By Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com
A lot is made of the Lehigh Valley's proximity to New York City and Philadelphia.
While it is perfectly located smack dab between those major cities, it is also a perfect jumping off point for day trips to fascinating places.
We've tried to round up an eclectic mix of towns, boroughs and regions worthy of your time and provide you with a loose itinerary of all there is to do this fall.
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Jim Thorpe
As you head up the Northeast Extension to the borough of Jim Thorpe, you can take in some amazing fall foliage. Nestled in the Lehigh Gorge, Jim Thorpe is sometimes called the "Switzerland of America."
The borough hosts a popular fall foliage festival that draws large crowds. It's slated for the first three weekends of October this year.
After taking in the scenery, it is a choose-your-own-adventure sort of day: do you want to delve into the local history or have an active day on the trails and river?
If history is your bag, the Asa Packer Mansion can't be missed.
Then head to the Old Jail Museum to learn about its former inmates and check out the handprint of Alex Campbell on the wall. As legend goes, Campbell was one of four members of the Molly Maguires, an Irish labor group, and he was executed June 21, 1877. Insisting he was innocent, Campbell placed his hand on the wall and said "this is proof of my words. That mark will never be wiped out."
Take in the lovely main drag and pop into the historic Molly Maguires Pub and Steakhouse to throw back a pint in Campbell's honor. Don't forget to check out the deck. Pay your respects to Olympic gold medalist and Native American Jim Thorpe, who was buried in the town after it agreed to change its name to honor him.
If the great outdoors are more you thing, Jim Thorpe won't disappoint. The borough offers great access to trails and adventure. Ride the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, rent bikes or go whitewater rafting.
Hike the Glen Onoko Falls trail for scenic views and lots of waterfalls. But be careful, the steep path is quite hazardous.
Wrap up the day with dinner at Moya. It is sure to wow.
Doylestown
The borough of Doylestown also happens to be the county seat of bucolic Bucks County.
It's about an hour from the Lehigh Valley and, depending on the route you take, it can be a very scenic drive.
There's a ton of history to soak up in Doylestown and lots of great dining choices.
Learn all about Henry Chapman Mercer, an archaeologist, anthropologist, ceramist, scholar and antiquarian, at three of his properties: Fonthill Castle, Mercer Museum and Moravian Pottery and Tile Works. Fonthill was built to showcase Mercer's magnificent Moravian tiles. Pop over to the tile works to see them made.
Take in some sunshine and fall air at Central Park, 425 Wells Road in Doylestown Township, where your kids are sure to go nuts for the castle playground.
There's pumpkin picking, wagon rides, scarecrow making and all sorts of fall fun, like apple picking, at the Market at DelVal.
If cooler temps have you in the mood for soup, Pennsylvania Soup and Seafood is the place to go. They are only open for lunch Monday to Thursday, but are open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Lilly's Gourmet is the spot for sandwiches.
Maxwell's on Main (M.O.M.'s) serves up craft food and craft beer in the heart of the borough. If the weather is nice they may open up the windows in the dining room and there's a second floor patio as well.
Frenchtown
This tiny river town is only just over a square mile with a population of 1,300, but its residents are an eclectic bunch and that's reflected in the stores and restaurants lining its streets.
Take a stroll down Bridge Street and wander into the stores. Here are a few not to miss:
The Book Garden is a community-centered book store in an 1860s Victorian home. There's a wonderful selection of children's books along with lovely unique, gifts. Sunbeam Toys is an old school toy store, which you don't often see much anymore.
The Spinnery is a one-of-a-kind shop that offers supplies and lessons in weaving, knitting, felting, spinning, dyeing and more. The store sometimes uses plants along the riverbanks to dye their yarn.
Stop by the National Hotel for a bite to eat and don't forget to check out the rathskellar, Frenchtown's favorite watering hole. Yelpers love the Frenchtown Cafe for breakfast and lunch, but a fire has temporarily closed the eatery, according to its Facebook page.
The Frenchtown Inn offers wonderful riverside views and fantastic food choices, serving lunch and dinner.
The Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park begins in Frenchtown, a town of rolling hills and beautiful riverbanks.
