With Kids
A perfect weekend getaway to North Central PA
After I posted on the top destinations for fall foliage, I was left with a burning need to see some flaming foliage (see what I did there??). So, I decided to turn my own post into a fall bucket list. We had a trip fall through somewhat last minute, so it left just enough time to wing a trip in-state. As always, all suggestions are family-friendly and handicap-accessible!
When to Go
There’s no wrong answer to this question. I love the mountains in the fall because there’s so much color, but the serenity of a mountain getaway is perfect for any time of year.
What to Do
Take a Hike
Mountains and accessibility don’t always go hand-in-hand, but sometimes they do! In addition to rail trails through the region, most of the state parks offer paved walking paths and drive-up vistas. Obviously, hiking is one of the best ways to take in the scenery and fresh mountain air that you traveled for. Take a hike through the Pine Creek Gorge. I would suggest entering the trail from either Blackwell, heading north, or Wellsboro, heading south, for the best views in a shorter distance. We love hiking, but 62 miles with a wheelchair and/or preschoolers is not on our bucket list.
Celebrate a Festival
I don’t know why I didn’t think of this on my own. Perhaps I mistakenly thought of the mountains as having “nothing going on.” We stumbled upon an apple butter festival where they were boiling apples over open fires in huge copper vats that have been used for that purpose for a hundred years. By “stumbled upon” I mean we were lost and had no cell service to recover a map, so we stopped to get directions… and stayed to help turn the apple butter! We also went to PA’s Flaming Foliage Festival… because we went to the nearest town for lunch and got stuck in parade traffic. You can look up events for your travel dates, or contact the visitor’s center. A lovely lady from Clinton County sent me a two-page print-out of events for the week we there. Two pages… of events… in mountain land…
Go for a Drive
Am I the only one who loves this? Maybe because we don’t have to worry about someone getting tired and having to carry them, or maybe because we don’t have to worry about distance at all, or maybe because sometimes the kids fall asleep… I love driving through the mountains. Check out this drive along the Allegheny Ridge named as one of the most scenic in PA. We followed the creek along 44, which I also thought was lovely.
Take in the Views
If you drive along Route 6, don’t miss the Kinzua Bridge, named one of the world’s most beautiful skywalks. In it’s prime, the bridge was the world’s tallest and longest railroad bridge. Now it’s a landmark in a state park with a great view!
Stroll the Shops
What shops? Aren’t we in the mountains? Indeed! That’s what makes the small town shops unique. I suggest Wellsboro because of it’s proximity to scenic parks and remote ranges and because it is one of the most built-up small towns in the wilds (how many oxymorons were in that sentence?). Wellsboro may be small, but it’s filled with artisan shops, galleries, cafes, and local goods. It’s a great place to find a unique souvenir and catch a bite. Bradford is another neat “downtown,” but it’s pretty far north.
Stargaze
Cherry Springs State Park rivals the midwest desert in dark skies and clear views. It’s been named the second best spot for star gazing in the U.S. You can spend all night under the stars, camp in the park, or catch the views and then head back to your hotel. The middle of nowhere certainly has its perks.
Where to Stay
Do you love roughing it out in the wild? If yes, your options are limitless. The 2.1 million acres (??!?!) of public land offer loads of camping opportunities. We’ve van-camped at in the Allegheny National Forest (free to park overnight, depending on where you stop). They also have campgrounds.
In my perfect weekend itinerary below, I suggest Wellsboro. It’s a short drive to a lot of must-see spots and there’s enough in town to keep you occupied when you’re done exploring the wild. Penn Wells is a historic landmark and they have accessible rooms (why are those so hard to find??).
A Perfect Itinerary
Honestly, I hate articles like this. So full of good things that I’m back to feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to plan my weekend. Let me break it down into a perfect weekend getaway. My itinerary is based on traveling by car from the south. You’re welcome to ignore my travel days and focus on the two day weekend in the Wilds if you’re heading in from a different direction. I should also mention that our actual weekend looked different than this thanks to rain and a sick kid…
Friday:
Leave as early as you can from school/work to spend as much time as possible at the 1. Lewisburg Children’s Museum on your way north. We were only able to get there about an hour before closing which was equal parts worth it and disappointing. The museum has all the themed rooms you would typically associate with a big-city children’s museum (grocery store, hospital, farm, theater, crafts, etc.) without the crowds or awkward spaces for losing children. The layout was exceptionally family-friendly and accessibility-friendly (I made that term up just this second, but I think I like it). Each room came with options for structured play, which really extended what you could get out of the activities. For example, the doctor’s office had a check-up list to complete. After entering vitals from the check-up, the computer would generate a diagnosis (Nella had not-listening-itis, Jaden had the silly-willies, and Wesley had a kind heart). From the museum, finish the drive north to arrive in 2. Wellsboro for dinner. I don’t feel like I’ve eaten at enough places in town to tell you which is best. Red Skillet has a solid reputation and is wheelchair accessible. From here, it’s only two blocks to 3. sleep at Penn Wells. You could even drop off your things before dinner and get a small preview of the town. Yes, my itinerary has you going to bed after dinner. If you don’t have small children or medical routines that need done before bed, feel free to explore the night life!
Saturday:
After 1. breakfast in the hotel, 2. hit the Pine Creek Gorge Rail Trail. You can park off of Pine Creek Road just south of Ansonia and head south, or drive down to Blackwell and walk north. Use the trail map for parking directions. 3. Enjoy a picnic lunch by the creek before hopping back into your car for a view from the top. 4. Head to Leonard Harrison State Park and take in the views! They also have an environmental interpretive center to learn about the local wildlife. 5. Naps and/or stroll downtown Wellsboro. Spend a relaxed evening meandering the town. Packer Park is just behind town and has a playground if the kids have any steam left to run off.
Sunday:
If you have an extended weekend, like we did, you can drive a little further south to 1. hike another section of the gorge trail (maybe start at Rattlesnake Rock and head south this time) and 2. visit Hyner View State Park for another amazing vista. I also strongly suggest you check the calendar of events, or check with the visitor’s center so you can 3. enjoy the festivities while you’re there! If your kids are old enough to be up past dark (don’t judge), head to 4. Cherry Springs State Park to discover the night sky as you’ve never seen it before
If this is your drive home day, leave early so you can visit the 1. Piper Aviation Museum to see record holding planes and gain a history of flight. If your kids are very young, skip this (the whole museum is a don’t-touch zone). 2. Lunch at Country Cupboard – a serious destination restaurant. If the kids need to stretch a bit more before the final leg of the trip, there’s an awesome 3. inclusive playground in Selinsgrove at East Snyder Park.
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