Are you searching for a family-friendly place to trick-or-treat and enjoy the Halloween spirit this year? It’s time to get ready for the wildest trick-or-treating event, Boo at the Zoo in Columbia, SC! Riverbanks Zoo will host its annual “Boo at the Zoo” event from October 20 through October 30, 2023. We have everything you need to know about Boot at the Zoo from a local mom. Your kids will have a blast dressing up in their costumes, trick-or-treating throughout the zoo, and experiencing other spook-tastic Halloween fun!
Come in costume, but no full face masks or scary costumes for adults.
Attend on a weekday if at all possible.
Keep it simple and have fun!
Don’t miss the Biggest Halloween Guide in Columbia! It’s packed full of Halloween events and activities in Columbia, plus spooky day trips, haunted houses, and much more!
Have you ever been to the South Carolina State Fair in Columbia, SC? This year, the fair will be in town from October 11th to October 22nd, 2023. The SC State Fair is an exciting fall tradition that dates back over 150 years ago!
Each year, the fair brings in thousands of people from all around the state who enjoy all of the great things it has to offer – games, prizes, rides, food, and animals just to name a few! Whether this is your first year attending or if you’ve been to the State Fair in the past, keep reading as we will walk you through how to save money on tickets, what to expect inside, where to park, what to bring with you, and more!
Did you know you can “snow” tube in the fall at Black Bear Snow Tubing? You can! No snow is required thanks to Black Bear’s super-fast tubing mat, the only one like it in the United States! We got to visit Black Bear and try this “snow” tubing and let us tell you, fall snow tubing is where it’s at. Move over pumpkins, there’s a new fall favorite in town. Here’s everything you need to know to plan your visit to Black Bear Snow Tubing this fall.
Thanks to Black Bear Snow Tubing for providing tickets so we could bring this review to our readers.
Fall snow tubing opens September 2, 2023, at Black Bear Tubing!
How can you snow tube without snow?
The special green and white mat in use at Black Bear comes all the way from Germany. Purchased for use at Black Bear because this mat outperforms all its competitors when it comes to speed. In the winter the mat is covered in snow, but in the fall, you can tube right on the mat.
This means even in warm winters with little snow, tubing is still an option for family fun. So, what we have learned is, snow is not required for super speedy “snow” tubing runs.
Fall is awesome at Black Bear Snow Tubing
No crowds, fewer lines, fun music, and a pretty view of changing leaves across the valley make fall an awesome time to visit Black Bear Snow Tubing. You’ll get more rides down the hill in your tubing time than in the winter. It’s not cold. It’s not wet.
You can even get yourself some apple cider donuts, coffee, or cocoa and enjoy them on the covered rocking chair back porch, overlooking the tubing hill. We tried it and we are convinced, fall is perfect for snow tubing!
Tickets for Black Bear Snow Tubing
Purchase Black Bear tickets for one hour or two hours of tubing online. Walk-ups are also available in the less busy fall season.
Summer tubing, without snow, runs weekends through October 29th, 2023.
Winter tubing, with snow, runs weekends beginning mid-December. (If the weather is too warm for snow, tubing will still be open using the mat.)
Visiting Black Bear
First off, we love nearby Hendersonville, NC, and the drive up from downtown to Black Bear Tubing through the changing leaves was gorgeous. When you arrive at Black Bear, just follow the signs to park and then head towards the fun!
Visit the video shed first where you’ll watch a very short safety video. It’s just a couple of minutes long and it plays on a loop. While you’re there, sign the waiver for yourself and the kids.
Bring your waiver across to the lodge where you’ll pay, get your stickers, and also where you can purchase treats and beverages like apple cider donuts, coffee drinks, cocoa, and more.
When you’re ready to tube, you’ll head down the stairs, grab your tube and jump in the line for the tube tugging line that will bring you to the top of Black Bear’s 600-foot-long tubing run. Staff will hook you onto the line.
At the top, you’ll be unhooked from the line and then walk your tube to the run. Staff will help you get your tube into position and push you off down the 80ft vertical drop.
Up to 4 people can go down the run at a time, and you can hang onto other tubes if you want to all go together. Want extra fun? Just ask the staff at the top to spin you going down.
Once you’re at the bottom, pull your tube back over to the tube tugging line and you’ll be off on another run before you know it.
Clean portapotties are available beside the video shed, as well as an outdoor handwashing station.
Who can tube at Black Bear?
First, kids under 4, and under 35 lbs, cannot be on the slope. They can use the slope-side playground for some fun while bigger kids tube.
Second, kids ages 4 to 6 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Third, there is a maximum weight of 300 lbs.
