There’s no better time to plan a trip to Virginia than fall. There’s a refreshing chill in the air, vibrant colors blossoming across plentiful forests, and tons of fall fun-tivities to take part in! With so much available, planning your visit can feel a little overwhelming, which is why we’ve put together a few ideas that are sure to be a hit with the whole family.

Apple picking at Carter Mountain Orchard

Let’s start with a classic. Nothing beats a day of apple picking when the weather is crisp and cool, and Carter Mountain Orchard is the perfect place to do it. Located in the mountains near Monticello and Michie Tavern, the orchard is perfectly situated to give you an incredible view of the foliage (and the city of Charlottesville). Grab a bag and roam the rows of trees until you find your favorite type of apples, then go nuts! If you need a break, enjoy an apple cider doughnut, apple cider itself, or browse the country store for some apple butter or locally-made jam. It’s an all-day event!

Get lost in Virginia’s largest corn maze

Not only is the endless corn maze at Liberty Mill Farm the largest in Virginia, it’s also the largest east of the Mississippi! It’s 33 acres of fun and includes four trails of varying degrees of difficulty. The various levels and multiple puzzles to solve make this perfect for everyone in the family. It’s also located in Somerset near Montpelier, so it’s easily accessible from most parts of the state.

Pumpkin picking like a president

Is it officially fall if you don’t pick your own pumpkins? Whether you carve it into a jack-o-lantern or leave it whole as part of your fall decor, you want the best selection of pumpkins possible. Luckily for you, there are many pumpkin patches across Virginia, but we recommend Woods Orchards Farm Market in Hampton. You can take a hayride into each of their three pumpkin patches (including a field of white pumpkins!) Once you find your perfect gourd, you can also browse the farmer’s market for other veggies. A fun bit of trivia about Woods Orchards: Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle stopped by in 2011 to get their own pumpkins!

Boogie down at Graves Mountain Apple Harvest Festival

Looking for a full day of fall festivities? Graves Mountain is where it’s at! Indulge in their most delicious fall foods while taking in the colors of fall. You can also get in touch with Virginia’s country roots by listening to live Bluegrass music and watching the cloggers put on a show. There’s also a hay maze and arts & crafts—a little something for everyone!

Theme park Halloween events

If your family gets super into the spooks and scares of Halloween, you can all brave the frightening interactive Halloween events at local Virginia Theme Parks. King’s Dominion provides the Halloween Haunt, while Busch Gardens hosts Howl-O-Scream. It should be noted that these events are too scary for younger children, so if you’re looking for something a little less spooky, try these same spots during the day. There’s The Great Pumpkin Fest (complete with your favorite Peanuts characters) at King’s Dominion, and The Count’s Spooktacular at Busch Gardens where you can join in a costume parade!

There’s no shortage of fun things to do in Virginia if you’re looking to celebrate fall. Have a favorite fall activity we didn’t include? Let us know!