Find Fun and Frights with These 9 Local Fall Festivals and Activities
Devote your October schedule to getting lost in corn mazes, picking the perfect pumpkin, and spending your nights full of fright with haunted hayrides, historic tours and more.
Photography courtesy of Roger Williams Park Zoo
Corn mazes, pumpkin patches and hayrides, oh my! Get lost in the maize (ha!) with these extravagant designs and themes. Then hop on over for a hayride and pick your very own Great Pumpkin for carving and pie making. See you at the exit!
NORTH
Adams Farm, Cumberland
Check out not one, but two five-acre mega mazes with scavenger hunts. Hop on the wagon for a hayride to the maze. Once you’re out of the labyrinth, head over to the petting area of cows, ducks, goats, pigs, donkeys and even horses to feed and pet. No charge for the pumpkin patch; pumpkins are priced by weight. Farmyard admission is $9; age two and younger free. Mega admission ($16) includes everything in the farmyard, a hayride to the mega mazes and a kid-friendly pedal cart racetrack.
HOURS: Weekdays 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; weekends 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
LOCATION: 495 Sumner Brown Rd., Cumberland, 714-4425, adamsfarmri.com
A baby alpaca at Adams Farm. Photo courtesy of Adams Farm.
Cucumber Hill Farm, Foster
This farm has it all: tractor hayrides, pony rides, a three-acre pick-your-own pumpkin patch, ax throwing (for the adults) and even food trucks. This year’s corn maze theme is Wonders of the World, which includes trivia questions for both kids and adults. For those who dare, navigate the maze at night with a flashlight or take a lantern-lit hayride. Or pull up a chair and hang by the campfire with s’mores. Looking for a sneak peek? Check out videos on social media from the farm’s drone, Pixel, and make sure to wave if you see her pass overhead. Free parking, just pay for activities. Ages twelve and older, $12; ages six through eleven $5; free ages five and younger.
HOURS: Weekends through Oct. 30. Sat.
10 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Open Columbus Day.
LOCATION: 39 Cucumber Hill Rd., Foster, 397-7500, cucumberhillfarm.com
SOUTH
Clark Farms, Wakefield
While the hayrides are the main feature,
be sure to get lost in Wonderland and complete the corn maze and scavenger hunt. If you think it’s challenging in the daylight, wait until the sun goes down and try escaping by flashlight. During the month of October, Saturday nights include campfires with free s’mores. Weekends $15; week-days $10.
HOURS: Saturday 9 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sunday
9 a.m.–5 p.m.
LOCATION: 2984 Commodore Perry Hwy., S. Kingstown, 783-8844, clarkfarms.com
Phot courtesy of Clark Farms/Thomas Crudale
Morris Farm, Warwick
This year’s maze is in memory of a close friend of the farm. Take a hayride to the corn maze and pick the perfect pumpkin. Make sure to grab fresh apple cider and doughnuts on the weekend.
HOURS: Prices and hours can be found on the farm’s Facebook page.
LOCATION: 2779 Warwick Ave., Warwick, 738-1036, facebook.com/JMorrisFarms
EAST
Escobar Farm, Portsmouth
Enter the Field of Dreams and make a wish in five different circles: success, love, happiness, faith and health. This year’s maze theme was based on hearing feedback from patrons who come and make a wish every year in the lucky maze. Take a hayride on weekends or even try the cow train as little ones sit on “cows” pulled by a tractor. Ages twelve and older $10; ages five through eleven $8; free for ages four and younger.
HOURS: Fri.–Sun. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Open Columbus Day.
LOCATION: 255 Middle Rd., Portsmouth, 864-1064, escobarfarm.com
Photograph courtesy of Escobar Farm.
Wicked Fun Events
These only come around this time of year, so jump on them while you can!
Witches of Wickford Paddle, Kayak Centre
Oct. 23, noon–2 p.m.
Grab your favorite spell-casting costume and paddleboard and hit the water. Launch at Gardner’s Wharf and fly through the harbor. Make sure to stop by the judges for a costume contest for the best witch, warlock or witch dog. Registration required ahead of time. Admission is donation-based to the North Kingstown Food Pantry. Gardner’s Wharf, Wickford, 295-4400, kayakcentre.com
Witches of Wickford Paddle. Photography courtesy of the Kayak Centre.
Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, Roger Williams Park Zoo
Through Oct. 31, 6–10:30 p.m.
This year’s spectacular celebrates seventy-five years of television. From “Mr. Ed” to “The Walking Dead,” there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Sensory-friendly nights will be held Oct. 25-26 from 5-6 p.m. with dimly lit pumpkins without music and special effects. Admission: Friday–Sunday: Adults $21; ages two through twelve $18; ages one and younger free. Monday–Thursday: Adults $18; ages two through twelve $15; ages one and younger free. Tickets must be purchased in advance online. Roger Williams Park Zoo, 1000 Elmwood Ave., Providence, 785-3510, rwpzoo.org
Scary Acres RI
Through Oct. 30, See website for hours.
Face zombies, spirits and crazed freaks as the iconic fright night event returns with a haunted hayride and five-acre corn maze. No infants, toddlers or small children. Registration required in advance.
HOURS: Open Fri.–Sun. throughout October. Prices available on the website. 2150 Scituate Ave., Cranston, 823-3327, scaryacresri.com
Haunted Boat Rides, Providence River Boat Company
Through Nov. 1
Float with the ghosts of Providence on haunted river boat tours and hear the spooky stories of the city’s longest-living residents. Check in at the Landing before embarking on a one-hour ride featuring the city’s most haunted tales. Special Boo-zy Boat Rides (ages twenty-one plus) arrive just in time for Halloween (Oct. 31 and Nov. 1) with complimentary wine and prosecco. Admission $27-50.
HOURS: Evening boat rides Thurs.–Sun. Check availability online. The Landing, 101 Dyer St., Providence, providenceriverboat.com
