If there’s one thing that Labor Day weekend signals, it’s the end of summer and a last chance to check off all those Boston summer activities you haven’t quite gotten around to yet. For busy Boston families it’s also about having a reason to gather with friends one last time before school starts and we return to our weekly routines. Whether you’re staying local or hitting the road for one last adventure before the leaves start to change, now’s the time to find all the great things to do in Boston Labor Day weekend.
Exciting Things to Do in Boston Labor Day Weekend
Head to a Renaissance Faire
The 24th annual Connecticut Renaissance Faire is an enchanted recreation of a 16th-century harvest festival as one might have been in the days of yore. Here you can feast like a king on turkey legs and local craft brews, shop like a queen in New England’s largest Medieval Marketplace or laugh like a fool at continuous shows performed on ten stages throughout the village. All the kingdom is a stage with performances on stage and in the street. Costumes are encouraged, but not required. Come as you are or as you wish to be. Event details.
It’s the 41st anniversary season of King Richard's Faire, New England’s Renaissance Festival. Bring the kids to experience entertainment, exciting rides, and skilled games on the enchanting 80-acre site. Hundreds of talented entertainers perform non-stop throughout the day, and there are eight vibrant stages where acrobats, aerialists, jugglers, minstrels, comedy acts, fire eaters, and puppeteers perform. You’ll gasp as the King’s mounted knights battle on horseback, and laugh as bawdy beggars compete in mud. Parking is free. Kids 3 & under are free also. Event details.
Boston Lights will once again illuminate Franklin Park Zoo with sparkling new lantern additions, plus a few returning favorites. Experience the wonder of over 55 magnificent displays of hundreds of lanterns spanning over 72 acres. Luminous scenes from the rainforest, whimsical ocean displays , glowing corridors of lotus and bamboo, and traditional Asian lanterns are just a glimpse of what you'll see. Go while you can as this delightful exhibit leaves on September 24. Event details.
Check out the Chinatown Lantern Festival along the Greenway over Labor Day weekend. Auntie Kay and Uncle Chin Park is where this Mid Autumn Lantern Festival is taking place. Expect vendors, lion dance, martial arts, opera singing, and much more. Event details.
Marolborough has lots to offer families over the three-day weekend. Why not plan a trip north to enjoy the Greek Festival; be sure to time it with New England's largest Labor Day parade, taking place on September 5. Event details.
A weekend getaway is one of the best things to do in Boston Labor Day weekend, and not just because of all the scenic spots and activities the island has to offer. It's also when local artists display their work at the Labor Day Weekend Festival. Unique experiences and live local music await. Event details.
It's your last chance to build and play at the LEGOLAND Discovery Center Boston before it closes down for a serious facelift on September 6, 2022 (don't worry, it'll be back in 2023). Be sure to check out the Space Mission exhibit while you're there. Event details.
Bring the kids to a Confidently Me! Workshop. This fun and interactive workshop teaches kids about confidence, courage, self-care, and self-esteem, as they learn how to identify feelings associated with low-esteem and ways to conquer those feelings. Event details.
Check out your favorite exhibits at the ICA. Admission is free for everyone, and it's one of our favorite things to do in Boston Labor Day weekend. They'll have tons of cool things for families to experience when they visit. Event details.
Supersized Creatures are on display at Stone Zoo, but not for much longer. This incredible exhibit features 30 life-size animal sculptures made from millions of colorful bricks. It's where you can see the world’s small but mighty predators like never before as you come face-to-face with a 370-pound praying mantis (composed of over 38,000 bricks) and slither past a 932-pound spitting cobra (made from 92,000 bricks). Event details.
Go to the movies on National Cinema Day (September 3) for just $3 per ticket. Major chains like AMC and Regal Cinemas, along with college campus theaters and some smaller independent theaters, are set to participate. Check the website to find a participating theater near you. Event details.
With all the road tripping families have been doing over the past year and a half, it’s no wonder our kids can crush the miles. Autumn is the best time to sneak in a quick family getaway weekend, when the hot spots are less crowded, the mountain passes are still open and the days are still warm. Check out these kid-approved fall getaways that are an easy drive from Seattle and will help the whole family unwind, decompress and recharge before winter arrives.
Tacoma
Natalie Compagno
Just a short freeway jaunt away, Tacoma is another state of mind. It’s a sister to Seattle where everything is just a little easier and a little more relaxed. But this small(er) town still has big plans, starting with the new arrivals at Point Ruston and Point Defiance.
Tacoma welcomes the new Silver Cloud Hotel at Point Ruston Waterfront! The new property is elegant and welcoming, in the heart of the family-fun zone, and vacation starts as soon as you arrive. Don bathing suits and hit the fifth-floor pool and hot tub or just enjoy the well-appointed rooms and views. Stroll into Point Ruston via the waterfront walking path to catch the latest film at Century Theatres, grab a scoop of ice cream at Ice Cream Social, or bite into a locally sourced burger at Stack 571 Burger & Whiskey Bar. You’re never too young for art–take your artists-to-be on the ART at Point Ruston sculpture walk with curated, changing art. Rent kid’s wheels at Wheel Fun Rentals or a variety of “roadsters” for all ages and cruise around the Waterwalk, then climb and play on the Ferry Big Toy and swing set at Promenade Park.
There’s more! Point Defiance Aquarium has a new star–Gertie the octopus. Don’t miss a chance to make a new friend there and see old buddies at the zoo. And on the way out of town, don’t miss the Children’s Museum of Tacoma. It entertains and educates and is always pay-as-you-will admission.
When planning family road trips, Mukilteo may not come to mind—but it should. The area has so much to offer and is easy to navigate, allowing for fun excursions while cutting road time and maximizing relaxation. Get sandwiches to go from Red Cup Café and fly kites on the beach. Set up home base at the Mukilteo Silver Cloud, the big tables next to the lobby are perfect for playing games while overlooking the Sound. Hungry campers will be pleased to recognize Ivar’s next door, with views to match the chowder. For another local’s hot spot hit up Diamond Knot in the center of town. The ice cream is wait-worthy, and the “cook your own steak” on a hot granite rock is fun for budding chefs.
Trek into Snohomish County, aka Seattle’s North Country. The Outback Kangaroo Farm will send the kiddos into paroxysms of delight. The family-run rescue ranch is passionate about animal welfare, and their humorous approach makes the kangaroos accessible for even the littlest tinies. After working up a sweat with the joeys and alpacas, cruise into quaint downtown Arlington to Glory Bucha. You’ll appreciate the charming owner and healthy brews, the kids will love the sweet fizzy concoctions and can do a taste flight just like the grown-ups. For adult beverages with food for kiddos and room to roam make Elemental Cider a destination. It's a casual, festive place with wood fire pizza, plus gluten-free options. Yum!
Did you know Coupeville was the setting for the movie Practical Magic because of its New England-esque atmosphere? Visitors feel transported back in time to a gentler place when they settle into Whidbey Island for a fall vacation. Make the newly renovated Captain Whidbey your group’s HQ–a combination of rustic chic and summer camp fun. The cabins have fireplaces and views of Penn Cove, while the Lagoon Rooms come replete with day beds for wee ones. The dining room and bar serve scrumptious concoctions and the property has plenty of nooks and crannies for reading or playing games.
Whidbey has something for everyone. Adventurers can fly through the air at Canopy Tours Northwest or scale a tree for a birds eye view of the Deception Pass Bridge with AdventureTerra. Calling all wranglers! Private or group horse rides are available at Pacific Northwest Riding Academy. Hikers love Possession Sound Preserve, Beach View Farm Easement that takes walkers by a working farm and wetlands, while art enthusiasts will enjoy the Price Sculpture Forest. Foodies grab supplies at 3 Sisters Market for picnics at Dugualla State Park, or for a true culinary experience spend a divine meal and more at Ciao Food & Wine. The pizza is other-worldly (order an extra pie for later, trust us), and their gourmet goods to-go are all imported from Italy. Delizioso! Don’t forget dessert, both Coupeville and Langley have sweet treats: Little Red Hen Bakery serves cookies and Sweet Mona’s satisfies the chocoholics in the group.
Leavenworth
Greg Freitas
Ready for bursts of color and non-stop photo ops? Highway 2 to Leavenworth is a leaf-peeping paradise. The fall foliage on this drive must be seen to be believed—golden, burnt orange and fuchsia explosions of color blanketing the landscape hundreds of feet above the highway. The road is speckled with small Washington towns worth savoring, from eclectic Sultan to snow-crazy Gold Bar to so tiny-but-so-cute Skykomish. Even after the leaves fall, this drive is part of the experience.
