Lean into spooky season at SCarowinds
What to expect: Carowinds turns into the biggest Halloween event in the Carolinas, with 17 haunted attractions plus all your favorite thrill rides after dark. Not into scares? Daytime Tricks and Treats is the family-friendly version.
Details: Select nights through Saturday, Nov. 7. Check the park calendar for nightly hours.
Address: 14523 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28273
Pick fall florals and pumpkins at McLawland Farms
What to expect: Fill a mason jar with fall blooms (they provide the jars and scissors, plus a quick how-to), then pick out your pumpkins from the patch. Jars start at $14, and dahlias, sunflowers and torch lilies can be added when they’re in bloom.
Details: Flower picking is by appointment. Check their calendar for the patch.
Address: 8632 Reedy Creek Road
Take the kiddos to Hall Family Farm
What to expect: Two corn mazes (a 7-acre maze with a scavenger hunt, plus a quick 15-minute one), hayrides, a pumpkin patch, goat walks and a 2-acre play area with a fire truck slide and a 30-foot spider web.
Details: Festivities run through Nov. 1.
- Hours are 12-8pm Fridays; 9am-10pm Saturdays and 9am-6pm Sundays 9am-6pm.
- Admission is free; activities are priced separately.
Address: 445 W, Rebound Road
Marvel at the Great Elizabeth Pumpkin Wall
What to expect: Elizabeth’s beloved tradition, now in its 22nd year, features dozens of jack o’lanterns that glow behind that year’s Pumpkin Wall Word.
Dates/hours: Lighting ceremony Sunday, Oct. 25 at 6pm. It stays lit every night through Halloween and comes down Nov. 1.
Address: 2017 Greenway Ave.
Snack on apple cider donuts from Windy Hill
What to expect: Made hot and fresh daily, get your donuts plain or dusted in cinnamon sugar, and grab fresh cider, apple pie or a hard cider while you’re there.
Dates/hours: Farm stand open Thursday-Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 12-6pm, through Christmas. The cider bar is open Friday 12-7pm, Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 12-6pm.
Address: 1860 Black Highway, York, SC
Take a mountain trip and bike the Virginia Creeper Trail
What to expect: A family-friendly rail trail that’s great for beginners, with about 17 miles currently open between Abingdon and Damascus. October means peak fall color, so rent bikes and book a shuttle in Damascus and enjoy the ride.
Dates/hours: Open year-round. Adventure Damascus shuttles leave every 45 minutes from 9am to 3pm. Fall Saturdays book up fast, so reserve early.
Address: 331 Douglas Drive, Damascus, VA
