Fall Guide to Raleigh

The air is getting crisper, the leaves are starting to change colors and it’s the coziest time of the year most of us have been waiting for. I’ve personally already curated my fall playlist and started watching “Twilight” on repeat. With “pumpkin spice season” approaching, there are tons of yummy snacks and drinks to try. Whether you’re new to Raleigh or a native that needs a few ideas for exploring and fun, there’s a wide range of things to do in the area.

I’ve crafted a fall guide to Raleigh and the surrounding areas to ensure you and your crew have activities to add to your fall bucket list this year! Whether you’re looking for a good seasonal drink, seasonal produce or an outdoor adventure, The Herald has got you covered! 

For the seasonal drinks and food lovers: 

Seasonal food and drinks are my favorite things about fall! Below I’ve included my favorite local shops and restaurants to visit, plus my favorite menu item for a few!

• Morning Times in Downtown Raleigh; my favorite is the Dirty Chai with Oat Milk

• Fount Coffee + Kitchen in Morrisville; my favorites are the Seasonal Baked Goods

• Cup of Joe on Hillsborough; my favorite is the Iced Vanilla Chai

• Jubala Coffee on Hillsborough; my favorites are the Iced Pumpkin Chai and Banana Bread 

• 321 Coffee at the North Carolina Farmers Market 

• La Farm Bakery in Cary; my favorite is the Pumpkin Beignets

• Yellow Dog Bread Co. in Raleigh 

• Lucky Tree in Raleigh; my favorite is the London Fog

• Heirloom in Downtown Raleigh 

• NC Farmers Market in Raleigh for fresh seasonal produce

Nature and Views 

I love doing outdoor walks, runs and hikes in the fall due to the scenery (and not being suffocated by the heat). There are so many beautiful parks in the area, but these are by far my favorite!

• Yates Mill County Park located at 4620 Lake Wheeler Rd, Raleigh, NC 27603

• Dorothea Dix Park located at 1030 Richardson Dr, Raleigh, NC 27603

• Lake Johnson Trail located at 4601 Avent Ferry Rd, Raleigh, NC 27606

• Falls Lake Trail located at 11900-11924 Raven Ridge Rd, Raleigh, NC 27614

• Historic Oak View located at 4028 Carya Dr, Raleigh, NC 27610 

Outdoor Fun and Adventures

From pumpkin patches to corn mazes and more, there’s so much adventure in the surroundings to engage in!

• Phillips Farms in Cary has a sunflower field, corn maze, pumpkin patch and haunted attractions.

• Dead Broke Farm in Raleigh offers horseback riding. 

• Ken’s Korny Corn Maze in Garner has a corn maze, pumpkins for sale and more activities for family fun.

• Page Farms in Raleigh has a corn maze, hay rides, a petting zoo and a pumpkin patch.

• Hill Ridge Farms in Youngsville has a pumpkin patch, hayride, corn maze and more.

Events and Festivals

There are so many festivals and events to explore in the area between now and October! From music and arts to the North Carolina State Fair, a mix of affordable adventures to add to your calendar. 

• Carolina Indie Fest on 9/20 and 9/21 in Sanford 

• Festa Italiana on 9/21 in Apex from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

• Oktoberfest @ Lafayette Village in Raleigh on 9/28 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

• Renaissance Fair at North Carolina Museum of Art on 9/29 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

• Falling for Local Fest on 10/5 at Dorothea Dix from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Hum Sub Diwali on 10/15 in Cary from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

• NC State Fair running from 10/17 to 10/27 in Raleigh 

The Herald hopes you enjoy this guide and find some fun plans for the fall. If you happen to try any of these items, be sure to tag us online on Instagram, and let us know what you thought about them!

By Enfiniti’ Jones, Contributing Writer

Graphic by Shae-Lynn Henderson, EIC