Things to Do in Fall in Lancaster PA
September 7, 2022
If you’re wondering, fall is pretty much the peak travel season in Lancaster PA. Why? Well, the weather tends to be awesome (not too hot, not too cold), it doesn’t rain much during our autumn months, there are LOTS of fall festivals & special events. Plus it’s fun to see our Amish farmers harvesting their fields & selling the last of their fresh produce & flowers at their farm stands.
For anyone who’s been to Lancaster in the fall, they know to book early to reserve a room, especially if they’re traveling on a weekend. It’s not unusual for every weekend to be fully booked at a local B&B by late August, early September!
We definitely hope to see you this fall. If you need ideas for things to do, here’s a list of our 47 favorite things to do in fall in Lancaster PA… ENJOY!!
This Blog is All About Things to Do in Fall in Lancaster PA
1. Attend the PA Renaissance Faire
Whether you go ‘all in’ and dress in period attire, or you just show up in jeans & a t-shirt, you’re guaranteed to have a fantastic & festive day at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire! Combine live entertainment, live demonstrations, comedy, food, shopping & LOTS of adult beverages and you’ve got a recipe for making memories you won’t soon forget.
NOTE: While supplies last, the Historic Smithton Inn has a PA Ren Faire package that includes complimentary tickets (2) with a weekend stay. Call 717-733-6094 for details and availability.
2. Experience a Lancaster County Fair
Lancaster Fairs are a wonderful tradition and whether you’re lucky enough to be visiting when one is taking place or you’ve planned your trip to coincide with a fair, you’re in for some old-time local fun. If you’re wondering what our fairs are like, they include rides, arcade games, entertainment, a farm show, competitions and TONS of insanely unhealthy (but incredibly delicious) food!!
There are a total of 11 nearby Fairs to choose from, all taking place during the fall months. Click the link for a full list of Lancaster PA Fairs with dates, descriptions and what you can expect to find when you attend.
3. Take on a Corn Maze
Tackling one of our local corn mazes is a great way to spend a sunny fall day in Lancaster PA! You’ll have several to choose from and they all include some fun fall activities (think “pumpkin catapults” and the like!) & delicious foods / drinks to enjoy as well. Click here for more information and details about our 7 FAVORITE CORN MAZES IN LANCASTER PA.
4. Celebrate Oktober Fest
Address: 722 S Chiques Rd, Manheim
Lancaster Liederkranz is a German Cultural Club in the county whose members organize several events throughout the year. As you can imagine, Oktoberfest is their crown jewel and not to be missed! CLICK HERE for details and what to expect.
5. Visit a Craft Brewery, Winery or Distillery
Lancaster wineries, breweries and distilleries are fun to visit all year round, but there’s just something about fall that makes them even more special. Sign up to volunteer at a winery where you can help harvest grapes! Try out the unique ways breweries & distilleries manage to infuse pumpkin spice into their delicious products. Catch some live music on their decks, lawns or courtyards! Click on these links for a list of our favorite Lancaster Wineries, Lancaster Breweries and Lancaster Distilleries.
6-10. Enjoy Some Live Music
Lancaster is blessed to have a whole ton of truly talented musicians who perform in local pubs, restaurants, wineries and performance halls. If you want to catch some live music while you’re in town (typically on weekends), here are our favorite live music venues:
- Weathered Vineyards Ephrata | 904 W. Main Street, Ephrata | Website
- American Music Theater | 2425 E Lincoln Hwy, Lancaster | Website
- Loxley’s | 500 Centerville Rd, Lancaster | Website
- Tellus 360 | 24 E King St, Lancaster | Website
- Vineyard at Grandview | 1489 Grandview Rd, Mount Joy | Website
11-13. Take a Fall Foliage Hike
Yes, our leaves change in Lancaster during the fall months and there are some wonderful hikes where you can get out in nature to enjoy the brilliant foliage. Here area few hikes we suggest:
- Middle Creek Nature Preserve | 100 Museum Rd, Stevens | Website
- Governor Dick’s Tower | 3283 Pinch Rd., Mt. Gretna | Website
- Horseshoe Trail to the Pretzel Hut Hike | Website
14-17. Catch a Show at Our Wonderful Theaters
- Fulton Theater | 12 N Prince St, Lancaster | Website
- 9/15 – 10/16: Kinky Boots
- Ephrata Performing Arts Center | 320 Cocalico St, Ephrata | Website
- 9/8 – 9/17: Amadeus
- 10/13 - 10/29: The Color Purple
- Dutch Apple Dinner Theater | 510 Centerville Rd, Lancaster | Website
- 8/12 – 9/17: Chicago the Musical
- 9/23 – 11/12: Saturday Night Fever
- Sight & Sound Theater | 300 Hartman Bridge Rd, Ronks | Website
- Now – 12/31: David
18-23. Do Some Apple Picking & Apple Cider Drinking!
Want to make your apple pie taste even more delicious? Pick the apples yourself!!! Enjoy the wonderful experience of picking apples along with other old-time activities like apple dunking, hay rides, corn mazes & more. Here’s the list of our favorite orchards where you can pick your own!
