YORK COUNTY FALL BUCKET LIST
Fall is officially here! ‘Tis the season of oversized sweaters, cool crisp mornings, pumpkin-spice everything, fires in the fireplace and leaf-peeping. The best part? There’s never a shortage of fall activities! Here are some of our favorite seasonal activities to enjoy in the fall.
1. Get Outdoors and Enjoy the Crisp Mornings
As the days pass and the cooler weather sets in, the trees begin to change colors, showing us the beauty of nature during the fall season. There are many amazing outdoor spots to take a long walk or create a fall photoshoot to enjoy nature’s beauty.
Get out on the water at King’s Mountain State Park and take a relaxing fishing trip on one of their non-motorized boat rentals for only $20 a day.
Take a leisurely stroll down Piedmont Medical Center Trail.
Take the family out for a picnic lunch on Anne Springs Close Greenway.
Get out on the water one last time on Lake Wylie before winter comes.
2. Apple Picking at Windy Hill Orchard
In search of the ultimate autumn experience? Look no further than Windy Hill Orchard! Secure your reservation to pick apples, and afterward, treat yourself to apple cider donuts, delicious slushies, and an array of other delightful offerings.
3. Stroll Through the Fort Mill Scarecrow Crawl
Join the Town of Fort Mill as they host our 10th Annual Scarecrow Crawl from Oct. 4 to 31, 2024! Stroll in Downtown Fort Mill to see all the amazing scarecrow entries created by individuals, schools, businesses, organizations, churches, and more!
4. Find a Thrill
SCarowinds
Select nights September 13th – October 27th
Eat, drink, and be scary at SCarowinds! Known as the Carolinas’ largest Halloween event, Scarowinds is back and better than ever! Whether it’s your first or 100th time visiting SCarowinds, you’ll undoubtedly be in for a treat (not the sweet kind).
The Great Pumpkin Fest
Saturdays and Sundays from September 13th – October 27th
Carowinds’ daytime celebration, The Great Pumpkin Fest, offers family-friendly excitement. Running from September 13 to October 27 on Saturdays and Sundays, this special event, with just a speck of spooky, is available during park operating hours from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The culmination of The Great Pumpkin Fest is marked by the roving Halloween party, the Tricks and Treats Parade.
The Tricks and Treats Parade, starting at 3:30 p.m., takes the magic of Halloween to the park’s midways. Adorned with iconic Halloween scenes, the mesmerizing floats wind through Carowinds, offering a visual delight. This daytime spectacle features beautifully decorated floats, cooky-spooky characters that guests of all ages can dance with along the route, and a fang-tastic dance party with iconic Halloween jams.
5. Fun on the Farms
Bush-N-Vine
Pumpkin Season: TBD
Enjoy this refreshing time of year with your whole family by visiting our pick-your-own pumpkin patch! Whether you pick one big pumpkin for your front porch or a dozen small pumpkins, Bush-N-Vine promises you will enjoy your visit and make memories that will last a lifetime with your loved ones.
The Peach Tree Orchard Pumpkin Patch
Every weekend in October
Join the Peach Tree Orchard every weekend in October for their annual Fall Festival! They’ll have massive pumpkin displays, made-to-order hot pumpkin cinnamon donuts, our famous, not your mama’s pumpkin pie crazy milkshake, mountain apples, and a big fall ole truck display for taking pictures!
Black’s Peaches
Every Weekend in October
Black’s Peaches Fall Festival is open every weekend in October. $10 per person and activities include a corn maze, skeeball, a farm playground, and of course, hayrides! Unfortunately, Fido will have to sit this one out, as no furry friends are permitted during the fall festival.
Cherry Place Farm
Saturdays and Sundays in October
Cherry Place Farm is open to the public in October on Saturdays and Sundays. The October festival is a self-guided tour of their farm that features a corn maze and pumpkin patch. This is a family-friendly event, but all ages will enjoy the activities. Admission is $10 per person for everyone ages 2 and up and they do not take reservations at this time. Please check social media for the most recent updates.⠀
6. Get Festive at these Fall Festivals
Old Town’s Fall Festival
September 28th
Food Truck Friday just got even better! In addition to the usual lineup, the City of Rock Hill is kicking off fall with its very own Old Town Fall Festival! There will be food trucks, pumpkin carving, wiener dog races, and a Kids Fun Zone with rides/inflatables and more!
Main Street Oktoberfest Jam
September 21st
Please make your way to Main Street in Fort Mill for their annual Oktoberfest Jam! There will be contests for adults and kids, 35+ artisanal vendors, food trucks, face painting, costume contests, live music, and more!
Catawba Fest
October 12th
Catawba Fest in Tega Cay returns for its second year! Enjoy a variety of Arts & Crafts, Food Trucks, and Local Business vendors, as well as a free kid’s zone and costume parade.
Harvest on the Homestead at Historic Brattonsville
Harvest on the Homestead takes place every Saturday in October
Celebrate fall and earn about the agricultural heritage with 19th-century-style harvest-time festivities. Each Saturday in October we will focus on a different crop of the harvest season.
Pre-registration is encouraged;limited walk-up tickets are available.
Fort Mill Fall Festival
October 19th
Get ready for an evening filled with food, fun, and all things Fall with the upcoming Fort Mill Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 19th, 2024! The event will be held at Walter Elisha Park, 345 N. White Street, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. It will feature music in the Fort Mill Amphitheater, vendors, food trucks, kids’ activities, trick-or-treating, and costume contests!
Yap Yè Iswà Festival
November 23rd
The Nation is excited to announce that they will host the Yap Yè Iswà Festival this year on November 19th at the Catawba Cultural Center. Celebrate and learn more about the culture through drumming, dancing, demonstrations, and more! This event is free and open to the public.
7. Zipline at Camp Canaan
Don’t just dream of flying anymore;make it your favorite pastime at Canaan Zipline Canopy Tour in Rock Hill, SC. This 3-hour exhilarating adventure starts at the treetops in a 70ft tower, then zips across the Catawba River 6 times. The Full Zipline Tour includes nine zip lines, a suspended bridge, and walking trails through the woods. This high-flying adventure is for all ages;you don’t want to miss it!
8. Plan a Fall Camping Trip
Why stay indoors when you can experience the beauty around you? York County is home to some wonderful campsites offering an amazing adventure and the opportunity to reconnect with nature. Bring a tent, RV, or a sleeping bag and enjoy the Palmetto State at its peak!
Why Camping in the Fall is Awesome
Cool fall temps are so great for hiking and getting outdoors! You won’t have to worry about beating the heat or waiting for the sun to go down before getting outside
Early campfires mean more time for stories around the campfire and opportunities to create memories
It’s hard to avoid waking up at the crack of dawn while camping during the summer. Later sunrises in the fall make it easier to sleep in and recharge your batteries.
9. Plan a Day Trip to Kings Mountain State and National Military Park
York County is home to numerous outdoor green spaces, waterways, and historic sites – but only one State Park and one National Military Park that rolls all of these things into one. Discover Kings Mountain State Park and Kings Mountain National Military Park for a day filled with nature’s beauty, American Revolution history, and more!
10. Complete the YoCo Brew Trail
It’s that time of the year again when pumpkin-flavored everything takes the spotlight, and yes, that includes beer, too. Become a pumpkin beer aficionado and get started on the YoCo Brew Trail this fall!
