It’s that time of year when everyone is looking for some fun outdoor fall activities to enjoy the crisp, cool weather. So grab your sweaters and get ready to check out some of the best places in Northern Virginia neighborhoods and town for fall fun.
Cox Farms
15621 Braddock Rd, Centreville, VA – https://coxfarms.com
Probably one of the oldest and most popular fall attractions in the area, Cox Farms has been entertaining guests for over 30 years. Known for its Fall Festival, Corner Market, and its Fields of Fear, there is a little bit of something for everyone here. The Fall Festival will run through November 8th and Fields of Fear will run Friday and Saturday nights through November 5th. Please check their website for dates and times and information on purchasing tickets – which must be reserved and purchased in advance online again this year. Ticket prices run from $10 to $25 each depending on the date. They have been selling out on many days so plan in advance if you want to visit Cox Farms.
Great Country Farms
34345 Snickersville Turnpike, Bluemont, VA – https://greatcountryfarms.com
Great Country Farms is open year round with lots of different “pick your own” fruits and vegetables available (check their website for what is available to pick), but it’s especially fun to visit in the fall. They have a fantastic pumpkin patch for picking your own pumpkins as well as a corn maze, wagon rides, miniature golfing, and even a giant pumpkin jumping pillow. Their Fall Pumpkin Harvest Festival runs through October 1st through the 31st with ticket prices ranging from $10 to $16. **They are also offering free admission on weekdays for military/veteran families to their Pumpkin Harvest Festival. Up to 6 guests can be admitted free.** Check their website for hours and ticket prices and to pre-purchase tickets online. If you miss their fall festival, another favorite is the “Pumpkin Chunkin” which runs November 5th and 6th this year where you can bring your left over pumpkins to their “smashin stations” and let them fly!
Pumpkin Village
19246 James Monroe Hwy, Leesburg, VA – https://www.pumpkinfestleesburg.com
Pumpkin Village at the Leesburg Animal Park is another local favorite and this one has lots of activities for the younger crowd as well. They have giant hill slides, kiddie zip lines, a kids hay maze, animals to pet and feed, and so much more! Pumpkin Village will run daily (except Tuesdays) through November 6th. Ticket prices range from $14.95 to $20.95. Please check their website for days, times, and prices as well as to purchase tickets in advance.
Yankey Farm
14039 Owls Nest Rd, Nokesville, VA – http://www.yankeyfarms.com
While many residents of western Prince William County know of Yankey Farm because of their amazing produce stand on Glenkirk Rd, not many realize that they open up their pumpkin patch in the fall (and strawberry patch in the spring) for local residents to come by and pick their own pumpkins directly from their fields. Their fields are open for picking Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from October 1st through October 30th. There is no charge to visit their fields to pick pumpkins – you just pay for the pumpkins themselves (69 cents/pound). They do also offer a variety of fall activities – hay rides, scavenger hunts, corn maze, cow train, kids play area, and animals to visit. There is a $6 charge to participate in the fall activities. Please check their website or Facebook page for up to date days and times that they are open.
Buckland Farm Market
4484 Lee Hwy, Warrenton, VA – https://www.bucklandfarmmarket.com
Buckland Farm Market is another well know year-round farm market in Fauquier County, conveniently located along Rt 29 between Gainesville/Haymarket and Warrenton. While this is a fantastic place to visit year round for fresh produce, baked goods, and plants, fall is a particularly fun time to visit. This is a great time to find apples, pumpkins, gourds, freshly-pressed apple cider, and hot pumpkin and apple cider donuts. They also offer hay rides, a children’s play area, and lots of great spots for fall photos. They are open seven days a week from 9am until 6pm. If you’re looking for something a little more scary, you can visit their Buckland Haunted Farm, Friday and Saturday nights in October (7pm – 11pm).
Messicks Farm Market
6025 Catlett Rd, Bealeton, VA – https://www.messicksfarmmarket.com
Messicks is another fantastic farm market in Fauquier located on Rt 28 near the intersection with Rt 17. This is a great place for the younger crowd as well with a petting zoo, hay rides, a jump pillow, and climbing tower and slides. While Messicks is also open year round with lots of yummy produce, local meats, baked goods, delicious ice cream, and so much more, their fall festival, which runs Saturdays and Sundays through October, is one of the best times to visit. In addition to their regular fun activities, they have a pumpkin patch and a corn maze as well as story time with Princesses. Admission is $15 per person with kids 3 and under free.
Stribling Orchard
11587 Poverty Hollow Ln, Markham, VA – http://striblingorchard.com
Stribling Orchard in Markham in western Fauquier County is one of the best places around for picking apples. They will have apple picking through the end of October along with lots of produce, beef, and baked goods in their store available for sale. They are open Wednesday through Sunday 9am to 5pm, but plan to arrive by 4:30pm because that is when they close their gates for admission. Check their website to see what types of apples are currently available to pick or purchase already picked.