Just two hours northeast of Seattle, Leavenworth is all about family fun. Everyone will enjoy nearby hikes, eating bratwurst and visiting the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm. Stay at Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort (think: cozy accommodations, farm-to-table cuisine, onsite Aspen Leaf Day Spa and an amazing rock pool) or Enzian Inn, with its terrific indoor pool. The town itself is on a mission to make the entire faux-Bavarian village more family-friendly. Grab a stein or two while the kiddos ride horses, take carriage rides, putt-putt golf, hit the bike or skate park and more. Don't forget the lederhosen!
Filled with mystery, magic and majestic seascapes, the Long Beach Peninsula makes for a wonderful fall road trip to explore the southwest tip of Washington. Hands-on activities abound so roll up your sleeves and get the kiddos involved. Dig for razor clams by day or lantern light (a license is required). Cranberry harvest runs through late October and the U-Pick Cranberries at Cranguyma Farms is the perfect way to be a part of the season. Take a bike ride or meander on the Discovery Trail and enjoy the fresh air as well as the sculptures and markers along the way.
Long Beach has manageable museums for the little ones. The World Kite Museum and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center are faves. Head to Cape Disappointment State Park—contrary to its name it won’t disappoint! The views and lighthouses are legendary. After watching waves crash and birds soar, you will need somewhere to rest. Stay at Adrift Hotel for a right-on-the-beach experience. The property has a sauna, a covered pool and a distillery onsite, plus it's dog friendly too. The Boardwalk Cottages are a cozy option just down the road. At The Helm is perfect for the sophisticated crew, and history lovers should try the Shelbourne Hotel—the oldest continuously operating hotel in the state.
Not just for the Tulip Festival anymore, La Conner is a “tiny town with big charm.” Bursting with popular exploration adventures, the Skagit Valley is a fabulous place to enjoy the autumn season. It gets crowded so be prepared; fall and winter bring feathered visitors such as the beautiful Trumpeter Swan and Snow Geese. Swinomish Channel teems with seals, bald eagles, great blue herons and otters. Kids will love the family farms that surround the region, and the pumpkin patches are always a hit for picking out that perfect gourd for carving or painting. Stop by Christianson's Nursery to see llamas, goats, birds, rabbits and more and don’t forget to scoop up some plants and gifts to take home.
The town has lots to enjoy. Stroll and savor handmade chocolates, scones, fudge and coffee from the specialty stores on First Street, or wine taste with your pooch at the many dog-friendly establishments. The Museum of Northwest Art is a tiny but mighty museum, and the self-guided Walking Tour of La Conner’s Sculpture Exhibit is another artistic highlight. If the fam gets restless head to the La Conner Swinomish Skateboard Park. Stay at La Conner Country Inn, conveniently located in downtown La Conner with complimentary breakfast and cozy gas fireplaces in the guest rooms.
If your family needs serious bonding time, take your road trip straight to Copalis Beach and check into Iron Springs Resort. Copalis Beach is all the fun your family will need—tide pools, tag games and long beach strolls. Iron Springs cabins are like a second home your family shares, time-tested and comforting, a place you don’t want to leave. The kitchens come loaded with all the accoutrements you need to make vacay meals a breeze. Don’t forget to pick up the signature cinnamon buns at the Iron Springs General Store and anything else your group needs for hunkering down at the resort. The resort welcomes dogs with tennis balls and treats—so bring your four-legged friends.
It’s razor clam digging season! Contact the friendly staff to help obtain the required license and essentials. They will also help with bivalve-digging tips and clam cleaning tutorials. We think your kids will also love kite flying (it's a year-round sport in Ocean Shores), hiking trails that beckon nearby or just holing up with puzzles, books and games for cabin amusement. You won’t want to leave, but if you feel like a night out, reserve a table at just up the road at Ocean Crest for exquisite cuisine that matches the view. Holiday pictures, check!
Did you know that the Olympic National Park is one of the top five most visited national parks in the country? That’s why visiting in fall is the best way to escape the crowds but still enjoy the splendor of the region. The rugged beach and rainforest are unique Washington attributes-experience the magnificence of the Hoh Rainforest, Hurricane Ridge and the "sea stacks" at Rialto Beach. The kids can splish-splash at Sol Duc Hot Springs (open through Oct. 31, 2021) and hunt for hidden treasures on the Olympic Peninsula GeoTour. There are 30 geocaches hidden around the Highway 101 Scenic Byway Loop.
Bike rides along the Olympic Discovery Trail make for relaxing family leg-stretchers, and short day hikes abound. In Port Angeles, explore the new Dream Playground where the tinies can get the squirms out! Foodie families will savor the Olympic Culinary Loop, discovering locally grown, fresh caught and foraged food that inspires local chefs to create delicious Olympic Coast Cuisine. Handcrafted wines, microbrews, spirits and artisanal ciders reward patient parents for their hard work. Stay at Lake Quinault Lodge, Lake Crescent Lodge or Kalaloch Lodge. These impressive rustic gems are signature experiences on their own.
Whether you approach via ferry or I-5, Hood Canal is one of Washington’s most spectacular waterscapes. Tucked away near the tiny town of Union, kid-friendly Alderbrook is Hood Canal’s swankiest resort. Kids will love roasting s'mores by the campfire, beach combing and playing lawn games near the cottages. The entire fam will love the 85-degree salt water pool with hot tub. In addition to rooms, the resort offers spacious cottages perfect for families who are looking to spread out and take advantage of full kitchens. Fungi foraging season is near full swing, and guests can meander the trails and bring home a bounty of delectable mushrooms from the edible landscape. Guided walks take place every Friday with Alderbrook’s resident naturalist. Groups of 10 or larger can also book a private dinner with nature walk at the Gathering Grove.
Or embrace your inner forest ranger and check into Robin Hood Village Resort. If the fairytale setting looks like it was designed by Hollywood, it’s because it was. The rustic resort blends perfectly with the neighboring woods—request the cabins with private Coleman hot tubs. Outdoorsy types will find themselves blissfully at home. City dwellers can drive two miles along the water to Union City Market, a hipster mercantile/café/event space/marina that would fit seamlessly in Ballard.
Need some sunshine this fall? Lake Chelan boasts 300 days of sun, an array of outdoor activities and over 30 wineries hugging the shores of the iconic, sapphire waters of Washington’s largest lake. For real seclusion, hop on the Lady Express to Stehekin (pop. 75) at the northern end of Lake Chelan. Stehekin is inaccessible by car, has no cell phone reception, no ATM, and no connecting roads. Hello, together time!
Closer to town stay somewhere new, like Harmony Meadows Tennis Resort, a world-class destination tennis resort or The Lookout, a vacation village perched above the lake. Families can also lay heads at old fave Wapato Point, a 116-acre waterfront property. Then get ready for an “Oh My Gosh” list of adrenaline-filled (and some calmer) outdoor diversions. Take flight on a scenic ride with Lake Chelan Helicopters or make the leap with Sky Dive Chelan for a stunning view of the terrain. Get into the vines (and the nectar therein) with the guided Chelan Electric Bikes tour through the local wine country.
After so much exercise there will be tummys to feed. Eat at Blueberry Hills—a small, family owned and operated U-pick berry farm and restaurant with the best breakfast blintzes on the planet. For evening entertainment, don’t miss Chelan’s Ruby Theatre, a Main Street American classic. The state’s oldest continuously operating theatre, the Ruby has been screening first-run films since 1914.
On the banks of the mighty Columbia River, Mount Hood beams down on visitors to Hood River, Oregon. The scenery makes it a choice autumn destination and kids love Multnomah Falls, the Bridge of the Gods and Lost Lake. Visit Dry Creek Falls by the Pacific Crest Trail, a rushing waterfall that, despite its name, is never dry. There are farms and picnic spots galore. Meander along Hood River Fruit Loop, a 35-mile pastoral drive through the valley’s orchards, forests and farmlands. The region provides great photo ops, as well as fruits and wine, lavender and alpacas and family activities.
Two notable farms are Packer Orchards Farm Place for local fruits and vegetables with plenty of parking and picnicking, and Draper Girls Country Farm with a year-round, self-serve fruit stand, u-pick cherries, apples and pears in season, and farm-raised lamb, pork and beef for purchase. Ready for sport? Sign the fam up for the Locks Approach Disc Golf Course–it’s free and open to all ages and abilities. Or check out Oregon E-bikes for e-bike rentals so your group can keep cruisin’ with ease. Stay at Skamania Lodge, the “wow” factor is hard to beat. Luxury treehouses plus resort, zip lining, an indoor pool and outdoor hot tub make everyone in the family say, “best trip ever!” Or for something a little out of the box, travel about 40 minutes north to Mt. Adams Getaway.
