If you’re searching for fall in the Rio Grande Valley, you don’t have to look far. These activities will take you all the way from autumn’s start to Halloween fun.
The Rio Grande Valley locals joke that if you’re looking for fall, you won’t find it in the RGV. And maybe the absence of autumn colors and cooler temps is what prompts the people of South Texas to create their own fall.
The result is a surprising array of activities for young and old and a lovely sense of community, and that’s nothing to joke about. Here in the Valley, you’ll find pumpkin patches, corn mazes, hayrides, petting zoos, and even fall-themed Pilates that put a twist on your exercise routine.
Fall fun in the Rio Grande Valley is surprisingly affordable, too, with kids allowed in for free at some attractions. That means you can capture family photos or adorable kid pics among sweet fields of pumpkins come Oct. 1 or along a spine-tingling pathway as Halloween approaches.
So whether you’re after wholesome family fun giggling through a hay bale maze, or some scary frights wandering down a haunted trail, you’ll find it all, along with more fall fun, in the RGV.
Fiesta de Palmas
Location: McAllen Convention Center
Dates: Oct. 16 to 18
Times: Pumpkin patch open from 12 – 11 p.m.; check online schedule for live music times
Costs: Kids under 12 are free all weekend. Adult tickets are $14 or $10 after 4 p.m. and can be purchased at the gate. Note that on Friday, Oct. 16, admission is free for everyone!
The City of McAllen pulls out all the stops for Fiesta de Palmas, the annual fall festival that brings the entire community together. Spread over three days, the weekend party features live entertainment on various stages, activities that honor the culture of the Valley, and local food.
The kids will entertain themselves for hours at the fall fun zones, and they’ll love meandering through the H.E.B. pumpkin patch, stopping for photo ops along the way. Be sure to stop by the Día de los Muertos altar, which recognizes an important Mexican tradition and reminds you that you’re in the RGV.
Note: Friday admission is free for everyone, so expect a crowd.
The T-Ranch
Location: 25492 N. FM 2556, La Feria. Exit on Solis Road and head 1.5 miles north of Expressway 83
Dates: Oct. 1 to Nov. 15
Times: Thu. and Fri., 5-8 p.m., Sat. and Sun., 2-8 p.m.
Cost: $10 per person on Thu. and Fri., $12 per person on Sat. and Sun. Kids 2 and under are free. Tickets are only sold at the gate.
The great thing about The T Ranch is that it is a full-blown ranch that remains open year-round. This is no pop-up installation to draw a fall crowd—it’s a true farm that offers authentic fall experiences and pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins.
We’re talking pumpkin houses, a giant pumpkin bouncer, pumpkin crafts, and—need we say it?—real pumpkins, everywhere. But that’s not all you’ll find here. Anticipate farm animals, a corn pit, fall-themed games, a hay maze, and a variety of photo backdrops, including the farm’s giant chair that the little ones will need to scramble up into, and a vintage truck surrounded by all things fall.
Adults will love the live bands, beer and wine bar, and local vendors. Be sure to check the events page for the band schedule and note that local vendors are only set up on weekends, so if shopping is in your plans, visit on a Saturday or Sunday.
Pumpkins and Pilates
Location: The T-Ranch, 25492 N. FM 2556, La Feria
Dates: Oct. 3 and Oct. 10
Times: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Cost: $35 per person, paid at the gate
If your mornings are usually reserved for working up a sweat, why not add a little fall ambiance to your workout? Enjoy a complete autumn wellness morning at Pumpkins and Pilates held in the T-Ranch pumpkin patch.
The morning begins with a 45-minute sculpt class followed by a vendor market focused entirely on wellness. Participate in activations centered on health and well-being, munch on healthy bites, and wash it all down with pumpkin lattes, the drink of choice come fall.
You can also enjoy The T-Ranch’s other fall activities like pumpkin painting and photo displays and maybe even toast your fellow athletes with a mimosa or two.
Note: You’ll need to bring a mat and resistance bands from home.
Donna’s Corn Maze
Location: 807 N. Valley View Rd., Donna
Dates: Season opens Fri. Sep. 18 and continues through fall
Times: Fri. 6-10 p.m., Sat. 1 p.m.-12 a.m., Sun. 3-10 p.m.
Cost: $15.50 for general admission, and an additional $30 to opt into Monte de Los Muertos. If you want a skip-the-line pass, it’s an additional $40. Tickets can be purchased online or at the entrance.
It may not be cheap to participate in everything Donna’s Corn Maze has to offer, but this place does a great job of separating out costs so you can opt in or out depending on your budget and your interests.
General admission alone may be just the right amount of fall for you and your family. It includes unlimited entry to the famous corn maze, a bonus since the maze offers everything from an easy-to-find-your-way-out option for the young’uns and beginners all the way up to a brain-scratcher that will leave you questioning your sense of direction at every turn.
You’ll also get access to Donna’s animal barn, jumping pads, playground, seasonal games, and the ever-popular mega slides. Make new friends on the hayrides or by hopping aboard the barrel train, or jump into the ball pit and introduce yourself to another fall-loving visitor.
Corn maze tip: The most challenging course can take up to an hour to complete, so make sure you have plenty of time.
Monte de los Muertos at Donna’s Corn Maze
If you’re ready for some frights to go along with your fall spirit, pick up a ticket to Monte de los Muertos right there at Donna’s Corn Maze. On select nights during the season, the maze that puzzled you by day will scare you to death by night.
In addition to trying to find your way out, you’ll be confronted by scary sights and a cast of characters that will give you goosebumps and get your heart racing. Yes to the jump scares, no to anyone touching you, and absolutely to the scare factor. This one probably isn’t the best option for little ones or those with heart conditions.
Note that wait times for this attraction can be as long as two hours in the interest of keeping groups small for the full experience. Prepare for long lines and long waits, or bite the bullet and pay for a skip-the-line pass.
In the Rio Grande Valley, fall presents itself in a number of ways. It’s a great time to hit the flea markets or go bird watching, for example. The RGV may not include the traditional leaf change, but you’ll forget all about that when you’re buried in pumpkins or settling into a hayride.
