This FAMILY TO DO in CHARLOTTE series is sponsored by CEENTA.
If it’s time for you to get out of your rut and do some new things, this round-up will help! Here are a bunch of Things to Do and Places To Go this Fall for some seasonal fun for you and yours. While this list is geared towards families and kid-friendly fun, there’s no reason these can’t be date-days or girls trips.
U-PICK Farms Near Charlotte to Pick Your Own Apples
Visiting a Pick Your Own Apples Farm or two is an Autumn tradition to be treasured, the perfect combination of a short road trip adventure, outdoor fun, fresh air, and tasty treats with a favorite fruit. Whether you stay close by or head all the way to the mountains for your Apple Picking Adventure, make it a perfect North Carolina day at one of these farms, sorted by Distance from the QC.
1261 Oakridge Farm Hwy, Mooresville, NC 28115
Picking Season: Tuesday, September 3 thru about 9/19/25 then picks back up with a new harvest in October.
Driving Distance: Approximately 35 minutes
Cost: $15.00 per person. RESERVATIONS highly suggested
1860 Black Hwy, York, SC 29745
Picking Season: U-Pick reservations for Sept MOSTLY SOLD OUT (reservation only, more hopefully added for October, check at link)
Driving Distance: Approximately 47 minutes
Apple Hill Orchard and Cider Mill
2075 Pleasant Hill Ave, Morganton, NC 28655
Picking Season: NOW OPEN. Reserve at the link.
Driving Distance: Approximately 1 hour, 18 minutes
Cost: Base Orchard Pass $3.50 then add-on apples starting at $9 for 12
4085 Price Road | Moravian Falls, NC 28654
Picking Season: September & October Fridays: 12pm-5pm Saturday & Sunday: 10am-5pm. Reserve at the Link
Driving Distance: Approximately 1 hour, 19 minutes
COST: $2 per person admit and Tractor ride through the orchard is included with $2 admission. Apples priced separately by number. Tractor playground, jump pad, apple cannon, megaslide and bee train are separate cost. Combo pricing available.
6938 Eaglesfield Rd, Gibsonville, NC 27249
Picking Season: Now Open
Driving Distance: Approximately 1 hour, 36 minutes
506 Parks Crossroads Church Rd, Ramseur, NC 27316
Picking Season: Apple Picking’ Adventure Available Select Saturdays & Sundays in September | Reservations required | $18.95/person (Kids 2 & Under: Free)
Driving Distance: Approximately 1 hour, 41 minutes
Each Ticket Includes: Access to the u-pick apple orchard (Apples sold separately) | Fresh-picked apple tasting | Orchard hayride | Cider pressing demonstration with a fresh cider sample Select times during the day: Saturdays (11:30am, 1:30pm, 4pm) | Sundays (2:30pm & 4pm) | 4-ounce apple cider slushie | Access to our catch & release fishing ponds (Bring your own pole, tackle & bait)
2951 Chimney Rock Road. Hendersonville, NC 28792
Picking Season: U Pick Now Open, every day of the week. Weekends offer Kid’s Zone with farm related activities and photo props | Corn Maze, Cow Train, Apple Cannon
Driving Distance: Approximately 1 hour, 46 minutes
Corn Mazes Nearby
Rural Hill Corn Maze. Huntersville – 16 miles.
Weekends only – September 6 – October 31, 2025. Theme this year features a nod to their Scottish roots with a bagpiper and Highland cow (!). Tickets required but can be used any time during the season. $13 to $20 pp. More at the link.
Almond Farm Corn Maze – Concord – 27 miles
Opens Sept 13th. Adults and kids age 2 and up require a ticket…weekdays 12.99 weekends 15.99. Children under age 2 free. Must reserve wagon ride. Two mazes, one for adults and one fo rkids.
Hall Family Farm Corn Maze – Lancaster, SC – about 47 miles. One of the best maze visits near Charlotte
OPENS SEPT 19TH. This year’s theme is Pirates. Two mazes, one for the littles and one for the rest of us. Last ticket sold is 1 hour before closing for both. Also has tons of other fall fun for free and for a fee, like pumpkin picking, gem mining, hayrides, goat walking and more. Deets at the link above.
SMALL CORNMAZE – 15 minute easy maze that is great for all ages. Stroller and handicap accessible. $4.99 per person
LARGE CORNMAZE – A 7 acre maze that includes a scavenger hunt in order to complete the maze. A 1-2 hour adventure. Handicap accessible, Bring your own stroller or wagon for smaller kids – highly recommended. $11.99 per person.
