The perfect convergence of spooky season and peak fall foliage is officially upon us in many towns across the Mid-Atlantic United States. There’s a slight chill in the air, and the forests and trails are covered with a canopy of red, orange, and gold. Pumpkins fill the fields, and apples hang in the orchards just waiting to be picked. It’s the season of scenic drives and road trips, and if you’re looking to plan a fall getaway that’s filled with hikes, haunts, charming towns, and truly one-of-a-kind adventures, we know a place in Pennsylvania that is calling your name!
Located less than an hour north of Pittsburgh, just under two hours from Cleveland, and about four-and-a-half hours from our home in Washington, DC, Lawrence County is home to waterfalls, miles of trails for hiking and biking, family farms, and even an underground mine that can only be explored via ATV. Yes… you read that right!!!
As born and raised Pennsylvanians, we have a lot of love (and recommendations) for adventuring in our home state, so we’re kind of embarrassed to admit that it took an invitation from the Lawrence County Tourism Board for us to finally explore this particularly charming region of Penn’s Woods. We had an absolute blast, and if you enjoy a solid mix of leaf peeping, unique hiking, biking, and ATV trails, delicious food, covered bridges, and ghost stories, keep reading, because we’re sharing our perfect fall weekend itinerary in hopes that it’ll help you plan your own getaway to Lawrence County, PA.
Your Ultimate Lawrence Co. Weekend Itinerary From Thrilling Trails & Charming Towns to Scenic Hikes & Spooky Haunts:
First things first, before you even start exploring all that is Lawrence County, you’re going to want to book a stay at The Lodge at Water’s Edge. This 78-acre property overlooks the Slippery Rock Creek (pronounced “crick” by locals) and serves up breathtaking views of McConnells Mill State Park. It’s THE place to book if you’re looking to relax and unwind while you’re in town, and we could not recommend a stay here more.
We stayed in one of the suites within the lodge itself, but there are also two other standalone accommodations on the property: Gwen’s Cottage, which is perfect for a single family or couple’s getaway, and Nate’s Cabin, which is ideal for a family or friends’ trip. No matter where you choose to stay, you can rest assured knowing the rooms have been beautifully modernized and decorated. Think mid-century charm meets elevated woodland luxury.
Gwen, the property’s owner, has poured her heart and soul into this place, and her warmth, paired with her personal touches and impeccable styling, will make you feel right at home. All of the accommodations here are pet-friendly, so your furry friends will feel more than welcome too!
Day 1: Exploring the Slippery Rock Gorge
We heard that there was a place where we could see four waterfalls along one trail, so as soon as we got into town, we headed for McConnells Mill State Park. This 2,546-acre landscape was carved by draining glacial lakes thousands of years ago, as evidenced by the boulders that litter the valley, and boy, are they a treat to walk among. We parked at the Point Parking Area and started our creekside trek on the North Country Trail. Our first stop was Alpha Falls, which was a short hike from our starting location. After we had our fill, we quickly backtracked to the south en route to our next stop, the historic McConnell’s Mill. After touring the old mill and snapping some pics of the covered bridge and dam, we moved on to Kildoo Falls. Another half mile down, we came to our third fall, Breakneck Falls, which was by far our favorite (keep in mind, during early fall, water will likely be scarce, so don’t expect a crazy plunge).
Our fourth waterfall along the NCT was Hell’s Hollow Falls, and spoiler, this one is a bit more isolated from the first three. We didn’t have time to hike the 14-mile out-and-back route, so we drove to this one, but four falls on one trail is what dreams are made of, and when we’re back in the area, we will definitely make time to hike it end to end, as the whole trail is filled with moss-covered boulders and creek views the entire time.
After getting some waterfall chasing under your belt, it’ll likely be time to check into The Lodge at Water’s Edge. If you haven’t already, we recommend checking if any special events or workshops are taking place on-property during your stay. The lodge’s owner, Gwen, regularly works with local business owners to curate bespoke experiences that are not to be missed. She has hosted sound baths, yoga retreats, hat decorating workshops, and with a chef’s kitchen and a bowyer’s shop on-site, the opportunities for creativity and wellness are truly endless.
For dinner, head to Venti Sei Wine Bar and Pizzeria. This charming, church-turned-winery greeted us with live music alongside a roaring fire pit, incredible wine and hospitality, and equally decadent, authentic Italian dishes. Aside from the fact that this was the best meal we’ve ever had at a winery, it may just have been one of the best Italian meals we have ever had— full stop! Just look at this spread.
Venti Sei is part of Lawrence County’s Sunday Sauce Trail, which features various local restaurants and pays homage to the region’s Italian heritage and the Italian tradition of gathering with friends and family on Sundays to share a meal and community. To join in on the fun, all you have to do is download a digital passport and check in at each location to collect points and win prizes for dining out any day of the week!
Day 2: Exploring Lawrence County’s Amish Countryside
The following day started with a slow morning at the lodge. We sipped coffee out on the deck while we waited for the sun to creep over the eastern ridge behind us. We were lucky enough to catch not one but TWO BALD EAGLES fishing on Slippery Rock Creek before heading out to our first stop of the day.
Boasting the title of being the last true country store in Lawrence County, Maria’s Country Store just celebrated 150 years in business! We had breakfast straight out of the oven and got to chat with locals who were dining in as well. Only after shooting the breeze for 15 minutes or so did we learn that we were actually chatting with THE Maria of “Maria’s Country Store” herself. She might be retired, but that doesn’t keep her from frequenting her store, which is now run by her daughters.
