Corn Mazes, Hayrides, Ghost Tours, Pumpkin Patches and more…
As we approach Fall, It feels like no other In Our Lifetime. Due to the Coronavirus, many of us may not feel comfortable going out and about. However, there are a number of outdoor family friendly things to do in the Triangle. We have curated a list for your reading pleasure, including direct links to learn more and plan your family outing.
We’ve rounded up some of the best classic autumn activities in the Triangle area! From pumpkin patches to haunted mazes, there’s an activity for everyone in the family to have a little fun in the crisp fall air.
If you have questions about safety measure that aren’t addressed here, please call the venue or organizer.
Ken’s Korny Corn Maze
Get lost in a sea of corn as you take on Ken’s Korny Corn Maze, a fall tradition for more than 15 years in the town of Garner. Navigating the nearly 2.5-miles of twists and turns through the six-foot-tall corn stalks typically takes between 60 and 75 minutes to complete. For a handful of nights during Halloween season, the maze turns into Harvested Farm Nightmares, where you’ll be chased by spooky spirits, brain-eating zombies and escaped convicts & more!
DJ’s Berry Patch and Farm Fresh Produce
Beginning in late September , bring the whole family to pick your own pumpkin at DJ’s Berry Patch in Apex! This small N.C. farm is committed to providing the freshest and finest produce for every season. Not only do they have pumpkins to pick, but also beautiful fall mums. If you’re running short on time and can’t pick your own pumpkin, stop by the stand at DJ’s to shop a variety of pre-picked decorative pumpkins and gourds as well as Indian corn, sweet potatoes, apples and much more.
Crossroads Corn Maze
You’re more than likely going to get lost in Crossroads’ 5-acre corn maze, but that’s part of what makes it so fun! Afterwards, race through the hay maze or take a relaxing hayride around the farm. For the bold thrillseekers, tackle the corn maze at night every Sat. and Sun.,Oct. 4-Nov. 2 at this farm located in Wake Forest; remember to bring a flashlight! Additional fall activities include pumpkin picking, giant Jenga, volleyball, S’mores making and more.
Tractor’s Corn Maze
This friendly family-run farm in Wake Forest ensures that everyone will have a good time, no matter how old you are. Take a short trip on a hayride, shoot corn at targets, complete Corn Quest while you twist and turn through an 8-acre corn maze and finish by picking out a pumpkin to paint a masterpiece on. Tractor’s also offers a wide selection of exotic pumpkins, including blue dolls, pink dolls, ghost and goblin pumpkins. Open late September through the end of Oct. Click the link above for details.
The Family Farm on Avent Ferry
The Family Farm on Avent Ferry in Holly Springs has been in the same family for six generations! In 2012, they made it public for the fall and Christmas seasons so they could share their family traditions with you and your family. Bring the whole crew out this fall to find the perfect carving pumpkin—a variety of specialty pumpkins and gourds, as well as corn stalks and hay bales, are on hand to help decorate your home for the season. With the farm’s beautiful backdrop, it’s a great place for family pictures—bring the camera and take pictures on their vintage John Deere for a memory that will last a lifetime. Full details by clicking on the link above.
Medlin Farm
In Wake Forest, Medlin Farm is the ideal place to enjoy all the fall fun, with gem mining, countryside hayrides offering views of wild turkeys and a 6-foot tall corn maze to get lost in. Pick your own exotic pumpkin on your way out—Medlin offers a variety of shapes, sizes and colors so that whichever one you choose is guaranteed to stand out from your neighbors’ porch displays!
Naylor Family Farm and Corn Maze
The Naylor Family Farm in Fuquay-Varina has all of your fall fun needs covered! With an emphasis on providing a safe, clean and entertaining place for all, the farm is perfect for the whole family. Start with a hayride on a tractor-pulled wagon before picking out your own pumpkin in their pumpkin patch, followed by a visit to the petting zoo. Then it’s off to the races as you wander through the 10-acre corn maze, with this year’s theme being “Pirate’s Lost Treasure.” After the corn maze, the kids won’t want to miss out on playing on the giant pirate ship. At night you can conquer the maze by flashlight, and a group campfire awaits (for an additional fee) as the perfect way to cap an autumn evening—bring your own S’mores ingredients!
Ragan & Holly’s Pumpkin Patch
Celebrate all the fall produce that comes with cooler temps at Ragan & Holly’s Pumpkin Patch in Apex. A great selection of pumpkins are picked fresh every morning to choose from; also shop for tomatoes, grapes, peaches and more while they’re in season! Don’t leave without getting a scoop (or two) of their famous homemade ice cream.
Page Farms
Page Farms is a fourth generation family farm bringing you fresh fruits and vegetables all year long. Pumpkin season begins the weekend of Sept. 21-22 in 2019, so plan your visit to pick a pumpkin fresh off the vine. After you’ve found the perfect pumpkin, see the farm animals or go on a hayride around the farm!
Huckleberry Trail Farm
143 Pleasant Hill Church Rd, Siler City
919-432-4825
Open Saturdays and Sundays from September 26 to October 31. Activities include a corn maze, hayrides, pumpkin patches, cotton patches, and farmyard games.
