Family Fall Activities in North Carolina

I love fall. And fall in North Carolina is beautiful. There are a plethora of fun family fall activities in the state. But I wanted to feature ones that my husband and I have been able to go to in the past. Out of these five activities, we’ve attended all but one (The Ghost Train), but we have attended Tweetsie in general. If you live close by, then I definitely encourage you to check a few of these out this fall! Depending on where you are located in the state, most of these are just a couple hour drive. But even if it’s a little bit longer, they are all definitely worth it!

 

 

1. The Carolina Renaissance Festival

Go back in time with this themed festival. The event has an artisan marketplace, knight’s jousting, games, and rides. It’s a perfect fall activity for those who are looking for something different than pumpkins. This is a weekend only festival through certain dates in November.

 

2. Patterson Farm

The pumpkin patch at Patterson Farm is more than a pumpkin patch! There are plenty of family activities to keep the entire family occupied all day. Check their website for the specific dates that they are open.

 

3. Blue Ridge Parkway

If you’re looking for a fall activity that requires no ticket purchase, try touring the Blue Ridge Parkway. The changing of the leaves is a huge attraction for not only locals, but also those who live far away. Visit the Blue Ridge Parkway website for information on when you may be able to spot the best fall leaf foliage.

 

4. Ghost Train Festival at Tweetsie

If you’re looking for a fun fall family activity with a spooky twist, take the kiddos to ride the Ghost Train at Tweetsie. This is actually geared towards older kids- per the Tweetsie website, they recommend it for kids 8 and older. See their website for dates and ticket details.

 

5. Great Smoky Mountain Railroad Peanuts Pumpkin Patch Express 

Ok, yes, this is kind of a long drive. But it is so worth it! This is probably one of our favorite family fall activities that we’ve ever done with my daughter. She still talks about it several years later. There are Peanuts characters and an entire little trick or treating town. Of course, there’s also the train ride, too!