Fall (we've come to realize) is a beautiful time in Chattanooga, transforming the Scenic City and its surrounding hills into a playground of color and cozy fun. However, if you’re looking last minute to get beyond the main attractions and discover the real local gems—like hidden-away pumpkin patches, charming farm festivals, and even a few historic, family-friendly haunts (The Read House, anyone?)—it can be hard to know where to start. We've spent the past two autumns seeking out all the best activities and curated the definitive guide to the most wholesome, unique, and just plain fun Halloween and fall festivities in Chattanooga and the greater area.
**You only have a few days left for this year, but hopefully this list will give you inspiration for next year!
Local Farms
Do you want to pull your pumpkins right off the vine? Consider Aubie Smith Farms, about 35 minutes from Downtown, where you can pull your pumpkin right off the vine! They grow all of the pumpkins on the farm, instead of buying them by the truckloads, and it truly creates a memorable family experience. Plus, they have a paid kid zone that usually includes slides, a bounce area, and other fun festive themed activities! For the slightly older kids, they also offer a paintball area.
Perhaps baking some apple pie is more your style. An hour and a half away in Blue Ridge, Georgia is Mercier Orchards. Not only can you go apple picking, they have a massive store onsite where you can try apple cider, apple donuts, or just taste test all the different types of apples! It is a fun family friendly stop with plenty for everyone to find something they enjoy; even hard ciders and wine!
Have you ever gotten lost in a corn maze? We did! The three corn mazes offered at Mayfield Farm Park are themed and shaped into a fun picture! The mazes are about an hour away from Chattanooga and offer a scavenger hunt to keep kids interested along the way. This farm offers more than just a corn maze, they have taken the time to design it and keep kids entertained for hours (literally)! We spent nearly four hours there enjoying all the different games, play areas, and life sized hamster wheels!
Hidden Gems
For more spooky, not scary, check out the Read House in downtown Chattanooga. They offer a complimentary ghost tour of their haunted room 311! Not only is the history fascinating, but the ambassador takes great care and gets into the stories to make for a memorable experience. Don't forget to tip your guide!
Around town, coffee shops offered seasonal flavors at only a $5 price for coffee week. We loved finding new stops all over Chattanooga for yummy coffee (hot chocolate for Mal!). The most surprising was finding a speakeasy hidden in the Atmosphere coffee shop! We had found a similar one at another coffee spot in Gatlinburg. To see all of the places we visited, check out our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenextpursuit/
Themed farmers and art markets are also great spots to spend some weekend time. Each weekend at the seasonal Chattanooga Farmers Market at the First Horizon Pavilion they have themes including an Apple Festival, Oktoberfest, and a Haunted Market. The Night Market by Verre Noir in the Northshore district happens the last Friday of every month with themes like Dark Moon Fair and Night of the Living Dead.
Amusement Parks
About 2 1/2 hours from Downtown Chattanooga (with no traffic!), Dollywood hosts an annual Harvest Festival. This seasonal event offers themed shows and food, but then at night... the pumpkin displays turn on their lights for the Great Pumpkin LumiNights! The park transforms from a festive fall atmosphere to a family friendly Halloween walkthrough.
Venture south into Georgia about 2 hours and you'll find Six Flags over Georgia. This was our first year experiencing their BooFest. This is a smaller event separate from their FrightFest and only runs during the day until 6pm. Kids can enjoy character meet 'n greets, candy, and fun activities like pumpkin decorating. Mal loved that he got to take home a baby pumpkin! Additionally, the park is also running its Oktoberfest at the same time. Guests can find German themed food and drinks just outside of the Bugs Bunny Boomtown.
Check out more adventures on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNextPursuit
Thank you for taking the time to look over our list. We hope to keep adding to it over the years! Do you have any suggestions for where we should try next? Let us know!
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