Meet some uniquely American, slightly eccentric fall family festivals and plan an autumn interlude with the kids. We encourage travelers of any age to exfoliate that sinking back-to-school feeling with fun fall activities.
There are other good reasons to travel in fall besides fun. First, autumn is the time to harvest some of the year’s top free festivals. Plan now and attend apple harvesting at u-pick farms, photo safaris, fall foliage viewing, film festivals and museum openings.
Second, these festivals are typically in small towns across America, where food and lodging is less expensive than in big cities. Next, autumn is considered the shoulder season between summer and winter holidays, so it’s easier to find discounted hotel rooms. Having said all that, we urge you to plan ahead to secure a room once you’ve selected your destination festival.
Here are some of our favorites:
Woolly Worm Festival, North Carolina’s Top Fall Family Festival
The third weekend of October for the past 46 years, Banner Elk has been home to a wriggly event featuring Woolly Bear Caterpillars. The Woolly Worm Festival typically begins at the local high school, where contestants bring their pets. The famous woolly worm races begin around the festival’s daily opening time of 9am. Or, as soon as the first heat (20 worms) is registered and running. Watch these fuzzy caterpillars race up three-foot strings. Cheer them on! Judges crown the champion worm and trainer (and pay them!) Experts interpret the winning worm’s 13 brown and black stripes to predict the weather forecast for the coming 13 weeks of winter. Expect about 20,000 spectators, 1,000 racers plus 150 craft and food vendors, serenaded by local talent.
Other Fall Family Activities in Banner Elk
The charming town of Banner Elk, Avery County is between the local ski areas at Sugar Mountain and Beech Mountain near the Tennessee border. Locals call it the High Country and mid-late October is the height of leaf peeking in the region.
Family-Friendly Lodging in Banner Elk
Look at the pet-friendly Best Western Mountain Lodge at Banner Elk offers moderately-priced, spacious double rooms. Another inn we liked is actually a small condo with apartment like units, that serves afternoon tea, bedtime snacks and popcorn in between. It’s called Little Main Street Inn & Suites and is located, where else, on the town’s main street.
The Family Favorite Apple Festival, Bayfield, Wisconsin
True apple picking aficionados will recognize Wisconsin for its first-rate Gays Mills apples, honored at the 1905 New York Apple Show and highly regarded ever since. Although Gays Mills is still the most concentrated orchard region in the Midwest, we’re sending you north to the scenic fishing village of Bayfield on Lake Superior. Bayfield residents have celebrated the Apple Festival for more than 55 years. For three days in early October, orchard tours, an apple-peeling contest (imagine a record 311″ peel?) and every conceivable apple product are on show. More than 50,000 visitors head to Bayfield for what’s considered one of the Top 10 Autumn Festivals in North America.
Fifteen local growers set up roadside stands to sell frosted apples, pies, strudels, cider, apple sundaes, apple jam, apple butter, apple bratwurst, apple dumplings, and more. Eat to your heart’s content. Then, join in for country dancing and carnival rides in this very family-friendly affair. Kids of all ages participate in a midway packed with games and rides. The whole family will enjoy the closing day’s Grand Parade featuring a 400-piece band.
Other Fall Family Activities in Bayfied
Bayfield is on the outskirts of Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Watch hemlocks and maples change color before your eyes on some of the most scenic roads in America. The Hayward to Glidden route is especially spectacular. Those traveling after mid-month should concentrate on the Kenosha and Elkhorn regions near Milwaukee, where fruit and foliage ripens later. For more information and a 24-hour foliage report, contact the Wisconsin Board of Tourism.
Family-Friendly Festival Lodging in Bayfield and Nearby Wisconsin Towns
If you’re going to make a real vacation of this visit, the lakefront Bodin’s Resort in Washburn is popular and quiet. The resort, founded in 1938, has four well-kept one and two-bedroom cottages overlooking Lake Superior and five of the Apostle Islands. Families will enjoy the large lawn area for playing and the surprisingly nice sandy beach. By the way, your four-legged relatives are welcome here, too.
For a more sublime and eco-friendly stay, try the historic eight-room farmhouse called the Pinehurst Inn. This place has been recognized for its sustainable and energy-efficient practices. They give some of that energy back to guests with its fine spa, locally grown cuisine and attentive service. Fall rates — a bargain — include a three-course breakfast.
The FireAnt Festival, Marshall, Texas
You have to give the 25,000 residents of Marshall in east central Texas some credit for their sense of humor. Anyone who’s sat on one of those springy verdant lawns carpeting Austin, Dallas, or Houston has probably known (in the Biblical sense) a Texas fireant. These incredibly ferocious pests are feted annually the second Saturday in October at Marshall’s FireAnt Festival.
The 42nd Annual FireAnt Festival will have a free concert and dancing, petting zoo and kids activities. Fun costumes, a parade, the Tour de FireAnt bicycle race, and the awarding of FireAnt King and Queen scholarships to local highschoolers should engross your family.
Other Fall Family Festival Activities in Marshall
Your family can enjoy long walks through the city’s large historic core of 19th- and early 20th-century Western houses, or visit nearby Jefferson, Texas and Shreveport, Louisiana. Search the Greater Marshall Chamber of Commerce for other events occurring during your stay.
A Budget Festival-Worthy Motel in Marshall, Texas
There’s a newly renovated La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Marshall with a fridge and microwave in the rooms. Pets and kids are welcome. Take advantage of the indoor pool and gym. There are also laundry facilities (in case anyone gets ants in their pants.) Budget rates include complimentary breakfast.
Fall Foliage Festival, Boothbay Harbor, Maine
It may be known as the Pine Tree State, but Maine still has plenty of fall color to go around the 17.7 million acres of woodland. Plan to visit the Boothbay region, where your family can check out the annual Maine Fall Foliage Festival, more than 55 years running. The event takes place over the three-day Columbus weekend and features arts, crafts, great food, local entertainment, children’s activities and steam train rides.
While in Maine, don’t miss the fabulous pumpkin art being readied for October’s Damariscotta Pumpkinfest and Regatta nearby. It’s typically held the Columbus Day holiday weekend.
Other Fall Family Activities in Boothbay Harbor
Check with the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber and discover local fall family attractions. This coastal village reflects Maine’s long sea-faring history, has many local watersports and boating options, and is very picturesque.
Visitors enjoy shopping in the harborfront village. Take a scenic cruise on the water or hike on 35 miles of beautiful local trails in the Boothbay Region Land Trust. The Oak Point Farm visitors center is the place to begin.
A Favorite Place to Stay in Boothbay Harbor
The waterfront Boothbay Harbor Inn is good place to stay, near the marina. Spacious rooms with two queens welcome kids under 12 to stay free. The hotel also has business services and a bar if you’re remote working from here. Rates include breakfast and WiFi. This is a popular town, so if you have trouble finding a room, check out the inventory at Booking.com.
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