Pennsylvania

With summer in our rear-view mirror and fall on the approaching horizon, we thought we’d take a moment to clue you in on some local area activities for fall! Although Erie is known best for its beaches, there is always something to do every season, even during a pandemic. Farmers markets, fall-themed events, gorgeous fall colors, virtual activities and of course fantastic food and drink! So throw on an extra layer, head outside or cozy up at home for some fall faves in Erie PA.   As always, if you do venture out, remember to practice social distancing and wear your mask.

Here’s our Top 10 picks for fun fall activities (HINT: make it an overnight stay and do everything on this list!).

1. ZooBOO 2020 – The Erie Zoo’s annual trick-or-treat event will be a little different this year. This year’s ZooBOO will continue to be “scary, but not too scary” with fun for the whole family.  In an effort to stay safe and limit contact, the Zoo has created a Spooky Scavenger Hunt! All children 12 years and under will be able to participate with their family in a grand Halloween adventure around the zoo. At the end, each child will receive a pre-packed bag of goodies to take home and have the chance to enter to win a ZooBOO Gift Basket. But have no “fear”…Guests will still get to meet the troll who guards the Children’s Zoo Bridge, have a chat with the Talking Pumpkin, and ride the Safariland Express! All tickets must be purchased in advance online and masks are required.  Which shouldn’t be too difficult since it IS Halloween!  ZooBOO will run Thursdays/Fridays October 15,16,22,23,29 &30 from 4-9 pm and Saturdays/Sundays Oct 17,18, 24 & 25 from Noon-9 pm. Tickets are $7 for members, $10 non-members and can be reserved here.
2. Luminary Distilling & Eatery, Fuhrman’s Cider – NOW OPEN! Our friends at Luminary Distilling have expanded and moved! With the recent purchase of the former Fuhrman’s Cider Mill just steps from their previous location, they are serving up high quality spirits and cocktails (using locally sourced ingredients), tasty food options and of course, Fuhrman’s famous cider; all in a bigger facility! Stop by and try their fresh baked breads, donuts and pies too!  For all you faithful pretzel roll fans, no worries!  Those are coming soon or if you’re desperate and can’t wait to sink your teeth into that soft salty goodness, they are accepting special orders. Luminary’s micro distillery experience is definitely unique and they can’t wait to welcome you to their new location…8270 Peach Street just south of the Peach Street/Robison Road interchange.
3. Lake Erie Wine Country – What better way to celebrate the season than by sipping your favorite cabernet, merlot, chardonnay or sparkling fruit juice while watching the leaves change? Lake Erie Wine Country spans 53 miles along Lake Erie’s shoreline from North East PA to parts of Western NY.  Tour America’s grape country to sample, sip and swirl endless fruits of the vine from 23 wineries.  The largest grape growing region east of the Rockies is waiting for you!
4. Lake Erie Ale Trail – If wine isn’t your thing and you’re more of a craft beer aficionado, try a flight or two from any of the 13 breweries that make up the Lake Erie Ale Trail. The history of breweries in the greater Erie region is deep and rich. The first local brewery opened its doors over 200 years ago—36 years before the city of Erie was even incorporated! Ask to take a tour and witness the sheer hoppiness first-hand! Cheers to local!
