Pools Closed! Now What? Charlotte Fall Bucket List

written by kbarker August 30, 2013

I could almost hear a huge sigh from parent’s nation wide on Monday. School is back in session and for most Moms, that means a better routine, a cleaner house and more alone time. But NOT for toddler Moms. Pools and splash pads close up shop come Labor Day as lifeguards head back to school. So long, farewell pure toddler entertainment and long summer naps. We are squeezing every last drop out of summer over the next few days but as they say, all good things must come to an end.

Luckily, Charlotte is perhaps the greatest place to spend the fall. Last year was my first autumn on the east coast and my goodness it is spectacular when the leaves start to change! I put together a little Charlotte fall bucket list with a little help from our CSP Facebook friends. You know my toddler survival motto – get out of the house every day. Cure the end of summer blues with a little taste of Charlotte’s stunning red and orange!

Join in on the conversation! We are sharing fall ideas on our Facebook page today and would love to hear yours.

Charlotte Fall Bucket List:

Pumpkin Patch – Hall Family Farm is one of our favorites and is convenient for us South Charlotte folks. It is free to roam around and play with their outdoor toys. We made this a weekly activity last year while the weather was nice. Aw Shucks Farm also came highly recommended. Both farms open mid-September.

Music Classes – We LOVE Music Together of Charlotte. It is a great way to spend chilly fall mornings with a toddler. They are both educational and fun! Mr. Nigel is also fabulous! He is free and can usually be found at Sam Ash music (by Costco) or at Toys and Co. You can find his schedule on his Facebook page.

Art Classes – Our CEO Jenn recommended this to me and I can’t wait to give it a try with Annie this fall. They have classes and drop-ins for all ages! Visit The Art Room’s website for a full schedule. Small Hands Big Art also comes highly recommended. They have more structured classes for specific age ranges. Check them out here.

Corn Maze – Rural Hill Corn Maze is near Huntersville and is one of the largest corn mazes in the southeast! They welcome strollers and wagons. They also have pumpkins available at the end of September. We can’t wait to give this a try. My toddler loves running around in circles anyway (wink, wink).

Virginia Creeper Bike Trail – This is one I hear on repeat, no matter what time of year. But I hear it is outstanding when the colors change. It is 17 miles and downhill most of the way. Perfect for a bike trailer with a toddler in tow. Our friend’s recommended bringing lots of snacks and making frequent stops to throw rocks etc. Drive home through Boone and enjoy even more exciting views and colors!

Tour a Fire House – We are going to be touring Fire House 6 with our playgroup this fall and I can hardly wait. This station opened in 1929 and is listed on the National Register of Historical Places!

Blue Ridge Parkway – Everyone tells me that driving this in the fall is a must. It is definitely on my list for the fall. Keep an eye on those color forecasts and head out for a nice Sunday drive.‎

Apple Picking – Skytop Apple Orchard is amazing! It is about 90 minutes from Charlotte set on a gorgeous mountainside. They have more than 20 varieties of apples and are already open for picking! We went last year and I nearly died over the apple cider donuts. We will definitely be making the trek for those again. There are also several other orchards that are in York, SC if you are interested in a shorter trip for a playgroup or weekday activity. I’ve heard the Windy Hill Orchard (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Windy-Hill-Orchard-Cider-Mill/107144012665218) is pretty good.