Best Kids Fall Activities in the Triangle: Farms, Festivals, and Fun Events 🍁

Page Farms – Raleigh

Page Farms is a quintessential fall spot in Raleigh. Their autumn fun includes pumpkin picking, a Corn Maze, Hayride, Playground, Cow Train, Farm Animals, and much more! There’s also a super cute farm store bursting with fall goodies. Opening Day September 20th!

Location: 📍6100 Mount Herman Road, Raleigh, NC 27617

Hours: (Late September through October): Tuesday through Thursday 9AM-1PM
Friday through Sunday 9AM – 6PM

Pricing: Tuesday – Friday 9AM-1PM – $12.00 per person | Friday 1PM-6PM, Saturday and Sunday 9AM-6PM – $18.00 per person (includes 1 pumpkin!)

Age 2 and under Free (no pumpkin included with free admission); Senior Citizen 65+ and Military discount – $1.00 off admission

Hill Ridge Farms – Youngsville

Hill Ridge Farms will open their Fall Pumpkin Festival this year on September 24th. There is so much to do at this family-friendly farm, including play areas, a carousel, a train, a covered wagon ride (with pumpkin included), hot cider donuts, apple cider, animals, and more.

Location: 📍703 Tarboro Road Youngsville, NC 27596

Hours: Wed-Sun 9:30-6:30

Pricing:

General Admission Pass (Includes Covered Wagon Ride. Free Pumpkin. Farm park play areas. Picnic Areas)

$19.95 ages 2-64
Under age 2 Free.
Age 65+ $17.95 | Military $17.95

Add-Ons:
Train Ride: $4
Carousel: $4

Super Pass: $29.95 per person (Includes unlimited fun! Train Ride, Covered Wagon Ride w/pumpkin, Carousel, Duck Race, Gem Mining Bag! Farm park play areas. Picnic Areas.

Naylor Farm – Fuquay-Varina

Naylor Family Farm is among our personal favorites for fall activities in the Triangle. This sprawling farm in Fuquay-Varina is such a treasure during the fall season. Naylor will open this fall starting September 13th and run until November 2nd.

There’s plenty to do here to keep the kiddos busy, like giant slides, pedal carts, a corn crib, corn maze, lots of playground options, farm animals, and even a 120-foot pirate ship!

But the best part of visiting Naylor Farm is their spooky hayride. The wagon takes you through the woods to the pumpkin patch and there’s lots of spooky, clever surprises along the way. (PS: I didn’t think it was too scary for my son last year, but there are a few elements like giant spiders that fall from above, so it’s worth noting if your child would enjoy this or not).

Location: 📍6016 US-401 Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526

Hours:
September Hours (beginning September 13th): Saturday: 9am – 6pm & Sunday: 1 – 6pm

October Hours – Monday – Friday: 11am – 4pm, Saturday: 9am – 6pm + Sunday: 10am – 6pm

November Hours – Saturday: 9am – 6pm & Sunday: 1 – 6pm

Only day closed: Tuesday – October 21st, 2025 (scheduled maintenance day)

Pricing: Farm Pass – $20 (for ages 3+)

Phillips Farm – Cary

Phillips Farm is another iconic fall spot in the Triangle. This family-owned farm offers fun throughout the summer, too, but the autumn is very special here. This property is huge, and offers everything from a corn maze (plus one for little kids) to a cow train. And if you like spooky, Phillips Haunted Farm, at night, will be right up your alley!

Their recently expanded family fun park will offer a treasure trove of fun this fall season, and they’ve teased that more is coming soon. The 2025 season kicks off 9/13.

Location: 📍 6720 Good Hope Church Road Cary, NC 27519

Hours:
Family Fun Park Hours of Operation:
Thursdays: 3PM-6:30PM
Fridays: 3PM-6PM
Saturdays: 10AM-6PM
Sundays: 1PM-6PM

Pricing: $20 per person

Cary has so many great things to do for kids in every season.
Check out our full list here!

Ken’s Korny Corn Maze – Garner

Ken’s Produce & Garden Center in Garner, North Carolina, is known for it’s huge annual corn maze. Covering 5 acres and offering 3 different sections, Ken’s Korny Corn Maze offers a-maze-ing fun!

But the maze isn’t the only attraction here. There’s also a big Adventure Zone with activities such as slides, a rope maze, mini golf, duck races, and other games. Fall fun begins September 27th, 2025 and runs until November 10th.

