As the leaves begin to change and the air grows crisp, that can only mean one thing; fall is upon us in Tennessee. So carve out a good time and add these Autumn fun-filled farms, festivals, events and pumpkin-spiced treats to check off your Fall bucket list.
1. Pick the Perfect Pumpkin of the Patch
Photo Credit: Crystal Freemon Photography
The River Maze – Ocoee
Located on the banks of the Ocoee River, The River Maze is celebrating its 20th year of the Spookley the Square Pumpkin with a wide array of fall-tastic activities, including corn and soybean mazes, bonfires, hayrides, farm animals, pumpkin basketball, ziplines and much more.
Falcon Ridge Farms – Bolivar
Falcon Ridge Farms is an expansive family farm in West Tennessee where visitors can take a shot at a corn cannon and visit its pumpkin patch. This fall destination includes a corn maze, tractor-drawn wagon rides, pony rides, food at the market, tire swings, giant slides, tether bole, cornhole, bounce houses and much more.
Lucky Ladd Farms – Eagleville
A petting farm, pony rides, more than 70 activities and educational adventures are the norm on the 60-acre Lucky Ladd Farms in Eagleville. Farm-themed playgrounds, mega slides, wagon rides, tire climbs, games and tractor trains entertain for hours. Visitors can choose from more than ten varieties of picked pumpkins or visit the patch to handpick their own. The farm’s corn maze is named “Tennessee’s #1 Corn Maze” four years in a row.
2. Take a Fall Weekend Getaway
Photo Credit: Tennessee Tourism/Katie Kauss
Embark into the woods to find some of the coziest fall getaways in Tennessee to lay your head. Spend the weekend surrounded by fall foliage, breathing in fresh air and steps away from some of the state’s best hiking trails. Then, spend the weekend at one of Tennessee State Park’s lodges, cabins or campsites. Whether at Pickwick Landing State Park or Chickasaw State Park in West Tennessee, Montgomery Bell State Park in Middle or Norris Dam CCC State Park in East Tennessee, these Tennessee State Park lodging options are perfect for a fall break or weekend escape. Looking for more cabins and chalets to rent? Check out www.tnvacation.com/places-
3. Get Lost in a Corn Maze
Photo Credit: Tennessee Tourism/ Greta Hollar
Sunset Valley Farms – Huron
Celebrate Tennessee’s 225th anniversary and Henderson Country’s 200th anniversary with Sunset Valley Farm’s a-MAZE-ing corn maze at its 2021 Fall Festival. Capture Instagram-worthy photos in the farm’s expansive sunflower fields, munch on freshly made apple cider donuts and pulled pork, take a ride on the grain train, climb abroad a tractor and pick the perfect pumpkin. Stay until sundown to experience stunning Tennessee sunset against the sprawling woods of West Tennessee.
Myers Pumpkin Patch and Farm – Greeneville
Deemed East Tennessee’s largest corn maze, Myers Pumpkin Patch and Farm delivers 500-acres of fun for the whole family with tractor rides, s’more stations around fire pits and its epic Fall Farm Market. At the market, guests can handpick the farm’s freshly grown fruits, vegetables and homemade baked goods, including pumpkins, squash, corn, pumpkin pie and fudge.
Honeysuckle Hill Farm – Springfield
Venture out to Springfield for a fall-filled day at Honeysuckle Hill Farm’s fall festival, where its guests can get lost in this year’s Loretta Lynn-themed country music corn maze; take a hayride to the pumpkin patch, hear chickens sing and watch pig races. Snack on the delicious food they have on-site, including caramel apples, kettle corn, chili cheese nachos and much more.
4. Get the In-Cider Information on Tennessee’s Hottest Apple Orchards
Photo Credit: Morning Glory Orchard/Alyson Terrel
Wooden’s Apple House – Pikeville
Wooden’s Apple House offers a wide selection of apples to pick over 100 acres for the perfect day spent in the orchard. Pick up a few bottles of apple cider to take home, along with a pie shop with delicious apple dumplings and meat-and-three restaurant. Take it easy and spend the day among the rolling hills and enjoy the scenery among their vineyard and sprawling acres.
Morning Glory Orchard – Nolensville
Located right outside of Nashville, Morning Glory Orchard offers everything from apples, peaches, honey vegetables, cider, fresh baked goods and much more. Make a day out of your visit and enjoy a picnic out in in the orchard while snaking on a charcuterie box and sampling the fresh produce onsite.
Buffalo Trail Orchard – Greeneville
Since 1890, the Buffalo Trail Orchard has been providing fresh produce to those in East Tennessee. During the fall month, guests can enjoy the orchard’s pumpkin patch, take a hayride and spend the day with friends and family picking apples.
