Looking for the best-of-the-best things to do in the fall in Atlanta? We’ve got ’em!
Whether you want to stay in a treehouse, go for a hike, see the beautiful fall foliage, visit a festival, take a train ride, or pick out a pumpkin — Atlanta has plenty of things to do to celebrate this wonderful season.
Here are 40+ fabulous ways to enjoy fall in Atlanta, Georgia.
Apple Picking – Apple cider, apple pies, apple butter and APPLES! Apple picking in the north Georgia mountains is a must-do fall activity that you and your whole family will love! Make a weekend of it and enjoy all the beauty of the north Georgia mountains in the fall.
Arabia Mountain – The yellow daisy is a rare flower, which only grows within a 60-mile radius of the mountain. You’d never guess they’re rare though, because of how prolifically they grow here in fall. Participate in Arabia Mountain’s annual Daisy Days to get the most out of hiking among these beautiful flowers.
Atlanta History Center – The AHC is a fun (and educational) space to hike and explore this fall. You’ll also find fall-themed Toddler Storytimes, Fall Talks, and more.
Atlanta World Kite Festival – Head to Piedmont Park in downtown Atlanta for kite flying, demos, food, face painting, Chinese dance performances by Shen Yun, and much more. This is a free event. There will be kites for sale, and a kids’ fun zone. It’s time for some kite-flying fun!
Bike the Beltline – Enjoy the cooler weather by going on a Saturday morning bike ride along the Beltline. See the art installations from this year’s Art on the Beltline. No bike? No problem! The guys at Atlanta Bicycle Barn are amazing! You can rent trailers, tandem, cruisers and more! And helmets are free with all rentals. This is the perfect way to enjoy the fall in Atlanta.
Blood Mountain – The Blood Mountain hike is one of my favorite hikes in Georgia, and the best view of fall color in the mountains. Don’t let another fall go by without climbing this Blairsville mountain!
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway – The fall foliage tour during the month of October is the most popular excursion, with two trips running most every day. There is so much to do in Blue Ridge – make it a weekend!
Brasstown Bald – Looking for an easy hike to gorgeous summit views displaying breathtaking fall color? Then put on your hiking boots and go NOW to Brasstown Bald in beautiful Blairsville. We promise — you’ll love it.
Build a bonfire – Build a fire outdoors (or in the fireplace). Tell stories, roast marshmallows, turn off the cell phones, and enjoy one another. Be sure you are in a location you’re allowed to burn and follow burn regulations.
Camp– Fall is the ideal time of year for camping in Georgia. Build a fire, watch the stars, collect colorful leaves, and spend time together as a family. The link takes you to our list of the 40 best camping spots in North Georgia. There’s also GREAT camping at Georgia State Parks! (Cloudland Canyon and Tallulah Gorge are two of our favorites for fall color!) Don’t miss it.
‘Cheers’ at a Beer Garden – The official 52nd Oktoberfest festivities will take place in 2022! Beer, brats, bands, and Lederhosen – the Helen Oktoberfest has them all. Join the longest-running Oktoberfest in the United States with a visit to Helen during the fall. This year’s festivities begin September 8 and run through October 30 — so you’ve got plenty of time to enjoy all the beers and brats you can handle!
CNC Halloween Hikes – Wear your costumes for a short hike around Chattahoochee Nature Center, and experience the mystery of a guided night hike! The annual Halloween Hike takes you through the forest to meet woodland creatures and hear about how they live. Take part in world music, crafts, campfire, and other festival fun. It’s the perfect non-scary alternative to traditional Halloween events!
College Football Hall of Fame – Fall equals football in this household. This interactive museum in downtown Atlanta includes art, science, history, music, and just plain fun for everyone, from fanatic fan to casual observer.
Corn Maze – My oldest loves a great corn maze. Head there in the afternoon for younger kids, or try a haunted maze at night for the older ones.
Cozy Up At A Bookstore – When the weather outside is frightful, heading indoors with a good book is how this family celebrates the season. We love hanging out at book stores, exploring new titles and games, and people watching. Little Shop of Stories is a favorite!