Location: 📍 3175 Benson Road Garner, NC 27529

Hours:

Friday | 4pm – 9pm
Saturday | 10am – 9pm
Sunday | 12pm – 8pm

Pricing: Ages 3-5 | $10 cash / $11 card; Ages 6+ | $17 cash / $18 card
This includes entry into the Corn Maze AND the Adventure Zone. Hayrides are available as an add-on.

Adventure Zone ONLY
Ages 3+ | $10 cash / $11 card

Hayride
Ages 3+  |  $5 cash / card

Hayride Schedule
Friday’s – No hayrides
Saturday’s – 11 am – 5 pm
Sunday – 1pm – 5 pm

Vollmer Farm – Bunn

While Vollmer Farm is a little outside the Triangle proper, it is a beloved spot for many North Carolina families in the fall months.

Activities take place on the Back-40 of the farm. An admission ticket includes a ton of things to do: playground, cow train, corn maze, jumping pillow, farm animals, and more. And there are additional activities available for purchase like gem mining. Fall fun will be 9/27-111.

Location: 📍 677 NC Hwy 98 E Bunn, NC 27508

Hours: Saturday & Sunday 10:00am-6:00pm

Pricing:
$16 – Ages 4-54
$12 – 55+
$10 Scouts in uniform/photo in uniform
Free – Ages 3 and under. Military, first responders, teachers, healthcare workers.

Spring Haven Farm – Chapel Hill

Spring Haven Farm in Chapel Hill is one of our favorite places. They offer animal encounters and other cool activities year-round, but fall is extra awesome at this goat farm. The Fall Fest will run from September 3rd, 2025 through September 28th, followed by “Pumpkin Carving with Goats” (which is as cute as it sounds) from October 1st. We did this last year, and it was delightful carving our pumpkins while petting the sweet goats and letting them eat some of the pumpkin scraps!

In addition to events like this, the farm goes all out with its fall decor and is such a cute spot. They’ve got other activities too, like gem mining and a tractor ride.

Location: 📍 5306 Homer Ruffin Road Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Hours: Wednesday – Sunday: 10am – 6pm

Pricing:
$14.95 per person for a ticket to the farm plus whichever size pumpkin you choose. 
$9 to $17 Pumpkin size of your choice
You can choose from small, medium, and large pumpkins to carve. 

McKee Cornfield Maze – Hillsborough

McKee is one of the biggest corn mazes around, with a maze to get you “corn-fused” over 12 acres! And for the little ones, there’s a smaller, simpler maze to explore. Opens End of September.

Additional fall fun is also on the menu, including pumpkin patch, hayrides, animals, a barrel train, corn hole, and more.

Location: 📍 5011 Kiger Road, Hillsborough, North Carolina 27278

Hours: Friday 3 PM – 8 PM, Saturday 10 AM – 8 PM, Sunday 1 PM – 7 PM

Pricing: General Admission $15.00 – includes all activities | Children 0-2 Free

The Family Farm on Avent Ferry – Holly Springs

This is a classic fall farm, where you can go to grab pumpkins perfect for decorating and carving. This is a very photogenic spot with lots of fall photo opps. Visit the farm animals, climb on the hay bales, and have an old-fashioned day of fall family fun.

Location: 📍 1719 Avent Ferry Road Holly Springs, NC 27540

Hours: PUMPKIN SEASON​​​
Saturdays 10:00 AM-6:00 PM
Sundays 1:00 PM-6:00 PM
Weekdays 4:00 PM-6:00 PM

Pricing: No cost for admission

Gross Farms – Sanford

Gross Farms is a 7th generation North Carolina Century Farm. Their fall fun is popping, with a pumpkin patch, hayrides, and one of the largest corn mazes in the region.

Similar to other farms on this list, they offer other activities, too, such as slides, a play area, pedal karts, and a giant jumping pillow! But the top spot just might be their Pumpkin Barn which is just screaming for you to take your kids’ photos there. The fall season for 2025 runs September 13th – November 2nd!

Location: 📍 1606 Pickett Road, Sanford, NC 27332

Hours:

CORN MAZE & PUMPKIN PATCH
September-November

Fridays (October only): 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Saturdays: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sundays: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Pumpkin Patch ONLY (October only):
Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
All other activities are closed on weekdays, except Friday evenings in October.

