The last days of summer break have passed and school doors are welcoming children back. Fall is here and with the cool breezes and pumpkin lattes comes plenty of family fun! The Triangle area is brimming with excellent options like pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and fall festivals. Here are some of our favorite fall family activities to explore in the Raleigh-Durham area:

DURHAM MUSEUM OF LIFE AND SCIENCE PUMPKIN PATCH EXPRESS

If you’ve never visited the Durham Museum of Life and Science, you are missing out! The Museum is amazing year round, but during the month of October, it hosts a Pumpkin Patch Express event. Tickets are available from their website. Families take a ride on the Ellerbe Creek Railway and stop at a pumpkin patch. Children can pick their own pumpkin to decorate and play carnival games before returning to the train station. Enjoy the pumpkin patch fun and then spend the day exploring everything else the Museum has to offer.

FARMER GANYARD AT UPCHURCH FARM

Farmer Ganyard at Upchurch Farm is located in Cary and filled with fun fall activities! The season opens September 22nd. Your family can enjoy the barnyard animals, cornfield maze, hayrides, the Farmer Ganyard’s Market, and of course, a real pumpkin patch. There is also a play area with haystacks to climb and a corn crib (a giant sandbox filled with dried corn) that is fun for all ages. Spend the morning playing and leave with some beautiful pumpkins and yummy country market goods!

DJ’S BERRY PATCH

This farm located in Apex celebrates fall with fresh pumpkins and colorful mums. Come take your little ones to pick pumpkins for jack-o-lanterns and pumpkin pie. Snap some great pictures amidst the pumpkin patch and don’t forget to pick up some mums to brighten your home with gorgeous autumn color.

CHAPEL HILL’S FESTIFALL ART FESTIVAL

The cooler temps of fall are perfect for spending the afternoon at Chapel Hill’s Festifall Art Festival. This year’s festival takes place on Sunday, October 1st. There you can browse artwork and handicrafts, listen to live music, and sample food trucks. Kids will enjoy the interactive activities, face painting, and unique dance performances taking place throughout the festival.

KOOKY SPOOKY HALLOWEEN AT MARBLES KIDS MUSEUM

Located in Raleigh, Marbles Kids Museum is a huge museum featuring interactive activities and exhibits designed for children 10 and under. Come explore Marbles in costume on the evening of October 28th for a night of Halloween excitement. The museum will transform into Halloween mode with activities like Ghoul School, Mad Scientist Lab, Monster Mash Dance Party and more!

NAYLOR FAMILY FARM & GIANT CORN MAZE

Fall fun isn’t complete without a trip to a giant corn maze! Visit this family farm in Fuquay Varina for a host of fall activities. Farm attractions include a giant corn maze, gem mining, jump pad, farm animals, pumpkin patch, hayrides, farm tower fort, barrel train, tire mountain, and large picnic area.

THREE BEAR ACRES GREAT PUMPKIN SMASH

Three Bear Acres is a 50-acre facility that is a blast to visit with your family throughout the year. The sprawling outdoor area is filled with activities such as toboggan slides, tree houses, mud kitchen, graffiti painting wall, huge jumping pillow, obstacle course, and a pond with paddleboats. On November 4th, Three Bear Acres will host a Great Pumpkin Smash to celebrate the fall season. Families will get the chance to participate in some unique pumpkin fun – pumpkin slingshots, anyone?