5. Take a Hike! Even with the “falling” temperatures, The Great Outdoors is always there for you to get out and explore. Our area has plenty of great trails to lead you on many adventures. Check out the trails at Frontier Park, Erie Bluffs, Presque Isle, Asbury Woods, Goodell Gardens and the Greater Erie Regional Trail Network. Plus a NEW trail has recently been unveiled at Wintergreen Gorge!  Penn State Behrend has completed phase 1 of their renovation plan for Wintergreen Gorge. The $690,000 project will improve visitor access to the gorge and will help to protect wildlife. First-phase construction included stabilizing and improving an 850-foot trail that begins at Cooper Road along with the installation of boardwalks over the protected wetland areas along the trail. Visitors can also access the  trailheads from either the Prischak Educational Building or the Ohio Hall parking lots.
6. Asbury Woods Scary Creature Feature – One of Erie’s favorite Halloween traditions, Asbury Woods’ “Scary Creature Feature”is a fall, family event many look forward to every year. Enjoy various activities, storytelling and a guided walk thro ugh the woods where guests encounter and learn about some not-so-scary, nocturnal creatures that live in the forest. It’s the perfect chance to explore the woods at night and delight in the cool, crisp air of an autumn evening. Appropriate for children 3 years and up.  October 8-10 from 6 pm to 8 pm.  Check their web site for ticket information.
7. Peek n Peak Virtual Fall Fest – It may not be the Fall Fest you’re used to, but that doesn’t mean you still can’t have fun enjoying the Peak’s virtual Fall Fest from the comfort of your own home! Throughout the month of October the Fest virtual experience will include many of your favorite Fall Fest activities, including an online vendor marketplace, a digital Kids’ Zone with print-at-home activities, a pumpkin painting content, ideas for fall adventures and more! The Peek is also planning their annual Snow Sports Equipment Swap October 10-11 & 17-18. This year, the Swap will take place on the upper level of the Main Ski Lodge. Looking for other fall activities at the Peek? Warm-weather activities are expected to be available until mid-October, including the Upper Golf Course, Aerial Adventure Course, Giant Dual Ziplines, The Soaring Eagle Zipline, Mini Golf, the Indoor/Outdoor Pool Complex and Serenity Spa.
8. Pick Your Own Produce – Getting out and traveling to local farms to pick your own fruits and vegetables is a popular fall activity. It’s not only satisfying it’s a great way to support local agriculture.  There are several farmers markets scattered throughout the county.  One of our favorites is Hulings Blueberries & Farm Market.  In addition to those plump juice blueberries (season ends soon for them!), Hulings offers tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers along with fruits and vegetables from other local farms.  For a complete list of where you pick your own produce in Northwest PA, click here.
9. Leaf Peeping – One of the best parts about living in the north is the dramatic change of the seasons. Autumn brings about a colorful palette of fiery reds, golden yellows and vibrant oranges.  It’s the perfect time to hop in the car and take a drive to view Mother Nature at her finest. There are 134 native trees in Pennsylvania, each having their own beautiful color mix. Some of our favorite spots to observe the fall foliage are Presque Isle State Park, The Great Lakes Seaway Trail (Route 5) and Historic PA Route 6.   The best time to view the Erie area in full display is mid to late October.
10. Mural Arts Driving Tour – There are over 75 murals throughout Erie County and VisitErie is in the process of compiling the most up-to-date list for you to plan a mural-seeking adventure! Make it an overnight trip and spend a few days traversing the county for murals that feature subjects ranging from Erie’s history to community fellowship, landscapes and abstract pieces. More information can be found on our website with a Google map coming soon to help you easily plot out your course.

