Why This Pennsylvania Resort Is a Must-Visit Destination for People Looking to Immerse Themselves in the Changing Leaves

The Northeast has plenty of natural features, but few attract the kind of travel from far and wide as the changing fall foliage of our forests. Combine our wide-ranging climate with our boundless forests and softly rolling hills, and you get several weeks every year in which our world goes up in blazing reds, oranges and yellows–and our Instagram feeds follow suit. 

While snapping photos is fun on its own, there’s something incomparable about the experience of immersing yourself in color, in having a natural wonder as your backdrop from your morning tea to your evening nightcap. In the age of ultra-luxe adventures, that experience is becoming more and more in demand–foliage vacations should include not only plenty of pics, but the chance to ride, climb, and wander in nature, all while sleeping in sophisticated accommodations.

And that’s why the famed Pennsylvania resort, Nemacolin, has become the premier destination in the region for viewing the changing foliage. The resort already attracts year-round visitors from near and far for its world-class elegance. But what makes this resort perfect for enjoying fall foliage is that it’s nestled into the hills of the Laurel Highlands, meaning that visitors get twenty-four-seven panoramic views of the changing leaves–when they’re not heading out into the woods themselves for a wide range of outdoors activities.

Ahead of the season, we got an inside sneak peek at what Nemacolin plans for the fall vacationers (including the opening of their new, farm-to-table restaurant). Here’s what to check out this fall at Nemacolin. 

Suites

Nemacolin offers floor-to-ceiling views of the foliage across different styles of suites.

Glamping may be all the rage, but realistically, sleeping in the woods can only ever get so comfortable. Nemacolin offers a little more luxurious way to appreciate the great outdoors: Many of the suites at Nemacolin have floor-to-ceiling windows, immersing you in the leaves from misty morning to starry night. 

They also offer many amenities that a tent, as well as most hotel suites, never could. Choose from multiple different stay options–including newly renovated, Parisian-inspired The Chateau– but know that across your experience, you’ll get the royal treatment. Think glittering chandeliers and Nemacolin’s elite butler service, ready to take care of your every need. For a particularly on-theme experience, consider The Grand Lodge, which brings together woodsy charm with Nemacolin’s unique magic.

Dining

Dine on farm-to-table favorites at Fawn & Fable.

There’s nothing like dining beside a great view, and the blazing leaves have a particular kind of romantic wistfulness that goes well with warming, comforting classic dishes. Opening this year, just in time for the season, is Nemacolin’s own Gusto!, featuring a menu of Italian favorites and both indoor and al fresco dining. While the seats are well positioned to provide the ideal view, the restaurant also allows you to enjoy nature in a different sense–taste. Across its approachable-but-elevated menu of staples like wood-fired pizzas, pastas, and Italian desserts, Gusto! uses fresh, local ingredients, meaning you’re bound to get the best of this year’s harvest. 

That emphasis on fun, creativity, and quality holds across all of Nemacolin’s dining experiences, including Lautrec, a French-inspired restaurant serving a five-course tasting menu. For another pick perfect for the season, check out Fawn & Fable, which combines a woodsy, whimsical fairy-tale charm with farm-to-table meals.  

Just looking for some sips and skyline sights? Check out The Peak, which features two pools open year-round, live entertainment, hot tubs, firepits, a cocktail bar–and some of Nemacolin’s best views of the rolling hills.

Outdoor Adventures

Nemacolin’s sprawling acres don’t just provide peace and quiet for your stay. The mixed space of fields and woods provides plenty of opportunity to get out into nature–either walking (or riding, or climbing) among the falling leaves, or getting another scenic perspective on nature’s wonders. 

For a look with some elevation, check out Nemacolin’s many golfing options. Their two Pete-Dye-designed courses feature rising and falling hills, giving you singular views of the foliage as you take your shot. And it’s not just a high-level course–a trip to Nemacolin can be transformative for your golf game, thanks to their in-depth Golf Academy and golf education programming. If the family has never understood your fascination with the game, this is your chance to introduce them, thanks to their beginner course options. 

If you want to get out among the leaves, Nemacolin offers multiple exciting expeditions and challenges. A must-try is their High Ropes Challenge Course, featuring three levels of ropes and platforms reaching 52-feet high. If you master the course, you’ll be rewarded with a platform with a picnic table, for lunch with a view. For even more thrills, try taking a fast ride on their zip line, or plunge toward the earth with their bungie-jump-style Quick Jump experience. 

For the classic outdoorsmen and women among you, Nemacolin serves as a base of exploration. Trot through the woods on horse rides or ride the rapids with their rafting experience. Test your aim with their clay shooting and archery courses, or bag the big one while fishing or hunting with the Rod & Range Club. 

The multitude of options for engaging with nature make Nemacolin the perfect place to experience fall. So whether it’s hiking deep into the woods or taking it all in while lying back in your luxe suite, there’s every reason to appreciate our state’s grandest natural wonder this year.