—Natalie Compagno, Kristina Moy, Sara Billups & Allison Ellis
They’re back! And the Washington State Fair is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to family-friendly fall festivals. These 18 fests feature everything from farm animals and U-pick pumpkins, to celebrations that highlight cultures, music, even LEGO bricks. Scroll down and get ready to fill your calendars!
Editor’s note:As safety measures continue to evolve due to the Delta variant, please remember to follow local and state guidelines regarding masks, social distancing and more, and double check information for last-minute changes before heading out with the kids.
Harvest Festival at Nelson Farm
courtesy Suncadia
Whether you've got a Suncadia stay planned for the fam (lucky you!) or you're just heading up for the day to enjoy the mountains, the Harvest Festival at Nelson Farm puts all things fall at your fingertips. If you haven't picked out your pumpkin yet, stroll through the Nelson Farm patch to find the perfect one. Stay to enjoy a wagon rides as a family, live music and a vendor market. Your kids will love wandering through the hay maze, climbing the hay pyramid, getting their faces painted and meeting animals at the petting zoo. Plus, everyone can take aim at the archery range. You've got two weekends to make it happen!
Families in Washington have been "doing the Puyallup” for over 100 years, and after last year's hiatus everyone is excited it's back. This year's state fair opened Labor Day weekend and will be open daily (with the exception of Tuesdays and Wed., Sep. 8) through September 26. If you want to see and do it all, you’d better plan on waking the kids up early. In addition to returning favorites that families love, like The Farm at SillyVille and Outpost 47 (the family-friendly, free concert stage), you and your crew will want to catch the Budweiser Clydesdales at the Western Rodeo Cattle Drive & Parade or in the Pierce County Arena during draft shows (Sep. 10-16) and the new Hall of Heroes exhibit that immerses visitors in the world of crime fighters, superheroes and spies. Plus enjoy the amusement park rides and games, fair food (Hello, fair scones!), 4-H animals, arts and crafts and hundreds of vendors.
Dates worth noting: Stay for fireworks on Fridays (starting at 10 p.m.); watch master pumpkin carver, Russ Leno create masterpieces at the fountain (Sat. & Sun.); enjoy Animals of the World (Sep. 9-13); and cultural days like Asia Pacific Cultural Center day (Sep. 11), Fiesta Patrias (Sep. 19) and Native American Days (Sep. 22 & 23).
Dates: Sep. 3-26, 2021 (excluding Tuesdays and Sep. 8) Times: Varies (see website) Cost: $11-$15/person; Free, kids 5 & under. Parking is $12 Mon.-Fri. and $17 Sat. & Sun.
Washington State Fair Events Center 110 9th Ave. S.E. Puyallup, WA 98371 253-841-5045
Music that's good for your soul. That's the vibe of this good-time street festival that features brass bands of all shapes and sizes, plus African and Brazilian drum and dance, too. Sixteen bands will make music throughout the day at this outdoor festival, and the whole shebang ends with a community jam at 7 p.m. Get ready to tap your feet and cheer on these phenomenal musicians. And don't forget those ear plugs for the kids!
Editor's note: The Sep. 18 festival in Gig Harbor has been canceled due to weather.
Celebrate ChuSeok, the Korean Harvest Moon Festival, in the South Sound in 2021. The Asia Pacific Cultural Center is making it easy for families to get in on the celebration by hosting two events (one in Gig Harbor and one in Tacoma the following weekend) guaranteed to double the fun. We know your kids will love watching the Mun Dance Team and UW student-led K-POP group, The Kompany. Then wander the grounds in search of your favorite Korean eats, cultural presentations, Tae Kwon Do demos and a thrilling drum performance by Thunder and Wind.
Dates & Times: Sep. 18, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. in Gig Harbor; Sep. 25, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. in Tacoma Cost: Free
Fiestas Patrias is an expression of Latino culture including music, dance, food, folklore and more. The annual two-day event will be celebrated virtually and in-person this year. Families can enjoy a livestream presentation on September 18, starting at noon, in partnership with Seattle Festál. Then on September 19, there will be an in-person health fair (including a vaccine event) at the Sea Mar Community Center in the South Park neighborhood.
Take the whole fam to Remlinger Farms for a super-fun fall outing. In addition to a hay maze, corn maze and pony rides ($5), there will be plenty of mini-carnival rides—25 to be exact—including a roller coaster and Ferris wheel, electric cars, flying pumpkins and a horse carousel. If that’s not enough excitement, head over to the barn to visit with the farm animals, pick the perfect jack-o-lantern at the U-pick pumpkin patch (included with your ticket price) and enjoy plenty of yummy food and apple treats (think pies, turnovers and caramel apples) at the farm market.
Good to know: If your little wrangler has their heart set on a pony ride, be sure to reserve your spot in advance.
Dates: Sat. & Sun., Sep. 25-Oct. 31, 2021 Times: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (admission gate closes one hour prior to closing) Cost: $24.95/person; Free for kids under 2
Remlinger Farms 32610 N.E. 32nd St. Carnation, WA 98014
Enjoy a night of fab food, live music and entertainment and more at the Chinatown-ID Night Market. Located in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District, the Night Market is where your family can feast on variety of international food items from street vendors and local restaurants, and stroll through the outdoor market to browse local handmade goods, fresh-cut flowers, Asian-inspired items and more. Psst! Don't miss the all ages dance party.
Date: Sept. 25, 2021 Time: 1-9 p.m. Cost: Free
Chinatown-International District Seattle, WA 98104 206-382-1197
Be a part of this floating festival that bring light, hope and a sense of connection to families across the country. The Water Lantern Festival will be back at Green Lake this year for another launch. Families can enjoy food, games, activities, vendors and music as they work to create and then decorate their own floating lanterns. Then as the sun begins to set, everyone gathers to launch their message of hope, peace, health and happiness along the shores as participants Light the Water. Take time to enjoy the glow!
This annual festival, produced by Northwest Folklife, is returning in its virtual format again this year! Last year's event featured a virtual smorgasbord of kid-favorite activities including music, dance, stories, educational programming and more, paired with a virtual passport. Although details are still being worked out for this year's festival, families can expect the same thoughtful programming that brings fun and a sense of community home.
Fox Hollow is bringing the fun to fall this year with two different festivals families can attend. During the day Fall Fun event, families can meander through the adventurous trail that leads them through a hay maze, along the Issaquah Creek, ending at a pumpkin patch, full of gord-geous pumpkins waiting to go home with you. The trail takes about 35-45 minutes to complete and you'll need to purchase tickets (for a two hour window) online before heading over. If you've got older kids, give the Haunted Hollow trail a try on Saturday nights. Thousands of twinkling lights, bonfires and torches will light the way along the path and there will be s'mores waiting for you at the end. Tickets are also needed for this event.
Good to know: Fall Fun runs Fridays through Sundays until Oct. 3 when it moves to Wednesdays through Sundays. Haunted Hollow is Saturdays, starting September 25.
Insider tip: Put Fox Hollow’s Halloween Carnival on your calendar for Oct. 30. It’s a chance for kids to don their costumes and treat bag and make their way around the farm gathering candy goodies.
Dates: Sep. 17-Oct. 29, 2021 Times: vary (check website) Cost: $55/car (6 people or less)
Fox Hollow Farm 12123 Issaquah Hobart Rd. S.E. Issaquah, WA 98027
Since 1988, Festa Italiana has been a labor of love from a community of Italian American volunteers providing this free event of Italian food, arts and culture at the Seattle Center. And this year, the event coordinators are thrilled to announce it's the first in-person event at Seattle Center in nearly two years. Highlights of the two-day fest include cooking demos by celebrity chefs, a bocce tournament, a grape stomping competition, kids' activities and the hugely popular group pizza toss.
Your family has been invited by the Lord of Camlann to go back in time and attend his Michelmasse Festival with demonstrations of fresh cider pressing, puppetry and music by Jacob Priestly’s Troop Man in the Moon. Plus experience long bow archery, sheep petting and fascinating demonstrations of wool dying, blacksmithing, spinning and pottery making. You and the kids will get to imagine (and experience) what cottage life would be like in 1376 in the colorful world of Chaucer’s England. Join in the fun by renting fine attire and taking in the Michelmasse Feast. Psst! Don't forget to stop by the Scribe Shop where you can purchase books, gifts and replica pottery with medieval art to take home as keepsakes.
Dates: Sept. 25 & 26, 2021 Times: noon–5 p.m. Cost: $10/Adults; $8/Youth (6-12) and Seniors (60 & older); Free for kids 5 & under. Feast & festival tickets are $50/person.
