10 Unforgettable Fall Getaways From Philadelphia

As the crisp autumn air settles in, there is no better time to escape the City of Brotherly Love and dive into the picturesque scenery and fantastic festivities that fall offers. All within a three-hour drive of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, these unforgettable fall getaways let you savor the season’s vibrant colors and fun-filled activities—whether you are drawn to charming small towns, tranquil lakes, marvelous mountains, or scenic parks. Best of all, there is no need to board a plane or navigate airport hassles!

New Hope

Originally known as Coryell's Ferry, New Hope is a charming town in eastern Pennsylvania, only 40 miles from Philadelphia, that comes alive in autumn. The vibrant leaves along the adjacent Delaware River provide a stunning backdrop. Whether on a bike ride, stroll along the canal towpath at Delaware Canal State Park, or a train ride on the New Hope Railroad, you are sure to soak up picturesque views of the fall foliage. Feeling brave? Join a lantern-led walk offered by Ghost Tours of New Hope and discover the town’s haunted spots. From apple picking to wagon rides and a pumpkin patch, there is no shortage of fall fun for the whole family at Shady Brook Farm’s FallFest.

Built in 1784 by one of New Hope's founders, Benjamin Parry, the Georgian-style Parry Mansion houses the New Hope Historical Society and documents 125 years of decorative change through furnishings in its 11 rooms. The Bucks County Playhouse, set on the site of a former grist mill on the banks of the Delaware River, has hosted the likes of Dick Van Dyke and Grace Kelly.

Hickory Run State Park

If a peaceful fall retreat is on your radar, look no further than Hickory Run State Park, which is situated in the western foothills of the Poconos Mountains, about 94 miles from Philadelphia. Open daily from sunrise to sunset, it offers more than 15,000 acres of tranquil lakes and dense forests and encompasses over 40 miles of scenic hiking trails. Enjoy an afternoon picnic amid fiery red, yellow, and orange leaves as the crisp autumn air puts you at ease.

Snap photos of impressive water features like the 25-foot natural waterfall along the Hawk Falls Trail. The larger of the park’s two lakes, Sand Spring Lake, allows fishing or kayaking in the lake to admire how the fall foliage reflects beautifully on the water. The 2,400-square-foot, self-guided exhibit area delves into the park’s past. Not to be missed is Boulder Park, a 400-foot-wide and 1,800-foot-long National Natural Landmark that has remained mostly unchanged for 20,000 years.

Peddler's Village

Just an hour from Philadelphia, this charming 42-acre village in central Bucks County features colonial-style buildings, shopping, dining, and seasonal events, including a pumpkin-carving contest, trick-or-treat activities, and an apple festival. Come autumn, Peddler’s Village is decked out with fall decor, making it an ideal destination for a family getaway or couples’ retreat. An autumn tradition of 45 years running, Scarecrows in the Village consists of 200 scarecrows lining the brick pathways throughout. For lodging, stay at one of the 67 guestrooms and suites on offer at the onsite Golden Plough Inn.

At Giggleberry Fair, complete with a high-tech game room and a three-story, six-level obstacle course, kids and adults alike will have loads of fun. Once you have worked up an appetite, you can choose from a number of great restaurants, including Hart’s Tavern and Buttonwood Grill. Be sure to pick up a good read at the Lahaska Bookshop, among over 60 boutiques and specialty shops that have gained Peddler’s Village recognition as the Best Shopping Center in Bucks County.

The Pocono Mountains

Embrace the spirit of fall with a visit to the Poconos, with a 2 to 3-hour drive by car. It is a four-county region renowned for its picturesque beauty, resorts, adventure courses, waterparks, waterfalls, and 150 scenic lakes. Home to many varieties of shrubs, plants, and trees, the Pocono Mountains make an awe-inspiring sight during the fall season. Because the region spans 2,400 square miles of northeastern Pennsylvania, three distinct color zones are present, enabling you to admire Pennsylvania’s peak colors not once but three times!

Honesdale, Hawley, Tannersville, and Jim Thorpe are all popular towns to stop into within the region. In addition, it is home to eight state parks; discover fall trails through Big Pocono State Park, Promised Land State Park, and Beltzville State Park.

Lake Nockamixon

Located just an hour and a half from Philadelphia in the rolling hills of Bucks County, 1,450-acre Lake Nockamixon offers a peaceful haven for appreciating autumnal beauty, whether you are walking, hiking, fishing, kayaking, or paddle boating. The surrounding Nockamixon State Park provides plentiful space for hiking, picnicking, or quietly absorbing the fall colors with a cup of coffee or hot cocoa. Fed by Three Mile Run, Haycock Run, and Tohickon Creek, the lake makes a fabulous spot for catching a glimpse of migrating birds.

Fall events at the park run the gamut from a foliage kayak tour to a pontoon boat tour. A number of children’s programs and hands-on educational activities help visitors of all ages cultivate an appreciation for cultural and natural resources. Want to stay the night? On the south side of Lake Nockamixon are ten modern cabins you can rent year-round, with a grill, fire ring, and picnic table available outside.

