Amazing Autumn Adventures: Family-Friendly Ideas for Fall Fun

7/11/2023

I love autumn! The crisp air, the crunch of the leaves, and the smell of apples let me know that it's time to pull out the sweaters and cozy up with a cuppa. Granted, fall arrives in Houston around mid-December and lasts approximately three hours, but I remember growing up in northwest Pennsylvania and experiencing all the wonder that autumn has to offer there. Since we don't really experience a true fall in Houston, I know I'll need to take Emmett elsewhere to allow him to experience my favorite fall activities.

Read on to see my favorite fall activities for families.

Pumpkin Patches

Richardson Adventure Farm

Located in Spring Grove, Illinois, Richardson Adventure Farm is known for its enormous corn maze and boasts an impressive pumpkin patch. With over 30 acres of pumpkins to choose from, you'll have a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. The farm offers fun activities like zip lines, slides, and pedal carts, ensuring a memorable day for the whole family.

Tomachoff Farms

Offering a delightful pumpkin patch experience in the desert, Tolmachoff Farms in Glendale, Arizona, provides an oasis of fall festivities. Wander through their pumpkin patch, take a ride on the train, navigate through corn mazes, and enjoy a petting zoo. With plenty of activities and photo opportunities, it's a great place to celebrate the season.

Dewberry Farm

With games, rides, farm animals, a pumpkin patch, a corn maze, and plenty of photo ops, there's no shortage of fun things to do at Dewberry Farm, located in Brookshire, Texas, just west of Houston.

Cox Farms

Cox Farms is a beloved destination for fall fun in the Washington, D.C. area. Their annual Fall Festival features an impressive pumpkin patch, along with slides, hayrides, live entertainment, and farm animals. Don't miss their famous "Fall Festival Nights" for a spooky twist on the festivities.

Autumn Camping

Camping

National Parks

National Parks like Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, Acadia National Park in Maine, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park spanning Tennessee and North Carolina offer excellent campgrounds, along with scenic hikes and drives, wildlife spotting, and, of course, the chance to see the vibrant colors of autumn.

Private RV and Camping Resorts

Yogi Bear's Jellystone Parks are great places to take the kids camping. With locations in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and more, you're sure to find a Jellystone location where you and your family can experience the best that autumn has to offer.

Other family-friendly private campgrounds where you can experience a magical autumn experience include HTR Niagara near Niagara Falls, NY, Pineland Camping Park in Big Flats, WI, Austin Lake RV Park and Cabins in Toronto, OH, and Tall Pines Campground and River Adventures in Bainbridge, NY. Each offers various activities for family fun, like fishing, swimming, playgrounds, hiking, biking, paddle boats, daily group activities, live music, laser tag, ziplines, and more.

Theme Parks

HersheyPark

Explore the world of chocolate and get your thrills at Dark Nights at Hersheypark. The park offers a lodge, a hotel, and camping for convenient accommodations.

*While you're there, head up the road to Patchwork Pumpkin Farm to pick your own pumpkins, plus enjoy games, wagon rides, hayrides, slides, and more!

Disney World

Take the littles to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, which runs from August to the end of October at Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Disneyland

At Disneyland in Anaheim, California, you can enjoy the Oogie Boogie Bash Halloween Party from September to October. Put on your costumes and enjoy tricks and treats!

Busch Gardens

One of my favorite things to do when I was in college was to get scared at Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida.

Universal Studios

Another personal favorite is Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando. This activity is probably better for the bigger kiddos.

Cedar Point

Starting in mid-September, visit Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, for HalloWeekends.

*While you're in Sandusky, head over to Ghostly Manor Thrill Center for a haunted house, roller skating, arcade games, laser tag, and more. Or drive across the Edison Bridge to Marblehead to visit Bergman Orchards, where you pick your own pumpkins and apples.

