Temperatures and leaves are falling, but there’s still plenty of activity and ways to enjoy the outdoors. Check out our list of the 17 best things to do in the Lehigh Valley this fall. Many are outdoors and can be done at your own pace but give you the flavors and fun of the season. Make The Sayre Mansion your home base during an autumn getaway to the Lehigh Valley.
1. Autumn Hawk Watch
Through December 15, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Kempton
There’s no better vantage point to see the changing leaves and soaring raptors. An average of 18,000 birds of prey will fly over North Lookout. Visitors can hike to this 1,500-foot rock outcropping on the Kittatinny Ridge.
2. Fall Festival
Through October 29, Grim’s Orchard & Family Farms, Breinigsville
If you only have time for one fall fun experience, a visit to Grim’s Orchard and Family Farms should check everything off your list. You can take a hayride, savor apple cider slushies, get lost in the corn maze, visit the pumpkin patch and make a selection and pick your own apples.
3. 9th Annual Apple Days & Market to Go
September 16-17, Burnside Plantation, Bethlehem
Celebrate fall’s favorite fruit with live music, outdoor games, hay bale maze, cooking and colonial demonstrations, apple desserts and kid’s games. It all happens on the historic grounds of Burnside Plantation in Bethlehem, September 17 and 18.
4. Annual Chile Pepper Food Festival
September 8-9, William Delong Park, Bowers
Turn up the heat with the largest festival of its kind in the U.S. Chile Pepper Food Festival festivities include chile pepper food, crafts, a Jalapeno eating contest and a chile pepper field excursion. Shop a variety of vendors for honey, sauces, jams, popcorn and more.
5. Celtic Classic Highland Games & Festival
September 22-24, Downtown Bethlehem
Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, tastes and culture of Ireland and Scotland. Highlights include a pipe band competition, Highland athletic championships, showing of the tartan parade, fiddle competition and Celtic marketplace.
6. Easton Garlic Festival
October 7-8, Easton Farmers’ Market
Buy it. Taste it. Learn about it at the Easton Garlic Festival. There will be live music, over 60 vendors, food galore and a beer tent. Watch fun competitions such as Dangerous Dessert Contest, Farm-to-Table Iron Chef Cook-Off, and the First Responders Cook-Off
7. Harvest Festival
(cancelled for 2023), Moravian Historical Society, Nazareth
The lawn of the historic Whitefield House turns into an outdoor marketplace hosting a variety of artisans, musical entertainment and free children’s activities, plus demonstrations, foods, and beverages.
8. Fall Foliage Train Excursions
Through November 19, Coalbrookdale Railroad, Boyertown
Take a scenic two-hour trip aboard The Secret Valley Explorer. Enjoy leaf peeping with autumn snacks and cider on board.
9. Boo at The Zoo
Weekends through October 29, Lehigh Valley Zoo, Schnecksville
Go in costume to enjoy candy and treat stations, pumpkin painting, costumes and more.
10. Kids on the Canal Fall Festival
October 21, National Canal Museum, Easton
Fun with a fall theme. Art activities, pumpkin decorating, games and a leaf identifying scavenger hunt all take place in Hugh Moore Historical Park.
11. Cemetery Tour: Death & Dying
Weekends through October 29, Historic Bethlehem Museum & Sites, Bethlehem
Stroll through God’s Acre to learn about the area’s earliest citizens, funeral traditions and the origins of local names.
12. History Walk
October 1, Hugh Moore Park, Easton
Find out about the people, places and industry that helped establish the area on a one-hour guided tour.
13. Lehigh Valley Wine Auction
September 9, Hugh Moore Park, Easton
This fundraiser for the Sigal Museum features outdoor cooking demonstrations, wines from Argentina, amazing auction lots, a cigar and bourbon tent and more.
14. 19th Century Market Faire & Rendezvous
October 28-29, Jacobsburg Historical Society, Nazareth
Visit a living history encampment representing many periods in American history. Enjoy demonstrations of early American arts and crafts, archery, blacksmithing and more.
15. 2022 Fall Road Ramble
October 21, Berks History Center, Reading
Hit the road on a self-guided 45-mile driving tour through Centre Park, Reading, West Reading and Northern Berks County. The official Road Ramble Packet includes Narration Guide, a Navigator’s Guide, information on contests, instructions for using the BHC Road Ramble App, a narrative CD and Berks History Center 2020 Road Ramble Participant bumper sticker.
16. Barkoberfest Pet Fair
October 14, Macungie Memorial Park, Macungie
High-tail it to this pup-approved event featuring vendors, dog training demos and a free dog agility course.
17. PA Bacon Fest
November 4-5, Downtown Easton
BaconFest is celebrating its 11th year with a bevvy of foods incorporating bacon. Named one of the country’s ‘5 Can’t-Miss Bacon Festivals’ by Parade, this two-day festival serves food, live music, family-friendly activities, cooking demos and every sort of bacon treat you can imagine. J
Stay at The Sayre Mansion
After a day exploring all the things to do in the Lehigh Valley, come back and experience a Lehigh Valley landmark. Immerse yourself in the opulence of yesteryear and comforts of today. Each guest room is unique, giving guests a stay that’s distinct. Check out availability and book an autumn getaway to the Lehigh Valley.