Are you looking for fall activities in Columbia, SC? As hints of cooler weather start creeping in, it’s time to pull out that calendar and make plans for fall fun. Pick some pumpkins, spend a day at a farm, hike over a trail covered in colorful leaves, indulge in some cider donuts, or attend a fall festival. There are so many places near Columbia, SC to visit for a little fall family adventure, and that’s just what you’ll find here: a list of awesome fall things to do near you!
What are the Best Fall Activities Near Me?
This Guide to Fall in Columbia Includes:
- Fall Events and Festivals: Popular fall festivals and fairs
- Where to Play this Fall in Columbia: Parks and playgrounds, plus where to play indoors
- Fall Treats: Coffee anyone?
- Fall Day Trips from Columbia: Perfect Fall adventures you don’t want to miss
- Farms to Visit: Animals, corn mazes, pumpkins, and more!
- Picking Apples: Where to pick apples closest to Columbia
Fall’s Favorite Activities in Columbia, SC
- Spend Saturday with the Gamecocks
- South Carolina State Fair
- Shop Local at a Farmers’ Market Near Columbia
- Are you looking for Halloween Events? We have a huge Halloween Guide full of Halloween activities, things to do, and trick-or-treat events. We’ll be updating for 2023 very soon.
Fall Events and Festivals
Fairs, festivals, and outdoor events are a pretty splendid way to spend a fall day. Hot dog and funnel cake, live music, and happy kids all make fall festivities awesome. We have a full list of Fall Festivals near Columbia, SC.
Where to Play this Fall
Places to Play Outdoors
Is there anything better than bringing the kids to the playground on a crisp fall day? Or, maybe you’d prefer a leisurely walk under a beautiful canopy of trees? You’ll find all that and more near Columbia. Check out these great parks and playgrounds near Columbia.
Raining? Play Indoors
Did you know we have a whole guide about things to do indoors in Columbia? So, if it’s raining or even just a bit too cold, there are lots of places you can head for some fun this fall. You can browse them all in our guide and even sort by the type of activity you’d like to try!
See some Animals: Visit a Zoo or Farm
Fall is a great time to spend the day learning about some animal friends. Check out both River Banks Zoo and Eudora Farms, or try one of these petting zoos where you can bring the kids to pet and play with animals.
Fall Treats
Visit one of the locally owned coffee shops in Columbia for delicious coffee and fall treats. There’s nothing cozier as the weather cools down than the perfect cup of coffee and snickerdoodle cookie, except maybe something pumpkin-flavored. Pumpkin muffin anyone?
Fall Day Trips and Travel
Fall weather lends itself to fabulous outdoor adventures. Check out these great day trip ideas from Columbia that are especially perfect for the fall.
- Head to Bee City Zoo for amazing animal interactions. You’ll get to pet kangaroos, feed monkeys, and lots more!
- Explore history in a “most charming small town,” Newberry, SC.
- Check out Revolutionary War history in historic Camden, SC.
- View the elk at Oconaluftee Visitor Center in Cherokee. The fall is a great time to see the elk!
- Check out the hawk migration that happens every fall at Caesars Head State Park or visit the Carolina Raptor Center to see these amazing creatures up close.
- Spend the day in Landrum, SC. Enjoy the small-town downtown plus fabulous food, hiking, and more!
- Drive to the top of Sassafras Mountain for amazing views from the highest point in South Carolina.
For more great day trips, don’t miss our list of South Carolina Day Trips and WNC Day Trips. If you exploring small towns, don’t miss this list of Upstate, SC Day Trip Towns.
Drive to the Upstate and check out Where to Find Fall Leaves to help you find gorgeous fall colors near the Upstate.
Thinking a weekend getaway might be fun? Here’s a list of Incredible Vacation Rentals Where You Can See Fall Colors and Vacation Rental Cabins With Private Indoor Pools.
Fall Fun on the Farm: Visit farms near Columbia, SC
Visit a farm or orchard near Columbia for traditional fall activities and fun! These farms offer various things to do with your family that include corn mazes, pumpkin picking, hayrides, and lots more.
Farms and Orchards with Family Fun Near Columbia
Pumpkin Patches
We have pumpkins! Find all the pumpkin patches, big and small, local and day trip destinations, in our Columbia, SC Pumpkin Patch Guide!
Fox Farm is a family-run farm that offers family visits by appointment and birthday parties on Saturdays.
