Fall foliage in Hershey rolls in one ridge at a time. It starts high around Mount Gretna, then works its way down into the valley, closer to town each week.
We watch for it every year. There’s nothing quite like a quiet country road lit up in red and gold.
This guide shares our favorite scenic drives, cozy stops, and photo spots for the season. Read on for the details, starting with the best week to catch it!
Best Time to See Fall Foliage Near Hershey
Mid-October is the sweet spot for fall foliage near Hershey. That’s when color peaks across the surrounding countryside, usually holding strong for about two weeks before the leaves start to thin.
September still feels like summer here, warm with only a handful of rainy days. By October, the air turns crisp, and that’s when the maples, oaks, and hickories really turn.
We tell guests to aim for the second or third week of October if photos and longer drives are the priority. A week earlier still looks lovely, just a shade less dramatic.
Pennsylvania fall foliage moves from the hilltops down, so timing often depends on where you’re headed that day. Book a room with us, and we’ll help you time it just right.
Scenic Local Drives for Fall Colors
A scenic fall drive near Hershey doesn’t have to mean hours in the car. Some of the best color sits just a short trip from town, tucked along back roads most visitors never think to take.
Here are our favorites:
- Mount Gretna: The drive up toward Governor Dick winds through some of the prettiest colors in the area. A short hike at the end leads to a lookout tower and views for miles.
- Elizabethtown and Mount Joy: Quiet back roads connect these two small towns, passing farmland, old barns, and a covered bridge or two along the way.
- Swatara Creek Valley toward Middletown: This route follows the creek closely, with color reflecting right on the water.
Each drive works well as a half-day loop on its own. Roll the windows down, take it slow, and let the color do the work.
Cozy Stops Along the Way
Every good drive deserves a good stop, and this stretch of countryside has plenty worth pulling over for.
The Hershey Pantry is our go-to for a warm breakfast before hitting the road, especially on a crisp fall morning. Arrive before 9am on weekends if you can — it fills up fast once the leaves peak!
Piazza Sorrento is another favorite, and the shrimp toast alone is worth the stop. It’s an easy detour on the way back into town after a morning outdoors.
If your drive takes you toward Lancaster County, Kitchen Kettle Village is worth the extra few miles. Fresh jams, baked goods, and local treats make it a fun place to wander before hitting the road again.
Our Favorite Fall Activities
There’s plenty to keep the day going once you’ve picked a drive or two. A few activities always make the season feel complete.
Hike to the Governor Dick Observation Tower
It’s a short hike, but the view stretches out over several counties at once, all in shades of red and gold. Locals have been making this climb every fall for decades.
Ride the Fall Foliage Express
The Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad runs this excursion every October, following the Swatara Creek by vintage train. It’s a nice change of pace from driving, and the narration adds a bit of local history along the way.
Spend a Day at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire
Running weekends from mid-August through October at Mount Hope Estate, the Renaissance Faire feels a little different once the air turns crisp. It’s an easy way to build a full day around the season.
Pro Tip: While you’re in the area, catch some local fall festivals and events happening throughout the season.
Best Places for Fall Photos Near Hershey
A few spots around here look especially good through a camera lens once the color turns.
The view from the Governor Dick tower is hard to beat, especially in the late afternoon when the light angles low across the hills. Early morning works too, before the haze sets in.
The back roads through Elizabethtown and Mount Joy offer some of the best shots. Siegrist’s Mill Covered Bridge sits just outside Mount Joy. Its red timber frame stands against a backdrop of turning maples along Big Chiques Creek.
Closer to home, our own porch and gardens catch beautiful light most fall afternoons. Guests often tell us they didn’t expect to take so many photos without ever leaving the property.
Tips for Planning Your Fall Getaway
Fall is easily our busiest season, and there’s a good reason for that. Once the color turns, everyone wants a piece of it, so a little planning ahead makes the whole trip smoother.
A few things worth keeping in mind:
- Book early. October weekends fill up fast once peak color hits, sometimes weeks in advance.
- Pack in layers. Mornings out here start cool and crisp, but afternoons often warm up enough for short sleeves.
- Check the Faire schedule. Themes and dates shift from week to week, and it’s an easy thing to miss.
A little effort now means you get to spend your visit outside, not stuck in traffic or scrambling for a table.
Stay Close to Hershey’s Best Fall View
Fall foliage near Hershey doesn’t last forever, and neither does the calm before it fills up. Once the color hits its peak, the best drives, the quietest back roads, and the coziest breakfast tables all get busy fast.
This is our favorite season here, and we’d love for you to see why.
Book your stay at 1825 Inn and wake up to crisp fall mornings before the hills turn. Come evening, our porch is right where you left it, still glowing in that same gold light.
Photo Credit: © travnikovstudio via canva.com, © Phil Evenden from Pexels via canva.com, © Pekic from Getty Images Signature via canva.com
