With the pre–midterm bliss and PennInTouch crashes of the first month at Penn behind us, students can look forward to a fall full of the best Philly has to offer. Whether you’d rather explore Center City, venture out to a neighboring suburb, or just stay on campus, this autumn guide has the answer for you.
Where: 30 minutes South of Philly at 137 W Knowlton Rd, Media, PA
When: Linvilla Orchards offers activities for the duration of the fall, but the best time to go is on a weekend during October
Pricing: Apples $2.99/lb, Daytime Hayride $6/person
Linvilla Orchards provides that quintessential fall experience that everyone should try out. For students from a warmer climate, Philly native Julia Shevchuk (C ‘21) says you “have to go apple picking and go on a hayride, and wear cute fall sweaters, because it’s like the most classic Northeast, Philadelphia thing to do.” Linvilla Orchards offers just that and more, including a corn maze on weekends, an apple sling–shot, hayrides under the moon, and pumpkin picking. A thirty–minute drive away, you can get an Uber or for those living on campus, check out when your college houses are making a trip. Most importantly, don’t forget to grab a box of apple–cider donuts.
Where: 2027 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia
When: Now until November 10
Pricing: Tickets are the most expensive on weekends, with Saturdays being the priciest at $45 for online tickets. The prices also increase as Halloween approaches.
For the brave looking to find something scarier than OCR or the prices at Gourmet Grocer, Terror Behind the Walls is just the place. This attraction takes place inside of the Eastern State Penitentiary, an old state prison that many claim really is haunted. Paranormal teams frequent the site throughout the year. One admission ticket consists of six haunted attractions, including Quarantine, Infirmary, Machine Shop, Blood Yard, Lock Down, and Break Out. You can upgrade the experience to a more interactive thrill for no additional charge. A red glow–stick around your neck indicates your willingness to be grabbed by prisoners emerging from the dark, diverted from the path down secret passageways, and held back from the group in prison cells.
Where: Philly’s Gayborhood, with the main stage at 13th and Locust and the food court at 12th and Spruce
When: October 7th, 12:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Pricing: Free admission
The trees won’t be the only thing popping with color this fall. Philadelphia's Outfest is happening this Sunday, October 7. This festival is not just Philly’s largest LGBT event, but also the world’s biggest celebration of National Coming Out Day. This block party in the heart of Philly’s Gayborhood will consist of drag shows, booths from local LGBT nonprofits, bar crawls and hula hoop performances. If you're on or near campus over fall break, don't miss this rainbow–filled block party.
Where: Philadelphia Museum of Art
When: Every Friday night from 5:00 p.m.–8:45 p.m. until November 30
Pricing: Tickets are $14 for students or free after admission if space allows
You can expand your musical horizons at the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Friday night performances featuring velvety saxophones, soulful trumpets, and more. Julia reveals this as the “hidden gem of Philly fall activities” and says she goes every year to listen to jazz artists, eat tapas–style food, and explore the galleries at night. The performances, occurring at 5:45 and 7:30, feature different artists each week and fill the Great Stair Hall with smooth jazz.