Visiting the Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania’s only National Forest, offers spectacular fall foliage viewing, camping and fishing opportunities, along with a variety of hiking and mountain biking trails. This byway curves and winds along the shoreline of the majestic Allegheny Reservoir making it an easy drive by car, motorcycle or for the fit bicyclist, a fun 36-mile loop from Kane, Pennsylvania.

The Longhouse National Scenic Byway circles the Kinzua Creek Arm of the Allegheny Reservoir through some of the most beautiful scenery on the Allegheny National Forest. Kinzua (pronounced Kin-zoo) is a Native American word meaning Land of Big Fishes.

Leave Kane on Route 321 North. This road enters the Allegheny National Forest just outside of Kane. The actual start of the scenic byway is about eight miles from Kane at the intersection with Longhouse Drive. Continue on Route 321 past the campground Red Bridge. This is the head of the Kinzua Creek Arm, in total the Allegheny Reservoir boasts a 100-mile shoreline making it an outdoor recreation destination year-round for fishing, boating, kayaking and in the winter ice fishing.

Route 321 follows the reservoir a short distance and then begins to rise into the highlands through a beautiful forest of hardwoods and hemlock. Over 80 species of trees are present in the Allegheny National Forest, this variety of tree species offers a robust palette of fall color-rich ruby red, sparkling yellow and brilliant orange during late September and the first two weeks of October. Nearing the top of the plateau, you pass the Old Powerhouse Museum, an original timepiece from the glory days of oil in this region.

The Bradford Ranger Station is located at the intersection of Routes 321 and 59. You can find virtually any information about the Allegheny National Forest here, including topo maps for trail enthusiasts. The ranger station also carries a nice selection of books and other forest themed items.

Turn left on Route 59 toward the Allegheny Reservoir. Along this stretch of the loop, you pass the trailhead for Morrison Trail. This trail has two loops, the 5.3-mile Morrison Trail Loop which passes boulder fields and forgotten homesteads, and the 8.3-mile Rimrock Trail Loop, which drops to the shore of the Allegheny Reservoir.

About a mile past the Morrison Trailhead is the entrance to Rimrock, a magnificent rock outcrop and overlook above the Kinzua Creek Arm of the Allegheny Reservoir. This area offers picnic areas and hiking/biking trails.

Return to Route 59, as you drive west, you will see the Kinzua Wolf Run Marina on your right, just before crossing the Allegheny Reservoir on the Morrison Bridge. Immediately past the bridge, turn left onto Longhouse Drive. Jakes Rocks, is a large rock outcrop, it offers a spectacular vista over the Allegheny Reservoir and mountain biking trails.

Longhouse Drive continues a winding course high above the Kinzua Creek Arm, passing the Dewdrop Recreation Area, Elijah Run Boat Launch and Kiasutha Recreation Area before ending back at Route 321. Turn right to return to Kane.

Kane is a “Star in the Forest” with five rural highways bisecting in one town. It is located along scenic Route 6 which is an east-west byway that traverses 400-miles of the northern tier of Pennsylvania, from the Erie Great Lake Region to the Poconos on the east. In Kane, you will find the McCleery Wolf Center which tells the tale of the first effort in America to save a species from extinction, the Lobo Wolves. ArtWorks on the Summit offers artisan crafts and local wood products produced locally. Foodies will enjoy a stop at Bell’s market for a sampling of their specialty foods and home-canned goodies. A variety of restaurants offer a choice of dining options from farm to table at Table 105, to a local favorite, Texas Hot Lunch/4 Sons which has been in business since 1914. Logyard Brewery’s Tasting Room, CJ Spirits Craft Distillery and Flickerwood Winery offer locally crafted wine, brews and spirits. For lodging options, the Allegheny National Forest offers both cabins and campsites for RV and tent. Kane Manor is a historic home now open for travelers as a Bed & Breakfast.

For more information on the region, maps and personalized assistance call 800-473-9370 and click on: www.visitANF.com.

Escaping to the great outdoors is one of the best ways to make the most of your summer. Columbia & Montour Counties and the surrounding region is known far and wide for its outdoor recreation opportunities, including hiking, kayaking, tubing, fishing, boating, hunting, and more. For the trail lovers out there, we’ve decided to come up with a short list of our five favorite area hikes to complete this summer or fall in the peaceful Central Pennsylvania region.

*NOTE: Please review state, local, and national travel guidelines before you plan your trip, and practice proper social distancing protocols while hitting the trails! Columbia & Montour Counties are GREEN counties according to state guidelines. However, do not travel if you or someone you are with are sick, or if you have been around someone with COVID-19 in the past 14 days. For additional information, please visit the CDC’s “Considerations for Travelers” page.

1. Falls Trail at Ricketts Glen State Park

Trail Length: Full trail loop – 7.2 miles

Ricketts Glen State Park is one of the standout gems of Pennsylvania, and the popular Falls Trail Loop in the park is one that simply can’t be ignored if you’re planning to do any hiking this summer. The trail winds through the Glens Natural Area via a series of steep rock staircases and packed dirt paths. The Glens Natural Area is a National Natural Landmark (designated in 1968) whose highlight is the series of 21 free-flowing waterfalls that cascade down through the glen along the trail. Hikers will have a hard time hearing themselves think as they pass some of the roaring waterfalls that are only a few feet off the trail. The most spectacular of the falls is Ganoga Falls, at 94 feet. Hikers can stand near the base of Ganoga Falls and gaze up in wonder at the power of nature as they feel the cool misty breeze coming off of the falling water. For those looking to spend the better part of their day exploring the waterfalls and the Glens Natural Area, plan to hike the full 7.2 mile loop. If you’d rather have some time to spare to spend along the beach at Lake Jean, you can plan to hike the shorter 3.2 mile loop and still see 18 of the 21 waterfalls.