2020 Update: The above information has been verified on the farm’s website but is subject to change.
Lazy Hound Farms
207 Davis Road, Zebulon
919-504-3002
The season opens August 22, but we don’t know yet what days of the week they’ll be open. Activities include a corn maze, hay rides, a kiddie maze, pumpkins, tractor train, farm animals, big slide, sunflower patch and more. There is also a night-time corn maze. Admission is $8 per person, with kids 2 and under free. That includes the tractor train rides, big slide and playground, kiddie maze, farm animals, and games. Hay ride is $3 and corn maze is $4.
2020 Update: All the above information is verified.
Pumpkin Patch at Chestnut Ridge Community Farm
2902 Mt Willing Rd, Efland
919-304-2178
In 2019, activities included pumpkins for sale, hayrides, face painting, meet the animals, nature play area, explore the garden, and more.
2020 Update: They hope to host a pumpkin patch and/or farm visits. We’ll update when we hear.
Pumpkin Patch Express
Museum of Life + Science, 433 West Murray Avenue, Durham
919-220-5429
Saturdays and Sundays in October. Tickets go on sale in early September.
Climb aboard the Ellerbe Creek Railway for a journey to the Museum’s pumpkin patch. Pick the perfect pumpkin to decorate and take home. In past years there have also been crafts, a hay maze, and a variety of carnival games. There will be changes to the event for this year, and we will update when we have that information. Pre-registration is required.
2020 Update: The above information is verified for 2020, but we are awaiting more details and will update when we receive them.
1870 Farm
1224 Old Lystra Road, Chapel Hill
919-590-4120
In 2019, this attraction took place Saturdays and Sundays from October 19 to November 3
In 2019, this attraction included 2 hours of access to the farm, including trick-or-treating, animals in costume, pumpkin picking and painting, a walk through the hay bale art field and a hayride through the pasture. Must buy tickets in advance, and days are selling out.
2020 Update: Check back soon
Spring Haven Farm
5306 Homer Ruffin Road, Chapel Hill
919-407-1806
In 2019, the Pumpkin Carving with Goats Festival took place Saturdays and Sundays from October 12 to 27.
Enjoy farm activities and pumpkin carving. Tickets must be purchased in advance and may sell out.
2020 Update: Check back soon. The website currently says that all annual events have been put on hold.
Gross Farms
1606 Pickett Rd., Sanford
919-498-6727
In 2019, this attraction ran from September 21 – November 3
Corn maze, playground, hayride. Also, there’s a pumpkin patch.
General admission is $3 for everyone ages 2 and up, and includes access to the picnic area, pumpkin patch, and special live entertainment when featured.
2020 Update: Check back soon
Hill Ridge Farms Fall Pumpkin & Harvest Festival
703 Tarboro Road, Youngsville
919-556-5881
In 2019, this attraction ran September 21 – November 3
Activities include farm animal corral, fish feeding deck, kids’ play land, 80’ giant slide, picnic grounds, live music, train rides, covered wagon hay rides, pony rides, face painting, pumpkins for sale, and more scheduled special events.
2020 Update: Check back soon
Haunted Trails, Haunted Houses and Ghost Walks
These attractions might be too scary for younger children.
Haunted Forest at Panic Point
2808 Cedar Creek Rd, Youngsville
919-526-8612
September 19 – November 7. Visit website for specific dates.
Haunted forest, Dark Trail, Howling Hayride, Killers in the Corn
Tickets: $20 to $35, depending on the date and when you purchase the tickets.
2020 Update: The above information was verified on the website but is subject to change. All staff and patrons must wear a mask. Read about more precautions.
Clayton Fear Farm
1620 Loop Rd, Clayton
919-553-0016
2020 dates to be announced!
2020 Update: We’ve verified that the Fear Farm will be operating in October in 2020. More details when available!
Hollerin Haunts Hayride
2914 Bud Johnson Road, Clinton
Selected dates from September 25 to November 13
Haunted Hayride, Corn Maze, Zombie Paintball
Haunted hayride: $25
Haunted corn maze: $15
Zombie Paintball (75 rounds) $15
Combo tickets available
2020 Update: The above information has been verified on the website, but is subject to change.
Raleigh Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour
Departs on Fayetteville St, Raleigh
919-371-2653
Tours are given on weekends throughout the year. Family friendly 1.5 mile walking tour for ages 8 and older combines local ghost stories, folklore, and history and takes guests through Raleigh and five to six ghost sites in downtown Raleigh.
Tickets: $18.19 for age 15 and older, and $13.56 for children 8-14. They must be purchased online.
2020 Update: The above information has been verified on the website, but is subject to change.
Xtreme Haunt: A Zombie Shooting Experience
7460 Highway 98/Wake Forest Rd, Durham
919-646-4119
In 2019, this attraction was open October 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26
Visitors ride on a 40-foot military truck with mounted paintball guns to shoot at roaming zombies in the dark.
2020 Update: Check back soon.
Durham Dark & Mysterious Ghost Walk
Departs from American Tobacco Campus (Mellow Mushroom), Durham
919-371-2653
Tours are given on weekends throughout the year. Family friendly 1.5 mile walking tour for ages 8 and older combines local ghost stories, folklore, and history and takes guests through downtown Durham to five or six ghost destinations.
Tickets: $18.19 for age 15 and older, and $13.56 for children 8-14. They must be purchased online.
2020 Update: The above information has been verified on the website, but is subject to change.