Fall has begun and even more travel opportunities are opening up to you! The crunching of leaves beneath your feet, a cool breeze blowing through your hair, a warm mug of apple cider between your hands… These are all wonderful things that the season brings. Step outdoors and bask in the great weather blowing in at these two must-visit fall locations! Plan your autumn excursion to Pennsylvania and New Hampshire with Sundance Vacations!
The Poconos, Pennsylvania
The Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival
There’s plenty of fun to be had, both for adults and children at The Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival. With free parking and admission and the festival taking place daily until October 29th, what’s not to love about this annual shindig? Weekend activities include hayrides, laser tag, a 3D funhouse, pony rides, carnival rides, live music line-ups, and more! Special events occur on select dates, as well, like the upcoming Octoberfest Happy “Hours.” On October 14th. 15th, 21st, and 22nd adults can partake in free wine samples low drink prices. On October 28th and 29th, kiddos can wear their Halloween costumes and participate in a trick-or-treat parade through the festival! Be sure to locate the best pick of the patch and take home a $3 pumpkin to celebrate spooky month with!
The Electrifying Jack-O-Lantern Experience
We all know that Christmas light displays can be a spectacle, but what about Halloween lights? The Electrifying Jack-O-Lantern Experience proves that The Headless Horseman can compete with the big man up north! This family-friendly walk-through experience is held on The West End fairgrounds in Gilbert, PA. Relax with a cup of hot cocoa by the firepits, or absorb the creative artistry of hand-carved pumpkins (both real and faux) and dazzling displays. This trail of spectral lights is sure to haunt your dreams in the best way possible. As returning visitors state, you’re going to want to visit to see the new art direction year after year.
October Asa Packer Mansion Tours
If you’ve ever been to Jim Thorpe, you’ve seen the Asa Packer Mansion (even if you didn’t realize it!) The historic house is perched atop Packer Hill Ave and offers tours to visitors during October from Wednesday – Monday. Guests are taken on a guided tour which details the history of the area and the family that once inhabited the mansion. You may even see some of the original contents of the house still inside. Tours during the Fall Foliage Festival will last 30 minutes. Be sure to pay this local landmark a visit during your trip to Jim Thorpe!
Looking to put a little “spook” into your Spooktober? Luckily, Northeast Pennsylvania is known for its local legends that resurface around Halloween. Haunted houses and ghost tours are abundant, and we have some of the best for you to experience on your fall excursion!
Historic Cemetery Walking Tours
Throughout the year, several cemeteries in the area offer historic walking tours. Tours are educational, respectful, and discuss the locations’ importance to the community, though some may find it a bit frightening to walk through a cemetery, especially an old one! Stroudsburg’s Historic Friends Burial Ground, The Dunmore Cemetery Tour, and the Historic Doylestown Cemetery Guided Walking Tours are local favorites!
Bartlett, New Hampshire
Alpine Adventures
Looking for a spot to see a wide range of phenomenal fall views? How about from a zipline? With Alpine Adventures you can experience the beautiful nature of New Hampshire from a variety of fun outdoor activities! The three different zipline tours are Tree Top Zipline Tour, perfect for families and beginners; Timberline Zipline Tour, a new 2023 experience that’s more high-speed; and the Super Skyrider Zipline Tour, the biggest, longest, highest, and fastest tour! If you’re looking for an adventure other than ziplining, they also offer side-by-side and off-road tours. Don’t forget to grab a souvenir or two from White Mountain Trading Co., an artisan shop located nearby!
One Love Brewery
After a day of obstacle courses and rope climbing at Alpine Adventures, it’s time to take it easy. Opened in 2013, One Love Brewery offers visitors a delicious menu, live music, and even the opportunity to join the One Love Mug Club. Though all of the menu options sound delicious, we were especially taken by the Bewmaster’s Duck Tacos and the Korean BBQ Pork Mac & Cheese! If you’re looking for a spot to relax and warm up, One Love Brewery is our choice!
Outdoor Hiking & Sightseeing
If you’re looking to spend time outdoors without soaring through the sky, New Hampshire is known for its picturesque hiking and sightseeing trails, especially when the fall foliage is at its peak. Cathedral Ledge is a 700-foot ridge that can be reached either by driving a mile-long road or by hiking from Echo Lake State Park. Once atop, you’ll get a bird’s eye view of the valley that’s sure to take your breath away! Diana’s Baths Waterfalls are truly an example of how tranquil nature can be. You can visit the 75-foot cascading falls at any time throughout the year, though fall paints the rocky mountains in a beautiful light while winter offers mesmerizing views of the falls when frozen!
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