Fall is here, and that means some seasonal activities are ready to be enjoyed, including checking out the sights of this scenic time of year. For those who live in Philadelphia, there are a few options in the city that can help pique your foliage interests, but there are also more wonders in the drive-able region that will help you to get your nature fix in as well. Lehigh Valley does offer some interesting and beautiful backdrops when looking for a socially-distanced adventure outside of the city, and it also costs nothing to admire just what this region has to offer.
“Travelers pursuing scenic drives, walkable historic cities, challenging hikes and multi-use trails will find their perfect fit in Lehigh Valley this fall. Located a quick drive from Philadelphia and New York City, our region provides a much-needed escape to safely relax among vibrant fall foliage,” said Alicia Quinn, vice president of marketing and strategic alliances for Discover Lehigh Valley in a statement. “After discovering Lehigh Valley’s stunning fall foliage, enjoy our welcoming outdoor dining options, handcrafted libations, award-winning accommodations and more.”
Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites
Historic Bethlehem not only offers visitors the opportunity to check out three centuries of American history, it also is a prime leaf-peeping destination for travelers who want to head outside of the City of Brotherly Love. The area offers visitors the opportunity to check out its scenes through a self-guided tour featuring 19 historic buildings, 20 acres of land and two National Historic Landmarks. If that wasn’t enough to sell you on this destination, the area was also nominated to the U.S. Tentative List for World Heritage Designation last year.
505 Main St., Bethlehem
Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor
Visitors who head to the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor have 165 miles of land to cover by bike or foot to see some stunning fall foliage. But the trees and the ever-changing leaves aren’t the only draw to this part of Lehigh Valley (which covers 48 miles of the overall trail,) this historic transportation route crosses railroads, canals, rivers, and trails— so there will be plenty to see for everyone.
2750 Hugh Moore Park Rd., Easton
Lehigh Valley Covered Bridge Tour
There’s something romantic about covered bridges, and they don’t need to be in Madison County for there to be some action. Lehigh Valley holds seven of the slightly more than 200 covered bridges in Pennsylvania built in the 1800s, all of which are welcoming visitors, especially during this picturesque season. This drive-able tour covers 50 miles, but that’s not the only route that passengers can take when looking for some scenic fall scenes. According to a release, Philadelphians can also cruise along Route 611 to explore the Slate Belt’s fall foliage covering dozens of small towns including Nazareth and Bangor. Then hike, bike or walk the four-mile John M. Mauser Nature Education Trail System in Lower Mount Bethel Township. To catch a picturesque fall sunset glistening against the foliage leaf peepers can also traverse the rolling hills of Lookout Drive and Mountain Drive near Lehigh University. The downloadable brochure is available at discoverlehighvalley.com/things-to-do/tours/covered-bridge-tour.
The LINK Trail Network of Lehigh Valley
If you were looking for some diversity when exploring Lehigh Valley’s fall foliage, look no further than the LINK. The LINK is an interconnected network of multi-use trails that is open year-round for a plethora of activities ranging from outdoor recreation, alternative transportation, and healthy living. The LINK spans 125 miles and is led by a coalition of trail partners across Lehigh and Northampton Counties and made possible with support from the William Penn Foundation. A full list of what visitors can expect from the LINK is available on Discover Lehigh Valley’s website.
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
Hawk Mountain has plenty to see, and once here, visitors will get a charming view of the wild bird sanctuary located along the Appalachian flyway. Typically, the sanctuary is a hotspot for hikers, birdwatchers and outdoor enthusiasts alike and that sentiment is elevated even more in the fall season. The 8-mile trail system there is open for everyone through the new accessible trail through the South Lookout. The official trail map is also located on Discover Lehigh Valley’s website.
1700 Hawk Mountain Rd., Kempton
Grim’s Orchards Fall Festival
While perusing through some of the natural wonders that Lehigh Valley has to offer, why not stop at a seasonal festival to really complete your trip? Grim’s Orchards Fall Festival is open now through Nov. 1 and features a variety of experiences including bounce pillows, hay rides, apple picking, a pedal cart track, toss games, a huge slide, a sandpit, a hay bale mountain, dog agility show and much more. Food-wise, the festival also has plenty to offer with choices ranging from apple dumplings, candy apples, apple cider donuts, and pies. The Fall Fest at Grim’s Orchards happens daily and more info can be found on DLH site.
9875 Schantz Rd., Breinigsville
To find out more information visit discoverlehighvalley.com