10320 Kelly Rd. N.E. Carnation, WA 98014 425-788-8624
Leavenworth's beloved annual Oktoberfest will have a significantly different vibe this year, but there's still every reason to visit this themed mountain village this fall. Families will love the "street fair" vibe and casual feel of this year's festival that focuses more on local shops and makers than it does on beer. Lining the streets of downtown Leavenworth, you'll find 100 vendors, crafters and artists showcasing their wares. But families can still expect the special Kinderplatz area with activities kids will love. The upside of the changes? There's no cost to attend the event.
Issaquah’s Salmon Days is a celebration of the return of salmon to their "birth-waters” as well as the city’s history, culture and diversity. Each year, the festival attracts hundreds of artists and crafts people and presents live music and entertainment, plus sporting events, a carnival, a huge food court. Much of this year's festival is still in the planning stages, but families can rest assured that the salmon will be welcomed in style this year too.
Celebrate fall (and everything it brings with it) at Kelsey Creek Farm again this year. That's right, one of the Eastside's best fests is back for 2021! It features a variety of old-time activities and plenty of farm fun. Look forward to animal encounters, a petting zoo, 4-H animal demonstrations, interactive children’s activities and food, plus heritage demonstrations and activities by the Eastside Heritage Center, tractor-pulled wagon rides and more!
Good to know: As there is limited parking, there is usually a shuttle that runs from Wilburton Park & Ride and Banner Park.
Who says LEGOs are just for kids? BrickCon is an annual convention put on by adult LEGO hobbyists that runs every year (except for 2020) during the first week of October. During the last two days of the convention, the public is invited to see what these creators of colorful bricks have come up with at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall. And this is no ordinary LEGO store display. Here, you will see hundreds of builders with their models that feature tens of thousands of pieces. Some will even be on hand to share their love of brick building with you and will give out a few pointers as well. Plus, you can find cool sets, parts and minifigs at the Brick Bazaar.
Good to know: No strollers are allowed.
Dates: Oct. 2 & 3, 2021 Times: 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Cost: $25/person. Tickets are good for one 2.5 hour window and can be purchased online.
Seattle Center Exhibition Hall 301 Mercer St. Seattle, WA 98109
At this annual event, now in its 16th year, families can expect to find all things German (think: beer, brats, authentic entertainment), plus wiener dog races, fab family entertainment like the Chicken Dance and May Pole dance, a Family Fest Zone & Kinderfest with arts and crafts, a root bier garden, pumpkin decorating, dance lessons, games, face painting and much more!
Dates: Oct. 8-10, 2021 Times: Fri., noon-midnight; Sat.,11 a.m.-midnight; Sun., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (All ages until 6 p.m. on Fri. & Sat., and all-day Sun.) Cost: $12-$17/Person (12 & under free all weekend). Half-price tickets on Sun.
Washington State Fair Events Center 110 9th Ave. S.W. Puyallup, WA 98371
Celebrate Día de los Muertos (a.k.a. the Day of the Dead), a Latin American holiday honoring relatives who have passed away, at the Phinney Neighborhood Association. This year's celebration includes a community procession and dedication of a traditional altar for offerings to the deceased (bring your offerings!). Plus, families can enjoy live music and dance, do arts and crafts, nosh on delicious food and warm up with a cup of Mexican hot chocolate.
The days are getting shorter; you’re dreaming about the chilly temps of fall, and best of all, it’s nearly time to celebrate the best that autumn brings. We’ve brushed off our list of the best fall festivals in the country, and this year you’ll find everything from the Leavenworth Oktoberfest to the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival—basically, the ultimate list of festivals you should visit at least once with the kids.
**Editor’s note: COVID safety precautions vary from event to event. Please check the websites for updated information.
Balloon pilots from all over the county fly in to be a part of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. As the largest ballooning event in the world, it features over 500 hot air balloons. Adding to the fun will be special balloon glows, a special shape rodeo, laser light shows, chainsaw carvings, fireworks, a car show and plenty of musical entertainment.
The Maryland Renaissance Festival - Crownsville, MD
Maryland Renaissance Festival
Revel Grove is your “passport to merriment” say the folks at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. Here you’ll experience events and shows that you won’t see anywhere else: jousting competitions, jugglers, artisans performing works of Shakesphere in just 20 minutes, mimes, dancers and more. Feast on such delights as Macaroni and Cheese on a Stick, Beef Fingers with White Peppered Gravy and Steak on a Stake. If you want to get in on the act, costume rentals are available.
Dates: Aug. 28 - Oct. 24th, 2021 (weekends and Labor Day Monday)
Come to Stone Mountain Park at night to experience special not-so-spooky glow-in-the-dark fun. “Play by Day” enjoying the regular attractions and special fall entertainment. Stick around after dark to “Glow by Night” by taking a journey through classic storybook tales that come to life in 10 themed areas featuring 40 scenes with glowing lights, massive carved pumpkins, bubbles, fog and more. New in 2021 is the party parade!
The famous Pumpkin Village (featuring 90,000 pumpkins, squash and gourds) is in a new location this year, just beyond the Johnsson color garden! You'll find larger-than-life insect topiaries, bugged-out pumpkin houses and a maze that'll thrill the youngest of visitors.
Willkommen! You won't want to miss one of the largest Oktoberfests in the country and this year, it celebrates 42 years of fun. Held at River West Festival Park, this event brings together international German bands, Bavarian delicacies, authentic arts and crafts as well as games and competitions for the entire family. Don't miss the Dachshund Dash and the Costume Parade!
The Salmon Days Festival is 52 years in the making, and this year's theme is "Keep on Swimming." This annual event is a celebration of the return of salmon to their “birth-waters” as well as Issaquah’s history, culture and diversity. Each year the festival attracts over 200 artists and craftsmen, live music and entertainment, sporting events and even a section of virtual events.
Since 1903, the Circleville Pumpkin Show has seen people come from miles around to see the largest pumpkins on display (In 2014, a 1,964-pound pumpkin was here. It's tough to beat that one!). You'll also find the largest pumpkin pie, various parades featuring over 40 floats and over 50 bands, live entertainment, the chance to partake in the pumpkin toss and enjoy many pumpkin spice-flavored treats.
The Annual North Carolina Pecan Harvest Festival features the Pecan Run, the Columbus Cooks pecan cooking competition (with a focus on young cooks), the festival parade, live entertainment, the Tri Beach Cruisers car show, a lot of craft vendors, an art show, an antique tractor show, of course, pecans galore!
If you’ve never seen anyone sit inside a giant pumpkin and then race it across a lake dressed in costume, then you obviously haven’t been to the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta. This free, one-day festival is jam-packed with fun, including the weigh-off of the giant pumpkins and other monster-sized vegetables; performances by magicians, clowns and musical acts; a costume contest; a pumpkin pie eating contest; pumpkin bowling and pumpkin golf; food trucks and the giant pumpkin race.
The 27th annual Appleupmpkin Festival is held in conjunction with Kapnick Orchards Apple Festival, so you get two festivals in one! Not only will you find midway rides, carnival games, bounce houses and craft stations, you’ll also be treated to a tractor show, a straw maze, helicopter and monster truck rides, an entire scarecrow-making tent and more. There’s also an antique street fair and flea market, and an arts and crafts show if you want to get a little shopping in.
Olvera Street is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Los Angeles and for good reason. From the legendary Mexican marketplace to the historic buildings, it's a wonderful place to immerse yourself in another culture. Every year they have a Dios de los Muertos celebration that starts with a traditional procession that includes Aztec dancers and a parade of "Living Muertos," where people dress up like skeletons and don colorful costumes. There's also a chance to have your face painted up to look like a Calavera!
The festivities at this famous fall event will look a little different in 2021, but there is still fun to be had. The traditional Oktoberfest celebration won't happen, but there will be a huge focus on local businesses and artisans, creating more of a Harvest Fest vibe. There will be over 100 vendors over the three weekends, you'll still be able to eat all your favorite Oktoberfest foods and of course, the Kinderplatz kiddie area will still be open!
Following a flock of sheep may sound like something out of a nursery rhyme, but did you know it’s also one of the most beloved fall festivals in the United States? Celebrate the history of sheep ranchers in Idaho at this five-day event filled with non-stop fun: multicultural performers, storytelling, cooking classes, sheepdog trials, folklife fair, weaving demos and over 50 local artisans selling crafts and art. The spotlight event (of course) is the Big Sheep Parade, where you and your family will view the spectacle of over 1,500 sheep wandering down Main Street in Ketchum.
Good to know: The Parade Picnic at Irving’s Hill is a great spot to enjoy local fare and watch the sheep make their annual trek.