Cherry Place Farm Corn Maze – Rock Hill, SC – 32 miles
CORNMAZE + PUMPKIN PATCH During the month of October, open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays. The October festival is a self-guided tour of farm that features the two-acre cornmaze, hayrides, visiting and feeding the animals, and plenty of barnyard play areas for children, also pumpkins for sale.
Patterson Farm Corn Maze – Mt. Ulla, NC – 37 miles. Opens Sept. 20 also with a Pumpkin patch, playground, barnyard, wagon ride, and more fall fun activities
Red Wolf Farm Corn Maze – Maiden, NC – 38 miles.
Two Corn mazes (one for kids) and pumpkin patch. Open to the General Public WITHOUT reservation 10am to 6pm on Sept 27, 28 Oct 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26. $9 per person. Pumpkin “Bowling”, Pirate Ship, Tractor, Toy Airplanes, and Wooden Train Play Sets, “Swim” in giant house of Corn, Pumpkin Tic-Tac-Toe & Checkers and lots more.
Shelby Corn Maze, Shelby NC – 56 miles.
Opens Saturday, 9/20, runs through November 2. Farm Admission $16 (age 3+) includes Corn Maze, 18+ Courtyard activities, Jumping Pillow, Hayride to Pumpkin Patch, 4 Activity Tickets. Their 8-acre corn maze converts to a HAUNTED MAZE at night called the Trail of Terror. The Haunted Maze and the regular Corn Maze require different admission tickets. If you’re up for it, there is a combo ticket that gives you admission to farm activities during the day and the haunt night activities that same day for $22.
Stay tuned for more info on: Country Days Corn Maze – Indian Trail
Drive farther to: Kersey Valley Maize Adventure – Archdale, NC
Pumpkin Patches to Visit
Hodge’s Family Farm – NE CLT – 10 miles
Season dates: September 27 – October 31, open daily, 9:00am – 6:00pm, Entrance gate closes at 5:30pm — No entry fee.
**NO PETS.*** Pumpkins, Hay bales, Barnyard animals, Picnic areas *Weather permitting* Friday afternoon hayrides from 2:00pm – 5:00pm. $5 per person, children 2 and under are free.
Wise Acres Organic Farm – Indian Trail, NC – about 15 miles
RESERVATIONS ONLY. Farm will open for season on September 20 but ALL September reservations will open on 9/15. October reservations will open on 9/30. Pumpkin patch, flower fields, playgrounds, animal visits and feeding, wagon rides, fire pit, pizza, fall school tours and more.
The Hunter Farm – Weddington, NC – 24 miles
Pumpkin patch, wagon rides, market barn, farm Friday special events, local artisanal gifts, live music, food trucks, adult beverages, pumpkin pies
Linebergers Maple Springs Farm – Dallas, NC – 26 miles Open Sept 20 with free admission and wagon rides where each rider gets one pumpkin for free.
The Union Exchange – Monroe, NC – 26 miles
Starting September 28th, this pumpkin patch opens along with festive wagon rides (book in advance at their site), live music, and family-friendly events. Gather around fire pits to enjoy s’mores, seasonal coffee, local beer, and wine- making, the perfect autumn day for all ages.
Carrigan Farms – Mooresville, NC – 33 miles
Opens Sept 27th. Reservations are required for pumpkin picking and the cost of pumpkin picking is $15.00 per person for everyone ages 2 and above. Young babies 23 months and under are free; however, they do not get a pumpkin. Each trip to the pumpkin patch includes a hayride to the petting zoo and pumpkin field. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear for being on a working farm. Closed toed shoes or boots are recommended.
Hall Family Farm – Lancaster SC – 50 miles
Opens Sept 19th. In addition to their CORN MAZES, above, fall season on the farm features pumpkin picking, a musical hay ride, kids activities, school tours, group tours, birthday parties, and refreshments available in the sales tent, Hall’s Kitchen, and the Bakery. There is no admission charge; pumpkins priced $0.70 per lb.
Spooky Family Fun
Scarowinds, Tricks & Treats for Kids on Weekends Only, and Oktoberfest all at CAROWINDS from 9/13 thru November. Details at the links.
The 13th Acre – 3718 Plyler Mill Rd, Monroe, NC. Weekends Only, Starts Sept 19th. Not for little ones.
“Scary” Movies at Camp North End Thursday Movie Nights – Oct. 2: “Halloweentown” | Oct. 9: “Scooby Doo” | Oct. 16: “Beetlejuice” | Oct. 23: “The Addams Family” | Oct. 30: “Hocus Pocus”
Scarecrow Hollow at Daniel Stowe Saturday, September 27-Friday, October 31 | Garden Admission or Membership
The Lost Hollow Children’s Garden transforms to Scarecrow Hollow, a delightful collection of creatively-designed scarecrows crafted by our community. These scarecrows can be silly, spooky or anything in between and visitors can vote throughout the month to crown three scarecrows “Best in Crow”!