If you go: We recommend starting from the Lake Rose parking lot and traveling down the Ganoga Glen side of the trail to Waters Meet. Then, you can either complete the full 7.2 miles by continuing south toward Route 118, or just head back up the Glen Leigh Side and use the Highland Trail to connect your hike back to Lake Rose (approximately 3.2 miles total). And remember to bring your camera – this is one of the most scenic hikes you’ll find on the entire East Coast! Find more information here.

Plan for: 2-3 hours if doing the 3.2 mile loop, 4-5 hours if doing the full 7.2 miles.

IMPORTANT: Bring sturdy hiking shoes and be prepared for some steep trail sections. Hikers on the Falls Trail should be in good physical condition and should exercise caution due to the slippery/wet conditions often found on the trail.

2. Historic Weiser State Forest Miner Trails

Trail Length: Approximately 6 miles

Weiser State Forest – Roaring Creek Tract provides visitors the opportunity to experience a bit of Pennsylvania history while at the same time enjoying some quality trail time in the woods.  Weiser State Forest is home to four historic miner trails from the 19th century that were recently restored to allow for present-day explorers to “walk in the footsteps” of miners from days past.

In the 1800’s, coal mines were a main source of work for many Central Pennsylvania inhabitants, and the industry is a big part of the region’s history. At the time however, advanced road systems had not been invented.  To get to work, miners in parts of today’s Columbia County would meet in the early hours of the morning and walk in groups up over the mountain on footpaths into the main production towns of Natalie and Wilburton. Each neighborhood had its own little meeting place in the morning – whether it was at someone’s house or just a tree on the edge of town. In the evening when the miners came home to their families, the wives and children would count the strings of helmet lights to make sure everyone came back safely from a hard day at work.

Eventually, with the invention of automobiles, a road system came into place. At the same time, as other industries rose and many of the coal mines slowly closed, these once vital paths for miners slowly disappeared into the obscurity of the forest.

In 2004, the Roaring Creek and Catawissa Valley Historical Study Group was reviewing old maps of the area, and noticed the old abandoned miner trails that seemed to transect the valley in a North to South direction. The group approached the Bureau of Forestry to seek permission to reestablish the trails and was granted authorization to do so. With the assistance of local scouts and other interested individuals, the group worked diligently for many months to re-establish the trails. Many of the trees contained visible hash marks from past trail blazing so finding the trails were easy; cleaning them to make the paths passable was the hard work. In 2005, the trails were completed and a night hike commemorated the project. A group of over 200 people gathered to hike the trails and feel what it was like to be one of the miners that hiked to work in the early morning darkness on those trails almost 200 years prior.

If you go: Today, there are four historic trails that are open for visitors to explore. They are referred to as Natalie #1 East, Natalie #1 West, Natalie #2 and Old Natalie Road. Together, the four trails are approximately six miles in length. In total, Weiser State Forest – Roaring Creek Tract has around 40 miles of shared use trails for hiking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing. Find more information here or download the public use map for Weiser State Forest – Roaring Creek Tract.

Plan for: 3-4 hours with potential for more depending on how much you’d like to explore.

3. Susquehanna Warrior Trail

Trail Length: 12.5 miles

If you’ve ever heard the song “Over the River & Through the Woods”, the Susquehanna Warrior Trail embodies it well.

The trail starts outside of Berwick in the Susquehanna Riverlands Park, and stretches along the banks of the Susquehanna River north to Canal Park in West Nanticoke.