Hop on a bike and you can ride along the Delaware all of the way to Trenton or follow the Raritan River until it hits New Brunswick. There's plenty of hiking and kayaking as well.
For bike rentals, visit Cycle Corner of Frenchtown. Two, four and 24 hours rentals are available. Paddle Creek offers canoe and kayak rentals.
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The Brandywine Valley
This region of rolling hills and duPont family estates spans the northwest corner of Delaware and the southeast section of Pennsylvania.
No matter the season, Longwood Gardens, Route 1, Kennett Square, is spectacular, but fall is truly the meadow gardens' time to shine (pictured). Its Autumn's Colors event runs from Oct. 4 until Nov. 18. and there are main fountain garden performances through Oct. 28. The Chrysanthemum Festival runs from Oct. 25 until Nov. 18. Stop by the beer garden to sample some Longwood Brews or ales by Victory Brewing Company.
If you want to see how the du Ponts lived visit Winterthur, Henry du Pont's 175-room mansion decorated in period American furniture from 1640 to 1860. The almost 1,000-acre property has sprawling gardens, which can be toured by train. The Enchanted Woods is a must for kids. Truck and tractor day is Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Take in vistas of the Brandywine River and paintings by three generations of the Wyeths at the Brandywine River Museum of Art.
If you'd rather hit the river, try Wilderness Canoe Trips to explore by canoe, kayak or tube. It's a good trip for beginners because the Brandywine is a very slow river. They provide all the gear, drop you into the river and pick you up two hours later. Reservations are required.
Want to sample some of the mushrooms Kennett Square is famous for and other local fare? Stop into Talula's Table a boutique gourmet market, which also caters private dinners at its farmhouse table. The market is open 7 a.m. until 7 p.m., seven days a week. Reservations for the farm table can be made one year in advance.
West Chester
A college town yes, but West Chester is also the historic county seat and a vibrant part of the Brandywine River Valley.
With more than 83 shops and 59 restaurants, West Chester can keep you busy for an entire day or you can come into town for a meal while visiting the rest of the Valley. That's truly up to you.
Find a walking tour map here to take in the town at your leisure and decide where to eat.
A favorite lunch and dinner spot is Limoncello, which is a BYOB only on Sunday-Tuesday.
Carlino's Market serves up artisan foods. The family-owned business began in Abruzzo, Italy, over six generations ago and now is a beloved Philadelphia-area Italian market. The West Chester location offers take-out food, shopping and more than 40 olive and balsamic oils on tap.
There are lots of fall events planned, including the Chester County Day House Tour on Oct. 7 and the West Chester Chili Cook Off on Oct. 8.
The West Chester Rail Road's Fall Foliage express is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 30, Oct. 7 and Oct. 14. And then Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 3-4 and Nov. 10-11.
The 90-minute ride on a heated train departs at noon and 2 p.m. The journey takes you through the Chester Creek Valley to the village of Glen Mills and back. Tickets here.
Conshohocken
This Philadelphia suburb is having a major renaissance.
You can be there in under an hour if traffic cooperates.
Explore the Schuykill River Trail by bike. The trail begins in Center City Philadelphia and travels 60 miles all the way to Pottsville. You can ride your bike from Conshy (as the locals call it) all the way to Valley Forge National Park.
Rentals are available at Riverbend Cycles, $10 an hour/ $40 a day. They operate a cafe if you need a boost of caffeine before your ride.
Celebrate your exertion by sampling some of the beer at Conshohocken Brewing Company. They do serve food too, but you might want to save your appetite because Conshohocken offers delicious dining for every wallet.
Take a step back in time at Edwards Freeman Nut Co., an old-fashioned candy store that makes its own peanut and other nut butters.
Conshohocken also offers a massive Ikea store for fans of the Sweedish retail giant.
If you are in search of some fall fun, residents of the area love to make the trek to Merrymead Farm for hayrides, pumpkin picking and homemade ice cream.
If you want to hit up one of the best restaurants in the region, score a reservation at Blackfish, a BYOB. If that's too expensive, try Bar Lucca, a rustic, Italian eatery that offers a large tapas menu and a great patio.
If you're on a budget, El Limon dishes up authentic Mexican food in tight quarters. You're sure to leave smelling like the cooking, but it is so good you won't even care.
