Fall is finicky here in the South. Leaves won’t change for a month after the calendar deems that Autumn has arrived. We wait impatiently for the temperatures or at least the humidity to drop. We want the weather to cooperate with the feelings and activities of Fall like pumpkin spice, apple ciders, cozy sweaters and brisk bonfires. Instead, we often pick apples in shorts and sun hats and wipe the sweat from our brows for those pumpkin patch photos. No matter the temperature, the excitement of fall has arrived. Here are some fun fall places to visit near Charlotte.
APPLE PICKING
Windy Hill Orchard & Cider Mill
York, SC 45 minute drive
Apple cider doughnuts and hard cider.
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Carrigan Farms
Mooresville, NC 45 minute drive
Apple Picking and Hayrides
Pumpkins start October 1st
Scarrigan Farms haunted trail for older kids
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Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard
Hendersonville, NC 2 hour drive
Shoot an apple cannon **this is the coolest
Apple cider and donuts
5 acre corn maze
Weekend wagon rides
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Apple Hill Orchard Cider Mill
Morganton, NC 1.5 hour drive
Country Store
Bakery
Apple cider and donuts
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Note: Most farms are cash only. Check their facebook pages for updates on weather and picking schedules.
PUMPKIN PATCH
Riverbend Farm
Midland NC
Giant slides and exciting play areas
Pumpkin picking
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Wise Acres
Indian Trail, NC
Pumpkin picking, corn maze
Hayrides, giant corn pit
Recycled tire playground and ziplines
Wise Pie Pizza Kitchen
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Hodges Family Farm 
East Charlotte
Pumpkin picking, hayrides, horses rides, animal petting
Photographers welcome, excellent for family photos
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Hall Family Farm
Ballantyne
Pumpkin picking, hayrides, corn maze
Apple cider
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Lazy 5 Ranch
Mooresville, NC
Pumpkin picking, giant corn box, straw castle
Pumpkin slingshot, roast marshmallows
Horse-drawn carriage rides to feed giraffes, zebra, bison and more
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Note: Most farms are cash only. Check their facebook pages for updates on weather and picking schedules.
FESTIVALS
Festival in the Park
Freedom Park
September 20-22, 2019
Kids amusement rides Kings drive art walk
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The Great Pumpkin Fest Carowinds
September 14th – October 27th Weekends 11-5pm
Hay bale maze, tractor tour, mummy bubble pit
Crafts, trick or treating, costume party
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Carolina Renaissance Festival
Huntersville
October 5th – November 24th Weekends
Knights, queens, jousting on horseback
Games and rides, family fun
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Carolina BalloonFest Statesville, NC
October 18th-20th 2019
Live music, Balloon rides, kids zone and magic shows
Tethered balloon rides $5 kids/$10 adults cash only
30-50 feet in the air while being anchored to the ground
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