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(📷: Joleen Pete)

17 Best Fall Activities for Families in Atlanta

Who is ready for all things fall? Take advantage of beautiful weather and fall colors. Go pumpkin patchin’, corn mazing and apple picking in Atlanta and beyond. Consider this your fall bucket list. Print it out and check ’em off. You can do it. Chances are you and your family are going to have a veritable cornucopia of fun getting out and seeing Atlanta in the fall.

1. Fall festivals

Enjoy top-tier arts and crafts at the annual Yellow Daisy Festival. (Photo courtesy of Stone Mountain Park)

Music, arts and crafts, beer. Atlanta is full of can’t-miss fall festivals. For year-around fun, check out this ultimate list of things to do in Atlanta with kids

2. Go apple picking

Kids will love picking apples at Hillcrest Orchards and other local orchards in North Georgia.(Photo by Joleen Pete)

Visit a North Georgia orchard. Drink apple cider and bring home your favorite apple baked goods. Pick your own apples at Hillcrest Orchards, in Ellijay, beginning Sept. 2 while they last. Visit the Apple Pickin’ Jubilee on weekends to pick apples, milk a cow, watch swimming pig races, enjoy live entertainment and more. The market and bakery at Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge is open daily from 9 to 5 (except Nov. 16 and federal holidays). Enjoy all the pies — fruit pies, fruit pies with no sugar added, pecan pies, pumpkin pies, fried pies — plus wine, cider and hard cider, gifts galore and, well, just everything. There are many fun daytrips from Atlanta to try.

3. Go pumpkin patching

What’s fall without pumpkins? (Photo by Unsplash)

Pick the perfect pumpkin. Most local pumpkin patches offer hayrides and yummy pumpkin-flavored goods. In Dawsonville, visit both Uncle Shucks Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch (Sept. 16 through Nov. 12) and Burt’s Pumpkin Farm (Sept. 1 through Nov. 10).

4. See beautiful fall foliage

Peep fall colors in Atlanta. (Photo by Joleen Pete)

Take a day trip to North Georgia and dare to hop a ride at Blue Ridge Zip Line and Canopy Tours or take a tour on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. If you’re sticking around town, visit one of Atlanta’s top parks for autumn leaves peeping or stroll through the gardens at Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum. Here is a list of where to see fall color in Atlanta.

5. Navigate through a corn maze

There are several nearby farms with corn mazes, where you can also enjoy games and activities including popcorn pillow jump, corn box, pony rides and more. Washington Farms in Watkinsville is home to a six-and-a-half acre corn maze. Buford Corn Maze covers five acres. Try the Cornball Slider while you’re there. Uncle Shucks hosts haunted corn mazes every Friday and Saturday night in October. Children ages 12 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

6. Catch college football fever

Everybody, young and old, loves the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame. (Photo courtesy of Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame)

College football is a sure indication that fall has arrived. To up your college football experience, stop in at the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame.  

7. Take a family field trip

Grab the fam, don your fave fall outfits and see if you can find all of Atlanta’s Tiny Doors. Teens and adults might enjoy a unique themed tour of the city through Bicycle Tours of Atlanta. Here are the best Atlanta tours for seeing the city up close.

8. Go for a hike

Take in the crisp, cool air and admire all that autumn has to offer at Chattahoochee Nature Center or during one of the many hikes in Atlanta. Friday and Saturday nights in late October, Chattahoochee Nature Center hosts Halloween Hikes –guided night hikes for families. Meet woodland creatures and hear how they live, enjoy a campfire, crafts and more. Visit the website for more details and to purchase advanced tickets. 

9. Celebrate Halloween during Boo at the Zoo

Boo at the Zoo is a real treat for kids. (Photo courtesy of Zoo Atlanta)

Hurry to Zoo Atlanta in late October for Boo at the Zoo. Sample treats throughout the zoo. Enjoy the sights, characters and adventures of the whimsical Zoo Boo Town on four magical days with more than 1,000 animals from around the world. Don’t forget your costume.  

10. Pro Sports

Cheer on the Atlanta Falcons during a game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Welcome the Atlanta Hawks back for a new season after a stellar playoff performance last season. Catch the soccer spirit at an Atlanta United game. There is always a game to catch with Atlanta sport events.

11. Halloween in Little 5 Points

The Little 5 Points Halloween Parade is back with events on Oct. 21 and 22, with the parade taking place on Oct. 22 at 2 p.m. Visit the website for details about The Market, Ghost Tours, Sticker Hunt and more. 

12. Visit Atlanta’s oldest cemetery

Capturing the Spirit of Oakland Halloween Tours is a popular fall activity. (Photo courtesy of Oakland Cemetery)

Historic Oakland Cemetery is a beautiful place to see fall colors. Another great reason to visit is Oakland’s festive events. Fall favorites include Sunday in the Park at Oakland and Capturing the Spirit of Oakland Halloween Tours.  

13. Explore the BeltLine

Explore the Atlanta BeltLine with the entire family. There is so much to see, do and eat along the way.

Check out our ultimate guide to the Atlanta BeltLine for everything you need to know about the trails, including access points, tips and bonus trails. Walk, bike or explore all there is to see then stop for a bite to eat at one of these conveniently located restaurants on the BeltLine.

14. Do the Monster Mash at Center for Puppetry Arts

The 5th Annual Monster Mash at Center for Puppetry Arts takes place on Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Love Family Atrium. Kids and their caregivers can dance to a special kids’ DJ, participate in Halloween fun, trick-or-treat and more.

Looking for more not-so-spooky Halloween activities in Atlanta? See “The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Silly Hollow” at the Center for Puppetry Arts — a Halloween classic with a comic twist. Recommended for ages 4 and up.

15. Kick off Turkey Day with a run

The entire family can run (or walk) in the Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon and 5K and Kids Dash. With prizes and awards for the top finishers, as well as plenty of swag for all participants, the Atlanta Half Marathon and Thanksgiving Day 5K is the perfect way to start your holiday.

16. Enjoy Christmas classics

Hermy and Young Rudolph return to Center for Puppetry Arts. (Photo courtesy of Center for Puppetry Arts)

Before we know it, we’ll be decking the halls and listening to our favorite Christmas albums on repeat. Christmas classics will soon be on display on Atlanta’s favorite stages. Be sure to reserve tickets early for these popular performances  — “A Christmas Carol” at Alliance Theatre and “Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet” at Fox Theatre.

17. Plan a staycation

Fall break is the perfect time to visit Atlanta (trust us, the weather is beautiful!) or to plan a staycation while the kids are out of school. Check out this Atlanta itinerary for family fun with information about all the top attractions and more. Also, visit this list of awesome kid-friendly hotels in Atlanta.

Looking for more things to do with the family? Check out our calendar of events and things to do in Atlanta this weekend.

Joleen Pete lives outside Atlanta with her husband and their son. On the weekends they enjoy going into the city for family fun and exploration. Joleen is the family travel and lifestyle blogger behind Love, Joleen.

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