New Hope
It is no surprise that New Hope made it onto this list as it is a top tourism destination, but let's hope we can offer some new ideas.
The small Delaware River town sits across from Lambertville, N.J., and it oozes charm from its niche shops to its dynamite restaurants along the river.
On your way in or out of town, take in Buck's County's famous covered bridges on this driving tour. The whole tour takes a little over two hours to drive, but you don't have to do the entire thing.
The borough offers many opportunities to get into the Halloween spirit with lantern-led ghost tours on Friday and Saturday night in October (only on Saturdays in September) as well as on Halloween. The New Hope & Ivyland Railroad runs haunted rides, recommended for age 13 and up, and tamer trick or treat rides for the little ones.
The railroad runs 45-minute narrated train rides through the Bucks County countryside on its 1925 steam locomotive or its diesel engine. Runs hourly year round.
You can also take in the changing leaves along the Delaware Canal towpath and visit four of the original locks and the restored Locktender's House. Or visit Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve to get your fill of nature.
Be sure to wander around downtown and pop into some of the stores and art galleries. Then head to the historic Logan's Inn to refuel at brunch or lunch or visit Marsha Brown, a Creole kitchen located in a 125-year-old church downtown.
If you just want something casual visit Triumph Brewing Company, sample some beers and grab a bite. Triumph is hosting an Oktoberfest celebration Oct. 6. (Buck's County's full ale trail can be found here.)
Burn off your lunch picking apples at Solebury Orchards, where they offer wagon rides to the picking in the fall. Solebury has a market as well.
If you love to shop, Peddler's Village, an 18th-century inspired shopping village of 60 stores and restaurants, is located between New Hope and Doylestown. One of Buck's County's two distilleries, Hewn Spirits, is located here too.
And on Tuesdays and Saturdays there's Rice's Market, a 30-acre outdoor shopping market that runs from March to December.
Lambertville
Lambertville, New Jersey, is located across the Delaware River from New Hope.
Just amble across the steel truss bridge and you're in another postcard perfect town, just in another state. The views across the span are fabulous in the fall.
Get your morning cup of joe from Lambertville Trading Company, a family-owned shop that features five daily brews or speciality drinks, along with bagels, pastries and the like. Cash only.
Lambertville is a mecca for antique hunters; stores are clustered on Bridge, Main and Union streets. Start the day at a vintage shoppers's dream the Antiques Center at The People's Store. The antique mall dates back to 1839 and features 50 dealers and artists.
On Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, the Golden Nugget Antique and Flea Market is in full force from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., year round, with more than 60 indoor antique shops and 200 outdoor ones.
Once you have your fill of shopping, wander around town and take in the Victorian architecture. The town was founded in 1705 and is filled with well-preserved townhouses and homes. The 36th annual Lambertville House Tour is Sunday, Oct. 21.
Lambertville is also a haven for artists and galleries abound where you can discover up and coming folks.
Annie's Gourmet is a great spot to grab breakfast or a sandwich for lunch. Eat it along the D&R Canal towpath. And don't forget to visit New Jersey's best ice cream shop oWowCow Creamery.
You can eat and drink well here. Stop into Liberty Hall for great pizza and then grab a pint at the The Boat House, one of the state's best bars
If you've had your fill of culture, hop in the car and drive to the Fulper Family Farmstead, a fifth-generation farm that welcomes the public for tours the second and/or fourth Saturday of the month. Reservations are required.
Or get a dose of history by visiting Washington Crossing Historic Park.
Phoenixville
Phoenixville in Chester County sits at the intersection of the Schuylkill River and French Creek, not far from Valley Forge National Park.
The cultural center of the downtown is the Colonial Theater, which opened its doors in 1903. Film buffs may recognize the marquee from the 1958 movie "The Blob," an appearance the theater celebrates with Blobfest each summer. Now, the theater shows both new and classic movies.
Bridge Street, the main drag, is dotted with wine tasting rooms, shops and restaurants while Main Street boasts boutique shops and food.
The Schuylkill River Heritage Center occupies the former Phoenix Iron Company Foundry and gives visitors a multimedia walk through the local history.