Doll’s Head Trail – The glassy eyes seem to follow you as you trek Doll’s Head Trail, a spooky path that derives its name from the toys arrayed on its edges, left behind when the South River Flooded the site. Visitors are encouraged to craft their own tableaux from the accumulated detritus, and the projects have grown steadily from there. The objective here is quirky repurposing; each piece must be “found art,” not new trash. It’s open year-round, but is especially fun and spooky in the fall. Bring your camera and watch for snakes.
Fall Festivals – Fall Festivals in Georgia fill September, October, and November with events galore. Whether you enjoy time in the city at Chastain or Piedmont Park, or you prefer to head into the mountains and watch the leaves change, there’s a festival for you. Looking for the best in arts and crafts? Make sure you visit the Yellow Daisy Festival at Stone Mountain Park!
Fernbank Museum – Take a walk on the supernatural side with Fernbank’s annual Halloween exhibit — Woodland Spirits! Bring your little ghost to the festivities, or check out one of the adult-only evenings.
Friday Night Hike at Dunwoody Nature Center – Enjoy a rare chance to walk the trails of DNC at night, communing with the nocturnal creatures. Afterwards, enjoy cocoa, stargazing, and a warming fire. Check their events calendar here.
Fright Fest at Six Flags – Fright Fest at Six Flags Over Georgia features family-friendly shows and attractions during the day, and thrilling rides and scary haunted houses at night. Dress up your kiddos and come ride the rides, and try trick-or-treating in the children’s area, too.
Geocaching – Fall offers the best hiking weather in the Southeast. We love geocaching as a means of finding new and unique hiking locations. Try the new Georgia State Parks GeoTour for extra fun. Check out our guide about how to get started.
Georgia State Park Fall Events – There are full moon hikes, haunted tours, leaf identification hikes, astronomy paddles, fall craft festivals, wagon rides, candlelight tours, hoedowns, and more happening at your closest Georgia State Park.
Ghost Hunting in Savannah – The ghosts of Savannah don’t take a break any time of the year, but during Halloween they tend to kick it up a notch. Head to the coast for some delightful seafood, a bit of history, and seriously spooky ghost tours.
Haunted Corn Mazes – Why get lost in a regular corn maze when you can take on the fall season in a SPOOKY one??
Haunted Houses – If you have older kids who are dying for a walk through a haunted house, try these kid-friendly options around Atlanta.
Hike the Scenic Route – Fall is the season for hiking. Find a waterfall or climb a mountain peak for the best view of the changing leaves. This link takes you to 52 of our best destination hikes.
Historic Banning Mills – This is a great place to see the colors change! Take on the world’s largest zip line, go horseback riding, stay at the lodge, try kayaking, and so so so much more!
Len Foote Hike Inn – There is no better way to celebrate fall than to hike to the Len Foote Hike Inn. This lodge is only accessible by hiking the 5 miles from Amicalola State Park — and it’s amazing! Hurry fast – bunks go early for the best leaf peep dates. It’s perfect for a remote getaway!
Labyrinth of Rome – The Labyrinth of Rome was created as an adaptive reuse of what originally was an amphitheater built by the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s. Upon finding the nearest Labyrinth to be 50 miles away, the late Ed Baker worked with local government to establish this corner of Rome’s historic Jackson Hill. It contains 5,490 bricks (laid end-to-end, over a kilometer) weighing a total of 24,705 pounds.
Leaf-Peeping – What is a fall weekend without a drive to see the colors changing? These are the best state parks for catching the colors. If you want to get a cabin for the experience, you better reserve it now!
Make Your Halloween Costume – Building and creating our kid’s Halloween costumes together as a family has been an annual tradition. We’ve used cardboard, aluminum foil, chicken wire, paper mache, and much more. Don’t take the easy way out this year – make one together.
Oakland Cemetery – Participate in the wildly popular Capturing the Spirit Halloween Tours at Oakland Cemetery this fall. The beautiful cemetery is the perfect backdrop for a slightly spooky night out. But be sure to check out their other tours and events too! Note: No information has yet been released about 2022 plans.