The trail follows the path of an old railroad bed, and going further back into history, an old Native American footpath. The Susquehanna Warrior Trail was constructed in 2007 and takes hikers through quiet stretches of woods, along sections of the river, and even past a drive-in movie theater!

Wildlife is abundant along the trail, and hikers will have a reasonably good chance to see otters, blue herons, groundhogs, bald eagles, and more. The great thing about this trail is that it feels like you’re on an old-fashioned adventure the whole time. Set out on the trail in the morning with your picnic lunch and plenty to drink and you’ll be well on your way to a full day of quiet solitude.

​A good portion of the trail is shaded, and with the occasional river breeze, it makes for a great summer hike. The trail is open for hikers and bicyclists alike, and is mainly comprised of a finely crushed stone surface.​ Along the way, you will pass through the small village of Shickshinny. The trail enters Shickshinny Park and continues left onto East Butler Street, where it resumes down East Vine Street and across a small footbridge crossing Shickshinny Creek. If you need to grab a bite to eat or restock on your water supply, Shickshinny is going to be your best bet.

If you go: Parking for the southern trailhead is in the Susquehanna Riverlands Park along State Route 11. Parking for the northern trailhead in Hunlock Creek is directly adjacent to the Garden Drive-In; turn into the drive-in entrance and look for signs for the Susquehanna Warrior Trail. For a map and current trail information, click here.

Plan for: A full day hike along the river; the trail is 12.5 miles one way, so a car parked at each trailhead might be a good idea unless you’re planning to bike the trail. Alternatively, you may hike as far as you feel comfortable and then turn around to hike back to your car – this way you’ll be able to make the exploration as long or short as you’d like.

4. Montour Preserve’s Goose Woods Trail

Trail Length: 0.9 miles

The Goose Woods Trail at the Montour Preserve is a naturalist’s dream. Although short, trailgoers could spend hours wandering the trail looking at wildflowers, insects, pond life, small woodland dwellers, and animal tracks by the creek. Goose Woods Trail is great for families with children or the elderly, as it is short in distance and almost completely flat. Plus, children will love exploring the forest!

Goose Woods Trail is also a great place to bring a nature journal or camera. You can find a comfortable spot just off the trail to sit and journal about the sounds, sights, and small details of the natural world around you. Or perhaps a camera is more your speed; photograph birds, spiders, flowers, or practice taking some landscapes by the creek.

Learn about the different types of trees, leaves, and animal tracks, and see if you can spot a scarlet tanager or red-winged blackbird flying from tree to tree. Along the way, you’ll pass the Preserve’s Sugar Shack, where maple sugar is made in the early part of each year. Visitors to the Montour Preserve on a Saturday in March can experience their annual open house, with an educational maple sugaring workshop and maple sugar tasting.

If you go: The Preserve is open dawn til dusk daily. Be sure to visit the education center and learn about some of the animals and plants you might see during your visit. For those looking for additional hiking beyond the Goose Woods Trail, the Chilisuagi Trail that circles the 165-acre Lake Chillisquaque is approximately 3.8 miles long. We also recommend bringing a picnic lunch and spending some quality time enjoying the day by the shore of the lake. Learn more about the Montour Preserve here.

Fossil Pit: If you have the full day to spend at the Preserve, the fossil pit is a must visit. Recently named one of the top 30 fossil pits in North America, the Preserve’s fossil pit consists of approximately one acre of exposed Mahantango Formation shale.  Formed some 395 million years ago during the Devonian Period when much of Pennsylvania was covered by a warm, shallow sea, these shales are particularly rich in fossils.  The most commonly found fossils at the site are Pelecypods (oyster, mussel and clam-type species), Cephalopods, Brachiopods (lamp shells), Byrozoans (moss-like animals), Crinoids, Gastropods (snail-like creatures), Corals and Trilobites. The site is open from dawn to dark year-round.  Admission is free and visitors may keep any fossils they find.  Fossil pit visitors are encouraged to come prepared with some basic supplies, including: small geologist’s hammer, soft brush, safety goggles, a bag or bucket to carry fossils and supplies and newspaper or other material to wrap fossils for safekeeping.

