A Fall Getaway for Couples at a Pennsylvania Castle
Why a Castle Makes Sense for a Fall Getaway
Most lists of fall weekend getaways hand you a dozen towns and a paragraph about leaves. A better fall getaway starts with one place worth staying put in, then adds a few good afternoons nearby. Buhl Mansion Boutique Hotel & Spa, a restored 1896 castle on East State Street in Sharon, PA, suits exactly that kind of couples getaway, with fireplace rooms, an on-site spa, and some of the best autumn in Pennsylvania within an hour’s drive.
Steel industrialist Frank H. Buhl built this Richardsonian Romanesque mansion for his wife, Julia, and its sandstone walls, turrets, and carved woodwork feel right in cooler weather. By October, the gas fireplaces are in regular use and the gardens around the castle have turned gold and rust.
Spend an Afternoon on the Mercer County Wine Trail
Mercer County’s Wine, Brew & Spirits Trail runs two loops: a southern route through Amish farm country and a northern route toward Pymatuning Lake. For a short outing, Webb Winery in Hermitage is a few minutes from the castle and makes its wines from Pennsylvania-grown fruit. For a longer drive, Gatehouse Winery sits in the hills above Pymatuning Lake, where you can share a bottle and a charcuterie board with a view of the water. Gatehouse is open Wednesday through Sunday, so plan the northern loop accordingly. Our wine, brew, and spirits trail guide covers every stop in more detail.
A Cozy Fall Castle Getaway Starts With the Room
Buhl Mansion has ten guest rooms, each with a gas fireplace and a two-person Jacuzzi tub, and several are set inside the castle’s turrets. Champagne is waiting at check-in, and breakfast can be brought to your room the next morning. Guests also have use of the steam room and sauna on the lower level.
With only ten rooms and a policy of welcoming guests 18 and older, the house stays quiet. For most couples, that quiet is the point of a fall getaway. Plan on a second cup of coffee by the window before you head out for the day.
Where to See the Best Fall Foliage Near Pittsburgh
If you are driving in from Pittsburgh, about an hour and fifteen minutes away, the fall foliage in Pennsylvania’s northwest corner gives you a reason to take the long way. Three historic covered bridges make an easy route: Kidd’s Mill in Mercer County, Banks Covered Bridge near New Wilmington, and the bridge at McConnell’s Mill State Park, which crosses Slippery Rock Creek inside a steep, wooded gorge. Color in this part of the state usually peaks in mid-October. Our covered bridges guide includes directions and drive times from the castle.
Book the Spa for Your First Afternoon
Cool air makes a warm treatment room more appealing. The Buhl Mansion Spa offers couples massages, body wraps, facials, and a head spa treatment. A treatment on the afternoon you arrive sets the tone for the rest of your stay, and spa appointments are the one part of the weekend worth reserving well in advance.
Plan Your Fall Weekend
A wine trail afternoon, a covered bridge drive, a spa treatment, and a fireplace room will fill a full weekend with very little planning. If you are comparing romantic hotels in Pennsylvania, reserve directly with us for the full choice of rooms and our current specials.
Book your fall getaway at Buhl Mansion
Frequently Asked Questions
When is peak fall foliage in Pennsylvania?
Peak color varies by region and elevation. In northwestern Pennsylvania, including Mercer and Lawrence counties, it typically arrives in mid-October. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources publishes a weekly fall foliage report throughout the season.
Where is a good weekend getaway for couples near Pittsburgh?
Sharon, PA, is about an hour and fifteen minutes north of Pittsburgh. Buhl Mansion pairs an adults-only castle stay with an on-site spa, nearby wineries, and three historic covered bridges within an hour’s drive.
What makes a good fall getaway in Pennsylvania?
A good fall getaway combines a comfortable place to stay with a few easy outings. In Mercer County, that means a winery afternoon, a covered bridge drive during peak foliage, and an evening by the fireplace.
Is Buhl Mansion open for fall weekend stays?
Yes. Fall is one of the property’s most requested seasons, so we recommend booking rooms and spa treatments early.