- Brecknock Orchards | 390 Orchard Rd., Mohnton | Website
- Cherry Hill Orchards | 2183 New Danville Pike, Lancaster | Website
- Leids Orchard | 665 Maple Grove Rd, New Holland | Website
- Beilers Fruit Farm | 383 Springville Rd, New Holland | Website
- Weavers Orchard | 40 Fruit Ln, Morgantown | Website
- Kauffman Fruit Farm | 3097 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird in Hand | Website
24. Splurge on a Hot Air Balloon Ride During the 11th Lancaster Hot Air Balloon Festival & County Fair
Date: September 16 – 18, 2022
Address: 2727 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird in Hand | Website
Lancaster PA at ground level is pretty amazing, but seeing it from above? SPECTACULAR! Plus, during this annual event it won’t be just one hot air balloon soaring, there will be TONS of them! In addition, you’ll find food, live music, games and other special events for you and your family to enjoy!
25. Tour the PA Wolf Sanctuary When the Wolfs are Most Active!
Address: 465 Speedwell Forge Rd, Lititz | Website
As the temperatures drop, the wolves become more and more active, making fall the perfect time to visit and tour the PA Wolf Sanctuary. Be sure to book your tour ahead of time because spots sell out at this popular event. And if you’re a night-owl yourself, consider attending one of their Full Moon Bonfire events. Click on the Website link for more information.
26. Schedule a Spooky Scoot Tour at Strasburg Scooters
Dates: October 1 – 30, 2022 | Website
Scooting around the back roads of Lancaster County is a real treat, especially in the fall when a special “Spooky Scoot” tour is going on. Sign up for this Halloween-themed tour for a unique way of seeing some spooky sites in Lancaster County!
27 - 31. Attend a Lancaster Museum Special Fall Event
- Landis Valley Museum [Harvest Days 10/8 – 10/9]
- Ephrata Cloister [Apple Dumpling Days 10/7 – 10/8] & [Candlelight Open House 11/26]
- Wheatland [Multiple Events, click to learn more]
- Rock Ford Plantation [Sleepy Hollow: the Legend Comes To Rock Ford | Thursdays & Fridays from 10/13 – 11/4]
- PA Railroad Museum [Railroad Heritage Days 9/10 & PA’s 341st Anniversary 9/24]
32-37. Shop for Mums and other Festive Fall Décor
Gourds, Corn Stalks & Pumpkins OH MY!! Lancaster grows all the wonderful flowers & plants you need to decorate your home for fall. Here are our favorite places to buy these and other home décor items during your Lancaster visit:
- Espenshades | 546A E 28th Division Hwy, Lititz |Website
- Hoovers Farm Market & Greenhouse | 30 Erbs Bridge Rd, Lititz |Website
- Reiff’s Farm Market | 2902 Rothsville Rd, Ephrata |Website
- Cocalico Creek Greenhouse | 50 W Mohler Church Rd, Ephrata |Website
- Meck's Farm Market| 1955 Beaver Valley Pike, Strasburg | Website
- Freysville Farm | 300 Frysville Rd, Ephrata | Website
38-43. Stroll Through Some Art Festivals & Craft Shows
- 9/3 – 9/4: Heart of Lancaster County Fall Arts and Crafts Show | Website
- 9/3 – 9/4: Longs Park Art Festival | Website
- 9/24: Stoudtburg Village Fall Craft & Vendor Show | Website
- 10/7: Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen Fall Fine Craft Fair | Website
- 11/12: Lancaster: Artisan Fair | Website
- 11/19: Root's Christmas Show | Website
44-47. Find Your Fill of Pumpkin Spice Everything at REO Manheim Marketplace!
Of course you can pretty much find Apple / Pumpkin Spice & Autumn-themed items all over Lancaster County during the fall months, but there’s one particular spot where you can walk between businesses and get a really great assortment of items all themed for the fall months. Head over to the REO Manheim Marketplace where you can try assorted coffees, sweets, ice creams, ales & gifts that fit the season. There are plenty of other items to eat, drink and buy as well, so carve out some time & enjoy the experience!! NOTE: There’s even AXE THROWING at Artiface Ales & Meads!
- Mill 72 Coffee Shop & Bakery | 45 N Main St, Manheim | Website
- Twisted Sisters Ice Cream & Handmade Chocolates | 51 N. Main St., Manheim | Website
- Artiface Ales & Mead | 55 N Main St, Manheim | Website
- Prussian Street Arcade | 49 N Main St, Manheim| Website
PLUS: Book Your Getaway at One of Lancaster’s Top Bed and Breakfasts!
For an extra treat, plan to spend one (or more) of your weekend evenings at the inn where you can enjoy live local music, delicious food & drinks in our on-site wine bar, Weathered Vineyards.
The autumn months are the busiest time to visit Lancaster PA, so book your getaway as soon as possible for the best rates & choice of accommodation.
This blog was all about Fall Things to do in Lancaster PA
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