Explore the canal with the help of Port Providence Paddle, which offers kayak, canoe and paddleboat rentals.
You can also link up with the Schuylkill River Trail here or head to nearby French Creek State Park, which has more than 8,000 acres of outdoor adventure.
For eating, Iron Hill Brewery serves their own craft beer and a solid food menu. Molly Maguire's is a popular pub with indoor and outdoor seating and a great vibe. For a truly special dining experience, try Majolica, a BYOB, run by Chef Andrew Deery.
Phoenixville likes its festivals. It is hosting a food truck festival Saturday, Oct. 6, the Phoenixville Pumpkinfest Saturday, Oct. 20, and its Firebird Festival is Saturday, Dec. 8. For the firebird festival, the entire town comes together to build a giant phoenix Saturdays and Sundays starting in September and then holds the festival, which culminates with the burning of the wooden phoenix.
Erin Gallagher | For lehighvalleylive.com
Kutztown
There's more to Kutztown than just Kutztown University.
A visit to the area isn't complete without a stop at Crystal Cave, the oldest operating and most visited cave in the state.
Stop at one of the farm stands or antique stores dotting the area to pick up some fresh produce and browse the local wares.
Learn all about the Pennsylvania Dutch at the Pennsylvania German Heritage Cultural Center. The center is a 19th century farmstead with a stone farm house, barn and smaller restored building, a one-room schoolhouse and a research library. Tours by appointment.
The Allentown and Auburn Railroad is sure to be a hit with the train buff in your life. The train only runs on schedule days. The trick-or-treat pumpkin train rides are scheduled for: October 20, 21, 27 and 28. Trains leave at 10, 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Trains depart from 232 Railroad St. in Kutztown.
Saucony Creek Brewery and Gastropub is the perfect stop for a meal. Saucony is named after the creek that flows through Kutztown and the production grounds. It focuses on a motto of farm to table and farm to pint. The taproom offers tasting flights, brewery tours and beer to go. The gastropub has an adventurous locally sourced menu.
Princeton
Princeton is more than just an Ivy League college town.
Its bustling downtown of stately Colonial-era buildings manages to mix the high-end with the crunchy. And like other New Jersey river towns you can hop on the Delaware Raritan Canal towpath here and rent bikes or canoes and kayaks.
Princeton University's campus is lush and green; its architecture playful and grand. As you wander around campus, look out for unusual spires, and gargoyles of monkeys, dinosaurs and dragons on buildings. The bronze tigers flanking the entrance of Nassau Hall are a favorite stop. Princeton boasts an impressive free Art Muesum of more than 60,000 works, including Monet's Water Lilies.
You can grab a map of the campus in the Princeton University Store.
Nassau Street is Princeton's main drag and beautiful Victorian homes sit along its side streets. Nassau itself is teeming with bookstores and boutiques in old buildings.
The only place to stop for breakfast is the legendary PJ's Pancake House, a favorite for all ages.
There is a small museum at the Princeton Battlefield, which is actually in neighboring Princeton Township, that commemorates the Jan. 3, 1977 battle. The British troops fled from Continental Army and the battle is said to have restored faith in the American's fight.
On the way back to town, you can visit the grounds of the Institute for Advanced Study where Einstein worked. The building is closed to the public but the 500-acre Institute Woods should be breathtaking in fall.
Grab dinner at Mistral, a top ranked restaurant to sample globally-inspired small plates in a beautiful setting. But save room for dessert and visit The Bent Spoon, which specializes in small batch ice cream and sorbets made with local and organic ingredients.
Finish up the evening with a nightcap at Triumph Brewing Company.
Chestnut Hill
Chestnut Hill is actually a historic northwest Philadelphia neighborhood, but on a visit it is easy to forget you are in the city limits.
There's no traffic and lots of outdoor spaces to lose yourself in.
Get sweating along the Wissahickon Creek on Forbidden Drive (Wissahickon Valley Park), which is part of Fairmount Park. The ominous sounding name references the fact that cars were banned from the trail in the 1920. The trail follows its namesake creek and its open to pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians.
Northwestern Stables at the top of the trail across from Chestnut Hill College offers lessons.
