Fall Activities for All Ages
Pumpkin patches are an excellent place to start your fall adventure. These charming spots are filled with rows of vibrant pumpkins of all sizes, ideal for carving or decorating your home. Kids will love the thrill of selecting their very own pumpkin. Many of these patches also offer other attractions like hayrides, petting zoos, and even pumpkin painting stations.
For those who enjoy a good puzzle, corn mazes are a must-visit. Raleigh’s corn mazes provide a fun and challenging experience, perfect for families and groups of friends. As you navigate through the twists and turns of tall corn stalks, you’ll feel the excitement of solving the maze. Some mazes even offer evening experiences with flashlights for an extra twist.
Ken’s Korny Corn Maze
Get lost in a sea of corn as you take on Ken’s Korny Corn Maze, the Tar Heel State’s longest-running corn maze and a lasting fall tradition in the town of Garner. Put your brain to the test, navigating the nearly 2.5-miles of twists and turns through the 6-foot-tall corn stalks. One trip through typically takes between 60 and 75 minutes to complete. Other activities—mini-golf, rubber duck races, a wooden pirate ship, concessions and more—are also available, as well as a produce center for all your seasonal fresh food needs.
Season opens Sat., Sept. 23, then open weekly Fri.-Sun. through Nov. 5 (bring-your-pet weekend is Nov. 3 -5!). Tickets start at $10 for children ages 3-5, and $17 for ages 6 and up.
Address: 3175 Benson Rd., Garner, NC 27529
Phillips Farms Corn Maze and Haunted Farm
Phillips Farms in Cary has been serving the area for more than 100 years! Plan your trip out for a family-friendly afternoon navigating the farm’s corn maze, wagon rides, sunflower field, petting zoo and more. Or, if you need a little scare to get you into the Halloween spirit, experience a ghoulish night at Haunted Farm where you can visit the Field of Lost Souls, Rebellion Trail, Big Top Terror and The Gore House (not recommended for ages 12 and under).
Admission ($15 cash; $17 credit card) includes corn maze, wagon ride, cow train and family fun park. Haunted Farm admission is $25/$27.
Fun park and corn maze open Thurs.-Sun., now through Oct. 29. Haunted Farm open every Friday and Saturday evening, Sept. 29-Oct. 29.
Address: 6720 Good Hope Church Rd., Cary, NC 27519
Naylor Family Farm and Corn Maze
Open to the public for more than a decade now, the Naylor Family Farm in Fuquay-Varina has all of your fall fun needs covered! Start out enjoying a hayride on a tractor-pulled wagon before moving on to pick out your own pumpkin in the pumpkin patch. From there, swing by the Pig Pavilion for a supersized dose of cuteness, take a spin on the pedal karts, mine for gems or enjoy various themed playground areas. Finally, it’s off to the races as you make your way through the 7-acre corn maze, then treat yourself with caramel corn nuggets, funnel cakes and apple cider slushies (yes, please!).
The farm is open from now through Nov. 5. Open Saturday and Sundays in September and November; Open daily in October. Admission is $20; some experiences (Mega Ride-N-Slide, apple cannons and more) are an additional cost.
Address: 6016 US-401, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
Stay tuned for our in-depth coverage of Raleigh’s top pumpkin patches and corn mazes, complete with directions, hours of operation, and highlights that make each destination unique. Unleash your inner explorer, grab your cozy sweater, and let’s embark on a remarkable journey through the fall season in Raleigh.