Pricing: $20 for a single visit All-access pass. Ages 2 and under are FREE with a Parent’s/Guardian’s paid All Access Pass admission.

You can also pay $5 for just a visit to the Pumpkin Patch.

For Garden’s Sake – Durham

If you’re looking to grab a pumpkin and some mums and maybe relax for a bit, For Garden’s Sake in Durham is a perfect choice! While they don’t offer the many activities of some of the other fall destinations, they are a beautiful space with some swings, animals to visit, and great vibes.

Location: 📍9197 NC Hwy 751 Durham, NC 27713

Hours: Mon – Sat: 9am – 5pm, Sun: 10am – 5pm

Pricing: varies based on purchase, no admission fee

Smiths Nursery – Benson

Come fall time, Smiths Nursery (a great spot for summer berry picking) offers hay rides to the pumpkin patch. This is a beautiful scenic farm with sweet animals to visit, too!.

Location: 📍 443 Sanders Rd. Benson, NC 27504

Hours: Farm Market & Garden Center and Ice Cream Shack are now open Monday – Friday 9 am to 5 pm, and Saturday 9 am to 4 pm,
Sunday: CLOSED

Pricing: No charge to visit the farm. Some events are ticketed.

Smith’s Family Fun Farm – Hillsborough

Looking for a true pumpkin patch where you can pick your gourd right off the vine? You’ll find that at Smith’s Family Fun Farm in Hillsborough.

One great thing about this spot is they don’t charge admission to visit. They just ask that you purchase a pumpkin when visiting the patch. You can pick from the vine or from their selection of pre-picked pumps.

And of course, there’s more fun to be had here! They have a play area with an exciting giant slide, Spookley the Square Pumpkin storyboards throughout the farm to read, and numerous fall photo ops.

Location: 📍 1715 St Marys Rd Hillsborough, NC 27278 

Hours:
Saturday-Sunday 10am-6pm
Tuesday-Friday 3pm-6pm

Pricing: Free admission, please support the farm by purchasing a pumpkin!

Grasshopper Farms – Knightdale

 A lovely farm market located in Knightdale, Grasshopper Farms has great fun for kids like a playground, big sandbox, and ice cream. But in the autumn months, they also have a massive corn maze and a huge pumpkin patch. Be sure to add this spot to your list for fall family adventures!

Location: 📍 8004 Poole Rd., Knightdale, NC 27545 | (Entrance off Grasshopper Rd)

Hours:

Fall fun starts mid September

Farm Market: Monday – Friday 10:00am – 6:00pm; Saturday 9am – 6:00pm
Pumpkin Patch: Dates: 10am – 6pm
Corn Maze: 11 am – 7pm (or dark)

Pricing: General Admission – $13, Ages 4-12 – $11, Group Rate – $11 (Includes admission to corn maze, fall fun playground, and free small pumpkin)

Holder Hill Farm – Durham

Holder Hill Farm is a newer farm in the Triangle and it is serving up the fall fun! They will open for the fall season Friday, September 20th, 2024 and run into November.

Here you can pick pumpkins right off the vine, and your admission includes one pumpkin to take home, in addition to all the other activities like the corn crib, hay mountain, hay ride, corn maze, nature trail, barnyard bounce, and farm animals.

Location: 📍4822 Holder Rd., Durham, NC 27703

Hours: Open Daily

Pricing: $16 (2 and older)

Perkins Orchard – Durham

This lovely farm stand is a great place to grab fresh apples, pumpkins, and more for the season. Grab a cup of their apple cider, and then join in their Pumpkin Painting. This perfect Halloween kids activity includes everything you need to paint and decorate your own pumpkin to take home.

This is also a fantastic black-owned local business, and the owner, Donovan, has accomplished so much. Go support them!

Location: 📍5749 Barbee Rd, Durham, NC 27713

Hours: Daily 9:00am-8:00pm

Pricing: $10 for pumpkin painting

Hubbs Farm – Clinton

You’ll have to travel a bit outside of the Triangle for this one, but Hubbs Farm is home to an epic fall festival, corn maze, and pumpkin patch. With the many activities they offer, it could be a great day trip. Their fall fun starts in September, date TBA, and includes things like wagon rides, animals, tire mountain, gem mining, corn hole games, live duck races, and more.

