Every fall, the internet fills up with roundups of “best weekend getaways in Pennsylvania,” and most of them read the same: a list of towns, a paragraph on foliage, a handful of stock photos. That’s not really what a fall stay at Buhl Mansion is about. This isn’t a stop on somebody else’s itinerary. It’s a reason to plan the whole trip around one place: a restored 1896 castle in Sharon, PA. Here, the season shows up in the details: a fire in the room, a glass of local wine, a quiet morning with nowhere to be, and hospitality that’s second to none.

The Castle Settles Into Its Best Season

Buhl Mansion was built as a wedding gift, a Richardsonian Romanesque mansion that Frank Buhl gave to his bride, Julia, in the late 1800s. It’s not only architecturally beautiful, but it wears autumn well. Turret rooms catch the low afternoon light, gas fireplaces get their first real use of the season, and the grounds around the castle turn gold and rust by mid-October. Guests tend to say the same thing this time of year: the property feels made for exactly this weather.

A two-person Jacuzzi tub, Champagne at check-in, and breakfast in bed the next morning don’t change with the seasons, but fall gives them a different mood. This is the time of year for staying in longer than planned, for a second cup of coffee by the window instead of rushing out the door.

A Wine Trail Built for a Slower Afternoon

Mercer County’s Wine, Brew & Spirits Trail runs a southern loop through Amish countryside and a northern loop along Pymatuning’s lakeside views, and either one makes a good afternoon before heading back to the castle. Webb Winery in New Wilmington pours farm-to-table wines made from locally sourced grapes, Black Dog Wine Company’s Grove City location sits in the middle of Olde Town’s specialty shops, and Gatehouse Winery, set above Pymatuning Lake, is a good stop if you want the drive itself to be part of the afternoon. We cover the full trail in more depth in our wine, brew, and spirits trail guide, including which stops pair best with a short loop versus a full day out.

If you’d rather keep things playful, Mercer County’s fall farms, Coolspring Corn Maze, Fair Haven Farms, and Irons Mill Farmstead among them, run corn mazes, hayrides, and apple cider tastings through the end of October. It’s a nice contrast to an otherwise quiet weekend. What beats an hour of corn maze and cider before an afternoon filled with spa treatments, and an evening by the fire?

Fall Foliage Is Better With a Destination

If you’re looking for the best spots to see local fall foliage, there are plenty of options. Three historic covered bridges, Kidd’s Mill in Mercer County, Banks near New Wilmington, and McConnell’s Mill toward the Pittsburgh side of Lawrence County, sit within about an hour of the property, and October is when the gorges and creek banks around them turn their best colors. We put together a full route in our guide to the region’s covered bridges, with directions and drive times from the castle. This drive is perfect if you want the day to offer something more than “drive around and look at trees.”

Sweater Weather is Spa Weather

There’s a specific kind of cold that makes a warm treatment room feel better than it did in July. The Buhl Mansion Spa leans into that this time of year. We offer couples massages, body wraps, and facials that feel indulgent after a day outdoors in the crisp fall air. Book a treatment for the afternoon you get in, so the first thing you do at the castle sets a tone for the rest of your stay.

Plan the Weekend

None of this, except perhaps your spa treatment reservation, requires much planning beyond picking your dates. A wine trail afternoon, a covered bridge drive, a spa treatment, and a room with a fireplace cover a full weekend without anyone needing to look up a single “best of” list. Book your stay and build the rest of the cozy fall getaway however suits you best.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is there to do in Sharon, PA in the fall?
A wine trail through Mercer County, three historic covered bridges within an hour’s drive, a full-service on-site spa, and downtown Sharon’s shops and restaurants, all set against foliage that peaks in mid-to-late October.

Is Buhl Mansion open for fall weekend stays?
Yes. Fall is one of the property’s most requested seasons, with fireplace rooms and spa packages built around the cooler weather.

How far is Buhl Mansion from Pittsburgh for a fall weekend trip?
About an hour and fifteen minutes, making it a comfortable weekend drive with plenty of foliage-viewing stops along the way.