Jones Orchard – Millington
Looking for a fun fall-filled day? Look no further than Jones Orchard, where you can not only go apple picking but the family can also enjoy everything from a 10-acre corn maze, hayrides, pumpkin patch, farm scene investigation, monster mysteries and more haunted attractions at their Festival of Fear.
5. Get Spooked at these Historically Haunted Tennessee Destinations
Photo Credit: Maycreate/Sarah Unger
Travel to Tennessee for a hauntingly good time that can only be Made in Tennessee. Experience the sights and thrills of haunted hotels, theaters, homes and much more where wicked stories and spooky surprises are tied to the stories of the past. To read a full list of spooky happening this fall, check out Tennessee Tourism’s roundup of 13 haunted tours happening this year here.
6. Taste the Flavors of Autumn
Photo Credit: Tennessee Tourism
The Apple Barn Cider Mill – Sevierville
Guests can pick apples in the orchards, then peruse the delicious homemade items in the general store.
Carver’s Orchard and Applehouse Restaurant – Cosby
While in Cosby, be sure to stop by Carver’s Orchard and Applehouse restaurant, where you visitors can load up on freshly picked apples, fried pies, homemade candies and apple butter.
Fairlane Hotel’s Falling for Fairlane – Nashville
Head to downtown Nashville and ascend to the top of the Fairlane Hotel for their latest fall-inspired pop-up bar, Falling for Fairlane. Get in the fall spirit with some of their delicious, infused cocktails such as The Drunken Pumpkin, Not Your Mother’s Mulled Wine, Maple Old Fashioned and feast on their shared plates such as the goat cheese and savory pear tart, apple pie and pumpkin spiced donut holes.
Old Millington Vineyard – Millington
Only 14 miles outside of Memphis, the Old Millington vineyard captures the flavors of fall in their seasonal Our Plum wine. Cap off Sunday afternoon by having a picnic and enjoying the surrounding fall foliage and original wines.
7. Explore Outdoors and Experience Tennessee’s Fall Colors
Photo Credit: State of Tennessee
Kick up fall’s fallen leaves and cruise along the state’s scenic byways to catch a glimpse of the state’s colorful sprawling ridges, picturesque destinations and outdoor treasures. Add these relaxing hikes, scenic drives and leaf-peeping destinations to your fall bucket list here.
8. Attend a Fall-tastic Event
Photo Credit: Gaylord Opryland
“Once Upon a Pumpkin” – Discovery Park of America in Union City
Get lost in the stories of fairy tales at Discovery Park of America’s Pumpkin Village with this year’s “Once Upon a Pumpkin.” Venture through 40,000 pounds of pumpkins constructed along with hay bales and fall flowers to create displays that showcase childhood tales such as “The Three Little Pigs” and “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.”
Goblins and Giggles – Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville
Fall at the Gaylord Opryland Resort makes for the perfect family-fun fall getaway with their highly anticipated Gobblins and Giggles. From Sept. 10 until Oct. 31, visitors to the resort can experience Spooktacular fall décor, hide and seek scavengers hunts with Spookley the Square Pumpkin, the trick or treat expedition trail, Jack-o’-Lantern Walk, the haunted Hidden Treasure Escape Room, Ghouls Night Out Riverboat Ride, Wicker Brews Spookeasy, the Monster Mash Bash, Frightfully Fun Zone, Bedtime Stories with Morgana, Spooky Animal Encounters, Fall Fountain Show and much more.
Autumn at Anakeesta – Gatlinburg
Escape into a fall wonderland this season with Autumn at Anakeesta Sept. 24 – Oct. 31. Take in the Great Smoky Mountains while enjoying the live music, food, drinks and fall decorations. Go leaf peeping in the sightseeing Chondola, zipline through breathtaking fall foliage and immerse yourself in the picturesque beauty of East Tennessee.
Harvest Festival – Pigeon Forge
Dollywood goes all out to celebrate the fall season with its annual Harvest Festival and the highly anticipated Great Pumpkin LumiNights. Running from Sept. 24 until Oct. 31, visitors to the park will be able to take in beautiful fall decorations, feast on seasonal treats and listen to first-class entertainment. Stay until the sun goes down to see Dollywood’s seasonal décor come glowing to life at the LumiNights.
Cheer on Your Favorite Tennessee Football Team
Football is a big deal in the South. With the onset of changing leaves and the flavors of pumpkin spice on store shelves, that means that football fans everywhere are rejoicing and cheering on their favorite teams. While visiting Tennessee during the fall, schedule sometime to experience what football season is all about in the Volunteer state whether it’s the University of Tennessee Volunteers, the Tennessee Titans or the University of Memphis, there’s many teams to cheer on all autumn long.
For more bucket list worthy Tennessee destinations and fall activities, explore TNVacation.com.
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