Enjoy the best of autumn in KC!
Pick apples at a local orchard. Pome on the Range in Williamsburg, Kan., is owned by the same folks who operate Louisburg Cider Mill. Enjoy the corn maze and cider donuts on your visit. Historic Weston Orchard isn’t just great for apple picking. They also offer pumpkins, hayrides, fall fun and wine tasting for adults. You’ll find even more local orchards in the U-Pick Guide on KCParent.com.
Spend a day at the pumpkin patch. Pumpkin patches in the metro offer many wonderful family attractions. Corn mazes, trains, play spaces, hayrides, corn cribs, carousels, zip lines, rides, concerts, ponies and pumpkins are just some of the enticements. Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch is one of the biggest patches in the metro and has been enjoyed by generations of families. Their famous pumpkin donuts, fabulous petting zoo, jumping pillows, train, pig races, carousel and fall fun play spaces create a carnival atmosphere the entire family loves. The Louisburg Cider Mill patch offers good old-fashioned fall fun and watch-it-made self-guided tours of the cider mill to boot! Johnson Farms offers apple picking, giant jumping pillows and many fabulous play spaces. Historic Weston Orchard serves up scenic views, hayrides and a smaller, quaint atmosphere ideal for little ones. Finally, Red Barn Farm in Harrisonville, Missouri, offers good old-fashioned country charm. Be sure to check out the KC Pumpkin Patch Guide on KCParent.com for tips on these and all the best patches in town.
Jackson County Parks + Rec
Missouri Town Tavern Bicentennial
Attend a fall festival. The Plaza Art Fair, Ciderfest at Louisburg Cider Mill, the Great Pumpkin Fest at Worlds of Fun, Missouri Town’s Fall Festival of Arts, Crafts and Music, the American Royal World Series of Barbecue and Lenexa Spinach Festival are just a few of our seasonal favorites. You’ll find more in the Festival Guide on KCParent.com.
Take a signature fall family photo at a local sunflower field. Our favorite fields: Johnson Farms Plants & Pumpkins (admission required, 17701 Holmes Rd., Belton), Eleanor’s Sunflower Field (335 W. 189th St., Scranton, Kan.) and Grinter Farms (24154 Stillwell Rd., Lawrence). Follow the U-Pick Farm Guide on KCParent.com for blooming status. Each field observes special rules that you’ll find on their social media pages outlining the etiquette for visitors.
Be an agritourist for the weekend. Attend the Kaw Valley Farm Tour (first weekend of October annually) or head to Weston to tour Green Dirt Farm and learn about sheep’s milk and cheese-making. Travel north to Osborne, Missouri, and tour Shatto Dairy Farm. You can also visit a local alpaca farm at Timber View Alpacas, Green Meadows Farm or YaYa’s Alpaca Farm.
We love visiting the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium on a fall day when the air is crisp, the animals are playful and the crowds are smaller. Everyone loves the Sobela Aquarium with a great picnic spot overlooking the Elephant Expedition, a favorite attraction. Families love the Discovery Barn, Australia, Polar Bear Passage, Helzberg Penguin Plaza, the Tropics and sea lions. The first four weekends in October at the zoo are filled with spooky fun during the annual Hoots and Howls as well as Boo at the Zoo on Halloween weekend.
There’s no better time to enjoy a family hike than autumn when the leaves are in full fall color. We love the trails at our local nature centers, many of which are paved and convenient for all ages. Before or after your hike, you can explore one of these local nature centers that offers free hands-on exhibits, animal displays and educational programs. Lakeside Nature Center is home to falcons, owls, eagles, toads, frogs, fish and insects. Burr Oak Woods Nature Center features fish tanks, turtles, bird watching, a giant indoor nature play area, walking trails and an outdoor discovery center. Ernie Miller Nature Center has paved trails through the woods and a shelter for picnics. Anita Gorman Discovery Center features an amazing exhibit on Lewis and Clark and an outstanding outdoor classroom.
Treat the family to gourmet caramel apples. These shops offer the best hand-dipped, gourmet, coated, candied apples in Kansas City. Russell Stover: various locations at RussellStover.com; Sweet Caroline’s: 7723 W. 151st St., Overland Park, 913.495.9993; Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory: various locations at RockyMountainChocolateFactory.com; Laura Little’s Candies: 2100 W. 75th St., Prairie Village, 913.722.2226; and Chip’s Chocolate Factory: in Crown Center, 2450 Grand Ave., Kansas City, Mo., 816.421.0012.
Autumn brings crisp air and cool nights and puts us in the mood for candles. Make your candle at Embers Candle Bar in Lee’s Summit (EmbersCandleBar.com). This pour-your-own candle studio is a great place for a family outing. Choose from their selection of containers to fit any style or budget. Select the scent that makes you think of comfort, relaxation, warm memories or romance from their library of 63 single scents. You’ll find everything from traditional scents like lavender and vanilla to dream fragrances like baked bread or leather. They also offer seasonal selections. If you like tapered candles, try rolling beeswax candles with the kit from Waxing Moonshine on Etsy.com. The kit comes with colored or natural beeswax sheets, wicks and instructions for a simple but elegant candle.
Parents can enjoy a night out at a local winery. Further-flung favorites include Peculiar Winery (20709 Harper Rd., Peculiar, Mo., 816.405.5595) and Pome on the Range (2050 Idaho Rd., Williamsburg, Kan., 785.746.5492). Closer to town, try Amigoni Urban Winery in Kansas City, Mo. (913.890.3289), Holy-Field Winery in Bonner Springs (913.724.9463), Pirtle Winery in Weston (816.640.5728), Stonehaus Winery in Lee’s Summit (816.554.8800), Belvoir Winery in Liberty (816.200.1811) or Stone Pillar Winery & Vineyard in Olathe (913.839.2185). Each of these wineries offers tastings, and many host special events throughout the year, including murder mystery dinners, cooking classes, DIY workshops, live music and food trucks.
Kristina Light writes about family fun year-round on KCParent.com.