Some have heard of it, some have not: Centralia, the ghostly city in the middle of Pennsylvania. A seemingly innocuous, Memorial Day trash dump started the fire... (Some say Billy Joel started it, but they're wrong.) The raging coal mine fire has been burning ever since, and in 1962 the government declared eminent domain to evict the town's few remaining residents.
When we think of the best leaf-peeping destinations in the country, our thoughts probably turn to the winding country roads, endless forests, and sweeping mountain ranges of New England. While some of the most breathtaking fall foliage I’ve ever seen was while living in Vermont and Connecticut, I’m often left in awe at the colorful autumn landscapes in Pennsylvania. So it comes as little surprise that the top leaf-peeping destination in the U.S. is in Pennsylvania.
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Bucks County snagged the top spot of the best leaf-peeping destinations in the United States in 2024 in a list that saw North Lake Tahoe in California and Nevada; Bretton Woods, New Hampshire; Albany, New York, and Payette River Scenic Byway in Idaho round out the top five. Stowe, Vermont, the only New England state to get a nod for its fall foliage this year, came in at number six.
Whether you’re looking for family-friendly fun or kid-free time, you’ll find a full menu of activities and events in the county that sits around 30 miles from Philadelphia and 75 miles from New York City, making it a convenient day trip or weekend getaway.
For a quintessential autumn experience, head to one of the charming Main Streets in Bucks County, including those in Bristol, Doylestown, Newtown, and Yardley. New Hope is an idyllic fall destination, with a downtown brimming with shops and restaurants and a bridge that will take you over the Delaware River to Lambertville, New Jersey. Climb aboard one of the fall foliage train rides with the New Hope Railroad, or explore the shops at Peddler’s Village, which hosts events, including a scarecrow festival and scarecrow-making workshops, throughout the season.
Autumn and scenic strolls go hand-in-hand, and Bucks County has no shortage of parks for a leisurely walk. Bring your hammer to tap the rocks (and admire the fall foliage) at Ringing Rocks Park in Upper Black Eddy; meander along a pretty path at Silver Lake Nature Center in Bristol, or enjoy a picnic, surrounded by the autumn colors, at Core Creek Park (pictured above), the latter of which has a playground and trails.
Where is your favorite place to go leaf-peeping in Pennsylvania? Have you been to Bucks County during the peak of the fall foliage? Let us know in the comments! You might want to spend the night or a weekend; book a stay at a local Vrbo. The fun doesn’t stop with a little leaf peeping. Start packing your calendar with some of the best fall activities in Pennsylvania.
Summer's sunny carefree days are oh-so-fleeting. Many of us spend the cold, snowy winter counting down to summer, so we can make the most of every moment of this short but sweet season. Whether you want to kick back and relax or feel like an epic adventure, make this summer one of the best yet. Start with this Pennsylvania summer bucket list.
We don't have to travel to the coast to enjoy a leisurely beach day. We've got plenty of sandy shores in Pennsylvania, including the beaches at Laurel Hill State Park, Conneaut Lake, Poe Valley State Park, and Parker Dam State Park. Pack your beach towel or chair, umbrella, and all of your gear for a day of lounging on the sand and cooling off in one of Pennsylvania's lakes.
Summer often means spending as much time as we can outdoors, making a warm day perfect for chasing waterfalls in Pennsylvania. The good news is there's a waterfall for everyone - from wheelchair-accessible cascades to waterfalls hidden along scenic hiking trails. You can even walk behind some waterfalls, including Cucumber Falls at Ohiopyle State Park and Buttermilk Falls in New Florence.
Can you think of a more relaxing way to spend an hour or an entire day than floating down a lazy river in Pennsylvania? From lazy rivers that meander through crystal-clear water at waterparks to tubing on rivers, we have plenty of places to spend time on the water.
Knoebels Amusement Resort might just be the most epic old-fashioned amusement park in Pennsylvania. Admission is free, and you can buy tickets for rides just like in the good old days, or you can buy a pass. Pennsylvania is home to quite a few must-visit amusement parks, including Kennywood Park, Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, and Dutch Wonderland.
A summer weekend getaway is the perfect addition to any bucket list. Fortunately, Airbnb makes it oh-so-easy to find unique places to stay - from waterfront cottages and treehouses to yurts and sun-soaked A-frames.
Even if we're on a tight budget, we can enjoy a fun day out by visiting one (or more!) of the 124 state parks in Pennsylvania. Admission is free, and most state parks offer a full menu of activities - hiking, swimming, boating, wildlife-watching, picnicking, and camping. Our toughest decision is deciding which state park to explore first.
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7. Indulge in an ice cream treat at a classic ice cream parlor.
Remember running after the ice cream truck when we were kids? Or maybe going out for ice cream after dinner with our parents? Relive some of that childhood fun with a visit to an old-fashioned ice cream parlor in Pennsylvania. The Jigger Shop in Mount Gretna promises a hearty helping of nostalgia and a menu chock full of ice cream treats. You can even start with dinner. The ice cream parlor serves such classics as burgers, fries, salads, and wraps.
Which fun summer activity will you tick off first? What would you add to your Pennsylvania summer bucket list? Let us know in the comments! For more summer fun, set off on a road trip to one of the best lakes in Pennsylvania.
