15 Best Fall Day Trips in Pennsylvania for Families

Fall in Pennsylvania is hard to beat. The weather finally cools down, the leaves start changing, and suddenly spending an entire Saturday outside with your kids sounds enjoyable again.

Whether your family is looking for roller coasters and Halloween fun, a scenic train ride, pumpkin picking, or simply somewhere beautiful to spend a crisp fall day, Pennsylvania has plenty of options.

Here are 15 of the best fall day trips in Pennsylvania for families to add to your calendar this year.

1. Hersheypark Halloween – Hershey, PA

Hershey is one of our favorite Pennsylvania family destinations, and fall might be one of the best times to visit. Hersheypark Halloween combines the rides and coasters you already love with Halloween extras, including trick-or-treating for younger kids and Dark Nights for families looking for something scarier.

2026 dates: September 12–November 1

We’ve spent plenty of time in Hershey over the years, so check out our complete Hersheypark guide and Hersheypark Dark Nights FAQs before you go.

2. Happy Hauntings at Dutch Wonderland – Lancaster, PA

If your kids want Halloween without being completely terrified, Dutch Wonderland’s Happy Hauntings is a great choice. The park transforms for fall with kid-friendly Halloween activities, a hay maze, seasonal entertainment, rides, and plenty of not-so-spooky fun.

2026 dates: September 19–October 31

We’ve been visiting Dutch Wonderland since our kids were little. Read our 10 tips for Happy Hauntings at Dutch Wonderland before your trip.

3. Lancaster County

You don’t need an amusement park ticket to make a great fall day out of Lancaster. Spend the day exploring farm country, finding a corn maze, picking pumpkins, grabbing apple cider donuts, and enjoying the changing leaves. It’s an especially easy choice for families with younger kids.

4. Longwood Gardens – Kennett Square, PA

Longwood Gardens is gorgeous year-round, but fall brings colorful foliage, seasonal flowers, pumpkins and harvest displays. For 2026, Autumn’s Colors runs October 2 through November 15, with the Chrysanthemum Festival beginning October 16.

The Garden Railway is another win if you’re bringing kids.

We’ve visited Longwood with our kids for years, so be sure to check out our take on Longwood Gardens.

5. Brandywine Valley & Chadds Ford

While you’re in the area, make an entire fall day out of the Brandywine Valley. Chadds Ford is especially beautiful this time of year, and its history and rolling countryside give you peak Pennsylvania-in-October vibes.

Bonus: combine this one with Longwood for a full fall weekend.

6. Jim Thorpe

If fall foliage is your main goal, put Jim Thorpe near the top of your list. This small mountain town is surrounded by gorgeous scenery, and families can walk through town, explore the shops and take a scenic train ride.

Just know that fall weekends get BUSY. Plan ahead.

7. The Poconos

The Poconos are an obvious choice for a Pennsylvania fall getaway, but you don’t necessarily need an overnight stay. Hiking, waterfalls, pumpkin festivals and scenic drives make it easy to build a day trip around your family’s ages and energy level.

8. New Hope

New Hope gives you fall scenery without requiring hiking boots. Walk through town, grab lunch, browse the shops and take a ride on the New Hope Railroad. It’s a good pick for families with older kids who may have outgrown the pumpkin-patch-every-weekend phase.

9. Gettysburg

History plus gorgeous fall scenery makes Gettysburg an underrated October family trip. Tour the battlefield, visit the museum and explore downtown. With older kids, add one of Gettysburg’s ghost tours for a little Halloween fun.

10. Strasburg

For train-loving kids, it’s tough to beat Strasburg in the fall. Take a ride through the Lancaster County countryside on the Strasburg Rail Road and then make a day of exploring the surrounding area. Don’t forget to find homemade soft pretzels!

11. Lehigh Valley

The Lehigh Valley gives you lots of options in one area. Head to a farm or fall festival, explore Bethlehem, or add some thrills with a trip to Dorney Park.

We’ve visited Dorney with our own kids, so check out our tips for visiting Dorney Park with kids before you head out.

12. Knoebels – Elysburg, PA

Knoebels is another Pennsylvania amusement park worth keeping on your fall list. Its Hallo-Fun weekends bring Halloween-themed rides, attractions, games and treats to the park in October.

Even better for families trying to keep costs down: Knoebels has free admission, so you can decide how much (or how little) you want to do.

13. Hawk Mountain Sanctuary – Kempton, PA

Want a fall trip that’s actually about fall? Head to Hawk Mountain. You’ll get beautiful foliage, hiking and the chance to see migrating birds of prey. This one is better suited to kids who can handle some walking than toddlers who have decided their legs no longer work 14 minutes after leaving the car.

14. Ohiopyle State Park

Western Pennsylvania families shouldn’t miss Ohiopyle in the fall. Waterfalls, hiking trails and changing leaves make this one of the prettiest outdoor destinations in the state. Pack lunch, wear good shoes and make a day of it.

15. Presque Isle & Erie

The beach might not immediately scream “fall trip,” but that’s exactly why Erie is worth considering. Presque Isle State Park is beautiful when the weather cools, and Erie gives families plenty of additional attractions if you want to turn your day trip into a weekend.

Start Planning Your Pennsylvania Fall Adventures

The best part about fall in Pennsylvania is that you don’t have to go far to find something worth doing. Pick pumpkins one weekend, ride roller coasters the next, take a train through the changing leaves, or simply pack up the kids and explore somewhere new.

Just don’t try to squeeze all 15 into one October. There are only so many “fun family days” everyone can handle before somebody needs a weekend on the couch.