Apple Picking

Apple Hill, California

Located in the Sierra Nevada foothills, Apple Hill is a renowned region for apple picking. With numerous orchards offering a wide variety of apple types, you can enjoy picking your own apples while taking in the scenic beauty of the area. Don't miss the chance to indulge in homemade apple pies, cider, and other delicious treats.

Oak Glen, California

Another California destination, nestled in the mountains of Southern California, Oak Glen is a delightful apple picking destination. The area boasts several apple orchards where you can pick various apple varieties. Take a leisurely stroll through the orchards, enjoy fresh apple cider, and explore the quaint shops and restaurants in the area.

Vermont

Starting in mid-September, this small New England state becomes ripe for apple picking. Known for its charming countryside and picturesque orchards, Vermont is a fantastic destination for apple picking. The state is dotted with orchards that invite families to pick their own apples and enjoy the crisp fall air, like local favorite Hackett's Orchard. Many orchards also offer activities like hayrides, corn mazes, and cider tastings.

Ellijay, Georgia

Known as the "Apple Capital of Georgia," Ellijay offers a quintessential apple picking experience. The area is home to numerous apple orchards where families can pick their own apples and enjoy the beautiful fall scenery. Additionally, the annual Georgia Apple Festival held in Ellijay celebrates all things apple and is a must-visit for apple enthusiasts.

Biglerville, Pennsylvania

Biglerville, Pennsylvania: Situated in the heart of Pennsylvania's apple country, Biglerville is a prime destination for apple picking. The region is famous for its apple orchards and cider mills, offering a delightful experience for families. Enjoy picking your own apples, sampling freshly pressed apple cider, and savoring homemade apple treats.

Foliage Drives

Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway runs through North Carolina and Virginia and spans 469 miles through the Appalachian Mountains and makes it easily one of the most scenic fall foliage drives in the United States. Experience breathtaking views, vibrant colors, and charming mountain towns along the way.

Kancamagus Highway

Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire is also known as "The Kanc." This 34-mile stretch of road in the White Mountains is renowned for its stunning fall foliage. Drive through a picturesque landscape of colorful forests, cascading waterfalls, and panoramic mountain vistas.

Natchez Trace Parkway

Known simply as "The Trace" to locals, Natchez Trace Parkway runs 444 miles through Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee and offers a captivating journey through a symphony of vibrant colors during the fall season. As you traverse this historic route, the dense forests lining the parkway come alive with a mesmerizing display of autumn foliage.

Historic Columbia River Highway

This 75-mile drive through the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon offers a mix of dramatic landscapes and fall foliage beauty. Witness the magnificent Multnomah Falls, picturesque vineyards, and breathtaking views of the Columbia River.

Longhouse National Scenic Byway

Longhouse National Scenic Byway is a 29.5-mile loop that winds through the stunning landscapes of Allegheny National Forest in my home state of Pennsylvania. This scenic byway offers travelers an opportunity to witness the beauty of the region's ancient forest and experience the rich cultural heritage of the Seneca Nation. Along the route, visitors can explore hiking trails, marvel at breathtaking overlooks, and learn about the fascinating history and traditions of the Seneca people at the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum.

Mohawk Trail

New England's first scenic road, established in 1914, this 63-mile drive in northwest Massachusetts will bring you through small quaint towns full of shopping and dining as well tranquil state parks and forests. Stop along the way to take a scenic hike or visit a local museum as you criss-cross and follow along the five major rivers you'll encounter along the route - Millers River, Connecticut River, Green River, Deerfield River, and Hoosic River.

Remember to plan your fall foliage drives according to the peak color times, as they can vary from year to year. Check local foliage reports, state tourism websites, or contact visitor centers in the respective regions for the most up-to-date information on timing and peak foliage conditions.

Fall is a magical time for families to come together and create lasting memories. Whether it's picking apples or pumpkins, visiting a theme park for Halloween, or taking a camping trip or scenic drive, there are experiences that cater to every interest and age group. So, grab your loved ones, embrace the crisp autumn air, and let the spirit of the season ignite joy and togetherness.

What's your favorite season? What are your favorite fall activities?