North of Philadelphia many outdoor adventures and quaint towns pop up under amber canopies. Starting at Easton, you'll take in 18th- and 19th-century homes and townships along the hair-pin-curving River Road (Rte. 611), which traces the astonishing foliage and countless historic sites along the Delaware River. Ride Rte. 611 to artsy New Hope, where crafts, novelties, and prime picnicking spots await. For the more actively-inclined, Nockamixon State Park offers a bevy of trails that lead down to sparkling Lake Nockamixon; Delaware Canal State Park (accessed off nearby Rte. 32) delights with its National Heritage Trail, a 60-mile hiking and biking path originating near Easton.

For a purely Pennsylvania experience, head west from Philly into Amish and Dutch Country, where you'll discover the unique farm-based lifestyles of this region. Starting at Intercourse, foliage washes over Rte. 772, tinting the Amish and Mennonite farmland and Dutch windmills golden. Although Manheim serves as a good ending-point for this driving tour, you might want to take a couple of detours. On the way to Manheim you'll hit Lancaster, the region's major town and a hotbed of cultural activities, while northwest of Manheim lies Hershey, Pennsylvania's infamous land of chocolate. The trekker will find ample romping room on the 105-mile Tuscarora Trail in Colonel Denning State Park, and on portions of the Appalachian Trail in Pine Grove Furnace and Caledonia State Parks.

North of Amish and Dutch Country, farmland stretches into hilly terrain. Picturesque towns decorated by autumn's fiery colors and tiny churches are interspersed along beautiful Rte. 10. Start in Reading and continue down Rte. 10 through quaint Morgantown and Honey Brook, and past Hopewell Furnace State Park (where you can check out a preserved eighteenth-century iron plantation).

Northeast of Lancaster (the heart of Amish Country) stands the capital, Harrisburg. After exploring sites of governmental interest in Harrisburg, take a spin on the enchanting Rte. 443. Scores of oak, maple, aspen, and birch frame your journey as you pass through agricultural valleys formed by the majestic Blue Mountains. Rte. 443 also parallels a portion of the Appalachian Trail, where you may want to detour for some trekking. The late eighteenth-century town of Pine Grove serves as an excellent rest and lunching spot. After Pine Grove, switch onto Rte. 895 towards Bowmanstown for more foliage magic.

South of Harrisburg and east of Lancaster lies York, one of the country's first capitals and home to the Harley-Davidson factory and museum (tours are available). York serves as a wonderful launching point for a journey on the Fall Harvest road (Rte. 234). This intimate circuit, surrounded by rolling hills, traverses farmland valleys celebrating apple and peach harvests. Here you'll find foliage in all its glory. Continue on to Biglerville, where you may choose to switch your course northward toward Pine Grove Furnace State Park, where you can amble down a portion of the Appalachian Trail.

Surrounded by mountains and dense foliage, riding Rte. 30 west from York to Gettysburg and on to Bedford will take you on an amazing natural and historic journey. Pay homage to the Civil War's most famous battle and speech at Gettysburg National Military Park, romp around the lush valley of the Tuscarora Mountains in Cowan's Gap State Park, and take respite in the recreated eighteenth-century Old Bedford Village.

West of Gettysburg, Rte. 223 leads you through the spellbinding Appalachian Mountains, which drip with foliage hues. The thickly wooded road passes by Pine Grove Furnace State Park, the majestic Mt. Alto, and takes you west to the quaint rural town of Landisburg.

For those who'd rather be pedaling their way through Pennsylvania's ever-changing scenery, several Philadelphia area-based bicycle outfitters can take care of your needs. The Bicycle Club of Philadelphia rents bikes and also sponsors group recreational rides and special biking events. Pedal PA, based in Philly, explores the Delaware River on bike and offers several all-inclusive trips. Keystone Biking, also based in the city, offers diverse resources for biking trails and events in the Philadelphia area. The Lehigh Wheelmen's Association (based in but not limited to Lehigh, which is north of Philly near Allentown) has fun in store with its bike racing and touring divisions.

With all this driving around, the kids may get a bit testy--not to worry, though, because many bastions of family fun await in the southeastern part of the state. North of Philly, The Crayola Factory (near Easton), Dorney Park (in Allentown), and Sesame Place (by Oxford Valley and accessible by SEPTA from Philly) hold endless educational and recreational delights for your young ones. Lancaster is home to corn mazes, hayrides, pumpkin picking, apple festivals, cider pressing, Halloween hauntings, and more fun events through late October--the town's Dutch Wonderland Family Amusement Park also delivers a ton of fun. Northeast of Lancaster and Manheim, delicious Hershey Park beckons with rides, family activities, and chocolatey decadence.

Wherever the road takes you in southeastern Pennsylvania, you're sure to find a slice of history, a source of fun, a dreamy town, a spectacular landscape, and something absolutely uniquely Pennsylvania along the way. With autumn colors dancing overhead, Pennsylvania foliage is bound to put a spell on you!•