Guide to the Best Fall Activities in Maryland
Autumn in Maryland is a lively time of year full of festivities and activities for every member of the family. Whether you’re a nature lover, adrenaline junkie, animal advocate, or foodie, Maryland has something for you this fall. Here are the best fall activities and locations to visit in Maryland.
Pumpkin Patches in Maryland
Butler’s Orchard
22222 Davis Mill Rd
Germantown, MD 20876
Not only does Butler’s Orchard have a fantastic pumpkin patch and annual pumpkin festival, the farm boasts some of the all-around best fall activities in Maryland. PYO pumpkins is, of course, a classic autumn activity. But don’t overlook the park with giant slides, tractors, playgrounds, and farm animals.
Also on site you’ll find the Farmer’s Porch Kitchen and Farm Market, both brimming with fresh fall goodies. Advance tickets start at just $10/person and the price of admission includes access to most everything listed above plus jump pads, live music, corn mazes, even a tractor pull.
Queen Anne Farm
18102 Central Avenue,
Mitchellville / Bowie, Maryland 20716
The owners of Queen Anne Farm believe that there’s no better family experience than a trip to the pumpkin patch. Maryland residents and visitors can enjoy a full day at Queen Anne Farm, complete with a ride on the hay wagon, familiar farm animals, and plenty of time to find the best pumpkin in the patch!
On top of the typical fall fanfare, you’ll find radiant autumn views that make the perfect backdrop while exploring thirteen different types of pumpkins in the fields. You’ll find seven classic orange varieties along with six heirloom varieties of pumpkins at Queen Anne Farm!
Clark’s Elioak Farm
10500 Clarksville Pike
Ellicott City, MD 21042
The history of Clark’s Elioak Farm dates to 1797, and a visit to their pumpkin patch is a staple fall activity for families in the surrounding area. A hayride is required to reach the patch, where youngsters each pick the perfect “kid sized” pumpkin to take home. There are also plenty of pumpkins to purchase at the farm store – from the classic carving pumpkin to unique heirloom varieties.
Now, don’t think you’re going to visit for only an hour or two. The farm is full of activities for kids of all ages (including a petting zoo, pony rides, and geode mining), as well as the Enchanted Forrest Pine Tree Maze. In short, a trip to Clark’s Elioak Farm is a full-day family adventure!
Baugher’s Orchard
1015 Baugher Rd
Westminster, MD 21158
Catch a scenic hayride through Carroll County farmland to the pumpkin patch at Maryland’s Baugher Farm on any weekend in October. After you’ve snagged the perfect pumpkin, you can leave the patch and enjoy more DIY activities like apple picking or scarecrow making. If you prefer a less active afternoon, hop on a wagon for a scenic ride, meander over to the petting barn, or bring a lawn chair and enjoy live performances from local musicians.
The Orchard Market is full of fresh fall food, autumn décor, and local produce. And there are always lots of great lunch options at Baugher’s such as Feed Bag Pit Meats and Campfire Pizza. The Baugher’s Restaurant and Market are open daily, but the pumpkin patch is only open on the weekends. If the weather seems iffy, call their pick-your-own hotline before heading out to confirm that the patch is open.
Hayrides in Maryland
Larriland Farm
2415 Woodbine Rd
Woodbine, MD 21797
Larriland Farm is a popular autumn destination, and they do grow pumpkins for an October PYO harvest, just down the road on Rt. 94 in Maryland. Hayrides, however, are Larriland’s biggest fall draw. With four hayride options to choose from, there’s something for everyone. You can reserve a hayride for a group during the week, on weekend mornings, or weekend evenings (with an add-on campfire option!).
If you’d rather not make a reservation, pop in on a weekend and hop on the wagon. The 20-minute hayride takes visitors, who are seated atop bales of straw, around the farm, through the woods and stunning fall colors, and over a peacefully babbling brook. Note: group reservations include a stop at the pumpkin patch, while the open options do not.
Rock Hill Orchard & Woodbourne Creamery
28600 Ridge Rd
Mt Airy, MD 21771
Originally dairy farmers, the owners of Rock Hill Orchard and Creamery purchased the land and farm operation as a place to graze their herd of Guernsey’s. Over the years they’ve added businesses like a creamery and on-farm market and have even begun ventures into cheese and ice cream making.
