This is for those of you who started watching Gilmore Girls and pulled out your sweaters. Fall lovers rejoice- our first Autumn events are here. Farms, Fairs, Festivals- and everything in between.
If you’ve already sampled your first pumpkin spice latte and want nothing more than a Cider donut to pair it with, here is your list.
PS- Not ready to say goodbye to summer? Check out our Labor Day Summer Fun List!
Head to the Fair (or Faire)
What is more Fall than a Faire or Festival? Plenty of traditional favorites return for Labor Day Weekend:
Connecticut Renaissance Faire, Lebanon
Step back in time to a 16th-century harvest festival at Connecticut Renaissance Faire’s 25th anniversary celebration! All ages can enjoy the magic of the Renaissance – costumes are encouraged, but not required. Don’t miss out on an enchanted journey to the days of yore and celebrate with some good, old-fashioned fun.
Haddam Neck Fair, East Hampton
Labor Day Weekend fun for the whole family! This top rated CT Agricultural Fair has rides, games, a carnival, livestock and more.
Goshen Fair, Goshen
Head to the Goshen Fairgrounds for these Labor Day weekend festivities. Fun for the whole family, including ag events, games, contests, animals and more!
Woodstock Fair, Woodstock
Connecticut’s largest (and one of the oldest!) agricultural fairs is always Labor Day Weekend. Multiple stages, horse shows, contests, Midways and more make this a family fun festival to remember.
Visit a Corn Maze
Jump start your Fall Bucket List with a trip to one of the corn mazes- a few are open just in time for Labor Day Weekend!
Lyman Orchards Corn Maze Opening & Donut Fest, Middlefield
Enjoy live music, Free Food Tastings at the Apple Barrel Farm Market, Horse-Drawn Hayrides, Face Painting by Lara, Drumming Circle, Silhouette Portraits, and More!
The Farm, Woodbury
Head to the Caribbean- we mean Woodbury- for an interactive experience with built in games and trivia all based around this year’s theme. Getting lost has never been so fun!
(PS- we heard a rumor that if conditions are still good, they might extend the Sunflower Maze! What better way to transition between seasons than by following a walk through the Sunflower Maze with a wander through the corn maze!)
Apples Picking & Cider Festivities
It is the start of apple picking season- and that means some of our favorite cider mills are up and running too!
Clyde’s Cider Mill, Mystic
Family-owned and operated since 1881, B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill is a piece of living history. Every September 1st, we open our doors and sell sweet cider, hard cider, wine, cider donuts, and many local goods. We craft our sweet cider and hard ciders the same way that generations before us perfected. Enjoy cider-making demonstrations, wine and hard cider tastings, and our renowned cider donuts while making your own new traditions.
Visit of our favorite Apple Picking Locations:
Working on a full round up, but here are some of our favorites to get you started:
- Belltown Orchards, Glastonbury
- Rogers Orchards, Southington
- Johnny Appleseed’s Farm, Ellington
Get a Bird’s Eye View of the Trees- and maybe spot a leaf or two changing!
So, it won’t be peak foliage season for another month, but you can still enjoy some time in the trees:
Storrs Adventure Park, Storrs:
Zipline, throw axes, or just hang out- the choice is yours! While you’re climbing, you can inspect the leaves for any changes.
Powder Ridge Biking and Zip Line:
Another thrilling way to search for the first signs of fall. Soar through the trees or experience an adrenaline packed downhill dash- the choice is yours!
Foxwoods Fox Tower Zipline,
Strap in tight and launch from the rooftop of The Fox Tower 350 feet off the ground. Feel the cool breeze in your hair and take in the incredible views, reaching all the way to the Long Island Sound, as you fly above the tree line at nearly 60mph, arriving a mile away at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center with a huge smile on your face.
Foxwoods HighFlyer Zipline is the biggest zipline in Connecticut and the only zipline in America that launches from a 33-story hotel tower. There is no other experience quite like it!
As always, lots of energy and effort goes into creating these lists- however, conditions often change, so do check in with the organizer before heading out!
Did I miss any events? Comment below or email me at Kate@kidtivity.com
