Nothing says a fall family getaway like a visit to working farm, a harvest festival, or a pre-Halloween haunted house or pumpkin patch. There are literally dozens of day trips or multi-day adventures throughout the country, from Maine to California, that will keep you and your kids entertained without breaking the budget.
New York State
The Critz Farm Harvest Festival (tel. 800/442-3225; www.critzfarms.com) runs from September 19 to October 25. Located in the town of Cazenovia, approximately four hours' drive north west of New York City, or thirty minutes east of Syracuse, Critz Farm's annual event offers plenty of live entertainment and attractions including a gigantic corn maze, a petting zoo with more than 25 animals, hayrides to the apple orchard or pumpkin field, and a whole slew of events and competitions. You can check the website for a more detailed calendar of events. Admission is $7 per person on weekends, with a $30 per car maximum. Kids under two are free, and seniors are $5.
The entrance fee covers access to the grounds and facilities as well as all ongoing activities, events, and entertainment. All children receive one free glass of cider and one free Cow Train ride on their first visit. Food, pumpkins, merchandise, and gifts are extra. Each paid admission includes a Season Pass, which entitles the family to get free admission to the farm on future visits throughout the season. Discounted Family Passes are available for purchase online. The farm is open from 10am to 5pm weekdays and until 6pm on weekends.
Maine
OgunquitFest (www.visitogunquit.org) is an annual festival that will take place from October 23 to 25 this year in the town of Ogunquit, located approximately 75 miles north of Boston. Now in its sixth year, OgunquitFest takes over the town and features two and a half days of activities and family-based fun. There's a haunted house, scarecrow contest, pony rides, horse-drawn wagon rides, a classic car show, a fall-themed events and competitions for children. All this set amongst the backdrop of spectacular fall foliage. Most events and activities are free and open to the public.
Pennsylvania
Merrymead Farm (www.merrymead.com) is situated in Worcester Township, Montgomery County, near Lansdale, a half hour's drive from Philadelphia. This family-owned and operated working dairy farm is one of Pennsylvania's Century Farms (meaning that it has been in the same family for over 100 years) and is best known for its award-winning milk and its annual cornfield maze. Each October, Merrymead sets up its five-acre Cornfield Maze complete with a pumpkin path and a 70-foot Cornstalk Tunnel. Their Harvest Days are held every Saturday and Sunday during the month of October starting October 3 and ending October 31, 2009. Activities include tractor hayrides around the farm, wagon rides, a "Webkinz Wheel of Wow," children's games, pumpkin painting, and plenty of farm animals to pet.
Also during the month of October, Merrymead has evening hayrides every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 6pm. The Cornfield Maze has a $10 admission fee per family and the various activities cost between .75¢ and $3.75 each (like the Cornstalk Tunnel for $1.50). There are also special events like the lighting of the great pumpkin on September 26, and the Worcester Fire Department demonstration and special appearances by Smokey the Bear and Sparkey the Fire Dog onSaturday, October 10. Don't forget to pick up fresh apple cider, cider donuts, apples, pumpkins, and farm fresh produce.
Oregon
Wine isn't the only attraction in Oregon's famed Willamette Valley. Each year, French Prairie Gardens (www.fpgardens.com) in the town of St. Paul (30 miles south west of Portland) celebrates its Fall Harvest Festival. In 2009, the festival will run from September 26 to October 31. Entry is $6 per person Tuesday to Friday or $8 on weekends. A Weekend Family Pass costs $30 and includes four admissions. Children two and under are free. The main attraction of the Fall Harvest Festival is the traditional farm fun of Farmer John and Farmer Eric's weekend Pigtucky Derby, where trained pigs race around a purpose-built track, but there are lots of other activities to participate in, including a Pumpkin Patch; hayrides; a hay maze; a two acre Corn Maze, farm animal display, obstacle course, pumpkin sling shot contests, toddler tricycle races, and a Tonka toddler dirt play area. See bunnies, sheep, chickens, a 1600-pound steer, Big Babe, and Dolly the Llama. There's also plenty of hot apple cider, corn on the cob, caramel apples, home baked cookies, fresh baked pie, and other bakery treats.
California
Half Moon Bay, 30 miles south of San Francisco, is home to the Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival (www.miramarevents.com/pumpkinfest), which will be held this year on the weekend of October 17 and 18. If you want to see really, really big pumpkins, this is your festival. Now in its 39th year, the 2009 festival promises a full schedule of contests, activities, exhibitions and family-friendly festivities (a full schedule will only be published on the festival's website three weeks prior). The action takes place on both days from 9am to 5pm along Main Street in Half Moon Bay, known as the World Pumpkin Capital (between Miramontes and Spruce Streets) as the festival pays homage to The Great Gourd. Admission is free.
Talk with fellow Frommer's travelers on our Family Travel Message Boards today.