Longwood Gardens

Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, developed by entrepreneur and philanthropist Pierre S. du Pont and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, offers stunning fall foliage in a beautifully kept botanical setting. The fall events showcase seasonal plants and mums in a scenic garden splashed with autumn colors, making this a terrific venue for concerts and other events. Festive displays of gourds, pumpkins, and more are sure to put you in the fall spirit.

The Garden Railway display near the Beer Garden—which includes dozens of steam engines, diesel engines, and locomotives— is a perennial crowd-pleaser. Before heading out, be sure to browse the selection of apparel and home décor at the Garden Shop. Whether you are enjoying splendid vistas from the all-new Conservatory Overlook or admiring the dancing fountains that illuminate beautifully at night, this premier horticultural garden is the perfect place to connect with nature, friends, and family.

Brandywine Valley

Thanks to its expansive and gorgeous public gardens, Brandywine Valley in Chester County has been dubbed America’s Garden Capital. You can conveniently reach Brandywine Valley from Philadelphia in under an hour. With activities ranging from a pumpkin carve, farmers market and wine tastings to spooky walking tours, this place is nothing short of a fall haven. Hike through colorful trails or take a 90-minute train ride through the spellbinding countryside on West Chester Railroad’s Fall Foliage Express.

Culture enthusiasts ought to visit the Brandywine River Museum of Art, which features fall displays and an outstanding collection of American art housed in a 19th-century mill surrounded by lush greenery along the Brandywine River. In addition, the nearby Mt. Cuba Center in Delaware is a botanic garden committed to the conservation of native plants and their habitats. It was named Best Botanical Garden in North America by USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards.

French Creek State Park

Straddling northern Chester County and southern Berks County along French Creek in Elverson, this enchanting 7,730-acre park gracing the Hopewell Big Woods makes up the largest block of contiguous forest between New York City and Washington DC. About an hour's drive from Philadelphia, the land in and surrounding French Creek State Park was once dominated by old-growth forests of American chestnut.

Beginning in 1771, the trees were cleared and used to produce charcoal to feed the iron furnace at nearby Hopewell Furnace. Today, the park’s lakes, forests, fields, and wetlands draw nature lovers as well as visitors interested in fishing, biking, and camping year-round. Come autumn, you can observe the changing leaves and learn about the area’s flora and fauna on an evening fall foliage paddle. Those aiming for something a little more adventurous can take advantage of the 35 miles of hiking trails ranging from easy to difficult.

Home to a variety of plants and animals not typically endemic to this corner of the Commonwealth, including deer, squirrels, and songbirds, French Creek State Park has been designated by the National Audubon Society as an Important Bird Area and Important Mammal Area.

Jim Thorpe

Coupling the thrills of a mountain sports destination and the grandeur of a European village is this historic town set amidst the Lehigh River Gorge in Carbon County. It is conveniently under a 2-hour drive from the City of Brotherly Love. Founded in 1818 and originally known as Mauch Chunk, Jim Thorpe is now named after the first Native American to win a gold medal for the United States in the Olympics.

The Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Festival, which runs the first three weekends in October, promises charming cafes and cobblestone streets, superb mountain views, live music, and no shortage of colorful leaves. Trail options abound for avid cyclists, though you may opt to explore Jim Thorpe by open-air trolly instead. History lovers are in for a treat. The Old Jail Museum features reconstructed gallows, not to mention the mysterious handprint of a prisoner who declared his innocence.

One of the most notable examples of Gothic Revival architecture is St. Mark and St. John Episcopal Church, a National Historic Landmark boasting Tiffany windows. Plus, the Mauch Chunk Museum & Cultural Center not only features illuminating exhibits on the town’s history but also provides ample space for weddings and receptions. With so much to see and do, it's no wonder Jim Thorpe has been nicknamed the Switzerland of America!

Valley Forge National Historical Park

Just 20 miles outside of Philadelphia, you will be hard-pressed to find a spot in Pennsylvania brimming with more history and fall charm than the 3,500-acre Valley Forge National Historical Park. The site transforms into a canvas of autumnal colors, making for a tranquil getaway just 45 minutes or so away from the city.

Valley Forge was the encampment site of the Continental Army led by George Washington during the winter of 1777 to 1778. On December 19th, 1777, 12,000 soldiers and 400 women and children marched into Valley Forge and began to build what became the fourth biggest city in the colonies at the time, with two miles of fortifications and 1,500 log huts.

Today, the park features 3,500 acres of woodlands, meadows, and monuments honoring the sacrifices of the Revolutionary War generation. Of the 81 historic structures on site, twelve have been identified as buildings that were standing, in whole or partially, at the time of the encampment. Ready to take a break from all that history? Three designated picnic areas make a great place to enjoy a bite and take in the cool autumn air. The park offers plenty of trails, making it easy to enjoy the colorful surroundings on bike, foot, or horseback.

Fall in Love With These Fall Getaways

With these spectacular destinations just a short drive away from Philadelphia, you can experience the beauty and charm of fall without venturing far from the urban bustle. Each location offers many ways to enjoy the season, whether you are aiming to hike through lovely parks, discover historic towns, unwind by a serene lake, or be captivated by mountain vistas. Take your pick and make the most of autumn’s splendor with a refreshing getaway right in Philadelphia’s backyard!