Speaking of money, Parsons said it’s “next to impossible” to put a figure on the amount of dollars leaf-peeping tourists spend in Crawford County each year. It’s safe to say it’s a good amount, however, as many of those passing through take detours and make stops in interesting spots.

“They’re stopping at the small towns, at the cute little gift shops, filling up with gas” and spending money locally in other ways, he said.

Visitors to and through Crawford County this fall will find themselves on “a nice, out-in-the-country type of trip,” said Parsons. “And besides just leaf-peeping, we’ve got a lot of fall events” to offer. “It looks to be a fun fall festival season.”

Ryan Smith can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at rsmith@meadvilletribune.com.

For those who are familiar with the Crawford County area, a drive or walk down virtually any highway or byway can lead to a feast for the eyes, especially as the leaf season is expected to peak within the next couple of weeks. But for those who are new to the region, or who may just like a little direction in their autumnal excursions, there are a host of guided tours and sources for finding some of the best foliage hotspots.

The Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau offers a guide for an autumn drive through the area on its Web site, www.visitcrawford.org. It offers leaf-peepers turn-by-turn directions through the countryside on a 36-mile ride along Route 198 that loops from the four-corners community of Palmer to Guys Mills.

From there, Route 198 continues toward the Titusville, where the Oil Region Alliance is showcasing that area’s fall colors as well. The Oil Creek and Titusville Railroad offers train rides through a foliage-filled valley every Wednesday through Sunday until Oct. 26.

FallinPA.com, part of Pennsylvania’s official statewide tourism Web site (at www.visitPA.com), offers a wealth of information on fall attractions around the state, including links to unique destinations, hiking and biking trails and the state’s weekly Fall Foliage Report that provides updates on peak viewing times and other details.