Family visits: Offers Saturday visits, by appointment only. Visits include:
Horse rides for $7.00 per child, $3.00 per adult
Hayrides
Visit the barn to feed and pet the farm animals.
Birthday parties: Parties cost $200 for a 2-hour time slot on Saturdays. Parties include:
Cookouts
Hayrides
Horse rides
BB gun shooting
Visits to the barnyard
Crafts
Clinton Sease Farm
382 Olde Farm Road, Lexington , SC
Clinton Sease Farm is located in Lexington, SC and was established in 1940. The farm has expanded since the early 2000s to include several public attractions, including a corn maze, birthday parties, and school tours.
Offers:
Sunflower fields: September
Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch: September-November for ages 3 and up. Tickets for mazes include all mazes, playground access, an obstacle course, unlimited wagon rides, and a visit to the pumpkin patch (pumpkin purchased separately).
Note: The pumpkin patch has placed pumpkins, not pumpkins on the vine.
School Tours available:
Pumpkin Patch Tour (October)
Strawberry Patch Tour (April)
Garden Tour (June)
Birthday Parties are available to book from April through November
Pets are not allowed.
Goat Daddy's Farm
144 Tomahawk Trail , Elgin, SC
Pet, feed, and learn about animals at Goat Daddy’s Farm. We would suggest setting aside at least 1 to 2 hours of your day in order to get the full Goat Daddy’s experience! There is so much to see and learn and even some opportunities for hands-on experiences!
Don’t forget to visit the farm for goat milk soap and lots more farm goodies.
The farm is open to the public every Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm.
This farm also offers seasonal events and homeschool days, as well as classes in homesteading.
Open April – June for strawberry season Monday through Friday
Open Summer months from dawn until dusk
Open October for pumpkin season on Saturday
Lever Farms is located in Newberry County and is a working farm that is open seasonally to the public. The pumpkin patch and strawberry patch offer U-pick, and visitors can pick from the vine or select pre-picked for purchase. In October, there is a corn maze, an educational wagon ride, farm animals to view, and more.
Offers:
Spring field trips
Fall field trips
U-Pick Strawberries (April – June; Monday – Saturday 8 am – 6 pm)
U-Pick Pumpkins (October; Monday- Friday by appointment; Saturday 10-5; Closed Sunday)
Corn Maze (fall)
Prices:
Contact Lever Farms for specific pricing
Meador Acres Chestnuts LLC
803.807.8455 meadoracres@yahoo.com 5525 Fish Hatchery Road, Pelion, SC
Meador Acres opens in the fall for chestnut season.
Meador Acres was established in 2010 and is a chestnut grove located in Pelion, SC that offers u pick chestnuts during the fall season once they are ready to harvest.
Contact the orchard to schedule a time to U-Pick and to check availability and pricing.
McLeod Farms
843.335.8611 29247 S.C. Hwy 151, McBee, SC
Fall pumpkin season September 30th, 2023 – November 4th, 2023
Spring strawberry season opens in early April
Summer Peach Festival held in July
McLeod Farms is a produce farm founded in 1916 in McBee, SC. Along with their U-pick patches, they offer a market with a variety of goods to purchase. They also offer school field trips.
Their strawberry and pumpkin u pick patches are off the vine.
Offers:
U pick strawberry patch (April – May)
U pick pumpkin patch (October)
Corn maze (October to November)
Wagon rides
Summer Peach Festival (July)
Fall Festivities:
Wagon Ride to U-Pick Pumpkin Patch: $4 for ages 3 and older; Free for ages 2 and under
Corn Maze and Sunflower Field are priced separately
Open Tuesday – Friday and Sunday, 1 pm to 5 pm
Open Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm
Doko Farm is a working farm that was established in 1839 that specializes in pasture-raised heritage meats. The farm hosts special events in April, June, and November that the public can attend and tour the farm.
Offers:
Spring Farm Fest (April)
AG and Art Tour (June)
Harvest Market at Doko Farm (November)
Farm tours
School tours
Volunteer opportunities
Purchasable pasture-raised heritage meats
Looking for Apple Orchards?
Some of our favorites are:
- Jeter Mountain Farm, with a super fun INDOOR playground that’s totally free
- Grandad’s Apples, where you can shoot an apple cannon and enjoy amazing cider donuts
Looking for more things to do? Here’s our huge guide to Columbia, SC.