Let's hear it for summer! Hip...hip...HOORAY! Longer, sunnier days are the norm now that the unofficial start of summer has arrived. Of course, we'll still get those sweltering, humid days when we feel as though we're going to melt. Good news, though. PA promises plenty of fun ways to stay cool all summer long. So, beat the heat and have a blast doing so with a visit to this fun, wacky, and action-packed water park in Pennsylvania.
Pack up the car and the kids and head to Waldameer and Water World, which has been named the 10th Best Water Park in the United States by Trip Advisor.
Keep an eye out for these adorable fuzzy ones as you claim your beach chair at Water World. Or, splurge and rent a cabana (or an umbrella) for the day. Cabanas are available by the wave pool and by the beach.
Then, kick off your adventure at the Battle of Lake Erie, a spectacular spot that boasts more than 100 water attractions. Get soaked when a 400-gallon bucket tips its water onto you. Or, zip down one of the attraction's seven slides.
Other popular Water World Attractions include the Cannon Bowl, the Free Fall Slide, and the Speed Slide. Kids will also find plenty to do at the Kidz Zone, which features eight water slides.
Or, wade in the heated pool before jumping into the Giant Wave Pool that's filled with half a million gallons of water. Just be forewarned: The waves climb as high as four feet.
For more information, click here for the Waldameer website and here for Facebook.
What's your favorite water park in Pennsylvania? Join in the conversation below! Prefer to stay out of the summer sun? Then, you're in luck! America's largest indoor water park just happens to be right here in PA. Click here to read more.
That late October evening had all the characteristics that make the spooky season so delightful and maybe a little bit eerie – the moon playing peek-a-boo with the clouds, sounds of critters echoing in the otherwise still air, and a slight breeze that stirred every now and then. Only the moonlight, strategically-placed torches, and the light from our phones’ flashlights lit the otherwise darkened path that passed countless animals, from bleating goats to bats hanging around, on this Night at the Zoo at Living Treasures.
A spooky October evening just a few days before Halloween offered my daughter and me the perfect opportunity to check off a long-neglected destination from my fall to-do list. While we’ve visited both the Moraine and Donegal locations of Living Treasures Wild Animal Park during the day, I wanted to experience Night at the Zoo by the moonlight at least once, and it was well worth the years-long wait.
Our adventure at Living Treasures began in the gift shop, where we paid our admission fees and bought feed and carrots for the animals. Don’t worry if you don’t buy enough food. We underestimated how quickly our food would go (it’s really hard to say no more to all of those adorable animals, and some are a little, well, pushy). But we were able to buy extra carrots and food throughout the park. If you forget your flashlight or want light-up gear, you can grab those before heading into the park. We forgot flashlights but figured our phones would be enough when we weren’t taking pictures.
The path is lit only by the moonlight, some torches, and visitors' flashlights. When the clouds hide the moon, it gets incredibly dark, but that’s part of the spooky charm. Pink flamingos perched on rocks as the moonlight shimmered in the water and we passed parrots before being greeted by enthusiastic deer. A few of the deer and, later the goats, allowed us to pet them while they crunched the carrots we gave them. Keep an eye out for the animals being pushed aside by the more enthusiastic of the group. While my daughter fed the outgoing deer, I gave carrots to a shy girl the group was bullying.
Bring quarters along, too, because you can buy food for other animals, like the kangaroos, most of whom were chilling in their area. You can also drop those treats down a slide to two red river hogs. The duo, snorting and sparring for each treat, was probably the most entertaining part of the evening. Many of the animals showed interest when we arrived. While I'm sure it was the food more than our presence, we had fun interacting with everyone, from the llamas to the lemur. The animal park is also home to tigers, gators, and various monkey species.
You can also get your photo taken holding a joey for an additional fee. It was the highlight of a previous visit as was feeding the animals at the petting zoo. While you can quickly walk through the park, take your time, if you can, and enjoy this unique autumn experience. A couple of times, I sat down on one of the benches for a bit of a breather to soak up the atmosphere.
After exploring, check out the gift shop to pick up souvenirs or to grab a sweet treat. Kids in costumes will be given a treat bag at the end of their visit.
Have you been to Night at the Zoo at Living Treasures Moraine or Donegal? Do you agree it’s one of the best kid-friendly events near Pittsburgh? Let us know in the comments! Want to fuel up before your evening at the zoo? Take your taste buds down Memory Lane with a meal at Ponderosa Steakhouse, about a 20-minute drive from Living Treasures Moraine. All the fun that awaits in Western Pennsylvania means only one thing. You might want to book a local Vrbo and make a weekend of it.
Many of us spend months counting down the days until fall arrives once again. When it finally gets here, we want to make the most of every moment. The best things to do in Pennsylvania in the fall allow us to start or continue cherished traditions and to make memories that we'll carry with us through the years. Our biggest challenge? Deciding what we're going to do first.
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Pennsylvania Fall Foliage: Where To Go In Pennsylvania For Fall Foliage
We can likely agree that Pennsylvania is simply beautiful, but when the landscapes are painted in the colors of fall? That's a whole new level of beauty that often leaves us breathless. Knowing when the leaves will change colors in Pennsylvania is the first step in planning our leaf-peeping adventures. The Pennsylvania fall foliage peaks at different times, depending on where in the state you live. However, the leaves typically begin to change in mid-September with the peak of the fall foliage anywhere from the early part until the end of October.