Location: 📍 10276 US Hwy 421 North Clinton, NC 28328

Hours:

Wed – Fri 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Saturdays in Sept/Nov 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturdays in October 10 a.m. to 9.pm.
Sundays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m

Pricing: $12.95

Haven Farm – Knightdale

Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11am to 5pm, enjoy the best of fall at Haven Farm! Your ticket includes a fun-filled hay ride, a pumpkin to take home, goat snuggles, bounce house access, and lawn games for the whole family. Kids 2 and under are free, so bring everyone along for a perfect autumn day!

Location: 📍 8521 Buffaloe Rd. Knightdale, NC 27545

Hours: September-November, exact dates TBD

Friday, Saturday, Sunday 11:00am-5:00pm

Pricing: Tickets purchased online in advance are $15
Tickets on site are $18

Hidwell Family Farms

Hidwell Farms has some fun fall offerings. Free admission to the pumpkin patch! Come and pick your perfect pumpkin, visit the animals, play in the corn crib, and walk through the corn maze. Opening dates for 2025 TBA.

Location: 📍 7621 Blaney Franks Rd, Apex, NC 27539

Hours: . Fridays 4:00pm-7:00pm
Saturdays 10:00am-4:00pm

Pricing: Free

DJ’s Berry Patch

While this spot doesn’t offer some of the fall activities the larger farms do, it’s a perfect spot to pick out a pumpkin and experience some happy fall vibes. DJ’s Berry Patch is a great place to stop and purchase some local produce, and they have some cute photo opps!

Location: 📍 1223 Salem Church Rd Apex, NC

Hours: Monday through Saturday 9:00am-6:00pm
Sunday 11:00am-6:00pm

Pricing: Free

Fall Day + Weekend Trips

Raleigh is in such a wonderful location in North Carolina, but there are also some exciting options a little further out. These can make for great fall day trips as a family.

Millstone Creek Orchards

The closest apple orchard to Raleigh is Millstone Creek Orchards in Ramseur, NC. It’s a little over an hour drive from Raleigh, so it’s definitely doable for a day trip. Apple season is late August-September, so it’s right around the corner!

This year they’re also opening a brand new Cider House, serving hard cider, craft beer, and local NC wines, plus an array of food items. Sounds amazing!

Pilot Mountain State Park

Pilot Mountain State Park, about a 2-hour drive from the Triangle, is a great destination for a fall day trip. The park’s distinctive peak offers spectacular views, especially when the leaves are changing colors.

Enjoy a variety of hiking trails, picnic areas, and rock climbing opportunities. The Jomeokee Trail, a short trail which circles the base of the pinnacle, is a family favorite. For views of the rock itself, consider tackling Little Pinnacle Overlook trail.

Hanging Rock State Park

Hanging Rock State Park is another perfect fall day trip from Raleigh. This scenic park is about a 2-hour drive from the Triangle. The park offers over 20 miles of hiking trails, beautiful waterfalls, and stunning rock formations.

For details on the best hikes here, check out this guide by my friends Carl and Christina from NC Tripping.

Carolina Renaissance Festival

We love the Ren Faire! My husband has been going here since his teens, and he brought me along after we met. It’s such a fall tradition for us and so many families. Games, shows, food, mead, costumes, rides. It’s everything you could want.

It’s definitely a day or even a weekend trip from the Triangle, however, as it is located in Huntersville, NC. This year’s dates for the Ren Fest are weekends October 4 – November 23.

Autumn at Oz – Land of Oz NC

Follow the yellow brick road…..er, I mean, the North Carolina highways, to the Land of Oz in Beech Mountain. It’s a trek at nearly a 4 hour drive, but if you are a Wizard of Oz fan, this is worth it. Autumn in Oz takes place over 3 weekends in fall, this year the dates are September 6th-8th, 13th-15th, and 20th-22nd.

Tweetsie Railroad Ghost Train

This might be a good weekend trip for families with older kids. The Ghost Train looks pretty darn spooky! There are other attractions in addition to the train ride, such as carnival rides. It’s worth looking into!

Carolina BalloonFest

Head out to Statesville, NC, for the 49th annual Carolina BalloonFest. Hot air balloons fill the skies at this amazing festival, and there’s more to do, too, like evening balloon glows, live entertainment on two stages, a kids’ zone, marketplace and artisan village, NC wine and craft beer garden, aerialist circus performances, and even skydiving exhibitions. This year’s dates are October 18th, 19th, and 20th, 2024.