It’s finally fall — and to help you take full advantage of the festive season, we’ve compiled our Raleigh fall bucket list, complete with 20+ events and activities we are just falling for. 🍂
🚜 Farms
The fall season would not be complete without a visit to one of the many farms around the area.
Page Farms Pumpkin Patch | Fri.-Sun., Sept. 25-Oct. 31 | 6100 Mt. Herman Rd. | $15 | Located right here in Raleigh, this fourth-generation family farm is opening up their pumpkin patch and other rustic activities for the season.
Huckleberry Trail Farm Fall Festival | Weekends only, Sept. 25-Oct. 31 | 143 Pleasant Hill Church Rd., Siler City | $8+ | Huckleberry Trail Farm will celebrate fall with classic farm activities — a 4.5-acre corn maze, hayrides, pumpkin picking, and a cotton patch.
Phillips Farm | Fri.-Sun., Sept. 18-Oct. 31 | 6701 Good Hope Church Rd., Cary | $15+ | Phillips Farm offers a wide range of entertainment for guests including a corn maze and a family fun park. The haunted farm will open Fri., Sept. 24.
Spring Haven Farm | Tues.-Fri., Sept. 29-Oct. 31 | 5306 Homer Ruffin Rd., Chapel Hill | $13+ | Guests at Spring Haven Farm will get the chance to carve pumpkins + meet their favorite farm animals. Go take a picture with a baby goat — we know you want to.
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👻 Haunted Attractions
If you’re looking to take your love for frights + horror to the next level, you’re in luck. These hair-raising attractions will get your adrenaline pumping, whether you’re exploring the paranormal side of the city or getting jump-scared in a cursed corn maze.
Raleigh Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour | Weekends only, Year-round | Downtown Raleigh | $15+ | A guided, family-friendly tour of Downtown’s most haunted and historical places like Raleigh City Cemetery, Yarborough House, and Moore Square with accompanying stories and folklore.
Darkside Haunted Estates | Fri.-Sat., Sept. 24-Nov. 6 | 11959 NC Hwy 222 W., Middlesex | $14+ | Darkside Haunted Estates is bringing nightmares to life with attractions like the Mayhem Hayride, the Fright Trail, the Slaughterhouse, Jojo’s Clown Town, and more. Pro tip: They will also be open on Halloween night.
Granville Haunt Farm Drive-Thru | Fri.-Sat., Oct. 1-Oct. 31 | 4534 US-15, Oxford | $10+ | Watch scary movies come to life using sets, props, effects, and performers. Stay in your vehicle as you drive along a path of new thrills and chill. Pro tip: They will also be open on Halloween night.
Haunted Forest at Panic Point | Various days, Sept. 18-Nov.6 | 2808 Cedar Creek Rd., Youngsville | $29+ | Rated the #1 Outdoor Haunted Trail in NC, Panic Point strives to live up to its name. This year, they have multiple outdoor attractions with over 30 uniquely scary scenes.
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📅 Events
Falling for Local | Sat., Oct. 16 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Dorothea Dix Park | Free | Celebrate Autumn in Raleigh with live music, hay rides, inflatables, lawn games, kids activities, and plenty of photo ops.
Spellbound Square | Sat., Oct. 30 | 10 a.m.-3p.m. | Moore Square | Free | Encounter mysterious creatures and amazing magicians, have your fortune told, create spooky crafts, and decorate a pumpkin. Shop for handmade items and treats from our vendors + enjoy family-friendly stage performances.
NC State Fair | NC State Fairgrounds | Thurs., Oct. 14-Sun.,Oct. 24 | Times vary | $5+ | The state fair is back with games, rides + treats that the whole family can enjoy.
The 4th Annual Rocky Horror Picture Show Halloween Ball | Fri., Oct. 29-Sat., Oct. 30 | 7:30 p.m. | $12+ | The Carolina Theatre | This isn’t your typical movie screening — Retro presents a full-theatrical, FX-driven, light show-blazing, fog-blowing, call-backing, motion picture extravaganza.
Track or Treat: Halloween Express | Sat., Oct. 16, 23 + 30 | Times vary | New Hope Valley Railway, 3900 Bonsal Rd., New Hill | $16 | Take a ride on a real train at the NC Railway Museum’s Track or Treat Halloween celebration. The ride will have different kid-friendly Halloween scenes along the track for passengers to enjoy.
Triangle Oktoberfest | Fri., Oct. 1- Sat.,Oct. 2 | Times vary | Koka Booth Amphitheatre | $15+ | Kick October off with an authentic German festival filled with traditional Bavarian food, beer, and family fun.
🍽️ Food and Drink
Some might say the best thing about fall is the nice weather or the beautiful leaves, but we think it may just be the tasty food options.
Seasonal treats from Bittersweet
Bittersweet unveiled their seasonal fall menu including a halloween threesome dessert + pumpkin pie cocktail.
Apple pie from Cutie Pies of Raleigh
Pie is a staple dish for the season — but what kind of pie reigns supreme? Cutie Pies of Raleigh customers seem to think their apple pie is the best, but they’re all so good it’s hard to tell.
Seasonal drinks from 42 & Lawrence
This local coffee shop is serving up the warm, autumn drinks of your dreams: Caramel Apple Cider, the Headless Horseman, and Pumpkin Spice Latte. Find more seasonal drinks in our recent story here.
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🌤️ Out-and-About
Now that the summer heat is behind us, it’s time to head outside.
Watch the leaves change
Check out our list of the best places around Raleigh + NC to observe the fall foliage change color.
Escape the City and Head off the Grid
Now is the ideal time to become one with nature and camp in the mountains of Asheville, or head further west to go hiking in Chattanooga, TN (hey AVLtoday + NOOGAtoday 👋).
Have a Picnic
Picture Perfect Picnics, Picnic Raleigh, and Southern Picnics can help you create the most picturesque picnic in Raleigh for any occasion.
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Contributed by Xenna Smith, Carly Delengowski, and Laura Brummett.
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