Fun Fall Activities in the USA

Fall is finally here in earnest and so are the fun fall activities! Whether your family enjoys apple picking, finding the perfect pumpkin, or attending festivals, it is the best time of year to see Mother Nature in all her glorious splendor. If you are wondering, where are the fun fall activities near me, we have the answers.

This is a collection of fun activities in a collaboration with bloggers across the US. Everyone has shared their favorite activities, and hopefully you can find fun things to do in fall near you!

*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

Best Things to do in Fall around the US

Autumn in the United States looks different everywhere. From the cactus of Arizona to the colorful leaves changing in the Midwest, you are sure to find beauty around the country. Here are some of the best fall activities for families in the US.

Arizona

East Valley – Experiencing Parenthood

Tucson – Desert Chica

California

Sacramento – Gluesticks

San Diego – San Diego seasons change with little fanfare. With year-round mild weather, most of the trees don’t even shed their leaves. What they lack in autumn weather they make up for with fun all activities and festivals. – La Jolla Mom

Colorado

Best Destinations in Colorado for fall colors – Looking for great, colorful Colorado hikes and drives after the summer travelers have faded away? The Aspens turn to gold and fall colors start changing in Colorado from mid-September through mid-October. So fill up the gas tank, pull up your driving map, and tug on those hiking boots. We’ll show you 20+ fantastic places in Colorado to go searching for gold. – Rad Family Travels

Breckenridge – After the summer crowds have gone and before the ski masses arrive, autumn is the best time to visit Breckenridge, Colorado. There are so many adventurous ways to view the stunning fall colors in Breckenridge. Bike, drive boat, hike, or try them all! – Travels with Eli

Colorado Springs – Fall is the peak time for autumn leaves in Colorado, so consider heading to Colorado Springs to take in its outdoor adventures. Stay at The Broadmoor and you’ll be within walking distance of Seven Falls, a series of waterfalls within a box canyon. Take a hike and find yourself admiring the views of the stunning landscape with unique rock formations and vibrant fall colors.

Another one of Colorado Springs’ best destinations for hikers looking for a moderate pathway with plenty of fall colors is Chamberlain Trail. In the fall, this colorful hike is full of wildlife and scenic views. The 4.2 mile loop trail is perfect for hiking, walking, trail running, and nature trips with kids.

Durango – Prime Women

Connecticut

Fall in New England – The Momma Diaries

DC

Washington, DC doesn’t shut down just because summer is over. There are loads of events in and around the city, from Octoberfest to oyster festivals, apple picking and new museum exhibits. It’s a bit quieter around town too, as kids are back in school, but field trips haven’t quite begun. So, if you have ever wanted to see Washington, D.C. with fewer crowds, now is your chance. DC Travel Mag

Florida

Fort Myers – Flour on my Face

Pensacola – Just a Little Creativity

Tampa Bay Area – Stacey Homemaker

Georgia

Fall Fun in Atlanta – 365 Atlanta Traveler

Hawaii

Spookiest Haunted Places in Hawaii – Hawaii’s history is full of supernatural experiences and unexplained events. From Hawaii’s legendary Night Marchers to the ghost of Pele who has been spotted all across the islands, Hawaii is the perfect place to look for ghosts. There are several ghost tours in Hawaii worth adding to your Hawaii itinerary this fall. -Hawaii Travel with Kids

Illinois

Chicago – Chicago in fall does not disappoint with tons of pumpkin patches, apple orchards, and corn mazes. Kids are a Trip

Kansas

Kansas City – Mama Plus One

Kentucky

Louisville, Lexington & Frankfort – Hobbies on a Budget

Lousiana

Baton Rouge – The Mama Zone

Maryland

Maryland, like much of the mid-Atlantic, isn’t quite done with summer just because fall comes around. There are still warm days to hit the area beaches, go on hikes without multiple layers and picnics to plan.

