Football games and tailgating are just one way to spend your family time in the fall. Whether you want to avoid the gameday crowds, find something to do on an away game weekend, or need ideas for fall break, here’s a list of some fun fall offerings around town and within an hour’s drive.
Pumpkin Patches
This is probably the #1 fall family outing, and there are plenty to choose from with a few differences. These are listed in proximity.
Farmer In The Dell Pumpkin Patch – Auburn, AL Open to the public beginning at 3pm on Friday, Sept. 27th. Admission is $2 per person ages 6 and up. Admission include a hayride and all activities. Pumpkins, sunflowers, local raw honey, and concessions (on Saturdays) are available for purchase. Professional photographers are welcome with a $25 fee per one hour photo shoot. Fridays feature themed Family Night events from 4:00 – 6:00pm.
Jack O Lantern Lane – Lafayette, AL Open to the public on weekends from 9/28-10/27. $9 admission includes hayride and pumpkin. Other activities and concessions are available for purchase. Outside food allowed! Hayride wagons are wheelchair accessible.
Rocky Top Pumpkin Patch – Salem, AL Open to the public every weekend in October. Birthday parties can also be booked these weekends. $12 admission includes most activities. Pumpkins, pony rides, roasted corn and other concession available for purchase.
Dream Field Farms Pumpkin Patch – Fitzpatrick, AL (14 miles west of Union Springs) Open to the public October 1st – 31st, Tuesday – Sunday (see website for times) and special events for Special Needs Day (October 7th), Columbus Day (Oct 14th), and Pumpkin Smash (Nov 2nd). Admission for ages 3 and up is $12 and includes all activities (discounted admission on Columbus Day and Pumpkin Smash). Pumpkins, gemstones, concessions, and more available for purchase.
Paradise Pumpkin Patch – Eufaula, AL Open to the public on weekends from 9/28 – 10/27 and Columbus Day (Monday, October 14th). Admission for ages 2 and up is $12.50 and includes a pumpkin and all activities except for pony rides ($5 per ride). Outside food allowed and concessions available for purchase. This is our family’s favorite pumpkin patch – it’s worth the drive!
Festivals And Special Events
If you’ve scratched the pumpkin patch itch, check out these offerings, listed by date.
Fall Sundown Concert Series – Kiesel Park, Auburn, AL (Thursdays, Oct. 3rd, 10th, and 24th) – Free concerts! Bring lawn chairs or a blanket to enjoy the show. Inflatables and concessions available. Concerts will start at 6pm.
Fall Family Fun Day – Kreher Preserve & Nature Center, Auburn, AL (Saturday, Oct. 5th 10am – 2pm) Nature hikes, animal encounters, music, face painting and crafts will be featured at this special event. Food will be available for purchase or bring your own picnic (shaded picnic area across from the nature playground). Admission is a $1 donation to the KPNC for everyone 4 and older.
Harvest Festival – Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA (Saturday, Oct. 5th 9am – 2pm) Spend the day in the gardens and enjoy games, pumpkin carving, a scarecrow contest and more. This special event is included in the gardens admission (save money by purchasing tickets online in advance) and the gardens are open until 6pm. (Bonus tip: if you visit Callaway Gardens Monday – Friday during September and October, everyone pays the child’s admission price of $14.95 and kids 5 and under are free.)
2019 Pioneer Day – Loachapoka, AL (Saturday, Oct. 19th, 7am – 4pm) Formerly known as Syrup Sopping, this one day event features demonstrations of cane syrup making, pioneer games, shelling corn and more. Vendors, entertainers, and unique concessions such as sweet potato biscuits make this a full day of family fun. Admission is free!
Girls in Aviation Day 2019 – Auburn University Regional Airport, Auburn, AL (Saturday, Oct. 19th 9am – 2pm) This international event is hosted by the Women in Aviation – War Eagle Chapter and will feature aviation vendors and organizations, food trucks, activities, and airplane displays. Free and open to the public!
City Market – Auburn, AL Every Saturday in October, check out the City Market at Town Creek Park from 8am – 12pm featuring local growers, bakers, food trucks, arts and crafts vendors and more! Admission is free.
Halloween Themed
Fright Night Outdoor Movie Series – Davis Arboretum, Auburn, AL (Oct. 4th, 11th, and 25th) Gates open and activities begin at 5:30, kid-friendly movies start at 6:30 with scarier movies to follow. Bring blankets or chairs and a picnic dinner to these free family events.
Zoo Boo – Montgomery Zoo, Montgomery, AL (Select dates in October) After the zoo closes for the evening, enjoy spooky fun from 6-9pm. Admission is $17 for ages 3 and up and includes 10 game tickets and one ride, either scary (Haunted Hay Ride) or non-scary (Pumpkin Pull Hay Ride). Members get a 50% discount, and you can read about other benefits of zoo membership here.
Halloween Enchanted Forest – Kreher Preserve & Nature Center, Auburn, AL (Oct. 24 and 25th) Hiking, costumes, pumpkin bowling, face painting, a campfire and more from 5:30-7:30pm. Tickets for Thursday or Friday night are $7 in advance or $10 at the door for ages 3 and up. S’mores kits and drinks available for purchase.
Downtown Trick-Or-Treat – Auburn, AL (Oct. 31st) Families are invited to visit downtown merchants to trick-or-treat for candy from 6-8pm. Other community groups will provide additional activities including a costume contest, face painting, birds of prey exhibit, police and fire vehicle display, music, and a visit from Aubie. All free!