Stillwater Harvest Festival and Pumpkin Weigh-Off - Stillwater, MN
iStock
This bucolic little town on the shore of the St. Croix River not only gets a ton of gorgeous fall color this time of year, but it also hosts one of the best fall festivals around. Kids can come in costume and join in the Costume Parade which takes the children trick-or-treating to all the local downtown businesses. There's a chili cook-off and microbrew tasting, craft and food vendors and a ton of pumpkin-themed activities. Cheer on local businesses as they compete in the Pumpkin Pull (imagine being hooked up like an ox to haul giant pumpkins) and the Pumpkin Regatta—a race up the St. Croix in giant hollowed-out pumpkins for boats.
Good to know: Locals know to stick around 'til the end of the fest for the giant pumpkin drop: prize-winning pumpkins are hoisted on a crane and dropped to the sidewalk below. You can scramble in and get your share of giant pumpkin seeds for your own garden!
It's one of the state’s most popular festivals for a good reason: the Angry Orchard 5K, tons of amusement rides, a pie bake-off and pie-eating contest, a petting zoo, road races, a beer garden and pony rides. Literally, something for everyone.
This three-day smorgasbord of food and entertainment will feature over 50 local restaurants and musical acts performing on six stages. It’s kind of a big deal. Here you can sample wines, learn about local beers and watch some great chefs showing off their skills. Admission is free, and you can get a sheet of 10 “taste tickets” for just $5. Be sure to take the kids to the T-Mobile Kids’ Area too to try out the Wacky Slide, swings and to visit Toddler Town.
Over 100 hand-crafted scarecrows show up at the Scarecrow Festival in downtown St. Charles every year, and while some are designed to spook, most are charming for all ages. Visitors have a hand in the awards (vote-as-you-view in five categories), and after voting, there's enough family-friendly entertainment to last an entire weekend. Now in its 36th year, there's more than just scarecrows to admire. There's a family zone, the scarecrow stroll, live music, a professional pumpkin carver and of course, the popular scarecrow in a box.
Pioneer Farms will glow with Jack-o’-lantern grins for a whole month! At Pumpkin Nights, you will venture along a half-mile walking path, where you’ll discover the Forbidden Pumpkin City, a pirate’s cove, and more fantastical lands built using over 3,000 hand-carved real and artificial pumpkins. The celebration continues with entertainment and games in Pumpkin Central, the festival area. There’s also food, beverages, screenings of A Nightmare Before Christmas and other activities for the whole family.
Apples are a fave fall, and southern Pennsylvania has been celebrating since 1962. At this two-weekend event, you’ll find apples cooked up in more ways than you’ll have thought possible: apple cider, applesauce, pies, jellies, pancakes, syrup, candied apples and much more. Work up an appetite at the Kid Country Barn where your tiniest festival fans will enjoy face painting, harvest magic shows, and apple pie-eating contests. There are hayrides, pony rides, Native American dance expos, puppet shows, an antique auto show, over 300 arts and crafts vendors and a ton of family-friendly live music performances.
Good to know: Your money goes to a good cause. All proceeds (after expenses) go back into the community and to other local, state and national charitable organizations.
There are 14,000 acres of commercial pear, apple, cherry and peach orchards in Hood River County, so it’s no surprise the biggest fall festival in the Columbia River Gorge happens here. For three days in October, attendees enjoy a giant pumpkin carving contest, live music, a fruit pie-eating contest, family activities, seasonal produce, food, wine, cider, beer and local arts & crafts from nearly 120 vendors on the scenic Hood River waterfront. Kids will love the activity area, complete with bouncy houses, face painting and other activities.
Looking for the world’s largest cranberry festival? You’ll find it in Warrens, WI—over 120,000 people show up each year. Wander through 850 arts & craft booths and enjoy contests like Guess the Weight of the Largest Pumpkin, Best Scarecrow, Biggest Berry, Marsh Medallion Hunt and more. Tasty eats are everywhere and include unusual offerings like cranberry cream puffs and deep-fried cranberries on a stick. One of the coolest things to do at the festival is to take a tour of the cranberry marshes. You’ll visit two local marshes, walk into a cranberry bed, and learn all about the growing process. Local eats including fresh cranberries, wine and other products can be bought at the end of the tour!
The 48th Annual Harvest Festival in Santa Fe is held at El Rancho de las Golondrinas—a living museum similar to Williamsburg, VA—and there are 200 acres to explore. Wander through over 30 buildings, see ponds and waterways, spot animals, and check out agricultural fields that produce traditional crops like corn, squash and peppers. During the Harvest Festival, visitors encounter “villagers” going about their daily routine: crushing grapes, stringing chilies, making tortillas, weaving cloth. Traditional Southwestern music and dance is also a festival highlight, as well as an artist market with New Mexican crafts, mule-drawn wagon rides, and more. Rated one of the best harvest festivals in the country, families will learn about the rich culture of the Southwest.
The Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival - Half Moon Bay, CA
The self-proclaimed World Pumpkin Capital gives other harvest festivals a run for their money with the combination of a small seaside community and pumpkins, pumpkins everywhere! This year it's going to be a mini-fest, on one day and scaled-down festivities. You'll still find top crafters and artists from around the country, the 43rd Annual Pumpkin Run, the famous pumpkin weigh-off, a costume contest, a pumpkin carving, a pie-eating contest, and plenty of good food. Be sure to bring cash so you can get a picture with the winning pumpkin!
Everything’s bigger in Texas, and when it comes to festival royalty, Queen Tunaep and King Reboog (yup, peanut and goober spelled backward) are no exception—since the late '30s the festival court has donned be-jeweled and be-ribboned gowns and capes that make Queen Elizabeth look like an amateur. But the glamorous get-up of the Bohemian Blooms Court is not the only fun for families in Floresville during the festival. There’s the Goober Games, which is filled with kid faves like sack races, peanut toss, and musical peanut; the parades are worth a watch too.
Fall wouldn’t be the same without the changing of the leaves. The tree-covered hills in southern Ohio are the perfect spot to capture the view, and since 1968, thousands of folks have gathered for three days of fun. There are four skyline drives to take in the beauty of the leaves: Buckskin Loop, Paint Vista Loop, Pike Lake Loop and Redbush Loop. Kids will love both the live pet show and the stuffed animal pet show (with categories such as largest, smallest, most unusual, most lovable), and the kiddy tractor pull. Adults will love the flea market, tribute bands, 5K run and more.
This year marks the 11th annual event taking place under the Oktoberfest Bigtop at Smith Fields. If you’re a kid age 12 and under you get in for free; anyone over the age of 12 needs to chip in $7. You’ll be entertained with great German music and a few crazy contests including log sawing, keg throwing, stein holding, and for the kids, a chicken dance-off. Lots of beer, bratwurst, sandwiches and soups too. The kids will especially enjoy the hot dog with mac & cheese plate.
Celebrating the rich agricultural history of pecans (the harvest goes all the way back to pre-colonial times) the Louisiana Pecan Festival has grown from a Frontier Days theme in the early ‘70s to a three-day festival filled with fun for the whole family. The weekend kicks off with Children's Day. There are arts and crafts booths, a cooking contest, carnival rides, great food, musical entertainment, the Grand Parade and a fireworks show on Saturday night is followed by the Street Dance. Be sure to hit up The Country Store, where you can pick up homemade pecan pies, pralines, jams, jellies, local honey and of course, pecans.
It’s hard to believe that crisp fall days and sweater weather are lurking around the corner. Resist the urge to mourn another summer in the books and look ahead to those sweet-spot autumn temps that are perfection for outdoor exploring. Over half of Wisconsin is covered in forest, making it an ideal place to view the stunning colors of the harvest season. Take a quick day or weekend trip to partake in the beauty of Wisconsin and enjoy everything from pumpkin patches to train rides.
Orange or white, short and squatty or tall and slender, pumpkins come in all shapes and sizes. You'll have your pick at one of Wisconsin's numerous pumpkin farms.
Waldvogel Farm starts its season Sep. 18 and being the biggest in the state, you won't be at a loss for activities. You'll find more than 60 attractions, including the world's largest inflatable pumpkin. Have you ever tried pumpkin bowling? If that's a no, here's your chance. Burch Barn lets you try your hand at knocking down some pins before you start searching for your take-home pumpkin. And at Mommsen's Harvel Hills in Rice Lake, you can catapult pumpkins 300 feet into the air with their medieval trebuchet catapult.
After pumpkin-picking, wind your way through a corn maze and then rest up at one of the rented bone fire areas at Schuster Farm in Deerfield. For those who prefer to do their corn-maze-conquering in the dark, the farm keeps the 20-acre maze open until 11 p.m.
