Fall 2022 in Erie, PA: Harvest fests and more things to do this autumn

The temperature is starting to drop and the sun is setting earlier now. You might notice more of a chill in the air in the mornings and at night. Leaves are beginning to turn brilliant colors and the sights and scents of pumpkin everything abound. It's fall, and we're turning our attention to apple orchards, harvest fests, haunted houses and more that make autumn an awesome time of year in the Erie region.

So, check out this list of things to do in the Erie area this fall. This list isn't all-inclusive, it couldn't possibly be since there is so much to do in the area when the seasons change. Be sure to visit GoErie.com/calendar to see more things to do.

What better way to embrace fall than to attend an event with most, if not all, of the season's trappings? And, like a field full of decorative gourds, harvest festivals are plentiful in the region.

Port Farms Harvest Festival runs through Oct. 30 at Waterford's Port Farms, 2055 Stone Quarry Road. The festival includes hay wagon rides, a corn maze, slide mountain, ball zone, game garden, pedal carts, animal exhibits, tire fort and more. It is open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Tickets are $14.45 for weekend general admission, $11.95 for weekday general admission, $69.95 for a season pass and $49.95 for a mini season pass. Call 814-796-4500 or log on at portfarms.com for information.

Some of the region's other fall harvest events include the following:

Autumn treats:Fall for pumpkin spice and other specials at coffee houses around Erie

Hop in the car, truck or SUV and travel along Route 6, on Route 19 into Crawford County, on routes through the Allegheny National Forest, or down Route 8 or Route 77 for breathtaking views of fall foliage.

The fall colors usually hit their peak in early- to mid-October in our region, according to the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources at bit.ly/pafallfoliage.

As a bonus, a drive along the Route 6 corridor will also reveal several murals or pieces of art to go along with the stunning leaves along the route.

The PA Route 6 Public Art & Mural Trail details where the artwork is featured on an interactive online map that is part of the PA Route 6 Alliance's website.

Fall for the leaves:From Albion to Corry, fall colors are peaking in NWPA. Look closer at the autumn brillance

Foliage abounds:Top 10 places to enjoy the fall colors in Erie County, plus more spots nearby

See it:52 fall foliage views in Erie County

Prepare to be petrified by costumed actors and harrowing special effects at the area's haunted house attractions.

Starting Sept. 30, the Eeriebyss Factory of Terror, 1053 W. 12th St., opens its creaky doors to patrons on weekends for frights and more inside an old factory covering more than half a mile. Eeriebyss runs Sept. 30-Oct. 30 on Fridays and Saturdays, 7 p.m.-midnight, and Sundays, 6-10 p.m. General admission is $20 per person. Parking is free. Visit eeriebyss.com for more information.

Eeriebyss 2021:Scare actors share what it's like being part of a haunted attraction

At Conneaut Lake Park, the Ghost Lake Multiverse of Fear opens Sept. 23 and runs Fridays and Saturdays, 7 p.m.-midnight, and Sundays, 7-11 p.m., through Oct. 31. The haunted attraction includes 10 eerily-themed areas, including Blood Moon Meat Market, Carnival Of Rust and more. Admission is $25 for adults and $15 for kids under age 11. Visit ghostlake.net for more information.

Dress up the kids and get ready to experience the Erie Zoo animals at the annual ZooBoo event. Kids get a chance to trick-or-treat, check out the different animals at each station and learn more about the wildlife.

ZooBoo runs Oct. 12-30 on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 6-9 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, noon-9 p.m., at 423 W 38th St. Tickets, which go on sale starting Oct. 1, cost $7 for an Erie Zoo member who won't be trick-or-treating, and $9 for those who are treaters. Non-members prices are $11 for non-treaters and $13 for treaters. For more details, call 814-864-4091 or visit eriezoo.org.

Get your little ghosts and goblins dressed up, grab a pillow case or plastic pumpkin basket and head out for some door-to-door candy collection at the end of October.

Dates and times vary for the annual Halloween fun. Here's a listing:

Costumes and candy: Here is when trick-or-treating is scheduled for the Erie area

Check out the Eeerie Fall Fest, Gridley Park, North Park Row and Liberty Street, on Oct. 22 at 11 a.m. A Halloween parade begins at 12 p.m. The event is sponsored by Gannon University and Our West Bayfront. For information, visit ourwestbayfront.org/events or call 814-871-7960.

You can also take the kids to the Millcreek Mall Trail of Treats Oct. 27 and 28. Times and ticket information are pending. Visit millcreekmall.net for details. The mall, 5800 Peach St., also will host a Halloween costume contest for kids and adults Oct. 21 from 6-8 p.m. in Center Court. Pre-registration is required at the mall customer service booth or by calling 814-868-9000.

In what has become annual traditions in some parking lots, trunk-or-treat events are also scheduled for October, including at St. Paul's Lutheran Church parking lot at 3108 Sterrettania Road on Oct. 29 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Children will travel around the parking lot collecting goodies. Call 814-833-1761 or visit stpaulserie.org for information. The Erie Free Store, 2816 Elmwood Ave., will also host its annual trunk-or-treat on Oct. 29 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Visit facebook.com/ErieFreeStore for details.

Steelhead trout begin their migration into the Lake Erie tributaries as soon as Labor Day, but the peak run doesn't come until after Thanksgiving in most years. Head to Trout Run or Godfrey Run off Route 5 in Fairview Township to watch the spectacle of the steelhead run. It's an entertaining show, even if you're not into fishing.

The spring fish leave the streams in April, or sooner, and head to the colder depths of Lake Erie, drawing not as much attention as the fall run.

Stocking for season:PA volunteers stock 100,000 steelhead fish, survey more than 400 anglers near Erie

What pairs well with cooler temperatures? How about a trip along the Lake Erie Wine Trail or Ale Trail?

Follow the trail of more than 20 wineries along Lake Erie provided by lakeeriewinecountry.org for a memorable fall excursion.

Thirsty for wine?:Here's a list of Erie-region wineries

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If you want to try local craft beer, the Lake Erie Ale Trail includes 16 regional breweries. Follow the trail provided by lakeeriealetrail.com.

Some other beer-related events include the following:

Fall beer season:What were some top choices at Erie's breweries in 2021?

How do you like them apples?

It's a line made famous in "Good Will Hunting," but it's also something to think about when fall rolls around.

Apple picking is a fun autumn activity for family and friends, or just as a solo experience. Pluck your own fruit right from the tree and take it home to enjoy in countless recipes or simply on its own.

Take your pick: Head to North East's Sceiford Quality Fruit or Burch Farms, travel to Girard's Lehman Orchards, visit Meadville's Heagy's Orchard or Ashtabula, Ohio's Brant's Orchard, among others in the region.

Fruitful endeavor:Fall into apple picking at this Crawford County fruit orchard

Where to go:Here's where you can pick your own apples this fall in the Erie region

Grab a thermos full of apple cider or your favorite pumpkin-spiced drink and visit one of the region's parks to check out the change of season in nature as you hike through crisp trails at Presque Isle State Park, Asbury Woods, Headwaters Park or one of the many others. Visit erietrails.org to learn more.

Walking path:Why you should take a hike at Erie County's overlooked public park

You might also want to check out a few of these events:

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Things To Do in Erie PA - Erie Times-News