Colorful foliage, crisp air, the return of Eagles football…there’s a lot to love about fall in Delaware County, but the season’s signature foods might be the best thing of all. From fresh-picked apples to pumpkin everything, there are so many delicious ways to get into the autumnal spirit. It’s also a great time to enjoy some laid-back fun before the hustle of the holiday season. With that in mind, we rounded up our favorite food-focused fall day trips in Delco, spotlighting the area’s wealth of homegrown producers and unique culinary offerings. Pack your appetite for these autumn adventures.
Brandywine Valley Wine Trail
When the forecast turns brisk and sunny, gather a group of friends and follow the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail, which winds through the bucolic landscapes of Delaware and Chester Counties. With stops at local favorites including Chaddsford Winery, Grace Winery, and Old Stone Cider, you can enjoy plenty of great sips and take home a few bottles to serve alongside holiday meals or give as gifts.
A Fall Feast at Linvilla Orchards
Fall in Delaware County wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Linvilla Orchards. This autumn mainstay in Media is the perfect place to enjoy cider, doughnuts, caramel apples, roasted corn, and more seasonal treats from their bakery and kitchen, plus local brews from the onsite Ship Bottom Beer Garden. Make a day of it with hayrides, mini golf, a corn maze, a stroll through the harvest displays of Pumpkinland, and a stop in the orchard to pick your own apples (so you can cook up a few more treats at home).
Cooking Classes at Wayne Art Center
Spend an evening at Wayne Art Center, where the state-of-the-art kitchen plays host to a calendar of cooking classes for kids and adults alike, with creative, hands-on offerings to inspire at-home chefs throughout the year. This season’s lineup includes a class focused on the autumn and winter harvest, as well as a fall cuisine and wine pairing class with Stony Run Winery.
Brunch & Shopping at Terrain’s Woodland Village
Head to Glen Mills for a one-of-kind seasonal dining experience at Terrain, where their Woodland Village has returned for another year. This cozy pop-up features individual, glamping-style canvas tents for each dining party, heated by a crackling wood stove and decorated in Terrain’s signature nature-meets-home style. Visit for brunch (reminder that it’s BYOB!) so you can browse the extensive shop and nursery after. You won’t want to miss their wonderfully exotic assortment of heirloom pumpkins and gourds.
Have a Garden Picnic at Chanticleer
Wayne’s historic Chanticleer is a whimsical oasis for nature lovers, filled with trails that meander through vine-covered ruins, vegetable gardens, lush meadows, serene woodlands, and more. There’s no better time to visit than fall, when the changing leaves provide a colorful backdrop for your garden tour. To round out an afternoon spent exploring, bring along your lunch to enjoy at Chanticleer’s picnic ground. Pop into nearby Di Bruno Bros to curate your own cheese and charcuterie board, or order afternoon tea to-go from A Taste of Britain. Chanticleer closes for the season on November 5, so don’t wait too long to pack up your picnic basket!
Take a Mushroom Tour
Head just over the border into Chester County for a closer look at one of southeastern Pennsylvania’s signature crops: mushrooms. Kennett Square is the “Mushroom Capital of the World,” a fact proudly celebrated throughout the town. Dig into the history of the region’s mushroom farming with a visit to the Mushroom Museum at The Woodlands at Phillips Mushroom Farms, where you can also purchase some of these locally-grown delicacies. Round out your day with a stop at Talula’s Table for lunch and browsing in their gourmet market, the perfect place to get a head start on holiday shopping for the foodies in your life.