In a mash-up of art, outdoor game and social experiment, Treinen Farm's unique corn mazes have a specific theme each year, with an entire experience built around that theme. Once you enter the maze, you'll be handed a map with missing pieces that are gathered as you make your way to different stages that take you to the finish line. This year's theme is Cat and Other Thought Experiments.
It doesn't get any more midwest-fall than picking apples. Eau Claire's The Glass Orchardis a combo orchard and glass blowing studio. After picking apples, take a peek at their shop where customers can find glass-blown pumpkins and ornaments. While you're in the area, stop by Dixon's Autumn Harvest Orchard and Winery that offers free hayrides and mazes for kids on the weekends.
If you're looking for something more than apples, Ecker's Apple Farm grows Wisconsin peaches in the fall and offers local brews at Hog's Back Brew Farms, a unique beer garden nestled among the apple trees.
Make your harvesting fun uniquely special and view the fall foliage aboard a historic train ride with Mid-Continent Railway. They offer a Pumpkin Special ride that lets riders hop off to pick their pumpkins halfway through at Quartzite Lake.
You can also ditch your four wheels and sit back with East Troy Railroad, which stops at the Elegant Farmer, a popular apple orchard know for its paper bag-baked apple pie.
Press your own apple cider using historic traditional equipment from the Washington Island Farm Museum at the Fall Fun Fest & Cider Pressing Party. While you're there, sip on local cider while the kids snack on freshly dipped caramel apples.
Did you know Wisconsin has a state fruit? Yep, it's cranberries. The Warrens Cranberry Festival, Sep. 24-26, includes a guided tour of the surrounding cranberry marshes that provide fresh local cranberries.
Cedarburg's Wine and Harvest Festival, Sep. 18-19, will delight the adult palates in the group, but kids will be entertained watching the pumpkin carving demonstration, pumpkin regatta, grape stomping contests and the giant pumpkin weigh-in.
Orchards from across the county come together for the Bayfield AppleFest, Oct. 1-3 as a celebration of fall, nature and agriculture. The apple peeling contest is always a highlight, as is the crowning of the Apple Queen. There are more than 15 apple orchards within a few miles of the city limits, making it the perfect place for an orchard visit. Be sure to stop by Superior View Farm, a 100-year-old orchard that is home to the one-of-a-kind Merlot apple that was started right there on the farm.
Editor’s note: We’re making every effort to provide you with the most up-to-date information. However, sometimes closures occur at the last minute due to circumstances beyond our control, such as the spread of COVID-19. We highly recommend that you call ahead before you pack your kids pack your kids (and all those snacks, and diapers…) and haul them across town. Stay safe!
This month is full of free and cheap things to do with your family in the Bay Area including pumpkin patches that you can visit with your family and loads of farms with baby animals that are great for visitors. Scroll through and pick some of your favorites for your October calendar!
CuriOdyssey's Autumn Nights Festival
CuriOdysse
Celebrate the spirit of Halloween every Friday and Saturday night in October at CuriOdyssey’s Autumn Nights, a glowing harvest festival for families! Dance to spooky music and celebrate with a cash bar. Explore a land of creepy and fun jack-o-lanterns. Meet animals up-close and see them enjoy Halloween-themed wildlife enrichment. Event details.
This October, take the Bay Day Trail Challenge and pledge to walk, run, bike, wheel or paddle 25-miles along the Bay Trail or choose five adventures to connect and engage with the Bay, your way. There are more than 350 miles of open space and trails to explore and there’s an adventure for everyone. Complete the challenge and you’ll be entered to win the grand prize. Event details.
Zoppe Italian Family Circus Drive-In
Zoppe Family Circus
The Zoppé Italian Family Circus welcomes guests into a classic drive-in style event for their 2020 performance. For 2020, Zoppé brings a show timely referred to as “The Show Must Go On”. This one-ring circus honors the best history of their 178 year old Old-World Italian tradition and stars Nino the Clown, along with many other thrilling acts. Uniquely intertwining historic footage and live performances, this is a show only a pandemic could create. Event details.
SFMOMA Reopens with Free Admission
SFMOMA
The museum is open to the public (at 25% capacity) with two weeks of Free Community Days and free parking at the museum. Come back and enjoy the tranquil galleries, airy terraces, kid-friendly spaces, and world-class artwork you love, or visit for the first time and discover something new. Oct. 4-18. Event details.
Safely enjoy seasonal menus, craft cocktails and Beetlejuice under the stars. Purchase your drive-in movie ticket and order a to-go meal to enjoy with the show. Oct. 17. Event details.
Take Your Kids on a Bay Area Scavenger Hunt
WolfmanSF via Wikimedia Commons
Ready for a little home town adventure? This scavenger hunt idea will have you exploring the San Francisco Bay Area with the kids in a totally COVID-19 safe way. Hop in the car or head out on your bikes to find these Bay Area landmarks and Insta-perfect locations. You can download this scavenger hunt for kids here.
Visit the SF Botanical Garden
Kathryn Rummel
See what's in bloom at this massive garden in Golden Gate Park. Advance purchase of tickets is suggested. SF residents get in free every day. Admission is free to everyone daily from 7:30-9 a.m. and all day on the second Tuesday of the month. Event details.
Hike + Read at the Presidio's Storywalk
Allison Farrel
Read The Hike by Alison Farrell while exploring the Presidio. Join three friends on a hiking adventure while learning about nature in your national park. Event details.
Check out these roadside oddities
Garrick Ramirez
If you need to get out of the house and hit the road, these roadside oddities are the perfect destination. Can you check them all off?
While we can't visit the California Academy of Science at the moment, you can still see how the penguins are doing via three cameras in their enclosure. Then, head over the live Philippine Coral Reef camera to see all the unique creatures that make up that exhibit. You can also check out all the Academy's fascinating specimens here (see Research Specimens on the right-hand side).
This webcam will give you a live look at the PIER 39 sea lions and Alcatraz Island. Learn all about these amazing creatures and why they came to live at PIER 39 after the 1989 earthquake here.
A quintessential activity for Bay Area residents is walking across the Golden Gate Bridge. You can do that from the Marin side at the water level by parking at Fort Baker (near the Bay Area Discovery Museum) and walking the steep climb a mile uphill to get to the bridge. Another alternative is to park at the North Tower Golden Gate Parking lot (or nearby along Conzelman Road if the lot is full). Don't miss a walk to the Ridge Battery for some of the best views. See more of our Marin Headlands faves here.
Whether your idea of fun is enjoying a cascading waterfall or spending some time walking trough a Japanese tea garden, Golden Gate park is the place to be. It has over 1,000 acres to explore. Find a full list of all the free fun in Golden Gate Park here.
With gorgeous weather pretty much year round, it's always a good time to head out and explore a new trail. In the spring you can check out all of the local waterfall hikes. Even the youngest walkers will enjoy these hikes that are perfect for them. Or, strap the kids in the stroller and set out on one of these paths that are perfect for stroller hikes.
See the sea life at a nearby tide pool
Kate Loweth
Check the tide schedule and pick a time when the tide is super low before heading out to one of your local tide pools. Kids will love searching for the colorful sea stars, quick-as-lightning minnows and clunky sea snails. The James Fitzgerald Marine Reserve in Half Moon Bay is an ideal spot for tide pool novices as they often have docents there on the weekends to point out all the critters to the kids.
You already know about our favorite pumpkin patches. Now it’s time to discover another fall favorite: super-cool corn mazes for the whole family! Get ready to lose yourself in the stalks at these nearby destinations. Read on for all the details on the best corn mazes in and near LA.
If it's a challenge you're looking for, Tapia Brothers Pumpkin Patch offers a huge corn maze (it's housed in its own lot across from the pumpkin patch and farm stand), complete with a map and trivia questions. In addition to the corn maze, little ones can enjoy a play area, bounce houses, a wagon ride, fresh-roasted corn and, of course, plenty fresh pumpkins to bring home. The corn maze and other fall festivities kick off Sept. 28 and go until Oct. 31. There are also weekend-only horse rides, starting Oct. 5.
Get ready for an adventure as you enter the corn maze under the rainbow at this Moorpark farm. The well-manicured maze is just the right amount of challenging for kids. Expect to spend about 20-25 minutes making your way through the stalks of corn—and don't fall for signs along the path intended to trick the family. At the end, there's a hay pyramid for corn conquerors to climb. Besides the maze, Underwood's Fall Festival is full of fun activities including a pumpkin patch, food vendors and play areas. The weekends welcome extra activities: ring the family for lives bands and a tractor drawn wagon ride. Also check out their website for special events including an Antique Tractor Day and Western weekend.
