Posted on August 9, 2024 by Dina Miller
Fall is a perfect time for fun family activities in Indiana’s Cool North. The air is crisp, the leaves are changing into new, bold colors, and this exciting season—like its shorter days—won’t last for long. So get out and make the most of them with family and friends before winter arrives.
From prowling the pumpkin patch, to cider sipping and hay rides, here are some of the best autumn activities in Indiana’s Cool North.
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August 28 to October 31, 2024, County Line Orchard will celebrate fall, including the Caitlin Clark corn maze!. Come spend the day enjoying U-Pick pumpkins, antique tractor rides, the animal barnyard, 10-acre Corn Maze, and the Country Kitchen & Grill.
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Fall’s pinnacle event for the young (and young at heart) will be in full swing at two zoos in Indiana’s Cool North. What could be more fun for the family than Halloween at the zoo?
Spend a merry and not so scary day with the animals on October 19, 2024 at Washington Park Zoo. A safe trick-or-treating experience for your ghosts and goblins!
Potawatomi Zoo is planning their Zoo Boo on October 18-20, 2024.
Exploring pumpkin patches, getting fresh produce at u-picks, and navigating—or getting lost in—some massive corn mazes are three of the most classic fall activities, and Indiana’s Cool North has great destinations where your family can experience this fun, and some of them offer all three.
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In Elkhart County, be sure to check out the fifth generation family-owned u-pick apple orchard and pumpkin patch at Kercher’s Sunrise Orchard, which specializes in homegrown produce and homemade products like October Gold Cider (fresh pressed on site), gourds, free hayrides, a corn maze and much more outdoor fun. Thistleberry Farm in South Bend has a great u-pick pumpkin patch, a sunflower field, an apple cannon, and corn mazes.
At Garwood U-Pick & Farm Market in LaPorte, you’ll find over 400 acres of apples (with 11 varieties), blackberries, cherries, pumpkins, raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and a cider mill (with fresh cider made on site). You’ll also find pre-picked produce, a gift shop, live music, horse-drawn wagons (last run leaves at 5pm!), and much more.
Coulter’s Produce in Westville, LaPorte County, offers hay rides to the pumpkin patch, where you pick your own pumpkin and pay by the weight. They also have a kids size corn maze to navigate, pony rides, face painting, and food served by local church women!
At Harvest Tyme Family Farm in Lowell you can enjoy the excitement of hayrides, pumpkin patches, petting zoos, amusement rides, and countless other delightful experiences. Get ready for the thrill of exploring an extensive family corn maze, complete with a lookout bridge that offers a bird’s-eye perspective of the maze, perfect for capturing memorable pictures.
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Fall is a beautiful time to visit the Indiana Dunes with the vibrant colors. You can also get spooked and thrilled at “Howl”ween at the Indiana Dunes. Events happening throughout the day include critters with costumes, owl banding, trick or treating, and more!
Looking for the best places to see fall color in Northern Indiana? Here are some ideas.
Now that you’re familiar with some of the best family-friendly fall fun waiting Indiana’s Cool North, make the most of the season and check them out! Find even more exciting experiences and places to stay here.