It’s that time of year when the weather is beginning to cool, cute fall outfits await, PSL’s are back and kids are hoping to start jumping in leaves soon. It also means making memories at local apple orchards, fall festivals and picking pumpkins. Be sure to check websites as protocols have certainly changed this year, most require advanced reservations. Have a favorite place to add to our list? Let us know in the comments!

Butlers Orchard (22200 Davis Mill Rd., Germantown, MD 20876)
September 25th – October 31
Admission to pick your own pumpkins (pumpkins are $0.69/lb), hayrides, hilltop hop jump pads, tractor pull (NEW in 2021!), jump in the hayloft, visit barnyard buddies, twisted corn maze, live music on weekends, playground, spiderweb, play in the corn box, straw maze, swoop down the giant slides, corn hole games & pedal tractors. For additional fees and weekends only: Pumpkin Cannon, $4.00/shot, October 16-17, 23-24, 30-31, Pony Rides (10:30 am – 4:30 pm), Face Painting, $4.00 and up & Pick Your Own Pumpkins, $.69/lb.

Winterbrook Farms (13001 Creagerstown Rd., Thurmont, MD 21788)
Weekends September 24 – October 31
There is something fun for all ages at this farm with over 25 activities to enjoy. There are 10 acres of 20+ different varieties and colors of U-Pick Pumpkins , Maryland’s LARGEST Corn Maze with over 5 miles of trails , an interactive farm animal area , a pumpkin jump pillow, mini beeline ziplines, round bale rollers, giant corn box, apple cannons & much more! Stop at the Concessions stand for freshly made apple cider donuts, freshly made kettle corn, freshly squeezed lemonade , and delicious BBQ. Pick up some Winterbrook Farms merch, fall decor, and local products at the Farm Market!

Summers Farm (5620 Butterfly Ln. Frederick, MD 21703)
September 18 – October 31
Admission includes 45+ fall fun activities. For a full schedule of special events, visit the Entertainment page. For a complete listing of activities available at Summers Farm, visit the Attractions page.

Larriland (2415 Woodbine Rd., Woodbine, MD 21797)
Open – November 7
Gaze across the fields dotted with thousands of orange pumpkins, each one waiting to become a jack-o-lantern for your porch. The farm is decorated for Halloween with ghosts and goblins to delight and scare you. The fields are laden with crisp, succulent vegetables. The orchards are bent down with apples. It’s the last harvest to reap before the cold winter sets in. And fall is the perfect time to enjoy a tall glass of freshly squeezed sweet apple cider. Reservations required for pumpkin and evening hayrides. The Straw Maze, built in a confusing pattern with large round bales of straw, is a delightful place to get lost. The Straw Maze is open every day the farm is open in late September and October. The Boo Barn is for children ages 4 – 6. It is a dark passage in the bottom of the Red Barn and is filled with animated, not too scary ghosts and goblins. The Boo Barn is open every day the farm is open in late September and October. Apple fritters and Food trucks on Saturdays and Sundays in October.

Clark’s Elioak Farm (10500 State Rte 108 Ellicott City, MD 21042)
September 18 – October 31
Petting farm animals, hayrides, cow train rides, pony rides, birthday parties, educational tours, enchanted pine tree forest, special weekend events, enchanted forest attractions (from an old theme park) and fall season pumpkin patch. You can purchase tickets when you arrive.  

Gaver Farm (5501 Detrick Rd., Mount Airy, MD 21771)
September 3 – October 31
Enjoy fall on the farm by conquering the twists and turns of the corn maze, bouncing on the jumping pillows, petting and feeding the farm animals and cruising down the giant slides. There are over 60 attractions, appropriate for any age including 2 jumping pillows, Chicken Show, farm animals, mini mazes, playgrounds, duck races, ball games, photo centers and so much more! Purchase tickets online.

Great Country Farms (18780 Foggy Bottom Rd., Bluemont, VA 20135)
September 1 – November 7
Open daily for apple picking and corn maze from Sept 1-30. On Saturdays & Sundays, they add in live music, marshmallow roasting, pig races & cider pressing demonstrations. Check out the Zurschmeide Family’s antique 1865 Cider press. Sample freshly pressed cider and see how it used to be produced! Fall Pumpkin Harvest Festival is from October  1-31 & Pumpkin Chunkin taking place November November 1, 2 6 & 7. Purchase tickets online.

Leesburg Animal Park (19270 James Monroe Hwy., Leesburg, VA 20175)
September 18 – November 2
Enjoy the giant hill slides, hay wagon rides, pet and feed animals, free apple and cider snack with admission, free mini-pumpkin, kids maze and live entertainment, pedal carts, bounce pillow and live music. Specials on weekends include camel rides and live entertainment. Halloween costume contest on October 31.

Wayside Farm (5273 Harry Byrd Hwy., Berryville, VA 22611)
September 25 – November 7: Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, & Mondays
Watch the pig races, get lost in the maze or sit under the tree, head to the playground or animals and play pumpkin checkers. There is a hay mountain and hayrides too. Get lost in the 10-acre corn maze. This year the maze pays homage to our amazing medical professionals who work to keep us all healthy and safe.  

Ticonderoga Farms (26175 Ticonderoga Rd., Chantilly, VA 20152)
Limited opening September 11 – October 24, Weekends for private reservations only
The activities that will be available are slides, swings and teeter totters, tetherballs,  castle, cat dozer, Noah’s Ark play structures, miners sleuth, tot land and pillow.

Cox Farms (15621 Braddock Rd., Centreville, VA 20120)
September 18 – 19 & September 25 – November 7
The Fall Festival is filled with family-friendly entertainment and TONS of attractions including slides, swings, animals, hayrides and more.

Homestead Farm (15604 Sugarland Rd., Poolesville, MD 20837)
Open 7 days a week
Pick your own apples and pumpkins, live animals to see and browse market goodies such as apple cider, mums and honey.

The 28th Annual Loudoun Fall Farm Tour
October 16 and 17
Over two dozen locations are part of this exciting tour through rural Virginia.  Of these many farms, Hope Flower Farm will be open and inviting guests to wander through the blooming dahlia fields, picnic and take photos on the lovely 25 acre farm.

Readers also recommend:
Montpellier Farm
Weber’s Cider Mill
Pumpkin Playground at Burke Nursery

Festivals:
Maryland Renaissance Festival: Now – October 24
H Street Festival: September 18
Fall for Fairfax KidFest: Cancelled this year
Frederick Oktoberfest: October 1 & 2
Weiner 500 Oktoberfest at the Wharf: October 2
Barracks Row OctROWberfest: October 23
Piketoberfest: TBA

Adults only:
Markoff’s Haunted Forest
Field of Screams
Ebe Haunts Trail of Terror
Fields of Fear
Six Flags Fright Fest
Shocktober

Food:
Order new seasonal treats from Milk Bar. Taking the classic fall favorite,  apple cider doughnuts, and remixing it with a uniquely Milk Bar spin, a brand new cake and truffle combo is meant to transport you to your favorite fall memory.