Top 5 reasons to visit Gettysburg, Pa., this fall

“It’s hard not to get excited about the fall around here,” said Norris Flowers, President of Destination Gettysburg. “It’s a great time to explore wineries, festivals or just take a scenic drive through the countryside.”

Although the reasons to visit in the fall seem innumerable, here are the top 5 reasons to pay the Gettysburg region a visit this autumn:

Fall Foliage

The trees that dot the fruit orchards, as well as the battlefield, will be turning beautiful autumn colors when fall comes around and the weather cools off. Enjoy a bike ride or walk through the battlefield under a canopy of trees, or drive through “Apple Country,” where acres of orchards will be turning the colors for the season. There are several driving tours that promise amazing foliage, including the self-guided Scenic Valley Tour, which highlights 36 miles of orchards and historic interests in and around Gettysburg. Peak season is typically the third week of October. For more information, visit www.destinationgettysburg.com.

National Apple Harvest Festival – 50th Anniversary

The National Apple Harvest Festival, which will take place on Oct. 4-5 and Oct. 11-12, promises to be one of the biggest celebrations of the iconic fruit yet. This year is the 50th anniversary of the event, and hundreds of craft and art vendors will be out displaying their wares. Food vendors will also be on hand, churning out sweet potato fries, apple pancakes and barbecue throughout the weekends. Visitors can also enjoy the live entertainment, the antique car show and the steam engine display, as well as tractor tours of the apple orchards. For more information, visit www.appleharvest.org.

Wine and Hard Cider

A glass of wine tastes great any time of year, but there’s something special about wine as the weather cools a little bit and we shift from summer barbecues to our favorite fall food. The Gettysburg region is home to three wineries that are nestled in the hills and valleys of the South Mountain. Hard cider is big in Gettysburg and the fall harvest is a perfect time to trying this up-and-coming drink. Celebrate with the Gettysburg Wine & Music Festival on Sept. 6-7. For more information, www.gettysburgwineandmusicfestival.com.

Haunted Happenings

Gettysburg’s history is often the basis of haunted theories about the region. The town has been called one of the most haunted in the world. Some of Gettysburg’s most well-known hotels are said to have ghostly inhabitants, and locations the Sachs Covered Bridge are said to be the most haunted of all. Gettysburg offers a range of activities to connect with the paranormal, including numerous ghost walks and haunted tours all over the downtown streets. For more information, visit www.destinationgettysburg.com.

Foodie Adventure

By autumn, hot dogs and lemonade are a thing of the past, and our palate craves heart-warming, rich and savory cuisine. In Gettysburg, food is king. With dozens of restaurants ranging from casual fare and coffee shops to fine dining, the small town is amazing visitors with its culinary experiences including the new Savor Gettysburg Food Tours, which highlight great restaurants with a dab of history along the way. For more information, visit www.savorgettysburgfoodtours.com.

“Visitors in the fall come for a variety of reasons, and the season is growing quickly in popularity,” said Flowers.

Destination Gettysburg (formerly the Gettysburg Convention & Visitors Bureau), the official destination marketing organization, markets Gettysburg – Adams County as a premier travel destination, producing a positive economic impact.

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