Here are just a few of the top spots to view the Pennsylvania fall foliage. (Don't forget your camera.)
Wow Factor: Walk to the end of the skywalk and look through the glass floor to the forest below.
Need To Know: Admission to Kinzua Bridge State Park, as with all state parks in Pennsylvania, is free.
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One of the most popular places for viewing Pennsylvania's fall foliage is, arguably,
Kinzua Bridge Skywalk, an overlook that boasts awe-inspiring views of the surrounding forest. Stroll to the end of the skywalk, where you'll find a glass floor. If you have time, explore the state park on a hike, or have a picnic as you drink in the colorful landscape. Leaf peeping at Kinzua Bridge State Park ranks as one of the best things to do in Pennsylvania in the fall.
Wow Factor: The views of the gorge from scenic overlooks.
Need To Know: Be prepared for large crowds, especially during the peak of the fall foliage.
If you've never gone leaf-peeping at Pine Creek Gorge, perhaps better known as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, add it to your bucket list. You can view the natural wonder from either Leonard Harrison State Park or Colton Point State Park. If you're up for an adventure, follow one of the picturesque hiking trails, or simply stroll to one of the scenic overlooks. Come prepared with a camera and plenty of water. The parks can get incredibly crowded during the fall.
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3. Worlds End State Park
Canyon Vista in fall colors, worlds End State Park of Pennsylvania, USA
Location: Forksville
Wow Factor: Scenic overlooks promise some of the best views of the fall foliage in Pennsylvania.
Need To Know: The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset.
Pennsylvania in the fall is simply magical, and nothing showcases that enchantment like the landscapes at Worlds End State Park. Admire the views from a scenic overlook, or follow one of the 17 hiking trails that range from easy to difficult. If you're not in a hurry, bring in a picnic; grab a table, and soak up the beauty of one of the best places to visit in Pennsylvania in the fall.
4. Ohiopyle State Park
Cucumber Falls, a large waterfall in Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania, is surrounded in vibrant stunning autumn color.
Location: Ohiopyle
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Wow Factor: Visit the two easy-access waterfalls, Cucumber Falls and Ohiopyle Falls.
Need To Know: If it's your first visit, stop by the Visitor Center, and pick up a map. Park at the lot near Ohiopyle Falls and take a short stroll to the center.
Try to time your visit to Ohiopyle State Park with the peak of the fall foliage. The massive park features three waterfalls. You can easily walk to Cucumber Falls, Ohiopyle Falls, and Meadow Run Natural Waterslide, from their respective parking lots, or follow the 2.2-mile Jonathan Run Falls Trail that leads to several waterfalls. The park has more than 79 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy to difficult, making it easy to explore.
Best Pumpkin Patches In Pennsylvania
One of the most beloved Pennsylvania fall activities is arguably an autumn trip to our favorite pumpkin patch. Is there anything better than wandering through the pumpkin patch, searching for the right pumpkin for decorating or baking? Add a bit of a chill to the air, so we have to wear a sweatshirt or sweater, and everything is perfect. If you're not sure where to start your fall fun, begin with a visit to one of the best pumpkin patches in Pennsylvania.
Wow Factor: Climb aboard an old-fashioned hayride to the pumpkin patch.
Need To Know: You'll pay a nominal admission fee for a hayride to the pumpkin patch. Pumpkins are priced per pound.
A hayride will lead you to the pumpkin patch at
Olszanowksi Farm, where you can snap photos and search for those oh-so-perfect pumpkins. But the fun at this Pennsylvania pumpkin patch, which is open weekends from mid-September through late October, doesn't stop there. Wander through the free sunflower maze, and see how long it takes to escape from the corn maze. (There's a fee for the corn maze.)
Wow Factor: The pumpkin patch has more than 10,000 pumpkins, some of which you can pick straight off the vine.
Need To Know: The maximum cost for a pumpkin is $15.
Carve out an entire day for your visit to Maize Quest Fun Park, home of a pumpkin patch with more than 10,000 pumpkins. A wagon will take you to the field to pick your pumpkins. The full menu of activities at this farm includes a corn maze, giant jumping pillows, trackless train rides, and a mountain slide. If you've been looking for the best fall activities near me, you've just found some of the best. The fun park features several dozen fall attractions and is usually open for fall fun from late August through early November.
Wow Factor: It's a pumpkin patch and so much more, offering a full menu of attractions.
Need To Know: If you plan to visit more than once, consider purchasing a season pass.
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Chances are you'll visit Roba Family Farms more than once. The farm has more than 30 rides and attractions. Start your visit at the pumpkin patch to pick your pumpkins and get in the autumn spirit. Then explore the many attractions that include mountain slides, a candy cannon, a bubble patch, and a dancing tractor. Treat your taste buds, too, with a bite from one of the food vendors that serve such favorites as pizza, hot dogs, and barbecue. The fun usually begins in early September.
