Louisville is the perfect mix of city and country. Check out these 8 fall activities to do with your loved ones, from farm hay rides to downtown walking tours.
Fall is one of the best times to be in Kentucky. The weather cools and lands somewhere comfortable, not searing or freezing, and the produce hitting farm stands and grocery store shelves is equally comforting and nostalgic. There’s enough pumpkin, squash, and apples to go around, and the same goes for soothing drinks like apple cider and pumpkin spice lattes. Don’t even get us started on how fall makes us want to go scout out Kentucky’s best hidden bars and speakeasies. When the temps drop, we come out to play!
Of course, the fall fun extends past food and drinks. Around Louisville specifically, there’s no shortage of fun hay rides, corn mazes, walking tours, and more that make the best use of the cooler weather and everyone’s renewed good vibes. Here, we’ve gathered a master list of local events and businesses you should check out this fall—when the temps finally simmer down, that is. (Yeesh, it’s been warm!)
1. Gallrein Farms
Address: 1029 Vigo Rd, Shelbyville, KY 40065
Gallrein Farms comes to the greater Louisville area from farmers Bill Jr. and Randie Gallrein, who have tended their hallowed lands for over three decades. The farm hosts events throughout the year, including its Sunflower & Corn Festival in the late summer, but fall is when it really comes alive.
People flock from all over to buy fresh fall produce at the farm’s market, explore its corn maze, enjoy fall’s fresh air during its hay rides, and pick fresh pumpkins to take home and carve. (Don’t throw away those seeds—roast them for a perfect salty snack!) Gallrein Farms’ fall activities run every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. beginning on Sept. 19 and are slated to last through Halloween, so there’s plenty of time to get in on the action.
And you’ll want to make sure you do. Just take this Google reviewer’s word for it: “There are too many options to [list] them all. We love the train rides, tractor ride to pumpkin picking, the pillow jumpers, obstacle course, and the corn pit.”
2. Evans Orchard and Cider Mill
Address: 1783 Newtown Pike, Georgetown, KY 40324
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday: 12 p.m.-5 p.m.
Evans Orchard and Cider Mill is another excellent option for fall fun in the greater Louisville area. At this orchard, guests can pick their own produce, shop for produce and homemade goods in the on-site shop, taste yummy treats at the on-site cafe, and more. Do note, though, that if you’re planning to pick apples this fall, you need to do so sooner rather than later. Apples didn’t grow well across the country this year, and the Evans Orchard website says apple picking will likely be discontinued for the season after Sept. 13.
There’s still plenty to do outside of apple picking, though. The fall season begins on Sept. 12 at Evans Orchard, and you can expect delightful pumpkin picking to take center stage. What’s more, the orchard is debuting its new Mega Corn Pit this year, which joins its smaller counterparts as one of the most fun attractions on the property. Let loose, jump in, and giggle away! That’s what many past reviewers have done, and they’ve loved their experiences. “A beautiful apple orchard and pumpkin patch! We plan to go back this year! The crowd can be a lot but it’s only because it is such a great place,” one shared.
3. Sunny Acre Farms
Address: 6516 Echo Trail, Louisville, KY 40299
Hours: Saturday-Sunday: 12 p.m.-6 p.m.
Sunny Acre Farms has everything you could possibly want in the fall: a corn maze, relaxing yet equally thrilling hay rides, and a pumpkin patch that will make your Instagram followers jealous. These activities are available to do on the weekends, but if you want to experience peak cozy vibes, you need to visit on the weekend of Oct. 18 to Oct. 19. This is when Sunny Acres Farms is holding its annual Pumpkin Festival, where you’ll be able to pick pumpkins, enjoy yummy food, check out local vendors selling beautiful wares, and more. Sunny Acre Farms is also beloved because it hosts school field trips, teaching kids about farming while they explore the grounds.
“My family LOVED going to the pumpkin patch offered by Sunny Acre Farm! The field of flowers was truly stunning and a magical bonus,” one previous visitor wrote in a Google review. Another scribed in part, “Beautiful animals and grounds, super fun corn maze and hayrides.” Maybe it’s time to finally check this farm out!
4. Food and History Tour of NuLu District
Meeting Point: 820 E Main St, Louisville, KY 40206
Fall is also the best time, in our opinion, to get out and do group activities, thanks to the weather being cooler. One intriguing option is the 3-Hour Food and History Tour of the NuLu District, which takes participants through the East Market District (aka NuLu District) of Louisville and allows them to taste divine local bites—including fried chicken and bourbon balls—while learning the area’s history.
The NuLu District is home to countless scrumptious eateries, fashion-forward boutiques, masterful art galleries, and more, so if artsy destinations are your thing, this walking tour is for you. It has time slots available every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, for the foreseeable future, so you can really plan this one around your schedule. It costs $129 per person.
5. Evan Williams Bourbon Experience Tour & Tasting
Meeting Point: 528 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202
If drinks are more your speed, then you might like the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience Tour & Tasting. You don’t need us to tell you that Kentucky is the nation’s bourbon capital, but did you know that Evan Williams was the Bluegrass State’s first certified distiller? It’s true, and you can learn all about his journey, as well as the evolution of alcohol in the state generally, during this one-hour bourbon tour.
The tour costs just $23 per person, and it includes a taste test of four bourbons. What’s more, it fits nearly any schedule because it runs seven days a week, excluding holidays.
6. Haunted Hotel
Address: 3000 S 4th St, Louisville, KY 40208
Haunted Hotel is one of the highest-rated haunted attractions in Louisville, sitting at a lofty 4.6-star Google rating from over 1,500 reviews. Situated near Churchill Downs, Haunted Hotel is an “extreme haunt” that includes spooky actors who can touch guests, according to the attraction’s website. This is exactly what makes it so popular, as many Google reviews specifically mention the actors being incredible. “Having the actors being able to touch you, respectfully & terrifyingly was the best part!!” one reviewer raved.
At the time of writing, Haunted Hotel is only open on Saturdays, but it will open on Fridays and Sundays as we get closer to Halloween. Moreover, ticket prices vary based on demand. For a full calendar of open dates and prices, click here.
7. American Horrorplex
Address: 2012 Northwestern Pkwy #4, Louisville, KY 40203
Hours: 8 p.m.-11 p.m.
American Horrorplex is another of the highest-rated haunted attractions in the city. Hundreds of Google reviews have garnered it a cumulative 4.7-star rating, and previous visitors love everything about it, from the actors to the overall environment. “The sets were creepy, the timing of the scares was perfect, and the whole place had a spooky atmosphere that kept me on edge the entire walkthrough,” one wrote in a review last year.
This year, American Horrorplex opens for the season on Sept. 11 and lasts through Halloween. During this period, it will be open every Friday and Saturday, and tickets cost $26 for general admission, $46 for VIP, and $66 for VIP with skip-the-line access.
8. Jack’s Lantern Trail
Address: 1080 Amphitheater Rd, Louisville, KY 40214
Held by the Parks Alliance of Louisville, the annual Jack’s Lantern Trail event unites the community in a spectacular way. Ticket holders get to experience an immersive experience in the woods surrounding the Iroquois Amphitheater, while ticket proceeds go back into the city’s park system. Each year, the woods are outfitted with glowing pumpkins and lights that are simultaneously eerie and captivating, and the experience is made even better with themed music soundtracking your journey.
The event is held every night from Oct. 1 to Nov. 1, and tickets can be purchased online. There are multiple start times per night, with tickets ranging from $20.45 to $26.85, including Ticketmaster’s fees, based on the day you want to attend.
