With the arrival of fall comes the arrival of fun, seasonal activities to do to celebrate the season! Here in Massachusetts, it’s no exception. People come from all around the country to experience our autumnal offerings, and there is a little something for everyone. Below, find a list of some fall activities to do to embrace the season.
Apple & pumpkin Picking
It’s not fall without the classic โ apple picking! There are a host of local farms to choose from to pick your own delicious, ripe apples: Honey Pot Hill Orchards in Stow, Lookout Farm in South Natick, and Autumn Hill Orchard in Groton to name but a few! Farms have tons of fall-themed activities โ hayrides, fresh apple cider, and corn mazes (Looking for a challenge? Visit Davis Mega Maze in Sterling, named one of the best in the country!). Later in the season many farms offer pumpkin picking as well! Host a pumpkin carving contest with friends while eating some homemade apple desserts made from your picks.
Salem
Visit the site of the historical 1692 Salem Witch Trials in Salem, Massachusetts! The Salem Witch Museum is a great place for information and guided tours throughout the town. Grab a bite to eat in one of Salem’s many restaurants in between attractions. Salem has ghost tours and other haunted happenings through the month of October. Are you a Hocus Pocus fan? View several filming locations located all throughout the town.
Leaf-Peeping
Leaf-peeping refers to people who visit a place to view the beauty of autumnal foliage. People come from all across the country to see New England’s spectacular views in the fall. Hop in the car and go looking! Travel along Route 2 in the Berkshires to see the amazing colors this time of year. Mount Greylock in Adams is also known for stunning views of the leaves. For something closer to the city, walk or bike through the Emerald Necklace that runs through Boston, stopping at a series of parks. Leaf-peeping is a fun and free fall activity! Drive wherever the leaves take you! Peak foliage is expected in early October, so get ready!
Topsfield Fair
Enjoy the fair weather of fall with, well, a fair! Known as the oldest county fair in the country, the Topsfield Fair in Topsfield, Massachusetts is open this year from Sept. 29 through Oct. 9. Play carnival games, eat some classic fair food (including chocolate covered bacon?!), see performances, and more! There is so much fall fun at this one event, you can’t miss it.
Farmer’s Markets
Support your community and head to a local farmer’s market this fall season! Most farmer’s markets are open until November, plenty of time to get your favorite fruits and veggies. Find seasonal produce like sweet potatoes, cranberries, pears, and of course, apples! Peruse the stands and find new local and small businesses to support all year round.
King Richard’s Faire
The largest Renaissance fair in New England, King Richard’s Faire is located in Carver, Mass. and is open this season on weekends through Oct. 22. Filled with entertainment including games, rides, and unique wares, this festival is dedicated to recreating the days of the Renaissance. Come dressed in costume and escape the modern world!
Haunted Happenings
Looking for a scarier option? Head towards Fright Fest at Six Flags New England in Agawam, Mass. Running Sept. 23 to Nov. 5, enjoy the park after dark and experience the frights of your life with multiple haunted houses, scary performances, and interactive haunted events. Over in Westford, Mass., find Witch’s Woods, a haunted hayride experience where things go bump in the night โ open every weekend from Sept. 29 to Halloween. Fear Town is penned New England’s ultimate haunted house, located in the woods in Seekonk. Visit for a long night full of both fun and fear! There is certainly no shortage of scares.
There is a little something for everyone to do here in Massachusetts this autumn, and the memories made will last long after the leaves fall.