There are so many fall activities to enjoy every weekend at Rock Hall. Of course, you’ll want to start with the classic Maryland hayride through the farm to take in stunning autumn views. From there the options are endless. You can pick your own apples. The entire family can search the way out of a 14-acre corn maze, or the littlest visitors can go it alone in the smaller sunflower walk. A PYO pumpkin patch is available, obviously. Or maybe you want to try your hand at the world-famous pumpkin cannon. However you choose to spend the day at Rock Hill, you won’t be disappointed.
Knightongale Farm
3924 Solomons Island Rd
Harwood, MD 20776
Live music, farm animals, corn boxes, pony rides, and milking cows are just a few of the activities you can enjoy at Knightongale Farm after taking a hayride with the farmer. This historic farm has deep roots in the southern Maryland community of Harwood and is a favorite spot among the locals for spending a fall day with family. But you’ll want to plan your trip to Knightongale soon, as they are only open for five weeks each year!
Haunted Houses in Maryland
Field of Screams
4501 Olney-Laytonsville Road
Olney MD, 20832
The 30-minute walk through the Field of Screams is dotted with thirteen small haunted houses that include elaborate looks, sounds, animation, and props – none of which are for the faint of heart. As far as Haunted Houses go, this one is one of the best fall activities in Maryland. Participants even have to sign a waiver before entering the Field of Screams!
After the fright fest has come to an end, there are plenty of activities to keep visitors busy all night long. Try your hand at Lizzy Borden Axe Throwing, Zombie Brain Smashing, and much more.
Markoff’s Haunted Forest
19120 Martinsburg Rd
Dickerson, MD 20842
What began as a haunted school bus in 1992 has grown into one of Maryland’s greatest haunted house events. The front circle carnival area combined with this spooky forest (which always incorporates the original haunted bus in some way) make for an incredible, haunted evening. You’ll be amazed at what you find lurking in Markoff’s Haunted Forest! As an added bonus, the price of admission helps to raise funds for Cavella, a nonprofit dedicated to building young leaders thought outdoor adventure and education.
Laurel’s House of Horror
935 Fairlawn Ave
Laurel, MD 20707
Laurel’s old movie theater was thought to be haunted even before the owners turned it into the largest indoor haunted house in Maryland and DC. In fact, they even brought in the Chesapeake Ghost Hunters to confirm what they already believed to be true: there are indeed signs of other-worldly activity at the location. It’s a haunted house double whammy!
And after your chilling tour through Laurel’s House of Horror, you can stick around for a ghost tour led by your very own paranormal guides or try to find your way out of one the three Halloween themed escape rooms.
Bennett’s Curse Haunted House Maryland
7875 Eastpoint Mall
Baltimore, MD 21224
There are two haunted house options at Bennett’s Curse. Bennett’s Inferno will take you into the most dreaded place imaginable – the Underworld – full of witches, giant spiders, classic monsters, werewolves, and evil scarecrows. The Inferno in 3D is the first of its kind, 3D themed haunted house attraction. For something a little different (and slightly more disturbing) you might, instead, opt to visit the Ravensbrook Asylum which is home not just to the criminally insane, but to an evil entity that brings out the worst in patients and staff. Whichever you choose, you’re sure to enjoy a frightful night at Bennett’s Curse.
Corn Mazes in Maryland
Montpelier Farm
1720 Crain Hwy
Upper Marlboro, MD 20774
With a desire to “put smiles on children’s faces as well as make family traditions and wonderful memories,” Mike and Adrianne Dunn opened Montpelier Farm in 2008, and it all started with a pumpkin patch, hayrides, and small corn maze in Maryland’s Prince George’s County. Today’s operation is substantially larger and the corn maze is so much more than just a labyrinth of corncobs.
Before embarking on your journey into the corn maze you’ll watch a quick video that explains how to play several games inside as well as how to navigate the maze. Once you’ve entered you’ll complete questions and answers, find rubbings, and decode the secret word to help you find your way out. Average time to complete the games and escape is 2 hours! However, Maze Masters are posted inside to help guide the way, if need be. And there’s an easier option – Spookley the Square Pumpkin’s maze – for younger visitors.
