Though it may not feel like it now, cooler weather is on its way, and that means it’s time to start thinking about fall family fun activities! If you’re looking for something to do with your family this fall near Philadelphia, you’ve come to the right place.
Starting in September, the events within the city as well as the surrounding suburban area start to pop up and throughout the neighborhoods along with popular areas such as South Street, Fairmount Park, and Center City. And though many people think that there are not a lot of things that you can do that are family friendly, I beg to differ. There are so many great options that have adult activities but also have a space for the kids to still enjoy themselves.
You can be someone who enjoys music or someone who just likes to hang out in the park, you’ll find something that you’ll want tot put on your calendar quickly. With so many options in Philadelphia including free activities such as South Street Fest, you’ll find so many great activities to head to with your family.
From visiting a pumpkin patch to apple picking, there are plenty of fall activities to keep you busy. And what’s a better way to spend time with your family than enjoying the beautiful fall weather? With so many top things to do in Philadelphia this Fall, you’ll have a fun packed scheduled and if you’re looking for something more socially distanced? I have you covered here: Socially Distanced Family Friendly Fall Activities
As someone that has lived in and around Philadelphia her entire life, I’ve learned quite a few things about what there is to do in Philly throughout the various seasons. In my younger years, I would take to the nightlife around Philly and enjoy all of the great bars, clubs, and speakeasys that you can find around the city. And then now as we have grown our family, I have discovered more about Philadelphia and what the city has to offer for families. And while my taste has changed from taking tequila shots at the bars open to the wee hours of the morning to now knowing all of the great Philadelphia area wineries, I still love this city and everything that it has to offer.
With my favorite season being Fall, and with my love for the city, I wanted to provide an extension of my growing Philly Guide to give a list of great activities to do in and around Philadelphia during the Fall season. Keep reading for a list of fall family activities to do near Philadelphia that will be sure to get you in the autumn spirit!
– Visit a local apple orchard and pick your own apples.
– Go on a hayride and explore a pumpkin farm.
– Visit a corn maze and see if you can find your way out!
– Take a scenic drive to see the fall foliage.
– Enjoy a Fall festival and take part in a park harvest.
Whatever you do, make sure to enjoy some quality time with your family this fall.
FUN FALL ACTIVITIES IN PHILADELPHIA
DAYTIME FALL ACTIVITIES IN PHILADELPHIA
Apple Picking
Looking for a fun fall activity? Why not head to a local apple orchard and pick your own apples? Philadelphia is home to many different apple orchards, so you’re sure to find one that’s perfect for you.
Picking your own apples is a great way to spend a day outdoors with family or friends. And when you’re finished, you’ll have a basket full of fresh, delicious apples to take home with you. So what are you waiting for? Grab your bags and head to an apple orchard today!
@livinglesh Making memories this Fall #fallactivities #fallmoments #applepicking #familyfun #momsoftiktok #phillytok ♬ Love You So – The King Khan & BBQ Show
Visit Dilworth Park
Dilworth Park is a great place to find seasonal fun activities for the entire family. Located in Center City, Dilworth Park is known for it’s Harvest Weekend with seasonal food and drinks, live music, and so many fun activities that both adults and the family can enjoy. You’ll also be able to connect with local vendors who are selling their seasonal goods and further learn about their business. During the Harvest Weekend in Dilworth Park, there are a number of great activities including pumpkin carving demonstrations, fresh apple cider marking, and shows by local artists.
Spend time at a Beer Garden
Throughout the many neighborhoods of Philadelphia, you’ll find great beer gardens where you can enjoy brews and seasonal bites outside around the warmers and firepits, or inside in the comfortable seating and enjoyable areas. During the Fall season, you’ll also hear about many pop-up beer gardens that appear every year and draw the crowds. Some of the best ones to visit are Frankford Hall, the Garden at Cherry Street Pier, and Landside Beer Garden at Spruce Street Harbor Park. And if you’re looking for a little bit of a freight along with some sips of beer, you can head over to the Eastern State Penitentiary and check out their pop-up beer garden while taking part in the spooky fun.
Attend the Philadelphia Film Festival
Every year during the Fall season, the Philadelphia Film Festival comes and draws in thousands of film loves to see debuting films from many film creators. To get access to the film festival, you can buy a ticket ranging from $50 on opening and closing nights to $20 for the other days you decide to attend. Members of the Philadelphia Film Society receive free tickets, so if you are interested in becoming a member, that’s a big perk. In past years, movies such as Magic Mike XXL, The Whale and Kids vs. Aliens have been shown – which shows that there are movies for everyone.
Visit the Philadelphia Zoo for Boo at the Zoo
The Philadelphia Zoo is great to visit any time of the year, and it’s not exception in October when the Philly Zoo has the Boo at the Zoo experience. For a select number of weekends, you can bring your family to the Zoo and have so much Halloween fun. You can wear your costumes, enjoy seasonal treats, and take party in a variety of fun activities including trick-or-treating around the zoo.