5. J. Manley Robbins Rail Trail

Trail Length: 3.8 miles

The J. Manley Robbins Trail is a former railroad line for the “Montour,” a 10-ton narrow gauge locomotive used for carrying iron ore between local deposits and furnaces.  The line was converted to a bicycle path in the 1890’s by a club of local bicycle enthusiasts, and is believed to be the oldest rail trail in the United States.

Back in the late 1880’s and early 1890’s, the newest bicycle craze from England had made its way to Danville. The “Rover safety bicycle” had a diamond-shaped frame with pneumatic wheels and was reasonably enough priced that many young men ordered them and began riding around Mill Street, the main Danville thoroughfare. Local residents, however, weren’t as thrilled. Believing that these new bikes were dangerous, they succeeded in passing a local ordinance that banned them from being operated on the street. A group of young cyclists, calling themselves the Danville Wheelmen, still wanted to use their new bicycles, so they turned their attention to the nearby, recently defunct narrow-gauge railroad line. At one time, it hauled limestone, anthracite coal and iron ore to Montour Iron Works, where the first iron T-rail was rolled in 1845. Danville even produced some of the iron T-rails that were used to connect the Transcontinental Railroad at Promontory Summit on May 10th, 1869. But now the narrow-gauge “dinky train” was no longer operating, and the local men worked to re-purpose the rail bed into a bike trail.

The trail now connects with additional trails and recreation amenities at the Hess Field Complex. After walking the first portion of the trail that runs parallel to State Route 54 (and crosses a small covered bridge), it winds through a beautiful stretch of deciduous forest above Mahoning Creek. The enjoyable 3.8 mile loop is a multi-purpose trail that accommodates bicyclists and walkers of all ages. Dogs are allowed, if they are leashed.

If you go: If you’re coming into Danville on State Rt. 54 from Interstate 80, turn right onto Route 642 (Liberty Valley Road) and make an immediate left onto a dirt road/parking area. This is the J. Manley Robbins trailhead. Further down the trail, the Hess Recreation Area has several fields and a pavilion that can seat up to 75 people.

Plan for: 1.5 to 2 hours to walk the trail. Consider combining it with a trip to the Montour Preserve (about 20 minutes away) or one of the other hikes on this list.

More Info About the Area

Columbia & Montour counties, nestled in the central part of Pennsylvania, are a great choice for a few days away from the hustle and bustle of your everyday life. Consider checking these five hikes off your bucket list and turn your trip into a weekend getaway while you’re at it! Some intrepid hikers may want to tackle multiple hikes in one day, or complete several over the course of a weekend. If camping is your thing, there are plenty of area campgrounds to stay at, or you can select a centrally-located hotel or B&B in Bloomsburg or Danville.

If you’re traveling to the area to visit for a few of these hikes, consider planning to do some kayaking or tubing on the lazy Susquehanna River while you’re at it. You can also kayak at Ricketts Glen State Park on Lake Jean or at the Montour Preserve on Lake Chillisquaque. If you want to add some history into your vacation adventure, consider that Columbia & Montour Counties have the third most covered bridges in the United States with a total of 25 bridges! Grab a free covered bridge driving map from our “Request a Brochure” page and you’ll soon be on your way to some old-fashioned fun in the countryside. The bridges make for great photo opportunities, especially the famous Twin Bridges!

For the hardy explorers out there, consider researching additional hiking trails in Ricketts Glen State Park, Weiser State Forest, various area State Gamelands, or the nearby Loyalsock State Forest. There are approximately 60 miles of trails to be found in Ricketts Glen and Weiser State Forest combined, and countless additional trails in area gamelands.

Looking for even more info about the Columbia-Montour region before you visit to hike these trails? Request a free Travel Guide or a number of other free brochures including a covered bridge driving map to help plan your trip into a fun-filled weekend. You’ll find a list of area restaurants and lodging options, outfitters, other area attractions, and more!

Escape, explore and keep your story interesting with a trip to the Raystown Lake Region.