There are so many interesting and unique places to visit near Pittsburgh, and the fall is a beautiful season to discover them. Head north out of Pittsburgh, along the same corridor that eventually leads toward the Ohio border and Cleveland. In the autumn months, the hills light up in gold and crimson, crisp mornings are quiet and misty, and cozy evenings are best spent by a crackling fire. There are so many relaxing and exciting things to do in Mercer County!
Along your scenic drive in Western PA, you’ll pass through incredible landscapes and rich history. This area is known for its Amish communities; at some point along the way, you may notice the lack of power lines. Check for farmhouses with robin’s egg blue doors and curtains swept to one side, and you’ll know you’re in Amish farm country. There will be great locally-owned stores to purchase locally made goods and souvenirs, the perfect keepsakes to bring home after your trip.
If you’re searching for unique places to visit near Pittsburgh this fall, this stretch of the state has some of the best day trips and weekend getaways in Pennsylvania, and most of them are under an hour and a half from downtown. Make our historic castle in Pennsylvania your final destination for your overnight stays. Located in Sharon, you’ll have an excellent home base to head out and explore the nearby small towns, all part of the journey of slipping away from the city for a few days. Book your lodging today!
The Best Places to Visit Near Pittsburgh This Fall
Whether you’re planning a quick day trip from Pittsburgh or a full weekend getaway for couples, here are a few of our favorite unique things to do in PA this season, all great activities to explore before settling into your romantic guest suite at our stunning, historic Pennsylvania castle in Sharon, PA.
Moraine State Park: Lake Arthur’s Fall Foliage, 45 Minutes from the City
Just off I-79 and Route 422, Moraine State Park centers on 3,225-acre Lake Arthur, and fall is when it puts on its best show — foliage reflecting off the water is the whole reason people make the drive. A pontoon boat tour, a paddle out to the quieter coves, or just a walk along the Sunken Garden Trail are all easy ways to spend an afternoon. It’s also conveniently right along the route if you’re continuing west toward Mercer County.
McConnells Mill State Park: A Foliage-Covered Gorge Right Next Door
A few miles from Moraine, McConnells Mill State Park is one of the closest dramatic-scenery day trips from Pittsburgh — a historic covered bridge, a rushing gorge, and rust-colored ridgelines make it one of the prettiest short hikes in the region. Pair it with Moraine for a full day outdoors before continuing north.
Pymatuning State Park: History & Hiking
Pymatuning State Park is a large, water-centered Pennsylvania state park best known for Pymatuning Reservoir, fishing, wildlife viewing, and the famous “where the ducks walk on the fish” spillway. Guests enjoy the 18-hole disc golf course, seven hiking trails for easy-to-moderate treks, and birdwatching along the Pymatuning Dam. A major landmark is the Gate House, a castle-like stone structure that allows water flow through the dam.
Volant, PA: A Storybook Amish Shopping Village
Set into the rolling hills of Lawrence County, Volant is easy to miss and impossible to forget. Amish buggies still share Main Street with cars, an 1812 gristmill has been converted into a rambling antique and craft shop, and the whole village feels like it was built for a fall afternoon of wandering. It’s about an hour from Pittsburgh, making it an easy stop on the way to a weekend getaway in Mercer County.
New Wilmington & Mercer: Small-Town Charm in Amish Country
New Wilmington is home to the second-largest Old Order Amish population in Pennsylvania, plus a walkable college-town center worth a slow stroll. A few miles away, the borough of Mercer is known for its striking domed courthouse and a Courthouse Square full of boutiques and antique shops. Both towns make for an easy day trip or a scenic detour on your way to spend the night somewhere away from the city.
Downtown Sharon, PA: The Winner & More
As a guest at Buhl Mansion, you’ll be just down the street from one of the best places to visit near Pittsburgh: downtown Sharon. This charming main street has a handful of famous landmarks known across the state. Daffin’s Candies shares a parking lot with the Castle and is a perfect stop for a sweet treat. Down the hill, be sure to stop into The Winner for a traditional department store shopping experience with an impressive collection of gowns and bridalwear.
Lodging at our Romantic Pennsylvania Castle
About an hour and fifteen minutes north of Pittsburgh in Sharon, PA, Buhl Mansion is one of the most photographed Pennsylvania castles you can actually book a room in. Built in the late 1800s as a Richardsonian Romanesque wedding gift from steel magnate Frank Buhl to his bride, Julia, the mansion has been lovingly restored into a ten-room boutique hotel, the kind of place where a turret room, a gas fireplace, and a two-person Jacuzzi tub come standard.
If you’re planning a romantic getaway in PA this fall, Buhl Mansion is your ultimate destination. Spend the day exploring Moraine, Volant, or Mercer’s courthouse square, then come home to your luxurious guest room with Champagne waiting at check-in, an award-winning on-site spa, and breakfast in bed the next morning. Pair your stay with a treatment at the Buhl Mansion Spa, or make it a full weekend by booking a table at Ashley’s Fine Dining, the restaurant at our sister property, Tara – A Country Inn, just down the road. Book your room today!