Dare I put it in print and mention the cooler weather, or should I just whisper it into the air in hopes the fall weather doesn’t scare off? I could not be more thrilled that the record-breaking summer is behind us and fall days are just around the corner. I am fully prepared to take advantage of anything cooler than 100º and adventure out into south Texas to enjoy all the seasonal offerings.
Check out this updated 2022 Fall Bucket List for many enticing fall activities. WARNING: This list will cause you to want to buy all the pumpkins and fall decor and bust out your cute plaid outfits and boots.
We all know that plans can change quickly these days, so please refer to the location’s website or social media for updated operating schedules and offerings before heading out. And, as always, be sure to follow local and state mandates and use your best judgment when visiting public areas.
- Barton Hill Farms: Take a road trip to this picturesque farm, set along the banks of the scenic Colorado River between Austin and Bastrop, for a day filled with pumpkins, a five-acre corn maze, live music, and more than 30 additional activities. Purchase tickets online in advance. Open Saturdays and Sundays October 1–November 6 with one bonus day on Columbus Day.
- Boerne Boo!: This Halloween celebration will have “fun zones,” trick-or-treating, and a costume contest. The event is October 22 from 4:00–7:00 p.m. at the Patrick Heath Public Library parking lot.
- San Antonio Botanical Garden’s BOOtanica: Don your costume and bring your candy bag for trick-or-treating to celebrate Halloween and the fall season with a variety of hands-on activities. The event is included with Garden admission or membership. Saturday and Sunday, October 15 & 16 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Local pumpkin patches are always a favorite fall activity for San Antonio families, and there are many to choose from!
- The City of New Braunfels Parks and Recreation Department has many family events scheduled to celebrate fall. Events include the “Soul Searching” cemetery tour, Interactive Murder Mystery, Fall Nature Camp, a Family Fun Campout, DAS Pumpkin Patch in the pool, Monster Mania at the Landa Recreation Center, and more. See the Fun Things Guide for more information.
- 5th Annual Corny Maze at Traders Village: This ten-acre corn maze will be open weekends from October 1–November 27. It contains three trails (easy, medium, and hard) to challenge all ages and levels of maze-goers. Traders Village also offers a petting zoo, inflatable slide, theme park rides, and concessions. You can purchase a wristband for just the mazes or a combo to include all-day maze and ride access.
- Devine Acres Farm: A favorite for fall fun, the farm is open weekends in October and on Columbus Day. Admission includes live entertainment and 49+ activities, including catch-and-release fishing, hayrides, a petting zoo, mazes, and more. The website encourages you to purchase tickets online to guarantee entry. Their Christmas tree farm will open on November 25.
- Fiesta Texas Fright Fest: This event offers family-friendly fun during the day and spooky thrills at night. You’ll find haunted houses, scare zones, entertainment and shows, fall-inspired food and drinks, and of course, rides. Open select dates, September 10–October 31.
- Good News Pumpkin Patch: This pumpkin patch in southeast San Antonio offers free admission and free Saturday night movies, plus low-cost activities, such as a hayride, laser tag, and more. While you’re there, plan to pick out some pumpkins to decorate or carve. Pumpkins are generally priced 75¢–$30 with some gargantuans costing more. The pumpkin patch opens on October 2.
- Jenschke Orchards: The “real” pumpkin patch alone is worth the trip to Fredericksburg! Grab a plastic knife and wagon and cut your own pumpkins off the vine. There are many different sizes and types of pumpkins, and kids love the experience of seeing how they grow! (Call or check social media for pumpkin availability. Pumpkins are $0.75 per pound.) Jenschke Orchards also offers a five-acre corn maze ($12 per person, ages two and under are free), a corn pit with 20,000 pounds of corn for playing and jumping, wagon rides, a jumpy pillow, cowboy roping, and cornhole. Open Fridays–Sundays starting September 16 through Halloween.
- Fall Foliage at Lost Maples State Natural Area: Texas isn’t known for its gorgeous fall foliage, but Lost Maples is! The Uvalde bigtooth maples and other trees in the park turn beautiful shades of orange, yellow, and red beginning in mid-October. Check the park’s fall foliage report for more information. Lost Maples has over ten miles of hiking trails, camping sites with water and electricity, and fishing in the Sabinal River or Can Creek. Reserve day passes up to 30 days in advance or camping sites up to five months in advance. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, as they usually sell out early.
- Love Creek Orchards’ Great Hill Country Pumpkin Patch: Take a short, scenic drive to Medina to experience the fun at Love Creek Orchards. Admission is $8.00 for ages three+ (active military admission is $5.00) and includes a hay maze, orchard tours, scarecrow building, farm animals, storytelling, and more. Pumpkins and apple goodies are available for purchase. The pumpkin patch opens on October 8 and is open on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays through October 30 from 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., but make sure to check the daily schedule if you have your heart set on a particular activity.
