born Camae Ayewa, will open the festival at the Lounge at World Cafe Live. Greg Seltzer, PMF founder, scene booster and lawyer for Ballard Spahr, told the Philadelphia Inquirer, “Our genre is Philly” and the festival’s lineup includes a number of Philly locals, established and up-and-coming alike. These include indie darling Alex G, Spirit of the Beehive, Son Little, Ivy Sole and Scranton-born punk band The Menzingers.
For more information, please visit: https://phillymusicfest.com/
Just north of Philadelphia is idyllic Bucks County, with its historic, covered bridges and scenic villages, such as the colonial-era inspired Peddler’s Village, the 42-acre countryside property between Doylestown and New Hope. Peddler’s Village features over 65 unique stores and restaurants, with its own 70-room Golden Plough Inn and the year-round Giggleberry Fair and Family Entertainment Center. Whether it’s for the brick pathways or the landscaped gardens, Peddler’s Village provides the perfect opportunity to take in the scenery, breathe in the crisp autumn air, enjoy the day or even grab dinner at the Cock N’ Bull restaurant, run by Peddler’s Village founder Earl Jamison in its early years. Weekly events for the family include the interactive GhostDusters murder-mystery tour and Scarecrows In The Village competition, with a number of other events and festivities lined up for the season.
For more information, please visit: https://peddlersvillage.com/
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urther north is the scenic town of Jim Thorpe. The small town takes on an outsized-life during its Fall Foliage Weekends, held throughout the first three weekends of October. Visitors are welcome to explore the town’s numerous shops, tour the old town jail and enjoy the delicious foods and cute crafts from the many vendors throughout the town, with live music featured throughout. For those who want something particularly memorable, there’s the fall foliage of Lehigh Gorge State Park, where you can take a ride down the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railroad.
For more information, please visit:https://www.jimthorpe.org/fallfoliagefestival
If the sound of steel-on-steel from scenic railroads or the crowds of tourists, families and children across historic Pennsylvania towns isn’t quite your taste, Allegheny National Forest invites you to a quiet hike that will leave your jaw dropping at the scenic views and brilliant hues of the foliage. With multiple, clearly labeled trails, such as the 7-mile Kinzua Valley Trail or for the hardier backpacker or hiker, the 96.3-mile North Country National Scenic Trail, these hikes promise an epic adventure with valley vistas and mountaintop views that provide an unforgettable view of Pennsylvania’s autumn beauty. For those seeking something a bit more comfortable or convenient, the 27-mile National Longhouse Scenic Byway provides a reliable loop with overlooks and perches for any fall photographer.
For more information, please visit:https://www.fs.usda.gov/allegheny
As October becomes increasingly spooky towards the end, look no further than the town of New Hope to conclude the scariest of months, with its annual New Hope Railroad Trick or Treat Train. The railroad provides a safe, family-friendly space to enjoy seasonal songs performed by the railroad’s musicians, a live reading of Spookley the Square Pumpkin and an approximately 1-hour ride aboard the Trick or Treat Excursion. Children of all ages are encouraged to come dressed in Halloween costumes, with trick or treat bags, trinkets and, of course, candy to be handed out on-board the train and at the station. The excursion provides a round-trip between New Hope and Lahaska, with local lodgings available at Lambertville House Hotel, Event Venue, Restaurant & Bar, just across the river in Lambertville for a convenient 2-minute drive to the New Hope Train Station.
For more information, please visit: https://www.newhoperailroad.com/
