Fall is officially here, and while America is home to beautiful scenery from coast to coast, there’s something special about Central Pennsylvania in autumn. From rolling hills, vibrant foliage and seasonal traditions—like apple orchards, pumpkin patches, corn mazes and more—Lancaster Bible College’s home county is a great place to start this fall. It’s part of what makes LBC’s Exceptional Location so amazing!

Check out just a few of the ways to make the most of autumn around the LBC area. In fact, several of these stops have made national lists for being the best of the best for the region’s award-winning fall destinations.

Cherry Crest’s corn maze in 2000.

Corn Mazes

Cherry Crest Adventure Farm in nearby Ronks, Pa., has become a household name for fall fun, especially thanks to its five-acre corn maze. The farm has been recognized repeatedly by USA Today’s 10Best as one of the top corn mazes in the country, coming in at No. 2 in 2025. The maze features multiple challenge levels, interactive games and ever-changing themes, making it a must-visit fall destination in Lancaster County.

According to local news, 2025 isn’t the first time that Cherry Crest has made the list of best corn mazes. It came in second in 2024, third from 2021 to 2023 and first in 2020. Each year, Cherry Crest’s maze themes change, with a western theme called “Kick Up Your Boots and Get Lost” this season.

Beyond Cherry Crest, Lancaster County boasts several other standout mazes. Take it from Discover Lancaster, which lists 7 of the best mazes in Lancaster, from Oregon Dairy, just a few minutes from the LBC campus, to Barnyard Kingdom, with its 10-acre, working farm with a maze, animals, wagon rides and more. Don’t miss Corn Cob Acres or Mast Farms, either!

Fall Foliage

Pennsylvania consistently earns recognition as one of the best destinations in the country for a fall explosion of color. With vast stretches of state forests, farmland and scenic small towns – many within minutes of LBC – the region has been featured by national media outlets as a top U.S. destination for fall colors. Lancaster County and its surrounding countryside showcase especially vibrant reds, oranges and yellows each October, attracting travelers several states.

This past summer, USA Today was already in the autumn spirit, listing the top 10 U.S. destinations for fall colors. Among them was Bucks County, Pa., which in 2024 earned the top spot on Priceline’s leaf peeping list. A 90-minute jaunt from LBC, Bucks County offers hot air balloon rides and drives over picturesque historic bridges.

A second top 10 list for fall foliage, this time picked by readers, was highlighted in USA Today’s Readers’ Choice Awards in September 2025. These rankings included two additional Pennsylvania locations: the Potter-Tioga county region and the Laurel Highlands. While each is about three hours from LBC, both could make awesome weekend getaways.

Apple Orchards & Pumpkin Patches

Apple-picking is a favorite pastime in Lancaster County – and so is eating apple desserts! In 2025, one regional orchard in particular topped a national list. ABC-27 reported that a Central Pennsylvania apple orchard was ranked one of the best in the country. The study ranked the best orchards based on the number of apple trees, search volume and TikTok engagement. This year, Brown’s Orchard in Loganville, Pa., in York County – just one county west of Lancaster and 40 minutes from LBC – came in at No. 4, with 41,000 trees and over 232,000 TikTok views.

The York County orchard sits on 100-plus acres of farmland. Besides apple picking, the venue also hosts events and has a bakery with fresh-made goodies.

Likewise, many local apple orchards are within a few miles of LBC, such as these that rounded out the top 5 among Yelp users:

• Cherry Hill Orchards Outlet – Apple cider donuts are specifically mentioned by visitors.
• Flinchbaugh’s Orchard & Farm Market – Face painting, pumpkin painting and hayrides are part of the fun.
• Weaver’s Orchard – A highlight for many is the farm market, and Weaver’s hosts Fall Festivals on Saturdays from mid-September to late October.
• Kauffman’s Fruit Farm – Founder Amos Kauffman started selling fruit at a roadside stand more than 100 years ago; fan favorites are apple cider and apple butter.
• Brecknock Orchard – With 30 different “PYO” (Pick Your Own) varieties of apples, Brecknock hosts weekend fall festivals as well.

Many of the orchards above are known for their pumpkin patches, too. In fact, besides its corn maze honors, Cherry Crest Adventure Farm was named to a top 10 list for the nation’s best pumpkin patches too. A Central Pennsylvania news outlet reported that a recent survey shared that “Pennsylvania is … one of the U.S.’s biggest pumpkin producers, and has plenty of pumpkin patches across the state. If you’re planning a fun-filled family day out this fall, Cherry Crest Adventure Farm is a fantastic option.”

Fairs & Festivals

Lancaster County loves its fairs and festivals throughout the autumn season! Check out this list from Discover Lancaster, with several still on the calendar. In fact, Lancaster Bible College has its own Fall Fest planned for Saturday, Oct. 24 – a favorite fall tradition among LBC students.

We’ll “leaf” it at that – all the “fall feels” that help make Lancaster Bible College’s home an “Exceptional Location!”