Looking for a "fall experience" type of family trip

[BeachBum]

We live in the deep south and don't really have the opportunity for a fall experience. No changing leaves, no pumpkin patches etc.

I would really like to travel up to the NE and have an autumn experience like I read about other people living. I mainly want a cute little town with a downtown and shopping, a pumpkin patch or farm type thing to take my 2 yr old to and just a few other family friendly laid back things to do.
I'm thinking October, but could also do late Sept.

Any ideas for me?

[applesauce]

I'd consider NH. There is a super nice hotel, the Mount Washington, that is near railways that take you to the mountains, etc. It is near North COnway outlet shopping, etc. Here's a link: http://www.mtwashington.com/
http://www.mountwashington.org/

[maurenemm]

The first place that came to mind was Shenandoah National Park in Virginia: http://www.visitshenandoah.com/. Around here (in Washington DC), its very popular for viewing the fall foilage. Very beautiful drives and hiking. Also Luray Caverns is near by which a 2 year old might enjoy. I think there are some small town type stuff in the park and near by. On the website, the calander of events only goes through September but I bet they'll have some neat activities in October since that is their peak season.

Also, you might consider Lancaster County (Amish country) in Pennsylvania. There are some really cute little towns there.

[sunriseiz]

I don't know how far in the deep south you are, but Franklin TN is a nice town south of Nashville, which has an historic downtown walking/shopping area and little restaurants. There are several pumpkin patches around. The one we've visited is Gentry Farm ( www.gentryfarm.com/pumpkins.htm ). There is a small ($5?) admission fee, but the hay ride, pumpkin patch, corn maze, and kids activity area are all included. Depending on when you would go, there is also a PumpkinFest (www.historicfranklin.com/events.html)the Sat before halloween that i think is free.

Anyway, thought this might be a possible driving option for you.

Hope you have fun!

[daguerre]

I must concur about Lancaster County in PA. Here's a rather glossy site, that does seem to have lots of useful info. You'll find lots of farm fun, buggy rides, and Amish communal dinners. http://www.padutchcountry.com/

My personal favorite fall vacation is going up to the Adirondacks in upstate New York. This is where to go if you want to see the raw natural beauty of the foliage sweeping up and down mountains. I'm partial to the High Peaks region, near Lake Placid (http://www.lakeplacid.com).
Placid is a funky albeit touristy town nestled in the mountains, where you'll find your shopping. It's pricey, so I prefer to stay in one of the nice cozy B&Bs in the surrounding towns, which are quite inexpensive. Keene Valley is very nice, as is Elizabethtown. Saranac Lake is a destination in itself (http://www.saranaclake.com/). There's scads of really nice trails to hike if you want to get among the trees.
But I'd expect there to be fewer of the kind of events you mention. Here's a potato farm that does tours and has a neat cornfield maze: http://tuckertaters.com/site_directory.html. There's a spiffy old-fashioned scenic railroad that runs from Lake Placid to Saranac Lake, with a Halloween trip of some type coming up.

But if you want to toss your little one up on a hay bale on a buggy, and play in a pumpkin patch, and lick an old-fashioned lollipop as big as his/her head, and get right up close to a cow, then perhaps Lancaster County is your destination. Just don't go to the actual city of Lancaster, PA. That's NOT where the fun is.

THIS sounds like a lot of fun: http://www.padutchcountry.com/our_world/family_fun_itinerary.asp

The only problem with Fall in Pennsylvania is that the weather can be unseasonably warm early in Autumn, so if you want that crispness to the air, push the trip back as far into October as you can. Or just watch the weather.
Good luck! If you want to check on the state of the foliage for wherever your destination is, this link is useful: http://www.foliagenetwork.com/reports/northeast_us/

[sharbev]

Totally agree with Mount Washington rec!! Also, Mohonk Mountain House. There are also lots of great quaint towns in Westchester County NY. And Salem, MA is tons of fun in October.

Newport, RI is fantastic anytime of year. Suggest either the Hotel Viking or Hyatt Regency there.

Mystic, Ct

So many choices...it's all beautiful!

~ shari

[sharbev]

Totally agree with Mount Washington rec!! Also, Mohonk Mountain House. There are also lots of great quaint towns in Westchester County NY. And Salem, MA is tons of fun in October.

Newport, RI is fantastic anytime of year. Suggest either the Hotel Viking or Hyatt Regency there.

Mystic, Ct

So many choices...it's all beautiful!

~ shari

[sharbev]

Totally agree with Mount Washington rec!! Also, Mohonk Mountain House. There are also lots of great quaint towns in Westchester County NY. And Salem, MA is tons of fun in October.

Newport, RI is fantastic anytime of year. Suggest either the Hotel Viking or Hyatt Regency there.

Mystic, Ct

So many choices...it's all beautiful!

~ shari