17 Best Fall Activities for Families in Atlanta

By Joleen Pete
Posted August 23, 2022

Who else 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

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

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. 3 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 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

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. 10 through Nov. 13) and Burt’s Pumpkin Farm, which opens Sept. 1.

4. See beautiful fall foliage

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 6 1/2-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

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.  

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, the Nature Center is hosting Halloween Hikes — a guided night hike 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

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

For the first time since 2018, the Little 5 Points Halloween Parade is back with a new route on Sunday, Oct. 23 at 2 p.m. Grab a Monster Map at L5P Community Center and Findley Plaza for a donation and tour monstrous creations throughout the neighborhood. Shop the Artist Market on Euclid Ave. from 12 to 6 p.m. There’s lots going on in the neighborhood all month long, so visit the website for details about Ghost Tours, a Halloween Photo Walk, the L5P Boozy walk (for 21+) and more. 

12. Visit Atlanta’s oldest 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, Capturing the Spirit of Oakland Halloween Tours and the 15th Annual Run Like Hell 5K.  

13. Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)

Atlanta History Center honors National Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating the Latin American holiday of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Join the fun for a fiesta with stories, crafts, songs and dance.

14. Explore the BeltLine

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.

15. Do the Monster Mash at Center for Puppetry Arts

See “How to Snag a Sea Monster!” at the Center for Puppetry Arts. This monstrously funny tale is geared toward children ages 4 through 12 and their families.

16. 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.

17. Enjoy Christmas classics

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; “Nutcracker! Magic of Christmas Ballet” at Fox Theatre; and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” at the Center for Puppetry Arts.  

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.