Wow Factor: You can also pick your own apples and various types of flowers in September and October.
Need To Know: The farm features a fall festival with hayrides, corn mazes, and activities for the kids.
Make the most of every moment of Pennsylvania in the fall with a visit to Triple B Farms. A wagon will take you to the pumpkin patch to pick pumpkins. A long-time tradition for families in Western Pennsylvania, the farm also features a corn maze, a goat walk, jumping pillows, and a giant board game. Stop by the farm market or grab a bite to eat at the food barn, too.
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Best Fall Festivals In Pennsylvania
Fall in Pennsylvania is a time to celebrate with warm apple cider, long walks along tree-lined paths, and warming up in front of a bonfire at our favorite fall farm. Many of us have packed schedules during autumn as we try to fit in visits to as many of the best fall festivals in Pennsylvania as we can.
Wow Factor: The views of the fall foliage from downtown Bedford are breathtaking.
Need To Know: Festival-goers are asked to leave pets at home.
Drink in the gorgeous fall scenery at the family-friendly Bedford Fall Foilage Fest, which is usually held on the first two weekends (Saturday and Sunday) of October. The festival features live entertainment, activities for the kids, and hundreds of vendors who sell everything from homemade fudge to home decor.
Wow Factor: This nine-day festival has been going strong for more than seven decades.
Need To Know: The Autumn Leaf Festival runs nine days from late September through early October.
Clarion celebrates the beauty of autumn at the longstanding Autumn Leaf Festival. The nine-day festival is jam-packed with fun that includes the Tournament of Leaves Parade, a craft show and sale, carnival rides, and countless vendors. Go hungry to this beloved autumn festival that typically draws as many as 500,000 visitors.
Wow Factor: The charming mountain town boasts some of the best fall foliage in Pennsylvania.
Need To Know: Plan ahead of time as the town gets incredibly busy in October.
For three glorious weekends (the first three) in October, the darling town of Jim Thorpe, affectionately known as the Switzerland of Pennsylvania, hosts the annual Fall Foliage Festival. Sit back, relax, and watch the colorful landscape pass by on an Autumn Leaf Train Excursion with the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway. Enjoy live entertainment and explore the many food vendors and craft booths during your autumn adventure.
Wow Factor: The popular fall festival in Pennsylvania has been an annual event for six decades.
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Need To Know: You can purchase general admission tickets or two-day flex admission tickets online.
Pumpkins tend to get all of the attention during the fall, but the National Apple Harvest Festival pays homage to one of America's favorite fruits. Held the first two weekends in October, the festival is all about the apple. You can even go on a tour of an orchard. The festival's menu includes live entertainment, food and craft vendors, pony rides, and demonstrations by craftspeople.
Free & Cheap Pennsylvania Fall Activities
Pennsylvania in the fall is simply enchanting. One of the best things about fall in Pennsylvania is there are so many fun things to do that don't cost a lot or anything at all. When you're planning your next adventure, start with these Pennsylvania fall activities.
13. Hike to Dingmans Falls.
Dingmans Falls cascade down the mountain in Pennsylvania
Location: Dingmans Ferry
Wow Factor: The fall foliage frames the second-tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania.
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Need To Know: The trail to the waterfall is accessible for both wheelchairs and strollers.
Breathe in the fresh autumn air on a lovely 1.4-mile stroll that will take you to the 130-foot Dingmans Falls. While the waterfall is beautiful in any season, it's a must-see when it's surrounded by the colors of fall. Listen to the leaves crunch beneath you as you make your way along the tree-lined boardwalk and across a picturesque bridge. Benches are strategically placed along the trail if you need a break. Be prepared for crowds, especially if you're visiting when the leaves are at or nearing their peak.
Wow Factor: The scenic drive passes countless natural attractions, including Pymatuning State Park, Kinzua State Park, and Cherry Springs State Park.
Need To Know: You can drive a few or the entire 400 miles of Route 6, which travels, in Pennsylvania, from Crawford County to the New York border.
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Roll down the windows and drink in that crisp fall air as you go on a scenic drive along Route 6. The road meanders 400 miles through Pennsylvania, promising beautiful views of the fall foliage and plenty of opportunities to pull over and explore.
Wow Factor: Overlooking the Allegheny River, the restaurant offers sensational views of the fall foliage.
Need To Know: The Allegheny Grille serves lunch and dinner, and you can make reservations online.
Whether you're gearing up for your next autumn adventure or winding down from one, treat yourself to a scrumptious meal at The Allegheny Grille. You'll have a front-row view of the fall foliage as you browse the menu that features such favorites as burgers, pasta, and chicken marsala. If you're on a budget, the restaurant offers five different entrees, including chicken and biscuits and spaghetti and meatballs, for just $10 from Monday through Thursday. (You might want to confirm the $10 meals are still on offer before heading over.)
What else would you add to the list of the best things to do in Pennsylvania in the fall? Let us know in the comments! The return of the crisp air and the cool temperatures means it's also an ideal time for a road trip. Set off on one of the best road trips in Pennsylvania. Before you gas up the car and roll down the windows, though, take a peek at the OIYS road trip packing essentials list.
