This crisp cool fall air is making us want to head out with the little ones to do all the fun fall things that the gold coast has to offer. If there are apples on a tree, we are ready to pick. Hayrides? Count us in. Halloween is just around the corner and those apple cider donuts are calling. Here, our guide to some of the best fall activities in Fairfield County.
The Best Fall Activities in Fairfield County
Apple picking
Where: Silverman’s Farm, Easton
When: Apple picking season at Silverman’s runs from late August through early November with a large range of trees at the orchard. Check the website https://www.silvermansfarm.com/pick-your-own-apples/#schedule for an array of varieties and when to time your trip. Galas are plentiful in early October, sun crisp in mid-October, or wait until November for fujis and pink ladies. Some trees even have low branches, making them easier for smaller pickers.
How: Pre-purchase a bag to fill at the country market (the pies are delish there too) and catch a scenic tractor ride out to the center of the orchard. Make sure to pick only in the designated areas where the fruit is ready.
Bonus: Stay for a browse through Silverman’s Animal Farm, located just across the street. There’s a small admission fee and you can also buy a little bucket of food to help feed the goats, sheep, llamas or buffalo they have on premises. Make a day of it, pack a lunch and have a bite at one of the picnic tables in the park area (or purchase from one of the local food tucks on site).
New Canaan Nature Center Cider Saturday
Where: New Canaan Nature Center, New Canaan
When: Saturday, September 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Price: $15/ person
Fun: Head to the New Canaan Nature Center to celebrate fall cider season! Enjoy an afternoon of family fun with cider press demos, apple slingshots, a bounce house, pumpkin scavenger hunt, crafts, and more.
Each ticket includes an apple, perfect for snacking or baking by the campfire with cozy spices.
Rowayton Fall Festival
Where: Rowayton Civic Association, Rowayton
When: Saturday, October 6 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Price: Ticket info coming soon!
Fun: The Rowayton Civic Association’s inaugural fall fest will feature live bands, food trucks, beer and wine for sale, a petting zoo and other kids activities.
New Canaan Nature Center 54th Annual Family Fall Fair
Where: New Canaan Nature Center, New Canaan
When: Friday, October 11, 5:00-9:00pm; Saturday, October 12, 10 a.m.-6.p.m., Sunday, October 13, 12 p.m.-5 p.m.
Price: Free to attens, Tickets or wristbands required for rides.
Fun: Enjoy carnival rides suitable for all ages during the New Canaan Nature Center’s annual fall event.
Tokeneke Pumpkin Carnival
Where: Tokeneke Elementary School, Darien
When: Saturday, October 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Price: Free to attend, but ride and game tickets run between $3 and $5.
Fun: The 50-year-running carnival offers food and activities suitable for all ages. Thrill seekers are likely to be into the Cliffhanger, Zero Gravity and Ali Baba rides while younger ones will love the cars, trains and spin rides. Look for lawn games, art activities, face painting and prizes, too.
Hayrides
Where: Sam Bridge Nursery, Greenwich
When: Every Friday and Saturday from September 27 through October 27, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays, Rosh Hashanah and Columbus Day.
Why: Hitch a free hayride to the pumpkin patch where a slew of pumpkins are already cut and lined up, ready to be chosen. Don’t leave without purchasing a take home pumpkin painting or build-a-scarecrow kit.
Cider Donuts
Where: Lakeside Diner, Stamford
When: Year round
Yum: There are tons of places to score some pretty darn delicious donuts in our towns, but this cozy breakfast and lunch spot truly has some insane cinnamon-sugar rolled donut goodness, served warm with an outer layer that sits almost like a sweet light crust. Bite in to a soft, cake-like interior that will have you hooked. Sure, they have a full menu of diner faves like pancakes and club sandwiches, but you simply cannot leave without ordering a donut (or 12). Heaven.
Fright Night
Where: Ambler Farm, Wilton
When: Friday & Saturday, October 18-19, 25-26r, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Price: $25 per member child; $30 per non-member child
Fun: Date night anyone? Drop the kids (grades 3 to 5) off at the farm for two fun-filled hours of haunted (but not too scary) activities—kids can hitch a ride on a moonlight hayride, add to the guessing jar to win the farm’s largest pumpkin and play various Halloween-themed games. Snacks are included.
Stamford Museum and Nature Center Fall Family Fest Sundays
Where: Stamford Museum and Nature Center, Stamford
When: October 6, 13, & 20; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Price: $10 per member; $20 per nonmember; children 3 and under are free, pre-registration is required.
Fun: The whole family will enjoy a fun-packed morning/afternoon of pumpkin painting, animal visits, games, local food trucks, music, apple cider demos and more. Don’t leave without stopping at the farmer’s market, which is held at the nature center during the event.
Pumpkin Picking
Where: Warrup’s Farm, Redding
When: Every weekend in October and Columbus Day, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
How: You can’t pass up this fall activity! Head to this gorgeous family farm to pick your own pumpkins and gourds right off the vine. Or, if you’d rather, head to the farm stand on premises to choose one that’s already been picked. They’re also stocked with apples, cider and maple syrup. Yum. Visit the animals and take the littles through the small meadow maze that’s free and a perfect size to not overwhelm small kids.
