The air is crisp and clean and the leaves will soon begin to turn an array of reds, yellows, and oranges all across this beautiful area we call home: Northeastern Pennsylvania! Just because summer is now officially over and the kids are back in school, doesn’t mean the outdoor fun has to end. Quite the contrary, actually! Fall is a great time to enjoy the iconic beauty of our region, whether you take advantage of a scenic train ride or a woodland adventure on a nearby hiking or biking trail, the fall-time possibilities are virtually endless. But to give you a head start, or perhaps just some inspiration, here are six fantastic ways to fully enjoy fall in NEPA. Enjoy!
- An apple a day. There’s no shortage of apple orchards in NEPA, so taking your family on a good ole’ fashioned apple picking excursion is at the very top of our list of six ways to enjoy fall in NEPA! You can head out to Brace’s Orchard in Dallas, Maylath’s Farm & Orchard in Sugarloaf or Miller’s Orchard in Scott Township, to name but a few, to enjoy this seasonal tradition. While you’re there, be sure to pick up some homemade apple cider or cider donuts while you’re at it! Once you get those tasty apples home, put them to good use by baking up a delicious pie or two to fill your house with the scents of the season or just build your own bushel on the table, for the kids to snack on as they come and go. And, most importantly, if you’re feeling so kind and you happen to have any extra pie or cider donuts left over, you can always drop it off at your nearest Choice One Community Credit Union Office. Locations and hours here, just in case! ?
- Take a hike, snap a pic. NEPA has about as many hiking trails as it does apple orchards, so there’s a lot to choose from here! But while you’re taking in some of the area’s most picturesque places, be sure to do as the cool kids do and capture it! We know, we know…millennials; but as proud members of that group, just hear us out. You see, sharing those awesome photos on Instagram not only makes for a fun conversation starter later but a great trip down memory lane as well. You can share those photos (and those stories) with generations to come! Plus, we are suckers for a sweet outdoor pic. Don’t believe us, check our Insta to see some of our best shots! Better yet, tag us in yours, using @choiceonefcu! There are many fantastic hiking spots right now, right here in our own backyard for you to enjoy. So, without further adieu, here are just a few of our favorites:
- Seven Tubs Nature Area
- Nescopeck State Park
- Nature Lands’ Bear Creek Preserve
- Frances Slocum State Park
- Rickets Glenn State Park
- Lehigh Gorge State Park
- Lackawanna State Park
- Lake Scranton Walking Trail
- Back Mountain Walking Trail
- Pinchot State Forest
- Lackawanna River Heritage Trail
- Trolley Trail, Clarks Summit
We look forward to seeing the pics!
- Enjoy some local haunts; it is that time of year, after all! If you’re a fan of ghost stories, the Lackawanna Historical Society will be hosting its Scranton After Dark Walking Tours on various dates through October 26th. The guided tours will feature tales of mayhem and mystery, tied to our local area. Just south of that, the Luzerne County Historical Society is also bringing back its widely-popular Downtown Wilkes-Barre Ghost Walks on Friday, October 19th and Saturday, October 20th. The tour around the downtown historic district will feature stories of true ghosts, murders, and hidden graveyards. Spooky, indeed! You can also have an eerily good time at one of the area’s many haunted house and trail attractions. A few of our personal favorites include Gravestone Manor in Wilkes-Barre and Dracula’s Forest in Clarks Summit. Beware though, the forest is certainly not for the faint of heart…you have been warned.
- Take a (corn)walk or a (hay)ride. Besides apples, many local farms have a variety of autumn activities for children and families, from pumpkin picking (#pumpkinislife) to elaborate corn mazes, petting zoos and much, much more! Some even have special events planned throughout the season, so be sure to check out their websites or Facebook pages for the most up-to-date information. Here is just a sampling of places you will likely find us having some fall fun with our families:
Hope to see you there!
- Head out to the park. It may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but taking your family to an amusement park can be quite a “spooktacular” time! Cheesy pun aside, many area amusement parks have special fall happenings and Halloween fun planned, starting right now all the way through the end of October. For example, you can explore Hershey Park’s “Hersheypark in the Dark,” eat and ride your way through Knoebels “Hallo Fun” weekends, or venture to Dorney Park for “Haunt”…if you dare that is!
- Fall into an awesome lineup of festivals. Apple orchards, hiking trails, ghost stories, hay rides, and amusement parks are more than enough fun! But if you want to tackle this entire list or the above options just aren’t your brand of tea, then take ye to an NEPA fall festival! Which ones, we hear you say?! Look no further:
- Bloomsburg Fair – Thru September 29th: It wouldn’t be fall in NEPA without the Bloomsburg Fair and you still have a few days left to visit one of the best fairs in the country! Big-name entertainment, over 800 vendors, and an array of animals await you, so don’t miss out!
- Nathan Denison Harvest Festival – October 7th: Colonial-era artisans and craftsmen will come to life at the Nathan Denison House, where you will enjoy demonstrations including spinning, quill pen, and ink, wood carving, weaving and more.
- Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Festival – For three weekends in October, you can enjoy live entertainment, scenic train rides, ghost tours, arts & crafts, as well as quaint shops and restaurants, all while surrounded by the breath-taking fall foliage!
- Covered Bridge & Arts Festival –October 4-7: Situated in the surrounds of Knoebels, the festival features over 400 craft vendors, 38 food vendors, a covered bridge tour and much more.
- Heritage Day at Francis Slocum State Park –October 14th: Learn about blacksmithing and logging, see live animals, talk with master gardeners and other cool stuff!
Giddy up, pack up the family and maybe even the dog, because your fall adventure awaits! Enjoy fall in NEPA, and don’t forget the pics!
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