Forneris Farms in the San Fernando Valley prides itself on being the "original" corn maze of Southern California. These folks take their corn maze seriously with four acres of corn stalks that tower of your head and encourage everyone to "get lost on the farm." This year's maze has a "Country Farm" theme and if your family is feeling energetic and witty you can also try to solve the 12 riddles along the way; they call them the CORNundrums at Forneris Farms. If your witty sidekicks solve all 12 they can enter their riddle card for a chance to win a grand prize. Besides the corn maze, there's also a mini hay maze for little ones to wind their way through.
15200 Rinaldi St. Mission Hills 818-730-7709 Online: fornerisfarms.com
Cal Poly Pomona's Pumpkin Festival
Maybe you didn't know it, but Cal Poly Pomona boasts one of the largest pumpkin patches in Southern California as part of its agricultural program. There are over 70,000 pumpkins in this patch and every one—no matter the size—is just $5! On October 5 and 6 the pumpkin patch will host its annual Pumpkin Festival, which includes a must-visit corn maze with corn stalks over 12 feet high. Once your family makes it out, everyone will receive a button naming them a "maze magician." The festival also includes a petting farm, horse rides and lots of fun, interactive play that revolves around the notion of celebrating California agriculture.
The farm's fall pumpkin patch is a Hello Kitty fan's paradise. The adorable cat is event there to greet you at the corn maze, which is open through October 31 and is included with admission to the pumpkin patch. Little farmers can roam free, get a bit lost (with your supervision) and then make their way out in the end. Afterwards, reward them with a trip to the petting zoo. In addition to the corn maze, Tanaka Farms hosts a Harvest Festival every weekend where the family can enjoy pumpkins cannons, ATV rides and voting in the scarecrow contest. The Tanaka Farm Pumpkin Patch and Harvest Festival runs through October 31.
5380 3/4 University Dr. Irvine 949-653-2100 Online: tanakafarms.com
If you're looking to go big, Head to the Big Horse Feed and Mercantile down in Temecula and get lost in an 11-acre maze—the largest in Southern California. The corn maze and pumpkin patch are open every day of the week and the Harvest Festival is full of family activities every weekend. Besides the massive corn labyrinth, your fall-crazed adventurers can enjoy a hay ride, face painting, a corn cannon and more. Just remember that Temecula can be hot all through October, so bring a hat and sunscreen—those corn stalks don't offer much shade.
Get your ghosts and goblins all geared up, it’s that time of the year! Halloween is right around the corner, and the kids are ready for serious trick-or-treat action. We scoured the country to find the neighborhoods that go all out for Halloween with parades, costume contests, other-worldly decorations and the best of all—full-sized candy bars. Maybe you are lucky enough to have one near you! Keep reading to find out.
At the Soldiers and Sailors Monument at West 89th Street and Riverside Drive a costume parade kicks off at 3:30 p.m. on Halloween. Happy revelers follow the bagpipers in a procession to the Hippo Playground, where they're greeted with donuts and cider.
West 69th Street gets blocked off to street traffic between Central Park West and Broadway from 4-10 p.m. Locals tell us this is THE spot for decorations and treats (get there early to avoid the massive crowds).
The American Museum of Natural History also celebrates Halloween in style. More than 30 of the Museum’s popular halls will be open for trick-or-treating, arts and crafts, fun with roaming cartoon characters and live performances.
More hip 'hoods for NYC Halloween can be found here.
This neighborhood knows what it means to have the Halloween spirit. They start decorating for the holiday starting in September. Visit Leona Boulevard for the highlights with neighboring streets such as Marwinette and Holly Hills Boulevard getting festive too. Up to 1,500 kids have been known to flock to this neighborhood on one Halloween night, so be prepared to wait in line at houses for candy.
This historic neighborhood in Atlanta has a bit of the Halloween flair year round with massive Victorians lining the streets. These (possibly haunted) homes go all out for trick-or-treating and are close together to maximize your candy and minimize your walking. This neighborhood also holds a lantern walk the weekend before Halloween. Swing by nearby Oakland Cemetery to really get in the Halloween spirit!
The Alameda neighborhood in NE Portland is legendary for its decorations and for the motherlode of quality candy. Rumor has it that families in this very walkable neighborhood compete for the prize of the spookiest home of Halloween. Children's author Beverly Cleary grew up in this neighborhood and referenced area streets such as Klickitat Street in her Ramona series.
This neighborhood offers some options for dining out before the trick-or-treating begins and also some large houses that are known to offer the full-size bars everyone wants. Kids love it for decor that's spooky but not too scary.
Every year, the Nashville Zoo transforms into a ghostly paradise during Boo at the Zoo. Fall Festival Field features carnival games, bounce houses, dance parties, corn pit and more. The Howl-O-Ween Hayride takes riders on a trip through the Zoo’s backroads to discover magical scenes. Trick-or-treat around the Zoo trail and uncover festive treats. Enjoy special animal, science and magic shows. Visit the Frightful Farm to take a Dying Traditions home tour or brave the Haunted Barn.
Levittown has a great community feel, and the houses are close together making it easy on the little ones who don't have the stamina to stroll all night. Many folks here sit on their porches to welcome trick-or-treaters, and some will deck out their homes in spooky decor.
Halloween night along this stretch of Cole Valley is an over-the-top street party for trick-or-treatin' kids and their parents in tow. The homes are decked to the nines: haunted garages, elaborate lights and even a window-sized puppet show featuring beloved characters. The sweet spot is on Belvedere Street from Parnassus to 17th: It’s closed to thru-traffic. If you plan to go here, know that some of the houses run out of candy, so arrive early and bring a wagon or stroller as Belvedere is on a hill, which can cause early-onset fatigue in younger trick or treaters.
Find more Bay Area trick-or-treat spots here.
San Diego, CA – Mission Hills
Beth Shea
Families in the Mission Hills neighborhood decorate their homes to the max, so expect ghoulish goblins and creepy crawlies around every corner. Smaller children become a bit spooked, but families with older kids get a kick out of the haunted decor, which tends to be the most elaborate on Sunset Boulevard. Expect lots of candy competition: Residents often report upwards of 500 trick-or-treaters at their doors!
This strip goes all-out for trick-or-treaters: They close off several blocks from King Street toward the south and create a huge, kid-friendly block party of their very own. Everyone is welcomed with open arms and candy bags, too, with streets mobbed with monsters and ghosts, and tons of little ones.
The family-friendly and easily walkable Beacon Hill neighborhood is Boston's best for trick-or-treating fun. The closely spaced Federal-style row houses and narrow streets mean families are able to hit more homes, while the gaslight adds a perfectly eerie glow to the night's festivities.
The whole world can be found when you knock on doors along Embassy Row, where international embassies stretch from the Vice President’s home all the way to Dupont Circle. More than 20 embassies invite trick or treaters to explore cultures from around the world. You may be handed a few tourism pamphlets along with your candy bars, but where else can you say you’ve been trick-or-treating in Indonesia, Armenia, Ireland and Portugal all in one night?
This LA neighborhood is legendary for trick-or-treating. Literally. Though we’ve never confirmed it with anyone who actually experienced it, the urban legend os held that Bob Hope used to personally give out full-sized bars at his home here. Whatever the actual story, Toluca Lake has seized on the idea that they do Halloween best, and the hood is closed to traffic and filled with decked out lawns and homes (remember, many of the people who live here work at the nearby studios and love to show off their amazing prop and set design skills). And yes, there’s plenty of candy!
This Colonial-era village transforms into a free, kid-friendly Halloween haunt filled with spooky decorations and an abundance of candy given out by the shopkeepers. Which shopkeeper is the spookiest? You decide!
After school, until the skies go dark, the Admiral District in West Seattle hosts its annual trick-or-treating extravaganza. This neighborhood/business district with walkable sidewalks pretty much guarantees a good haul in a short amount of time. There are Halloween posters at participating businesses that indicate where candy collectors can load up their treat bags.
This posh neighborhood is beautiful to stroll through with your little ghouls and is rumored to give out the most full-size bars in the city. Bounded by Colorado Boulevard to the west, 6th Avenue to the north, Alameda to the south and Quebec in the east, the city kicks off its Halloween festivities with a parade that starts in Cranmer Park and ends in Robinson Park the weekend before Halloween.
McKinney, TX - Historic Downtown Square
Scare on the Square is an annual event in the historic downtown district of McKinney held on Halloween night from 4-7 p.m. Enjoy a costume contest, pumpkin races and a concert performance by Rockin with Rhett.
