Last week we took a quick tour of New England in all of it’s autumn splendor. This week we are heading a bit south, to Pennsylvania, where it’s two mountainous regions – the Laurel Highlands in the southwest, and the Poconos in the northeast – each put on quite a seasonal show of their own. And with lots of fun things to explore, both regions are great places to consider visiting for “leaf peepers”. Let’s see what each area has to offer!
Laurel Highlands, Southwestern Pennsylvania
Take a drive through the mountainous southwestern region of the state, and you’ll quickly see how the covered bridges, rolling hills, and picturesque small towns of this area have inspired so many artists and architects like Frank Lloyd Wright over the years. With stunning views, and some of the most lovely fall foliage in the entire U.S., the natural “art and architecture” of the Laurel Highlands makes a visit to this region truly worth the trip. When fall arrives, amid the changing reds, yellows, and orange hues of the mountains, you’ll also find an area with countless apple and harvest festivals, and autumn wine tastings at the region’s many orchards and wineries. Beer lovers will also enjoy the various breweries scattered throughout the highlands.
Still, there’s a lot to enjoy beyond pretty views and food/wine/beer. As already noted, the Laurel Highlands lays claim to some pretty famous architecture, including Frank Lloyd Wright’s famous Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob. While visitors can’t book a stay at these homes – although you can (and should!) tour them – those with an affinity for stunning art and architecture (and some pampering as well) should consider a stay at the gorgeous Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, a 323-room resort that is a true haven for luxuriating among the fall splendor. Relax with a rejuvenating treatment at the spa or with a glass of wine on the terrace. Enjoy the many and varied pieces of art found throughout this stunning resort. For outdoor fun, you name it, and you can probably do it at Nemacolin, where hiking, fishing, and rock climbing are available, along with the more tame golf and tennis.
Of course, you can enjoy all kinds of fun and interesting things to do, no matter where you stay in the Laurel Highlands, as the area is home to – among other things – the Laurel Caverns, the Youghiogheny River Lake, Ohiopyle State Park (for some of the best whitewater rafting in the eastern U.S), as well as Fort Necessity and the Flight 93 Memorial for those looking for a bit of history.
The Pocono Mountains, Northeastern Pennsylvania
Head across Pennsylvania to the northeastern section of the state, and you’ll find yourself in the “other” mountains of Pennsylvania, the Poconos. Spanning 2,400 square miles, this vast region provides a varying fall foliage show over the course of the season, since with 127 different types of foliage, and such a large area, the peak season will be different for the northern, central, and southern regions of the Poconos. This means that leaf peepers have more options (and time) to explore!
Along the slopes of the Poconos are numerous gently winding roads that make a wonderful road trip for anyone looking for a relaxing, autumnal view. And of course, as with any good mountainous region, you’ll find lots to do beyond enjoying the spectacular views, with plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, fishing, canoeing, and even ziplining, for this is a true outdoors playground.
You’ll also find that there are tons of wineries and craft breweries, excellent live music, and the area is dotted with quaint, historic resort villages, which are home to a number of gorgeous Victorian homes and inns. And if you’re looking for something a bit larger, you may want to consider the Mount Airy Casino Resort Spa, which is Pennsylvania’s first AAA Four Diamond Award winner. For something completely different, NASCAR and INDYCAR fans will want to check out the Pocono Raceway, a great sport venue that provides a great, family-friendly experience at a great value.
Whether it’s the Laurel Highlands in the southwest or the Pocono Mountains in the northeast, you can certainly enjoy a visit to Pennsylvania mountains any time of the year, with tons of fun and interesting things to do. But if you’re looking for beauty amid spectacular views, there’s no question that autumn is the time to go!
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