Fall Family Fun at Waveny Park
Where: Waveny Park, New Canaan
When: October 25, 5:30-7 p.m.
Why: Make the most of Waveny Park’s fall scenery with this family focused event. Kids can explore an enchanted pumpkin patch (and select one to take home), hop on a hayride around the park, and stroll through the Farmyard Friends animal zoo. Finish of the evening with a screening of “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.”
Fall Hiking
Where: Weir Pond and Swamp Loop Trail, Wilton
When: Year round
Why: A beautiful two-mile trail that’s easy enough for small children (or beginner adults). Take in the gorgeous fall foliage as you walk through the mostly flat trail (with a few small rocky areas and water crossings). Known as “easy” as far as hikes go, you’ll love catching sights of beautiful birds as you work your way around the large pond. Dogs are allowed if they’re leashed.
Mather Homestead Fall Harvest Festival
Where: The Mather Homestead, Darien
When: Saturday, October 26
Price: Members: $15 adult/$10 child, Non-members: $20 adult/$15 child
Fun: Head to the Mather Homestead for hay rides, face painting, pumpkin decorating, crafts, games, cider & donuts, live music & a special visit from George Washington.
Halloween Block Party
Where: Elm Street, New Canaan
When: Sunday, October 27
Why: New Canaan’s favorite Halloween celebration! The main drag will be closed to vehicular traffic so wear your costume and trick-or-treat from store-to-store along Elm.
Not-so-Scary Scavenger Hunt
Where: The SoNo Collection, South Norwalk
When: Last three weekends in October, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Price: $15 per child to benefit The Norwalk Conservatory
Why: A Halloween-themed indoor hunt for kids 10 and under is sure to put everyone into the spirit without all the scariness attached. Kids will stroll through the Not So Scary Halloween Scavenger Hunt, spot some witches and goblins, take part in some games and challenging tasks and indulge in (nut free) sweet treats. The whole hunt should take about 20 to 25 minutes to complete.
Pink or Treat Party
Where: The Westport Library, Westport
When: Sunday, October 27
Price: Free
Why: This Halloween celebration will be lead by Pinkalicious author Victoria Kann! What better way to start your spooky holiday than with a Pinkalicious-themed Halloween Party! Kann will read from her book Pink or Treat, and kids can take part in giveaways and a Halloween parade. Costumes encouraged!
Visit a Farm
Head over to a one of Connecticut’s farms to pick your own seasonal fruits and vegetables, choose your perfect pumpkin at the pumpkin patch, get lost in a corn maze and jump on a hay ride. Ease into fall with a freshly baked apple pie before starting pumpkin treat baking and savor summer’s flavors with canning freshly made fruit jam.
Jones Family Farm
606 Walnut Tree Hill Rd, Shelton; 203-929-8425
Head to a Vineyard
Plan your visit to one of 25 wineries on the CT Wine Trail. Take part in a wine tour with vino in hand, sample wines with bottles for purchase and enjoy stunning fall scenery. Don’t forget to ask which wines pair best with fall and winter flavors.
Connecticut Wine Trail
195 Farmington Ave, Farmington; 860-677-5467
Take a Scenic Foliage Drive
Seeing the changing leaves on your drive around town or in your yard is one thing. But, taking a foliage drive through Connecticut with family, friends or your significant other is when you can really take in nature’s breathtaking fall colors. Make sure to check this activity off your to-do list!
Fall Foliage Driving Routes in Connecticut
Plan a Staycation
The changing of the seasons brings renewal. Plan a weekend staycation chalk full of fall activities with the perk of no long distance traveling and affordability. Stay in town or book a local hotel for R&R. Try the Delamar Greenwich Harbor for a luxurious spa weekend and savor summer’s end with the harbor marina views front and center.
Delamar Greenwich Harbor
500 Steamboat Rd, Greenwich; 203-661-9800
Take advantage of the end of golf season
Now’s the time to book a tee time to enjoy a sunny round of golf before the winter season. Better get your fix in on the links while you still can! It won’t be long before the golf clubs get switched for skiing equipment and winter getaways. Good news for the dedicated golfers: Sterling Farms has a year round heated driving range to get those golf swings in mid season form.
Sterling Farms
1349 Newfield Ave, Stamford, (203) 461-9090
Stamford Museum & Nature Center
From scarecrow making to a chili cook-off, a weekend to a full on Halloween costume party and weekly farmer’s market, there’s no shortage of events and adventures for the fall holidays at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center. For more information, be sure to check the event’s calendar!
Stamford Museum & Nature Center
39 Scofieldtown Rd, Stamford; (203) 322-1646
Have a Campfire at home
What better way to enjoy the crisp weather and clear starry skies than a cozy campfire in your own backyard? Fire up the grill or fire pit for late night s’mores, lay out autumn themed snacks and have a full on bonfire party.
Pick up fresh cider
It’s Cider time. Hot, cold, spiced or spiked- it’s a fall must have. Grab some freshly pressed cider at your local farm, farmer’s market or store and taste the season!
Stew Leonard’s
100 Westport Ave, Norwalk; (203) 847-7214
Fairway Market
699 Canal St, Stamford; 203-388-9815
Trader Joes
1041 High Ridge Rd, Stamford; 203-321-8440
What are your favorite fall traditions? Share in the comments section below!