My kids, ages 11 and 14, had a blast. Initially, my 14-year-old was a little not sure he wanted to come, thinking it was not going to be very exciting and that he was too old for such things. He was so glad he came. And, in fact, we saw lots of adults taking runs down the slope, too. I had planned to go down once or twice, just to be thorough in my review, and ended up going down a lot more because it was really fun!
It’s one of those life things that are just plain fun for anyone. Escape from whatever is bugging you to the fresh air and whip down that hill on a tube. Laugh with the kids. Enjoy them, even as teens and preteens, asking you to go down the run with them. There are not enough moments like that in the world, if you ask me.
Our Review
We really loved the family atmosphere at Black Bear. They do not allow alcohol or any open profanity. All the staff were super friendly and helpful. When I wasn’t tubing myself, I could clearly see where my kids were at all times from the covered porch. It was really brilliantly arranged for a couple of hours of low-stress family fun.
Tubing on the mat was really fun. No heavy coats, no wet gloves. It was all the fun of snow tubing without the cold, with the added benefit of short lines and no crowds. We had a great time and think you’ll enjoy it, too!
Plan Your Trip to Black Bear Tubing
1-hour tickets are $30 each, and 2-hour tickets are $40 each. (2023 prices)
Open until October 29th for summer tubing, and then opening mid-December for winter snow tubing.
Saturday: Open at 10 am, last ticket is for 7 pm. Sunday: Open at 12 pm, last ticket is for 5 pm.
Are you ready for fall festivals in Columbia, SC? State fairs, farm days, Halloween celebrations, and pumpkin spice everything added to a backdrop of color-changing leaves make the season so special. These events are a wonderful way to mingle with the community while making memories with your family. Check out our list of fall festivals near Columbia that celebrate all the wonderful things the season has to offer!
Information about individual events is subject to change. Please check the festival’s website or social media page for updates regarding ticket pricing, rescheduling due to weather, changes to scheduled events, and more.
September 16th – 17th, 2023 from 9 am to 4 pm on Saturday and 12 pm to 4 pm on Sunday State Farmers Market, 3483 Charleston Highway, Columbia SC Features art, food trucks, woodworking, lawn & garden, clothing boutiques, crafts, and so much more Free parking and admission
September 29th and 30th, 2023 Irmo Community Park, 7507 Eastview Dr. Irmo, South Carolina 29063. Live music, Saturday morning parade, crafts, art, amusement rides, and lots of food! Free admission
September 30th, 2023 from 10 am to 5 pm The Farm, 1127 Corley Mill Road, Lexington SC Family-friendly fall fun on a local farm with tons of games and activities Tickets available now for $25, limited availability
October 1st, 2023 from 1 pm to 4 pm Crooked Creek Park, 1098 Old Lexington Highway, Chapin SC Grab your furry friends and have some family fun with games, vendors, food trucks, adoptions, raffles, and much more $5, however pets and children under 12 are free
October 6th – October 8th, 2023, from 8 am to 6 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm South Carolina State Farmers Market, 3483 Charleston Highway, West Columbia, SC Festival and sale of plants and flowers for Fall and in preparation for other seasons.
Saturday, October 7th, 2023, beginning at 5 pm Segra Park, 1640 Freed Street, Columbia SC Fun fall concert with country music singers Chris Janson and Brooks Herring Tickets on sale now, prices vary
Saturday, October 7th, 2023 Granby Gardens Park, 1800 12th Street, Cayce SC Featuring live music, food, drinks, a children’s area, and more. Free admission
Saturday, October 7th, 2023, from 11 am to 6 pm 901 S Holly St, Columbia, SC 29205 Celebration of art, music, and southern culture through family-friendly activities. Free admission
October 11th – October 22nd, 2023 1200 Rosewood Drive, Columbia, SC 29201 Major attractions, carnival rides, food, entertainment, animals, crafts, art, stage shows, and much more! Ticket sales begin September 12th online – Early bird ticket pricing is $10; Prices during the fair are $20 for ages 6 – 54 and $15 for 55+.
Here’s everything you need to know about the SC State Fair from a local mom.
October 20th – October 22nd, 2023, from 11 am to 10 pm Incarnation Lutheran Church, 3005 Devine Street, Columbia Celebration of German culture with authentic food, drinks, dancing, and more. There will be a kid’s area with face painting, balloon art, a playground, and activities. Free admission
October 21st, 2023, from 2 pm to 8 pm Columbus Meeting Hall, 1623 Marion Street, Columbia SC 6th annual fall fest including crafts, vendors, food, music, and more
Dates TBA Eudora Wildlife Safari Park, 219 Salem Lane, Salley SC Pumpkin patch, corn maze, fall activities, kids games, Parakeet adventure, pony rides, petting zoo, and paintball shooting. Admission is an additional $26 per car of 6 guests to the original $36 per car fee for Drive Thru Safari Check out our review of Eudora Farms
Dates TBA Doko Meadows Park, 100 Alvina Hagood Circle, Blythewood SC An all-day family-friendly event complete with food and beverages, children’s games, yodeling contest, keg toss, 5K, and so much more Free admission
Do you have a favorite fall festival in Columbia, SC that you just can not miss? Let us know in the comments!