- The Apple Store Bakery and Cafe: While in Medina, don’t miss the Love Creek Orchards Apple Store Bakery and Cafe. The four-pound apple pie has been named the best in Texas by “Texas Monthly” magazine. Take my word for it and try it. This pie is worth the trip to Medina all on its own! The Bakery offers over 50 items made from fresh apples, including apple ice cream. The Cafe offers hamburgers and other lunch items and has an outdoor dining area. Open Friday–Tuesday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., except for a 10:00 a.m. opening on Sundays.
- Milberger’s Halloween Weekend Celebration, October 30–31: The gorgeous setting, hay maze, and fun decorations at Milberger’s are the perfect backdrop for your family’s fall photos. You’ll also find a “terror train” (for kids 12 and under), treat bags, face painting, a balloon artist, a moon bounce, and more. Admission is free and pumpkins (and many plants) are available for purchase.
- Owl Creek Farm: Located in west San Antonio, Owl Creek Farm offers a pumpkin patch with pony rides, tractor rides, haunted hikes, and more. They open at the beginning of September and stay open through October, with the haunted hikes starting September 30. Check their Facebook page for updates.
- Pipe Creek Pumpkin Patch: This pumpkin patch is located at the Pipe Creek Christmas Tree Farm and offers hayrides, rubber duck races, farm animals, pumpkin painting, and many more activities set among its 6,000 Christmas trees. Pumpkin patch activities are geared toward children ages ten and under. Admission is $6.00 for ages three+. Open weekends in October from 11:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. The Christmas Tree Farm opens on November 21.
- SeaWorld Spooktacular: Visit on weekends from September 15–October 30 for trick-or-treating, fall decorations, pumpkin painting, kid-friendly Halloween shows, and Sesame Street characters riding on Halloween-themed floats. All festivities are included with park admission.
- South Texas Maize at Graff 7A Ranch. Located near Hondo, the South Texas Maize is home to a seven-acre corn maze (divided into two parts), giant slides, hayrides, jumping pillows, a barrel train, and much more. Live music is offered on some weekends and campfire sites are available to reserve. Weekend admission is $18.50 for ages 3–64, and $14 for ages 65+. The season opens September 17 and goes through November 19. They are now a cashless operation and tickets must be purchased online for a specific date.
- Stars and Stripes Drive-in Theatre in New Braunfels is showing new movies such as “Lyle, Lyle Crocodile,” “Black Adam,” and “Halloween Ends” throughout October. Check the schedule for details about the retro Halloween showings. Enjoy the cool, fall evening air from the comfort of your vehicle or folding chair. Advance tickets are recommended.
- Sweet Berry Farm: Located near Marble Falls, you can enjoy the farm’s Harvest of Fall Fun September 17–November 6 (closed Wednesdays). Pay only for the activities you want to participate in. Activities include the Texas-shaped maze, pony rides, scarecrow stuffing, pick-your-own flowers, barrel train, and more. Pumpkins and fall photo opportunities are available.
- Zoo Boo at the San Antonio Zoo: Open daily September 17–October 31, Zoo Boo includes trick-or-treating, pumpkin painting, dance parties, costume contests, a hay maze, and other non-scary fun with paid zoo admission.
- Brick or Treat at LEGOLAND® Discovery Center: Look for spooky scenes in MINILAND®, participate in a Halloween-themed creative workshop, take photos with the giant DUPLO® pumpkin, and more. The festivities are included with general admission tickets and will run September 24 –October 31.
- Outdoor Family Film Series at Mission Marquee Plaza: Free family-friendly, Halloween-themed movies on October 1, 15, and 20. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, and snacks, or purchase food from the food trucks on site. Movies include “The Addams Family 2,” “Venom: Let There Be Carnage,” and “Edward Scissorhands.” The venue opens at 7:00 p.m. and movies will begin 15 minutes after dusk. Check the Plaza Facebook Page for updates.
- Cavern Fall Fest at Natural Bridge Caverns: Enjoy the Texas Hill Country while listening to live music, watching animal shows, or participating in one of many free activities. Kids can trick-or-treat on October 29 and 30, and face painting will be available for purchase.
- Texas Transportation Museum’s Spook-track-ula: Visit on October 22, 23, 29, or 30 for this special event (4:00–9:00 p.m.). Most of the trick’r treat scavenger hunt is kid-friendly, but the website notes certain areas may be a bit scary for the younger crowd. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for kids ages 4–12, and kids under four are free. You can purchase tickets in advance for a group of 20+ for the discounted rate of $8. Check the museum’s Facebook page for event updates.
- More Delightful Than Frightful is a “No Tricks, Just Treats” offering at Morgan’s Wonderland. Don your friendly costumes and prepare for a night of happy Halloween fun! Admission is just $5 for a night of trick-or-treating, games, activities, a DJ, and more. Rides and attractions will also be operational for the duration of the evening.
We hope this list allows you and your family the opportunity to easily enjoy many of the fall and Halloween offerings in our area. Happy fall, y’all!