Ghouly Gala: A Science Spooktacular October 17th at Discovery Place Kids in Huntersville. 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Little goblins, princesses, and superheroes head to Discovery Place Kids for this annual family-friendly Halloween bash. The Ghouly Gala is packed with hands-on activities, playful science tricks, and just the right amount of “spooky” fun—perfect for kids of all ages. Tickets at the link.
Matthews Playhouse Haunted Trail. Friday, October 24th – Sunday, October 26th — “Not So Spooky” Trail: 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. “Full Fright” Trail : 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. All proceeds from ticket sales go directly to Matthews Playhouse, helping us make theatre accessible to everyone
NoDaWeen. Every year when NoDaWeen hosts several celebrations throughout Halloween Weekend. Click thru for all the scary details.
- Freaky 5K Road Race Sat, Oct 25
- NoDa Downtown Candy Crawl Sun, Oct 26
Halloween Daza and Spooky Nights at Ren Fest. Free Child admission for kids under 12. Saturday, October 25, 2025 and Sunday, October 26, 2025 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Children and parents alike enjoy the fun and safe trick or treating experience with free treats to be found at over 100 locations throughout the Festival Village. In addition, a full day of regular Festival entertainment is complimented by the Knights of the Living Dead zombie jousting challenge happening three times daily throughout Halloween weekend.
Great Elizabeth Pumpkin Wall
Week leading into Halloween at 2017 Greenway Ave in Elizabeth
The annual lighting ceremony of the Great Elizabeth Pumpkin Wall annually kicks off Halloween week.
Family Friendly Fall Festivals
Meet & Greets at Cabarrus Brewing. From Buzz Lightyear to the Ghostbusters, Cabarrus has a character packed schedule of appearances to entertain the fam this fall.
Fall for Matthews in Downtown Matthews, Saturday, October 11 from 10 am – 4 pm.
“Fall” in love with Matthews during this Fall Festival at Stumptown Park in downtown Matthews. Expect Arts & Crafts Vendors, Business Vendors, Food Vendors, a DJ and Live Music, a Sip & Stroll, a Pumpkin Patch, Animals, and a Children’s Area. The event is FREE and open to the public to attend and will be on, rain or shine.
Pineville Fall Fest, October 16, 17, 18
The 26th Annual Pineville Fall Fest encapsulates all the bests part of fall; with live music, carnival rides, pie eating contest, chili cook off, fireworks, arts and crafts vendors, and more. Hosted at Jack D. Hughes Park, located at 513 Main Street, Pineville, NC from 6:00 to 10:00 PM on October 17th and 18th, and 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM on the 19th.
Mint Hill Madness Festival, October 16 – 18
Mint Hill Madness is a festival to celebrate the founding of the Town. Mint Hill Madness has something for everyone in the family… delicious food, great music ranging from country to rock, a fantastic family carnival, and of course, a spectacular firework show. Mint Hill Events Inc. has been working hard to plan another great event.
Fort Mill Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct 18. Festival Highlights Include: Touch-A-Truck | Live Music on the Amphitheater Stage | Costume Contest | 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. From infants to adults—dress to impress! Multiple prize categories.
Flocktoberfest on Saturday, Oct 25 in Albermale hosted by Naughty Donkey Farms. This is a sanctuary for dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, goats, alpacas, and a naughty donkey.Tour the sanctuary, meet the animals and hear their stories, shop with local vendors, eat yummy vegan food, and collect candies on Taco’s Trick or Treat Trail. Tickets: $20 PER CAR in advance; $25 at the door
Leaf Peeping and Mountain Trips
Tweetsie Railroad Ghost Train, Blowing Rock, NC – Friday & Saturday Nights, Sept. 19 – Nov. 1.
Daytime guests can still enjoy all of Tweetsie’s Wild West adventures, rides and attractions. . . but when the sun goes down, the park gets a full makeover complete with costumed characters, decorations, music and Halloween-themed attractions. Younger children will love the dance parties, trick-or-treat stations, themed photo opportunities, and the Palace Spooktacular Show. Braver kids and adults will appreciate the scary night-time journey on the Ghost Train, walking through the hallowed halls of the Haunted House and exploring the murky Freaky Forest. And, everyone will love the park’s most popular amusement rides after dark in the Creepy Carnival.