We made our way along Route 19 to our next stop, Briar Brook Barn, where we shopped local artisans’ handmade crafts, produce, and antiques. They open their doors the second full weekend of each month, and their events have become so popular that vendor booths now spill over into the yard and surrounding wooden structures to offer seemingly endless shopping opportunities. Beyond home goods and produce vendors, there is also a coffee stand and food truck on-site when we were there, so you can really make a day of your visit.
We took the scenic route on the way to our next stop, which led us through the Historic Banks Covered Bridge. It was built in 1889, placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, and is still in use today.
Once in Volant proper, you’re going to want to bop around the shops on Main Street. The town was in full fall/spooky mode, so the decorations alone had us feeling like we were in an autumn Hallmark movie town. One standout was definitely the old set of train cars atop the hill that houses a cigar shop, a winery, and a distillery (each in its own separate car). Wicked Little Witches and the opportunity to craft your own potpourri at Fruit and Flower Shop are also not to be missed.
We worked up quite an appetite shopping and decided it was time to head to the town of New Wilmington to grab a late lunch at The Tavern on the Square. This 19th-century home has been a restaurant since 1931 and serves up some seriously delicious dishes.
Your next stop will be Apple Castle, a seven-generation family farm that has been growing apples for over 150 years. They offer pick-your-own apples and pumpkins each fall, fresh produce and bakery items, and other farm-fresh foods. Their apple cider donuts are delicious… and perfect for dessert!
Afterwards, we headed back to Water’s Edge to practice some yoga under the trees. Beyond being the perfect place to stay, the property also serves as an event space, and the yoga session was part of a larger retreat that was being hosted on-site. After finding our zen as the sun dipped below the mountain, we enjoyed the most delicious spread of charcuterie and gathered around the fire for s’mores and hot apple cider. We got to try our first-ever charcuterie s’mores, and man, were we ever missing out! One tiny wheel of Babybel cheese melted between two little pita squares, dressed with prosciutto and jalapeno pepper jam, is a total campfire game changer. We stayed up way too late laughing and swapping stories with our newfound retreat friends, and the community we found was so worth the missed sleep.
If you’re looking for a chill night in, we recommend ordering takeout from Ben Franklin’s Taproom & Grille or Vinny’s Pizza just down the road and setting up a little table for two out on the patio. Gwen has all the china and table settings needed to do this at The Lodge. We listened to crickets chirp as we dined under the stars and stoked the still warm fire pit, so we could have post-dinner s’mores (sweet ones this time).
Day 3: ATV Trails & Ghost Tales
Our final action-packed adventure day was upon us. We woke up with the sun and headed west to Lawrence County’s newest park: Quaker Falls. Located just steps from the parking lot, this 50-foot waterfall can be viewed from both an upper and lower platform. There are also a few wooden tables above the falls for those wanting to pack a picnic or enjoy a snack.
We were determined to see all of the county’s waterfalls, so we drove about 20 minutes south to Cascade Park to check the last one off of our list. This once-amusement park is now a community green space with playgrounds, an off-leash dog park, picnic pavilions, opportunities for hiking, fishing, bocce, and horseshoes, as well as a path that leads to Big Run Falls. As you explore the park, you’ll still find remnants of its past, like some rollercoaster tracks hidden among the thriving vegetation, an old swimming pool, and a reclaimed wooden pavilion that’s now used as a dance hall.
For a little morning pick-me-up, we made our way over to Wampum Coffee and Tea. This little coffee shop serves up amazing coffee and tea drinks and equally delicious food. We each embraced the morning differently; One of us had the breakfast hash while the other opted for an early lunch and ordered the hot Italian sandwich. Both selections earned a 10/10.
We kept going with the nature theme, but motorized it in the afternoon! At Mines and Meadows ATV/RV Resort, you can get out on trails beneath the trees and even beneath the ground! Remember that one-of-a-kind ATV adventure we mentioned? This is where you can take a side-by-side 300 feet underground into an abandoned limestone mine! We rode the trails and hill climbs for an hour or so before we dove into the underworld with nothing but the headlights on our machine. Cool in the summer and warm in the winter, this off-road destination is definitely a must for beginners and seasoned veterans alike. Check out some clips from our ride here.
To round out our night, we did a little ghost hunting at the haunted Hill View Manor. Now open for private ghost tours, this building was once an old poor farm (yes, that’s the technical/historic term) before it became an assisted living facility, and somewhere in between, and the ebalming room even served a brief stint as the county’s morgue. It housed the elderly, those suffering from mental illness, and people living in extreme poverty until it closed its doors for good in 2004.
In its early days of operation, people who called the manor home were referred to as inmates, families were torn apart and forced to live in quarters segregated by gender, and those who passed away while living here were buried in mass graves marked by numbered, makeshift gravestones. Needless to say, the haunting history of this establishment is dark, and it runs deep. It’s spooky any time of year, and once you complete your guided tour, you’re free to explore this shuttered structure and reminisce on some of the chilling facts just learned on your exploratory saunter through the creepy corridors. Watch a recap of our chilling experience here.
We hope this itinerary provided you with some inspiration for planning your own fun and adventure-filled trip to Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. We also know that we barely scratched the surface here, so let us know what we missed/need to add to our next itinerary in the comments down below!