Summers Farm
5620 Butterfly Lane
Frederick, MD 21703
Visit Summers Farm to experience one of the largest corn mazes in Maryland. With over 12 acres of maze space divided by difficulty, there’s sure to be fun for the entire family. Finish times range anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours, but don’t worry. Scout patches are available to guide helpers right to you, if the need arises. Another cool features of the Summers Farm corn Maze: every year the 2.5 miles of paths through the maze create a message or design that can only be seen from the sky.
On top of the famous corn maze, the Farm also hosts an annual fall festival that includes 45 activities for kids of all ages. Summers is open for visitors 7 days per week.
Cornfusion Corn Maze
2020 Garrett Road
Manchester, MD 21102
The Cornfusion Corn Maze is built every year at Showvakers Christmas Tree Farm and it lives up to the hype. If you choose to play the games within the maze, it could take up to an hour and a half to find your way out! Once you’ve done so, you’ll want to stick around for the go cart track, farm animals, pumpkin patch, or even for a meal at the Wagon Wheel Café.
If haunted houses aren’t your thing, but you still love to spend time outside on a crisp fall evening, consider a visit to the Cornfusion Corn Maze after the sun goes down. While the rest of the farm closes at 6:00 PM, the maze reopens from 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Don’t forget your flashlight!
Fall Foliage in Maryland
Sugarloaf Mountain
7901 Comus Rd
Dickerson, MD 20842
Sugarloaf Mountain is a National Historic Landmark thanks to its geological significance and the role it played in the Civil War, but this time of year it’s one of the best places in Maryland to see fall foliage. The dominant species of trees include white and red oaks whose leaves range from a deep wine-red to bright scarlet in the fall.
Hiking and horseback riding trails are everywhere on the mountain, offering a look at the fall colors from beneath the trees. Stop at one of the many scenic overlooks along the road on your way out for the perfect backdrop to a picnic lunch before heading home.
Tuckahoe State Park
13070 Crouse Mill Rd
Queen Anne, MD 21657
The wooded marshlands of Tuckahoe State Park flank the lazy waterway in eastern Maryland known as Tuckahoe creek, and the park boasts some more of the best places in Maryland to see fall foliage. With 20 miles of scenic trails, you can hike, bike, or even ride horseback through a canopy of color. You could even rent a kayak and gaze at the trees as you paddle down the river or lazily float in the middle of the park’s 60-acre lake while taking in the colorful sights.
Cunningham Falls State Park
14039 Catoctin Hollow Rd
Thurmont, MD 21788
Located within the picturesque Catoctin Mountains, Cunningham Falls State Park is an ideal location to spend a fall weekend among the trees and their colorful leaves. The Park is divided into two areas. The William Houck Area includes a lake, falls, and campsites. The Manor Area is home to an Aviary, campsites, and the historic Catoctin Iron furnace. No matter which part of the park you choose, you’ll find yourself surrounded by stunning autumn views. Check out the unofficial park brochure for more information.
Deep Creek Lake
898 State Park Rd
Swanton, MD 21561
Deep Creek Lake is a popular destination year-round, and autumn in Deep Creek is simply gorgeous. Early- to mid-October is prime leaf peeping time in Western Maryland, and Deep Creek offers a variety of options for enjoying the sights. Our favorite are the fall foliage drives which last anywhere from thirty minutes to two hours.
Not only is Deep Creek one of the best places in Maryland to see fall foliage, if you visit in mid-October, you can also explore the famous Autumn Glory Festival – a five day celebration of the colorful foliage found in and around Deep Creek every fall.
Stay at The Hotel at the University of Maryland During Your Trip
Easy access to all the best fall activities in Maryland? Check. Luxuriously cozy guest rooms? Check. Spa treatments for relaxing after an autumn day spent outdoors? Check. The Hotel at University of Maryland has everything you need to turn your autumn adventure into a deluxe retreat the whole family will love. Contact us for more information, or book your stay today!