Fall Activities
Haunted Houses and Ghost Tours: turning leaves and cooler temperatures mean that fall is in the air and Halloween can't be faw away. Haunted Houses, Spooky Pumpkin Patches, Ghost Tours and Trick-or-Treating are a fantastic way to celebrate the season. More info
State Fair of Virginia: It's the Big Red Barn, Racing Pigs, the State Fair Animal Nursery, the famous State Fair Duck Slide and more! Get up close and personal with over 5,000 farm animals in 'Virginia's Largest Outdoor Classroom.' Celebrate the Commonwealth of Virginia's heritage while enjoying eleven days of fun for the whole family. Experience the best in blue ribbon competitions, animals, agricultural, historical and commercial exhibits, midway rides, shows and thrills. There's daily entertainment on the MusicFest Stage and great entertainment in the Classic Amphitheatre. It's a Virginia tradition and the only place to get that delicious State Fair food. Held in late September - check the website for exact dates.
Belvedere Plantation is a 645 acre heritage farm, built in the 1760s on the historic Rappahannock River. It is a working farm, with grain crops such as corn, wheat and soybeans. They offer great activities for families each season. In the fall they have a great festival with pumpkin picking, hayrides, a giant corn maze, rope swings, petting zoo and more.
Snead's Asparagus Farm is a working farm that grows asparagus, sugar snap peas, squash, zucchini, raspberries, blackberries, peaches, okra, tall tunnel tomatoes, corn (yellow, white and bi-color), sugar baby and seedless watermelons, super star and athena cantaloupes, mums, straw, cornstalk bundles, pumpkins, and free-range chicken eggs. During the fall they offer hay-rides, pumkin picking, an opportunity to pet the farm animals, swing on a rope swing, and wander through the fields. You can pre-pick you Christmas tree. Starting in early December they have "Cut-you-own" Christmas Trees. This farm is nice for younger kids (Belvedere can get a bit overwhelming).
Cox Farms
One of the largest fall festivals in Virginia! 2010 Hours are 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Nov. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. September 25 - November 7. Activities include unlimited hayrides, Giant slides, rope swings, farm animal feeding, pumpkin patch, live entertainment and much more. New for 2010 - "Farm Chores" interactive 'farm chores' for kids, (water pumps, cow milking, a corn crib and a chicken coop).
Leesburg Animal Park
Pumpkinville is open everyday from September 25 - November 7, 2010, 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. (5 p.m. after Daylight Savings) The farm play area includes an Indian teepee, giant slides, a hay maze, unlimited hayrides, straw mountains, tot maze, rope swings, tractors to climb on, a large inflated firetruck slide, moon bounces, and much more. Click for Coupon
Richmond Highland Games & Celtic Festival features two days of 'Music. Food. Large Men Throwing Stuff.' Competition abounds with the best athletes from around the world in the North American Highland Games Championship, along with Dance, Fiddle and Harp Competitions. Celebrate Celtic heritage with a Parade of Clans and Societies, pipe bands, living history encampments, Dogs of the British Isles Parade, and genealogical information. Enjoy traditional music and Celtic rock on two entertainment stages all weekend, shopping with over 60 authentic vendors and authentic food and drink. Dogs are welcome (Proof of current rabies vaccination is required.) Held in late October - check the web
White House Garden Tours:
The White House Garden Tours have been a tradition since 1972 when Pat Nixon first opened the White House gardens to the public. Visitors are invited to view the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, Rose Garden, Children's Garden and South Lawn of the White House. The Kitchen Garden, a new addition to the South Lawn, will be viewable from a distance along the tour route. There will be a visual explanation to help educate visitors on the elements of the garden.
The event is open to the public; however, a ticket is required for all attendees, including small children. The National Park Service will distribute free, timed tickets at the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion located at 15th and E Streets on tour days beginning at 8:00 a.m. Tickets will be distributed -- one ticket per person -- on a first-come, first-served basis. (In case of inclement weather, the Garden Tours will be canceled. Please call the 24-hour information line at (202) 456-7041 to check on the status of the event.)
Fall 2010 Dates
Saturday, October 16, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sunday, October 17, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
