Best Fall Activities Near DC for Kids & Families (2026)
Fall might just be one of our favorite times to be a family in the DMV. 🍂
The summer humidity finally gives us a break, the leaves start changing, and suddenly weekends are made for pumpkin patches, hayrides, corn mazes, cider donuts, and getting outside before winter arrives.
But with so many farms, festivals, and fall activities around Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia, figuring out where to actually go can become an activity of its own.
So, we did some of the searching for you.
Whether you want the full fall-festival experience, a pumpkin-picking afternoon, a giant corn maze, or something completely free and close to home, here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy fall with kids around the DMV in 2026.
Spend the Day at Cox Farms Fall Festival
Cox Farms | Centreville, VA
📅 September 19–November 8, 2026
🍂 Best for: Families who want the BIG fall-festival experience
🎟️ Advance tickets required
If your idea of fall involves hayrides, giant slides, farm animals, and enough activities to keep the kids busy for hours, Cox Farms is hard to beat.
Their annual Fall Festival is one of the biggest fall experiences in the DC area, with slides, rope swings, animals, hayrides, and plenty of opportunities for kids to burn off some energy.
This is less of a “quick pumpkin stop” and more of a make-a-day-of-it kind of outing.
Cherry Blossom Parent Tip: Buy tickets before you go. Cox Farms sells Fall Festival tickets online only, and popular days can sell out.
Pick a Pumpkin at Great Country Farms
Great Country Farms | Bluemont, VA
📅 September 19–October 31, 2026
⏰ Open daily, 9 AM–5 PM
🎃 Best for: Pumpkin picking + classic farm fun
There’s something extra fun about letting the kids actually head into the field and choose the pumpkin.
Great Country Farms celebrates its Fall Pumpkin Harvest throughout October with pick-your-own pumpkins, a corn maze, cider donuts, marshmallow roasting, pig races, cider-pressing demonstrations, and plenty of farm activities.
Pumpkins are purchased separately from admission, so everyone can choose the size and variety they actually want.
Cherry Blossom Parent Tip: The last weekend wagon to the pumpkin field leaves at 4 PM, so don't arrive right before closing if pumpkin picking is the main reason you're going.
Make a Day of It at Gaver Farm
Gaver Farm | Mount Airy, MD
📅 September 4–November 1, 2026
⏰ 10 AM–6 PM daily
🚜 Best for: Kids who want LOTS to do
If your kids have energy to burn, Gaver Farm belongs on your fall list.
Their Fall Fun Fest includes more than 65 family-friendly attractions, including a seven-acre corn maze, jumping pillows, pedal karts, giant slides, farm animals, games, playgrounds, and a zipline.
There are also pumpkins, fall treats, hot cider, and very importantly apple cider donuts.
Cherry Blossom Parent Tip: This is another place we'd plan several hours for rather than trying to squeeze it between other plans. Check the weather before leaving home because Fall Fun Fest can close in poor weather.
See the Fall Colors at Rock Creek Park
Rock Creek Park | Washington, DC
💲 Free
🥾 Best for: A simple fall day that doesn't require tickets or reservations
Not every fall outing needs admission tickets and an hour in the car.
Sometimes all you need is a crisp afternoon, some colorful leaves, and somewhere the kids can explore.
Rock Creek Park gives families more than 1,700 acres of nature right inside Washington, DC, making it an easy option for a fall walk, picnic, family photos, or just getting everyone outside for a couple of hours.
Pack some snacks, let the kids collect their favorite leaves, and enjoy one of those fall days that doesn't require much planning at all.
Cherry Blossom Parent Tip: Bring a little bag for each child and let them collect a few interesting leaves during your walk. Instant fall activity—and you can turn them into a craft when you get home.
Not Sure What Kind of Fall Day You Want?
Sometimes the problem isn't finding things to do. It's deciding what your family is actually in the mood for.
If you want the BIG fall experience...
Make a full day of one of the larger farm festivals. Wear shoes that can get dirty, arrive early, eat the cider donut, and accept that everyone may fall asleep in the car on the way home.
If you've only got a couple of hours...
Pick a pumpkin, take a hayride, grab a fall treat, and call it a successful afternoon.
You don't have to do every attraction just because it's there.
If you don't want to spend much...
Pack some snacks and head to Rock Creek Park.
Take a fall walk, collect leaves, take pictures, and stop for hot chocolate on the way home.
If the kids need to burn some serious energy...
Corn maze + giant slides + farm playground.
You're welcome. 😂
If you want something different from a pumpkin patch...
Try Mount Vernon's Fall Harvest Family Days and mix a little history into your fall plans.
What If It Rains?
Because this is the DMV, there's always a chance your perfectly planned fall Saturday turns into... rain.
Before giving up on the day completely, make fall happen at home.
Bake apple crisp or pumpkin muffins. Decorate pumpkins. Make something with the leaves you collected on your last walk. Have the kids build a blanket fort and choose a family movie. Make hot chocolate and pull out a board game.
And if you've already purchased farm tickets, check the venue's weather policy before heading out. Outdoor attractions may close or modify activities when conditions are muddy or unsafe.
Want to Compare Your Options Without Opening 15 Tabs?
That's exactly why we created the FREE 2026 DMV Family Fall Guide.
We've put the practical information parents actually need in one place so you can compare some of our favorite pumpkin patches, farms, and fall experiences around DC, Maryland & Northern Virginia.
Inside the guide you'll find:
✓ Locations and dates
✓ Admission information
✓ Pumpkin-picking options
✓ Hayrides & corn mazes
✓ Activities for kids
✓ Food & fall treats
✓ Ticket requirements
✓ Parent-friendly planning notes
✓ Official websites
✓ Quick ways to narrow down which outing fits your family
Basically, we did the research so you don't have to.
Save it to your phone and pull it up the next time someone asks:
“So... what are we doing this weekend?” 🍂
Looking for Halloween Events, Too?
We've got those covered.
Check out our Best Halloween Events in DC for Kids & Families (2026) for trick-or-treating, spooky science, costumes, Halloween celebrations, and family-friendly events happening around the DMV this October.