There is a two-hour, three mile guided Hills of the Wissahickon tour available. More information here.
If you get hungry on the trails, stop by the Valley Green Inn. As you head back to the car, don't miss Bruno's for lunch. The patio is packed in nice weather with families, dogs and cyclists. Bruno's does simple food well: soups, burgers, cheesesteaks, fries and milkshakes.
If you want to take in more nature and breathtaking gardens, drive up the road to the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania. There is a fall festival Oct. 6 and 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Join the scarecrow contest and build your own. Then check out the more than 30 scarecrows that'll be on display from Oct. 6 until Oct. 31.
Drive into adorable downtown Chestnut Hill which boasts cobblestone streets, stately mansions, eclectic shops and great dining. There are tons of special spots to dine downtown.
Tucked back in a parking lot in an alley off of Germantown Avenue, is the French Bakery. Don't let its modest, cramped surroundings scare you off. Owners Paul and Marianne remember their customers and puts lots of care into the daily menu. Cash only.
A totally different experience is dining at Cake in the Robertson Conservatory. Dine on breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner. Cin Cin offers innovative Chinese and pan-Asian food with a French flair while King's Garden dishes up amazing traditional Chinese food.
While in town, visit Weaver's Way Co-Op Chestnut Hill or nearby Mount Airy locations. Almost 40 years olds, the member-owned grocery store is one of the nation's oldest. It is open to the public.
Gettysburg
While one of the most far flung on the list, Gettysburg is worth the drive.
The battlefield is breathtaking in the fall.
Don't miss the 6,000-acre Civil War military park's visitor's center to orient you. Be sure to check out the Cyclorama painting that depicts Pickett's Charge. Then you can choose to explore the park by Segway, carriage, bus or your own car.
If you're a foodie Gettysburg offers lots of choices.
Savor Gettysburg Food Tours offers five culinary tours, including one that explores the downtown and a farmer's market tour and cooking class. If you would rather roll solo, the Farnsworth House Inn offers an eclectic menu. Prefer to dine on the tamer side of things? Try Gettysburg Eddie's or the Appalachian Brewing Company. The area also features several wineries.
Gettysburg actually offers several ghost tours to get you in the Halloween spirit. Here is a good round up of them.
Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com
Delaware Water Gap
No list of fall trips would be complete without a visit to the Delaware Water Gap, named for the small borough and the region where the Delaware River splits Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
The Delaware Water Gap National Park runs about 40-miles alongside the river from Monroe County up to Pike County. It abounds with recreation opportunities on more than 100 miles of scenic trails. There's also a 27-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail.
To peep the leaves changing colors, drive along Route 611 from Portland up to Delaware Water Gap borough, along that route you can find the point of the gap overlook. And here is a National Park Service scenic driving route.
For food, the Deer Head Inn bills itself as the oldest running jazz club in the country and its restaurant The Morning Cure serves up breakfast and dinner.
The Village Farmer and Bakery is open 364 days a year and serves more than 30 flavors of pies, including savory ones. You can't beat the price of the true love special, a hot dog and slice of apple pie for $2.95. They serve breakfast all day long. And the french toast sausage egg sandwich looks unreal.
Bryn Athyn
The Borough of Bryn Athyn is a 1.9-square-mile town of mostly open space in suburban Montgomery County.
It features two historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places, some of the notable buildings are Cairnwood Estate, Glencairn, a castle turned museum, and the Bryn Athyn Cathedral for the General Church of New Jerusalem.
Glencarin offers spectacular views from the tower deck.
The cathedral, which has no right angles or straight lines, was built from 1913 to 1928, but the interior decoration and work on the stained glass windows continued into the early 1940s and beyond. Just like in medieval days, workshops for stone, wood, metal and stained glass were all built on site to allow the designers and craftsmen to collaborate. The stained glass also has a fascinating history.
The grounds of the cathedral are open seven days a week during daylight hours, except during worship services and special events. The stunning Gothic building is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. Tour guides are available daily from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Weird fact: the Bryn Athyn School District does not actually operate any schools. The majority of students attend private schools and the district contracts out with other school districts to place the remaining students.
Sara K. Satullo may be reached at ssatullo@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @sarasatullo and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
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