Whether it’s picking through a pumpkin patch, getting lost in a corn maze or taking a relaxing (or spooky!) hayride, you'll be falling for fall in the Raleigh area after taking part in these experiences!
Get lost in a sea of corn as you take on Ken's Korny Corn Maze, the Tar Heel State's longest-running corn maze and a lasting fall tradition in the town of Garner. Put your brain to the test, navigating the nearly 2.5-miles of twists and turns through the 6-foot-tall corn stalks. One trip through typically takes between 60 and 75 minutes to complete. Other activities—mini-golf, rubber duck races, a wooden pirate ship, concessions and more—are also available, as well as a produce center for all your seasonal fresh food needs.
Season opens Sat., Sept. 23, then open weekly Fri.-Sun. through Nov. 5 (bring-your-pet weekend is Nov. 3 -5!). Tickets start at $10 for children ages 3-5, and $17 for ages 6 and up.
Address: 3175 Benson Rd., Garner, NC 27529
Phillips Farms in Cary has been serving the area for more than 100 years! Plan your trip out for a family-friendly afternoon navigating the farm’s corn maze, wagon rides, sunflower field, petting zoo and more. Or, if you need a little scare to get you into the Halloween spirit, experience a ghoulish night at Haunted Farm where you can visit the Field of Lost Souls, Rebellion Trail, Big Top Terror and The Gore House (not recommended for ages 12 and under).
Admission ($15 cash; $17 credit card) includes corn maze, wagon ride, cow train and family fun park. Haunted Farm admission is $25/$27.
Fun park and corn maze open Thurs.-Sun., now through Oct. 29. Haunted Farm open every Friday and Saturday evening, Sept. 29-Oct. 29.
Address: 6720 Good Hope Church Rd., Cary, NC 27519
Open to the public for more than a decade now, the Naylor Family Farm in Fuquay-Varina has all of your fall fun needs covered! Start out enjoying a hayride on a tractor-pulled wagon before moving on to pick out your own pumpkin in the pumpkin patch. From there, swing by the Pig Pavilion for a supersized dose of cuteness, take a spin on the pedal karts, mine for gems or enjoy various themed playground areas. Finally, it’s off to the races as you make your way through the 7-acre corn maze, then treat yourself with caramel corn nuggets, funnel cakes and apple cider slushies (yes, please!).
The farm is open from now through Nov. 5. Open Saturday and Sundays in September and November; Open daily in October. Admission is $20; some experiences (Mega Ride-N-Slide, apple cannons and more) are an additional cost.
Address: 6016 US-401, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
Venture out to Page Farms, a fourth-generation family farm bringing you fresh fruits and vegetables all year long. With the 2023 pumpkin season in full swing, visitors can pick pumpkins fresh off the vine, conquer the 5-acre corn maze, spend time with farm animals and even go on a hayride around the farm!
Admission ranges from $12 to $15 per person depending on day and time (see details) and includes all of the above and more.
Fall season opens Sat., Sept. 23 through Tues., Oct. 31.
Address: 6100 Mt Herman Rd, Raleigh, NC 27617
Getting hopelessly lost in Crossroads’ 5-acre corn maze is part of what makes visiting so much fun! Race through the corn maze or take a relaxing hayride around the farm—there’s also pumpkin picking, giant Jenga, volleyball, S’mores making and more. Bold thrill seekers can even find out what happens when the stalks go dark (remember to bring a flashlight and tons of excitement to the Wendell farm if visiting on a Friday or Saturday evening!).
Admission is $14 children, $17 adults (includes take-home pumpkin, corn maze and hayride).
Season runs Oct. 6 through Oct. 29. Open Fri., 1-9pm; Sat., 10am-9pm; and Sun., 1-7pm.
Address: 5712 Watkins Rd, Wendell, NC 27591
This friendly, family-run farm in Wake Forest ensures everyone has a good time, no matter how old you are. Take on the Corn Quest while twisting and turning through 8 acres of corn maze, both in the daylight and after dark (evening times on Saturdays only). From there, it’s pumpkin picking time. Browse two patches for regular orange varieties as well as blue and pink dolls, ghost white and warty goblins!
$15 admission (cash only) includes take-home pumpkin, corn maze, corn pit and hayride.
Season runs Sept. 23-Oct. 29. Open Saturday and Sunday, 10am-5pm, plus 7-9:30pm on Saturdays.
Address: 13912 Bold Run Hill Rd, Wake Forest, NC 27587
Bring the whole family to pick your own pumpkin at DJ’s Berry Patch in Apex! This small N.C. farm is committed to providing the freshest and finest produce for every season. Not only do they have pumpkins to pick, but also beautiful fall mums. If you’re running short on time and can’t pick your own pumpkin, stop by the stand at DJ’s to shop a variety of pre-picked decorative pumpkins and gourds as well as corn, sweet potatoes, apples and much more.
Open Mon.-Sat., 9am-6pm; Sun., 11am-6pm. Admission is free.
Address: 1223 Salem Church Rd, Apex, NC 27523
The Family Farm on Avent Ferry in Holly Springs has been in the same family for six generations! In 2012, the farm opened to the public for the fall and Christmas seasons to share farm traditions with you and your family. This includes finding the perfect carving pumpkin. A variety of specialty pumpkins and gourds, corn stalks and hay bales are also available to help you decorate your home for the season. Best of all, the farm’s beautiful backdrop makes it a great place for family pictures.
Season opens Sat., Sept. 23. Open Sat., 10am-6pm, Sun., 1-6pm, and weekdays from 4-6pm. Admission is free.
Address: 1719 Avent Ferry Rd, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Celebrate all the fall produce that come with cooler temps at Ragan & Holly’s Pumpkin Patch in Apex. Choose from a great selection of pumpkins picked fresh every morning while munching on sweet treats from the mini donut stand. You can also pick up hay bales, mums and cornstalks for all your fall decor needs.
Open daily, 10am-6pm. Free admission.
Address: 38 Lewter Shop Rd, Apex, NC 27523
More major events upcoming in Raleigh, N.C.
- Downtown Cary Farmers Fall Festival, Sept. 23
- IBMA Bluegrass Live! powered by PNC, Sept. 29-30
- Triangle Oktoberfest, Oct. 6 -7
- Falling for Local at Dorothea Dix Park, Oct. 7
- 95th Annual Wendell Harvest Festival, Oct. 7
- Celebrate Fuquay-Varina, Oct. 7
- SAS Championship, Oct. 13-15
- Hum Sub Diwali, Oct. 14
- Oak and Smoke Festival, Oct. 14
- N.C. State Fair, Oct. 12-22
- Day of the Dead 5k, Oct. 28
- 79th Annual Raleigh Christmas Parade, Nov. 18
- 28th Annual American Indian Heritage Celebration, Nov. 18
