As you pack up your swimsuits, sunscreen, and memories of socially distant summer, welcome fall! On Tuesday, Sept. 22, the official start of the season kicks off. Here are a few ways to celebrate in the Pittsburgh area:
Check Out Three Local Fall Festivals
Eager to experience pumpkin patches and fresh treats? Luckily, the Pittsburgh area is full of farms with fall festivals this year. Masks and social distancing required at all in observance of Covid-19 safety regulations.
Trax Farms: In the South Hills, join Trax Farm for their highly anticipated Harvest Days. In order to provide a safe experience for all, tickets must be purchased ahead of time. $10 tickets include admission to the corn maze, pumpkin patch, and hayride. Enjoy farm-fresh goods at their country store, from fresh vegetables to seasonal baked goods. Trax Farms has been serving the Pittsburgh area for over 150 years, so go check out what has been well over a century in the making.
Soergel’s Orchards: In Wexford, find Soregel’s Orchards ready for business. Adjusting their usual fall festival to be as safe as possible, Sorgel’s is eager to welcome guests onto their property to celebrate the season. Bring home delicious apples ( apple pie, anyone?) and beautiful pumpkins to carve for Halloween. Have a little one who loves animals? Take a trip just to see their wonderful petting zoo alone. Be sure to grab baked goods, fresh fruit, and heart vegetables from their country store as well.
Triple B Farms: Triple B Farms: what’s not to love? Located 20 minutes outside of Pittsburgh, join in on their “Fall Fun” this year. A $10 ticket will get you access to their corn mazes, hayride, apple orchard, and pumpkin patches perfect for a trip with family or friends. Delicious fall treats like apple cider donuts, apple dumplings, candy apples, kettle corn, and more will be available for purchase at their country store. Don’t miss out on all the fun – snag a spot today!
Sip on Seasonal treats
As the weather gets colder, stay warm with a few seasonal treats.
Arsenal Cider House: While available year round, Arsenal’s ciders strike a feeling of fall with a single sip. Enjoy their extensive menu through take-out or taking a moment to sit in their cider garden.
Urban Tap: Visit the South Side or Shadyside location to try out Urban Tap’s Pumpkin Sangria, Carmel Apple Spike, or Shipyard Pumpkinhead ( the brew of the month!)
Mad Mex: Famous for their thanksgiving inspired burrito ( the “Gobblerito”), Mad Mex takes fall foods very seriously. While the Gobblerito is not quite yet back on the menu, enjoy seasonal drafts in the meantime to tide yourself over.
Rock n’ Joe Coffee: Looking for a caffeine boost? Grab a pumpkin pie or caramel apple latte from Rock n’ Joe Coffee in Downtown.
Wineries (all of ‘em – almost!): Be sure to check out Made in PGH’s take on 11 wineries not to miss this fall.
Enjoy Fall Foliage
Hues of yellow, red, and orange grace Pittsburgh’s trees in the fall. While hiking and biking are often seen as summer activities, don’t retire your outdoor hobbies quite yet. Crisp air and fine foliage make the great outdoors more than fun to explore during autumn.
Hiking: Lace up your boots and get exploring! Oakland to Ohiopyle, there is no shortage of hiking options in the Pittsburgh area.
Biking: Pittsburgh has no shortage of biking trails. Check out Made in PGH’s resource list for finding your next trail to explore to take advantage of the season.
Happy fall, Yinz! Enjoy the weather before the cold Pittsburgh winter settles in to stay.
This content was provided by a local, independent contributor to Made in PGH, a lifestyle blog.