It’s official! Autumn is upon us. And one definite advantage to spending time in and around western Pennsylvania is the beautiful change of seasons. Cool, crisp nights, all things apple and pumpkin spice, and sweater weather is coming!

Pittsburgh has an abundance of opportunities to explore, and the back-to-school season is the perfect time to try some new places. Here are just a few of our favorite things — we suggest giving each one a try!

1. Follow the foliage.

Ready for a little adventure (that’s even more gorgeous when the leaves begin to change colors)? Make your way to the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Fallingwater (about 90 minutes outside Pittsburgh). Owned and operated by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Fallingwater opened to the public as a museum in 1964 and is designated as a National Historic Landmark and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Treasure. For more outdoor fun, you might like a trip to Hartwood Acres Park. Activities include mansion tours, teas, a fun off-leash dog area, plus cross-country skiing, walking, hiking, and bridle trails.

2. Set your sights on cider.

Chilled or hot, alcoholic or not, nothing beats the taste of apple cider in the fall! And Pittsburgh has a variety of orchards for you to pick or drink your fill. Two to try: Arsenal Cider House in Lawrencevilleand Threadbare Cider House in the North Side. Another option is to scope out a local orchard with their own blend of cider, brewed right on site!

3. Fright Night Delight.

Pittsburgh has a north side and a south side — now head to the dark side. Find your fright through a local ghost tour, available now through early November. If you like to hear about Western Pennsylvania's creepy history — stories that will move the hair on the back of your neck and leave you feeling a tad uneasy before you shut out the lights at night — then this is the tour for you.

4. Pumpkin Spice, for the win!

One of the best traditions for fall in Pittsburgh is finding the perfect pumpkin! Check out this great list of local pumpkin patches to find one that’s closest to you. Another top pick, available through October 24: Trax Farm’s Fall Fest — fun for kids and grandkids, where you can run the corn maize, pick your own pumpkin, and catch live music.

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Please note: Before you go: Be sure to verify times and locations for any updates due to seasonal adjustments or local health restrictions.