Are you having trouble finding fun things to do around Scranton this fall?
Do you feel like you are missing out on one of the best seasons the year has to offer?
Well you came to the right place! The possibilities are a little limited this year, because you know… the pandemic. But have no fear, this list should provide you and your friends with a few festive places to check out. Born and raised in Scranton, I am the first to admit that the city itself is not a hub of entertainment. Although, through years of delightful endeavors, I have been able to uncover the hidden gems Northeastern Pennsylvania has to offer. I guess you can think of me as your trusty townie tour guide.
In the mood for spooky experience? Lucky for you, NEPA is home to the 20th best fear attraction in the United States! Reapers Revenge, only a twenty-minute drive from downtown Scranton, is the perfect destination to get your hair standing up. This haunted hayride takes you on a two-hour quest into the depths of an ominous forest, filled with everything from zombies to your favorite horror movie characters. Do you have coulrophobia? If so, it would probably be in your best interest to check out the other attractions on the list. Not trying to spoil the surprise, but in the middle of your scream-filled adventure you will encounter a clown infested carnival standing in the way of your only way home. Nevertheless, Reapers is a fun and exciting way to spend a fall evening with your friends.
Are you looking for a place to take cute pictures and get into the true spirit of fall? In my opinion, there is no better place than an apple orchard or cider mill to satisfy your chic appetites. Lakeland Orchard & Cidery offers a plethora of fall oriented activities able to fulfill your seasonal quench. Situated on a scenic farm, this fall attraction offers the opportunity to enjoy an afternoon of apple picking, live music, and games. Not to mention it is the perfect place to take some trendy pictures worthy of an Instagram post. Being the cider connoisseur that I am, my personal favorite is Ritter’s Cider Mill. Hidden in the outskirts of Lackawanna County, Ritter’s Cider Mill is the ideal destination to travel to on a beautiful fall afternoon. The drive alone is worth the trip, as you will be immersed in the beautiful fall foliage lining the country roads. Ritter’s offers the best apple cider in the area, complemented well by their signature sugar-covered donuts. Aside from their delicious refreshments, the cider mill includes a corn maze, hayride, animals, and many games providing ample entertainment. The rustic aesthetic of the attraction can put anyone in a good mood.
Are you still in need of pumpkins to carve for Halloween? Roba Family Farms is the premiere location to gather your plump orange icons of Halloween. Offering more than 50 farm attractions, Roba’s gives the perfect opportunity for you and your friends to enjoy a fall weekend. My favorite attraction of the farm is their giant corn maze encompassing a whopping five acres, but tread carefully… this complex maze is not for the faint of heart. Have you ever seen a hillbilly pig race? If not, this unique attraction is nothing like anything you have encountered before. You will be surprised how much fun it is watching cute little pigs dash around a track, while hillbillies commentate their every move. The farm’s animal center holds a wide variety of adorable creatures, more than willing to be fed and pet. Only mentioning a few of their entertaining activities, this giant farm provides an extensive amount of options capable of accommodating all your fall desires.
Hopefully, the few places mentioned can give you and your friends a break from this crazy semester. There is no better way to clear your head than embarking on a day trip with friends to any of these destinations. Not everyone is familiar with the attractions this area has to offer, but with the help of your trusty townie tour guide, there are a lot of entertaining opportunities that are not too far from campus. No need to worry, all of these attractions are “social-distancing” friendly. Understandably so, this pandemic has made this fall season feel foreign, but hopefully these seasonal activities can bring a little familiarity back to reality. I wish you all a safe and enjoyable fall season, and if you have any questions or are in need of any recommendations, feel free to reach out to me via Instagram @kylermcallister.