We’re granted an extra hour of daylight every fall, use it or lose it! Take those 60 precious minutes in Pennsylvania and explore the great outdoors, bask in the crisp fall air, or maybe do a little shopping. The clock is ticking, let’s go!
1. Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Make a trip to the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens to see the Fall Flower Show: The Poetry of Nature! This exhibit will take you on a tranquil journey, captivating your senses with vibrant colors, unique shapes, and soothing sounds of the natural world as autumn settles in. Featuring room after room of gorgeous chrysanthemums that have been in training for this show all year long, The Poetry of Nature offers a refreshing respite of natural beauty before the hustle and bustle of the holiday season begins. Mark your calendars to see it — this breathtaking display begins Saturday, October 10th and lasts only three weeks!
2. Local Shopping
Smicksburg
Get a head start on finding the perfect holiday gifts for friends and family by making a trip to downtown Indiana and shop your way through the small business community. You can also take a drive through Amish country to the charming community of Smicksburg where you'll find more than 20 specialty shops selling unique items as well as several pottery studios with one of a kind handmade pieces including country crafts, quilts, furniture, and foods.
3. Mount Airy Casino
Mt. Pocono
Spend that extra hour at Pennsylvania’s first AAA Four Diamond Award winner nine years running - Mount Airy Casino Resort in the Pocono Mountains. Every minute is a thrill with more than 70 table games, ranging from blackjack, craps, roulette, and Baccarat and more than 1,800 slots. Not feeling lucky? Recharge in the resort’s first-class spa and salon!
4. Conneaut Lake Park
Conneaut Lake
Take a stroll along the historical boardwalk at Conneaut Lake Park or just relax on the beach next to a warm bonfire. One not enough? Crawford County has eight lakes to explore and maybe take the last hour of the day to catch a gorgeous sunset.
5. Rickett’s Glen State Park
Benton
Hike up as water comes down at Rickett’s Glen’s Waterfall Trail. While you might need more than an hour the 21 stunning waterfalls ranging from 11 feet to an impressive 94 feet will not disappoint. It’s a sight to see!
6. D&H Rail Trail
Susquehanna
Make sure you bring a hybrid or mountain bike when making your trek along the D+H Rail Trail which stretches from Carbondale to the New York border. The 38-mile trail is comprised of cinder, original ballast, and hard-packed dirt. The trail parallels the Lackawanna River for several miles, offering scenic vistas of the river and several small lakes. Stop in Thompson at Rooney’s Ice Cream, who has been dishing it up in an old train station since 1933.
7. Allegheny National Forest
Marienville
As evening begins to creep into day, the darker early mornings provide a prime opportunity to view one of the Allegheny National Forest’s fascinating beaver dams. Start your trek from the village of Kane, along Route 321, until you reach a sign for the North Country Trail on the left, then pull in at the trailhead and hike into the forest just before dusk to view what these dedicated little workers have built.
8. Adams County Pour Tour
Gettysburg
Gettysburg is known for history and Adams County is known for apples. Pair the two up and they make for a can’t-miss visit in the wine, cider, beer, and spirits world. Grab your passport and trail map for the Adams County Pour Tour and collect stamps as you treat your palate. Prizes will be given for 5, 12, and 20 stamps. Please tour responsibly.
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