Fall Fun with the Kids under $15

Fall is an exciting time to visit Virginia. From farms transformed into playgrounds with apple picking, corn mazes, and hay rides to festivals and fall foliage, there is something for kids and kids at heart. Whatever you choose, Virginia’s scenic roadways will show off the striking natural beauty along the way.  

1. Corn mazes, pumpkin patches, hayrides, and more at Virginia farms and orchards.

• Liberty Mills Farm, Somerset - Largest corn maze east of the Mississippi, pick-your-own pumpkins and flowers, playground, hay rides, and fire pit site rentals. Daytime admission to corn maze is $15 per person. 
• Great Country Farms, Bluemont - Pick your own apples and pumpkins! Advanced tickets: Children: $12, Adults: $14. 
• Wood Ridge Farm Festival, Lovingston - Tickets are $12 on Thursdays & Fridays and $14 on the weekends. Entry fee includes activities like corn maze, pumpkin checkers, a bouncy house, and a hay maze. 
• Ashland Berry Farm, Ashland – Free parking and hayrides. Pumpkins vary in price from $4 to $20 for all-you-can-carry!
• Chesterfield Berry Farm, Chesterfield – Acres of pumpkins, gourds, fun family activities, corn maze, delicious snacks and delectable sweets. As low as $12.49/person (online ticket purchase).
• Historic Crab Orchard Museum, Tazewell – Themed corn maze and pumpkin patch’. Corn maze:  Adults (13 & up): $10.00, Kids (7-12): $5.00, 4 & under: Free with paying adult. Wagon ride: $3/person. Punkin’ chunkin’: $10 for 3 pumpkins. 

2. Attend a fall festival.

From apples, peanuts and oysters to barbecue, bikes and bluegrass, Virginia’s fall festivals have something to excite even the youngest members of the family. Many festivals are free to attend. (Just be sure to bring some extra cash for local food hand-made goodies.)

3. Check out the incredible fall foliage.

Cruise the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive to take in breathtaking views of the mountains and colorful fall foliage. But, the mountains aren’t the only place to check out the leaves changing. Virginia’s lakes and rivers also offer prime leaf peeping. The entrance fee for Shenandoah National Park is $30 per vehicle and $15 per person.

Great Falls National Park in Northern Virginia is another fantastic option for catching gorgeous fall colors in addition to rushing waterfalls. While car passes are $20 each, families can enter on foot for $10 per person, with kids 16 & under receiving free admission. 

Visit one of Virginia’s 43 state parks and enjoy more than 500 miles of trails as well as beaches, picnic shelters, lodges, festivals, concerts, nature programs and cultural happenings. Some parks are free while others charge a small parking fee and admission fee to special events.  

Check out when and where to see fall foliage in Virginia! 

4. Take a pony ride or visit a petting farm.

• Fort Chiswell Animal Park, Max Meadows - Pet and feed goats, llamas, and deer. You can throw peanuts to the monkeys or board the Safari Bus for a guided ride through the Outback. Open Fri.-Sun. Labor Day though November. $20/Adult, $15/Child.
• Woodstone Meadows Stable and Petting Farm, Massanutten – Pony rides suitable for ages two and up and by appointment only. Petting farm features sheep, bunnies, donkeys, ducks, a pot belly pig, a turkey, a goat, and more! Pony rides: $10/person. Petting farm: $10/person.
• Skyland Stables, Shenandoah – Pony rides in beautiful Shenandoah National Park. $9.99 plus tax per child for 15 minutes or $15.99 plus tax per child for 30 minutes
• Hunt Club’s Petting Farm, Virginia Beach – Ride a pony, hold a chicken or feed a goat! Petting farm: $15/person. Pony rides: $10ride.
• Maymont, Richmond – Have a hands-on animal encounter. Look for feed machines on-site to purchase treats for your furry pals. Free.
  
  Many of Virginia’s fall festivals offer petting zoos and pony rides.  

5. Get Hands-on at a museum.

Have fun while learning! Hands-on, interactive activities keep little minds and bodies growing.

• Amazement Square Children’s Museum, Lynchburg – Children: $13, Adults: $7, Seniors: $7, Children under 1: Free
• Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum, Winchester - $9/person, 2 and under: Free.
• Explore More Discovery Museum, Harrisonburg - $9/person, 1 and under: Free. 
• Children’s Museum of Virginia, Portsmouth – Ages 2 and up: $5.
• Children’s Museum of Richmond, Richmond – Children and Adults (Age 1- 59): $9, Under 1: Free Other location in Chesterfield.  NOTE: The ticket and admission fees are current as of the writing of this article. Please check the attractions website for most current pricing details.
  
  See more… Fall Family Getaways Cool Places for Kids