This town is a mecca for trick-or-treaters near and far with hundreds of little ones walking the neighborhood street from 6-8 p.m. They keep the good times rolling at their annual Great Pumpkin Roll the Saturday after Halloween where folks bring their old jack-o'-lanterns to Mill Pond Park to race against others. Enjoy donuts, hot cider and tons of fun!
This neighborhood ranks high for walkability, safety and epic amounts of candy loot to be had. You'll find haunted houses and block parties here so be prepared with extra bags to pack out all the candy bars.
Don your face paint and get the candy bags and head to Zona Rosa, the epicenter for this night of fun. North of the Town Square on North Stoddard Avenue, the festivities will include trick-or-treating and a haunted house.
The City of North Charleston's Harvest Festival and Block Party features live musical performances, art and craft booths, costume contests and children’s activities. The fall festivities take place in the Olde Village of North Charleston, located on East Montague Avenue near Park Circle. Trick-or-treating runs from 4-6 p.m. and the event takes place on October 20, 2018 so that you are still free to gather more candy on Halloween.
I know people wax nostalgic about being young in the summertime, but I’ve long believed there’s no better time of the year to be a kid than the fall. I mean, dressing up in costumes? Throwing pumpkins? Getting lost in mazes? All the sugary treats? How can that not appeal to all kids, big and small? Below is our annual round-up of 50 distinctly fall things to do in Denver with kids in 2019. (Plus, a few more that admittedly have nothing to do with fall, but are totally worth checking out!)
Explore a corn maze at Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farms (September 20 – October 27 weekends). You can also take a spookier turn through the After Dark Corn Maze and Dead Zone Scream Park.
Get lost in the family-friendly Maize in the City in Thornton (opens September 27) with a big maize (40 minutes or so) and a little maize (25 minutes or so), and other fun activities. This one even offers a smart phone trivia game to gives hints to those of us who are directionally challenged.
Get scared at Elitch Gardens’ Fright Fest every weekend with Halloween-themed Family by Day activities and scarier Fright by Night fun (Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays September 27 through November 2).
Pick your own pumpkin at the huge pumpkin patches at Rock Creek Farm in Broomfield. (Tip: Plan to stay after to explore the farm, corn maze and kids’ activities because your kids will whine like crazy if you don’t. Also, the line may be long to get in.) Opening day is September 29.
Heather Garbo is a Denver-based writer, mama to two boys, and passionate localist. After years of working in community develoment, she launched Denver Dweller to highlight local businesses and Denver life. She lives in the Berkeley neighborhood where she juggles motherhood, working from home, and frequenting the nearby local shops.
Sip apple cider. Set up your scarecrow. Take a bumbling hayride. Get lost in a corn maze. Fall calls for fun family festivals that celebrate the best of the season. From apple mania in Lincoln Square to a Native American harvest pow wow in Naperville, we have you covered for the best places to get an awesome taste of autumn. Read on to find out why you’ll fall for these festivals.
Cornucopia Fall Fest at Eugene Field
This isn’t your typical day at the park, but rather one filled with pony rides, pumpkins, a petting zoo, plenty of bouncy toys and arts & crafts vendors. If tummies start rumbling, don’t worry! Food trucks will be rolling by throughout the day.
Sep. 12; 10 a.m.-1 p.m. & 2 p.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: Free
5100 N. Ridgeway Ave., Albany Park
Online: eugenefieldpac.com
photo: Lincoln Square Apple Fest
Lincoln Square Ravenswood Apple Fest
Apples stand as everyone’s favorite fall fruit, and this 34th annual Lincoln Square festival celebrates them all, from Akanes to Zestas. Dozens of vendors will be selling apples in all shapes and forms — apple cider, candy apples, apple pie, apple strudel — as well as handcrafted items. There is also a kid zone full of children’s activities and live music throughout the day at the Leland Avenue Kid Zone.
Oct. 2 & 3; 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cost: $5 suggested donation
Lincoln Ave., between Lawrence & Eastwood, Lincoln Square
Online: lincolnsquare.org
Harvest Festival at North Park Village Nature Center
This beloved forest in the city celebrates the harvest by focusing on the animals that begin to prepare for the long winter ahead after gathering their fall goodies. Do nature-centric crafts, stroll the farmers market, watch the scarecrow building contest, listen to storytellers and jam out to live music. If you’re looking for a slice of peace, the nature preserve offers trails that wind through woodland, wetland, prairie and savanna.
Oct. 12 & 13; 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Cost: Free
NPV, 5801 N. Pulaski Rd., North Side
Online: chicagoparkdistrict.com
Kick-Off to Oktoberfest
Pack a picnic and head to Heritage Farm for a traditional German Biergarten complete with German music, pretzels, refreshments, local craft beer and soda.
Sep. 4; 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Cost: $5/person
201 S. Plum Grove Rd., Schaumburg
Online: parkfun.com
Shades of Autumn Festival
You’ll definitely need more than one weekend to visit the Shades of Autumn Fall Festival. Bring the fam as many times as you want because it’s pretty much going on all fall long. Take a little drive for more than 25 family-friendly attractions. Of course, you have the traditional hayrides, pumpkin picking and petting zoo. But, the little ones are also going to be wowed by the famous pumpkin cannon, hamster track, semi-truck slide, trikes for tikes, scrumptious apple cider donuts and so much more.
Sep. 7-Oct. 27; Sat. & Sun. in Sep., Fri-Sun. in Oct.; 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Open Columbus Day
Cost: $15/ages 3-64, $10/ages 65 & up, free for ages 2 & under
Stade’s Farm & Market, 3709 W. Miller Rd., McHenry
Online: stadesfarmandmarket.com
Harvest Bonfire at Heritage Farm
Help celebrate our fall harvest time by taking a wagon ride through Spring Valley’s Heritage Farm, and roasting hot dogs and marshmallows over an open fire.
Sep. 14; 6 p.m.-8 p.m.
Cost: $7/person; free for ages 3 & under
201 S. Plum Grove Rd., Schaumburg
Online: parkfun.com
Harvest Pow Wow at Naper Settlement
Gain insight into the Native American heritage as you celebrate the harvest with dancing, cultural demonstrations, children’s games, craft and food vendors and more.
Long Grove Apple Festival
Expect bushels of fun at Historic Downtown Long Grove’s 26th annual Apple Festival. Take in the beautiful fall outdoor ambiance of the charming village and participate in the many activities offered, including free live music, apple pie-eating contests and more.
Sep. 21-23; Fri., noon-11 p.m., Sat., 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun., 10 p.m.-6 p.m.
Cost: $5/person; free for ages 12 & under
308 Old McHenry Rd., Long Grove
Online: visitlonggrove.com
photo: Homewood Fall Fest
Homewood Fall Fest
Homewood is getting geared up for their favorite fall time fest. From scrumptious cuisine prepared by local eateries to horse-drawn wagons, and pumpkin patches to pony rides, there’s something for the whole family to sink their teeth into.
Sep. 28; 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Cost: Free
Martin Ave., from Hickory to Ridge Roads, Homewood
Online: village.homewood.il.us
Fall Fest at Rehm Park & Oak Park Conservatory
Horse-drawn hayrides, games and a pumpkin patch make this festival one of the best in the near west ‘burbs. Kids can hop aboard the hand-cranked Rehm Trains, enjoy yummy fall favorites from local food vendors or take part in a Fall Scavenger Hunt, which invites families to explore fall landscapes by looking for items outdoors.
Sep. 29; 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Cost: Free
Rehm Park, 515 Garfield St., Oak Park
Online: pdop.org
Harvest Days at Garfield Farm
Head back to the 1840’s at the Garfield Farm & Tavern Museum’s Harvest Days. This only historically intact Illinois prairie farmstead and former teamsters’ inn now serves as a family-friendly 1840s living history farm and inn museum. Learn more about the farm’s harvesting days in the 19th century via demonstrations of farm and household skills, period music and old fashioned treats.
St. Charles Scarecrow Fest
Over 50 handcrafted scarecrows compete for the best in show at this unique fall fest. You can even make a scarecrow of your very own to protect and defend your garden. The arts and crafts show, petting zoo and carnival extend the fun, making for a full day of autumn merriment.
Oct. 11-13; Fri. & Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Route 64 & the Fox River, St. Charles
Online: scarecrowfest.com
photo: Cantigny Park
Fall Festival at Cantigny Park
Roam this 500-acre park as it puts on its very best fall colors. At the annual Fall Festival, you’ll enjoy music, games, hayrides, a petting zoo and more. Stop by Bertie’s, the coffee shop adjacent to the onsite First Division military history museum for a taste of autumn with a cup of hot cider or hot chocolate.
Oct. 12; 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: Free with $5/car parking
Cantigny Park, 1 S. 151 Winfield Rd., Wheaton
Online: cantigny.org