Find More Fall Fun in Columbia, SC
Get Ready for a Fun Halloween Night: Boo at the Zoo in Columbia, SC
The Ultimate Guide to Halloween Events & Trick-or-Treat in Columbia, SC
Take Your Family to the 2023 South Carolina State Fair
Want to make sure your family trip to the farm is amazing? Farms in the fall are perfect places for family fun and lots of memory-making. But, bringing your whole crew anywhere can sometimes be a little stressful, right? So, we have some tips to help you make your fall farm trip easy with nothing but fun and happy faces.
Famoda Farm
Wear the correct clothes.
A farm is a great opportunity to take some adorable, matching farm-themed photos, but it’s important to realize that it is a farm. Farms have dirt, fire ants, and typically a lot of sun. Cute smocked outfits, warm “fall” clothes, and open-toed shoes might look great in photos but may not be comfortable, practical attire for having fun at the farm.
If your main goal is photos, consider either outfit choices that are comfortable and can get dirty or take your photos and schedule another visit for full farm activities.
We recommend wearing:
Clothes that can get dirty
Closed-toed shoes that are comfortable for walking such as tennis shoes or boots
Layers, even on cooler fall days it can feel really hot in the sun especially if you spend an hour wandering in a corn maze.
A hat or sunglasses if it’s a sunny day
Moo Cow Farms
Bring snacks and water.
Most farms will allow you to eat on the property or at your car. Some serve food, but not all. Most do not have a place to refill water bottles.
We recommend making sure you have plenty of food and water.
There will likely only be porta-potties at the farm so plan accordingly.
Wear your sunscreen. It can get hot in October in our region.
Apple slingshot at McLadke Orchards
Go over farm etiquette before getting out of the car.
It’s important to go over basic farm rules with your kids if they are unfamiliar with farm etiquette. Farming is hard work and it’s important to respect the farmer’s property.
Follow all farm signs and rules.
Be sure to treat plants with respect. Only pick what you plan to pay for and don’t destroy farm property such as forming new paths in a corn maze.
Don’t throw produce such as pumpkins or corn unless it’s part of a farm-approved game.
Watch your kids closely. Farm equipment can be dangerous.
Don’t feed animals unless signs give permission to feed them and only feed animals food that is approved by the farm.
If you have the opportunity to touch or hold animals, remind your children to be gentle.
Be prepared before you get lost in the corn maze.
Corn mazes are fun but they also are in direct sunlight and involve a lot of wandering around trying to figure your way out.
Your kids will likely insist on picking all of the turns which often results in walking in circles for hours.
Make sure your preschooler/toddler understands that they have to stay with you because losing a child in a corn maze is more excitement than most of us want when visiting a farm.
Take a photo of the corn maze before you enter. That way if you get lost and tired, you can still find your way out.
If your kids are little, they usually won’t know the difference between the entrance and exit so you can always have a short visit into the corn maze and just exit out the way you came before everyone gets tired.
Denver Downs
Pick the right farm.
If you want to pick apples or pumpkins, make sure the farm lets you pick them before arriving. Some orchards and farms only sell pre-picked produce.
Some farms allow you to enjoy all the activities for one price, whereas others charge per activity. If your main event is picking apples, paying once for the jumping pillow or hay ride might be the right choice. If your main activity is playing at the farm, consider one with an all-inclusive price.
Denver Downs
Check to see what forms of payment they accept.
Some of the farms in the region only accept cash or check. Make sure you are prepared.
Farm Fun Near Upstate, SC
Visit Farms and Win Prizes with the SC Agritourism Passport Program
Little Creek Farm is a Hidden Gem for Families: Lexington, SC
Feed and Pet Goats, Pigs & More: Goat Daddy’s Farm, Elgin, SC
Looking forward to picking a pumpkin at The Nix Pumpkin Patch in Hendersonville, NC? This u-pick pumpkin patch allows you to cut the pumpkin right off the vine. We visited The Nix Pumpkin Patch and had so much fun searching for the perfect pumpkin, visiting their market, drinking apple cider, and making a lot of memories!
The Pumpkin Patch is open from September 9th, 2023 until late November.
The Nix Pumpkin Patch is a family-owned and operated pick-your-own pumpkin patch. Situated amongst a plethora of orchards and farms, you’ll find one of the only u-pick patches in the Hendersonville area. There is just something about cutting your pumpkin right off that vine that makes it so much better!