Trick-or-Treat at a museum
There are so many museums around Philadelphia such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Please Touch Museum and around this time of year, many of the museums open their doors and allow families to come in and wear their costumes and trick-or-treat around the many exhibits.
Go on a hayride and explore a pumpkin farm
A pumpkin farm is a great place to visit in the fall. What’s fall without a trip to a pumpkin patch? There’s something about the cool air and the changing leaves that makes it the perfect time to get out and enjoy the outdoors. And what better way to do that than by going on a hayride and picking out your very own pumpkin? Philadelphia has plenty of great places to choose from, so you’re sure to find the perfect pumpkin for your needs. You can go on a hayride, pick out a pumpkin, and explore the farm. Hayrides are a great way to take in the autumn scenery and get into the Halloween spirit. And what’s more Halloween-y than picking out the perfect pumpkin for your jack-o-lantern? There are usually a variety of activities to do at a pumpkin farm, so it’s a great place to spend a day with family or friends.
Visit a corn maze and see if you can find your way out!
Looking for a fun fall activity for the whole family? Why not try a corn maze! Corn mazes are a great way to enjoy the crisp autumn air and have some fun with the kids. And there’s nothing quite like getting lost in a maze of towering cornstalks.
If you’re interested in trying a corn maze, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, make sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothes. You’ll be doing a lot of walking, so you’ll want to be prepared. Getting lost in a corn maze can be frustrating, but it’s all part of the experience.
Here are some tips for finding your way out of a corn maze:
-Start at the beginning and follow the path
- Pay attention to landmarks
- If you get lost, backtrack to the last fork in the path
- Ask for help if you need it
With these tips in mind, you should be able to find your way out of any corn maze you come across!
Take a scenic drive to see the fall foliage.
As autumn approaches, the leaves begin to change color, creating a natural landscape of beauty. To see this phenomenon up close, take a drive through some of the most scenic areas in your region.
Not only will you get to enjoy the colorful leaves, but you’ll also get to experience the fresh autumn air. So put on your coziest sweater, grab a cup of hot apple cider, and hit the open road. It’ll be a family Fall day to remember.
EVENING FALL ACTIVITIES IN PHILADELPHIA
Philadelphia is filled with so many fun things to do in Fall especially in October during the Halloween season. The area comes alive and the things that go bump in the night come out to play. Between haunted houses, Halloween events, and Fall festivals located within the city as well as the surrounding greater Philadelphia area, you’ll find so many things to do.
Visit the Eastern State Penitentiary
One of the most popular activities to do during the Fall season in October is to visit the Eastern State Penitentiary – the famous abandoned 10 acre prison. You can visit and take a daytime tour, but during the Fall starting in September and ending around mid November, you can go for Halloween nights and take experience the family friendly spooky fun. The Eastern State Penitentiary is filled with historic tours, live entertainment, haunted houses, themed bars such as the Speakeasy at Al Capone’s Cell, beer gardens, and fun experiences. Be wary that there are jump scare moments, so they recommend this experience be for families with children 12 and older.
Go on a Philly Ghost Tour
Philly is known for it’s history, and it’s no surprise to know that many historic figures have lived and died in Philadelphia, which makes Philly a great area for ghost tours. You can experience some of the many ghost tour offerings throughout the year, but they are even more fun during the spooky season as you are heading out for family Fall activities around Philadelphia.
Enjoy an evening of pumpkin carving
At some of the Fall festivals near Philadelphia, you’ll find that not only do they offer pumpkin picking, but some also have activities late in the evening where you can stay and grab a mulled wine or spiked cider while the kids get together and carve the pumpkins that they picked together. Many of the locations that offer this activity during their Fall festival specifically offer the activity on select dates and may require reservations, so make sure to read their website so that you can schedule accordingly.
Head to a concert by candlelight
Philadelphia is also a known for its arts, which makes it a great location to stay late into the evening and enjoy a concert by candlelight. During the Fall, there are a number of different shows that you can attend such as Haunted Soul Melodies at Laurel Hill Cemetery and A Tribute to Beyoncé. So as you are planning for your evening concert by candlelight, make sure to look at all of the offerings for the month ahead of time so that you can select one that will be perfect for your family Fall activity.
Cast some spells at the Cauldron
If you are looking for a spooky way to spend an evening in Philadelphia you should definitely go on a Philly ghost tour! These tours take you to some of the most haunted places in the city, and you’ll learn all about the history and legends of these locations. You may even see a ghost or two!
There are a number of different companies that offer ghost tours in Philadelphia, and each one has its own unique twist. You can choose from tours that focus on historical hauntings, modern ghost sightings, or even a combination of both.
No matter which tour you choose, you’re sure to have a fun and spooky time.
@livinglesh When Hogwarts comes to Philly #thecauldron #thecauldronphilly #phillytiktok #magical #harrypotter #hogwarts #cocktailexperience ♬ Harry Potter – The Intermezzo Orchestra