Best of all, the mosquitos generally die off as the humidity drops, making it perfect to explore all of the parks, museums, nature preserves and campsites across the state. And like everyone else, we do love or Maryland pumpkin picking, apples and cider donuts. DC Travel Mag

Massachusetts

Old Sturbridge Village – Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts is perfect to visit in autumn! Learn history from a “living museum” while strolling the paths through the foliage — and even taking a tranquil boat ride. – Around the World “L”

Plimouth Plantation – One of our favorite things to do in the fall in the USA is visit Plimoth Pawtuxet (formerly Plimoth Plantation) in Massachusetts. Not only do my kids love learning about the Pilgrims and what life was like when they arrived, but they also enjoy learning about the Wampanoag tribe of Massachusetts.

Visiting in the fall is ideal right around Thanksgiving, and in fact, you can have Thanksgiving dinner there! We also love stopping by Plimoth Rock and touring the Mayflower replica. It’s a great thing to do in the fall in the USA. – Bon Voyage with Kids

Minnesota

Minneapolis – The Real Housewives of Minnesota

New Hampshire

Kancamagus Highway – The Kancamagus Scenic Byway, also known as the “Kanc” is one of the most scenic road trips in New Hampshire. Especially popular with “leaf peepers” during fall foliage season, the Kancamagus Highway is a 34-mile scenic stretch along New Hampshire’s Route 112 in the White Mountain National Forest.

The drive is pretty at any time of year, but especially during the autumn when the leaves are changing colors and the mountains become a carpet of fiery oranges, reds, and yellows. There are numerous places to stop and enjoy the view from scenic overlooks, to short waterfall hikes, to covered bridges, and spots to climb on rocks in the river, making it a great family day trip. – We 3 Travel

Upper Valley Region – Scrappy Geek

New York

Sleepy Hollow/Tarrytown – Visit the town that inspired a legend! Sleepy Hollow and its neighbor, Tarrytown, offer lots of fall fun in the Hudson River Valley. From spooky stories, pumpkin displays, and historical attractions, you can find something for everyone to do! – Wild Kids Wander

North Carolina

Piedmont – It Happens in a Blink

Fall Fun in the Northeast

It’s hard to beat the northeast U.S. for beautiful fall foliage; the secret is the maple trees with the blazing red and orange leaves. Here are 8 great destinations for fall foliage, along with places to stay and activities the kids will love during a weekend getaway. – FamiliesGo!

Ohio

Central Ohio – Mission to Save

Columbus – Autumn foliage, crisp sweater weather, and plenty of fun activities make Columbus, Ohio a great fall destination. In addition to traditional favorites like apple picking and pumpkin patches, Columbus has lots of festivals and events throughout the fall season. – Zen Life and Travel

Oregon

Portland – Mommy Travels

Pennsylvania

Philadelphia suburbs – A Grande Life

Philadelphia Suburbs – Mama Cheaps

Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh’s location in Western Pennsylvania makes it the perfect fall destination on the US. Between the beautiful fall foliage and the farms filled with pumpkin patches and apple picking, the fall activities in Pittsburgh, PA can’t be missed! – Toddling Traveler

South Carolina

Jefferson – An Alli Event

Tennessee

East Tennessee – Creative Southern Home

Nashville – Family Focus Blog

Texas

Dallas/Fort Worth – Julie is Coco and Cocoa

Dallas/Fort Worth – Life Family Joy

San Antonio – House of Faucis

Utah

Fall colors in Utah are simply stunning. From Sundance to Capitol Reef National Park to Canyonlands, there are beautiful hikes and fall fun for everyone.

Virginia

Colonial Williamsburg – In the Fall, Colonial Williamsburg holds their annual Haunting on DoG street event with trick or treating, fun entertainment, and more. The whole family can even take part in the Ghost walk Jr. walking tour of Colonial Williamsburg. – Skylar Aria’s Adventures

Washington

Seattle – Seattle weather is always unpredictable, so while you may have figured out that the summers are glorious, what you don’t know is that Seattle in autumn is just as good, if not better. The public gardens start to show their fall colors, the rain is merely a mist when it blows in, and hiking is still the number one sport for families to enjoy when kids aren’t in school.  Walking on Travels