Pine Mountain Gold Museum – Ride the Gold Mine Ghost Train. There are two options: The first option is Family Time, and the second option is Scare Time. Family Time is designed with the younger guests in mind and is meant to be non-threatening and fun. Scare Time begins at sunset when the ghosts and ghouls of Pine Mountain are set loose to haunt. Note: Dates haven’t yet been announced for 2022, so check back.
Plant Bulbs – Begonia, crocus, dahlia, iris, daffodil, and tulips are just a sampling of the bulbs to be planted this fall. Time to pull out the old clothes and let the little ones get muddy!
Pumpkin Picking – Don’t forget to pick out the perfect pumpkin for your fall porch display. You can pick your own, take a hay ride, or claim the perfect fall selfie in one from huge pumpkin patch list.
Ride the new Coaster in Anateeska – OK, it’s not Atlanta, I know…but it’s still worth mentioning. Head to Gatlinburg to ride the newest mountain coaster at Gatlinburg’s newest attraction. What I think is so special about this coaster is that it has a first-of-its-kind in the U.S. single rail system. It is so un-intrusive! Your views of the mountain from ON the coaster and as you watch the mountainside are not obscured by lots of winding metal. It’s fun, while still being respectful of the environment!
SAM Shortline – Take a ride on the SAM Shortline Train and make it a weekend at Lake Blackshear!
Scarecrows in the Garden at Atlanta Botanical Garden – This is THE reason I started buying a season pass to Atlanta Botanical Gardens. The scarecrows will blow your mind. Goblins in the Garden (for kiddos) is held one Saturday in October, and you can enjoy tons of family fun with kid-friendly programming on October weekends. It’s a great way to enjoy the fall in Atlanta.
Start a Nature Journal – Fall is a great time to begin nature journaling together as a family. Write about what you see, smell, hear, and feel on the trails. Draw pictures, collect leaves and moss…whatever makes you happy. We use the Outdoor Hour Challenge each week, but even something simple can be fun.
Stay in a Treehouse. Visiting the mountains, roasting s’mores, hiking…does it get any better? Sure, you could pull out the tent (see above), but why not up the ante and stay in a treehouse?
Sunflowers – One of our favorite things to do is head to Dawsonville for pictures in the sunflower field.
Tyke Hikes – Tyke Hike is designed to provide engaging and fun outdoor experiences for children (ages 2-7). Each week the group meets at a different park around Atlanta. A parent or caregiver attends all sessions and embarks on Tyke Hikes together with their child. Taking cues from the park, they learn about the natural environment, do an art or STEAM activity, listen to story time and have fun outdoors!
Treetop Quest Dunwoody – Soar through the trees while the leaves are putting on a show!
Visit a Birdfeed Store – Don’t forget to stock up for your feathery friends this winter. We use fall to assess the current state of our feeders, clean them, and stock up on food for winter. The boys always love a field trip to the bird-feed store, with pretty cages, windchimes, bird-watching accessories, and such.
Wings Over North Georgia Air Show – See the Thunderbirds, watch live music and fireworks, night-flying shows, a kid zone, and more. There are even vintage aircraft rides available!
MORE INFORMATION FOR YOUR AQUARIUM VISIT
- YOUR GEORGIA VACATION
- FALL COLORS IN GEORGIA: When and Where to Get The Best Views
- GEORGIA FALL FESTIVALS: 55+ Best Fall Festivals in Georgia That You’ll Love
- CORN MAZES: 18 Family-Friendly Corn Mazes In GA To Get Lost In
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With a lifetime of journeys that span multiple countries and over 30 states in the US, her passion for travel was sparked by a nomadic lifestyle.
Lesli thrives on unearthing lesser-known, eccentric, and unique destinations, and engaging with locals to reveal hidden gems. Whether she's adventuring across the country in her RV, trekking through the forest, or delving into the local whiskey scene, Lesli's exploratory spirit remains unquenchable.
She travels with her two young explorers - Cooper and Elliot - and her husband, soulmate, and business partner, Dan. Currently, they're enjoying an extended stay in the rugged west, but Atlanta is still close to her heart. Her extensive travel experience and profound love for Atlanta give Lesli an unparalleled advantage when it comes to serving the South (and the world's busiest airport) with travel content from around the globe.