Cooler weather and football mean fall is just around the corner! Whether it’s the flavor of pumpkin and apple, the bright red, yellow, and orange of the changing leaves, or the appearance of ghosts and spirits, fall is a much anticipated season, and Knoxville and its surrounding areas have a lot to offer to help get you into the fall spirit.
Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes
Just a short drive from Knoxville, Echo Valley Corn Maze, located in Jefferson City, TN, is sure to provide entertainment for the entire family. Here you will find over 15 acres of farm themed mazes including 3 large mazes and 2 small mazes for the kids. They also offer a haunted trail, hayrides, and a zip line. For the younger members of the family, they offer a kids niblet train ride, an outdoor playground, and a Discovery Barn featuring a petting zoo. Everyone can enjoy picking their own pumpkin or the picnic area with grills available for cooking your own food, or you may opt to purchase refreshments on site. After a long day of play, you can wind down with an evening bonfire before heading home.
Located in Corryton, TN, Oakes Farm offers 2 corn mazes designed by national artist Shawn Stolworthy. They also offer a Critter Corral Animal Exhibit, giant slide, hay maze, and lots of play activities for the kids. You may purchase a vase on-site and pick your own bouquet from their over 3 acres of sunflowers and zinnias. Be sure to visit the general store where you can find home decor, apparel, toys and local crafts or purchase some homemade fudge or an apple cider slushie. To end your day of play, you can take a hayride to purchase your own pumpkin to take home.
At Blackburn Farm Pumpkin Patch, located in Lenoir City, TN, you will find lots of activities such as hayrides, a corn maze, a petting zoo, and a kiddie train ride. They also have a food stand that offers seasonal treats and a gift shop where you can purchase fall decor and clothing. Their pumpkin patch offers a wide variety of pumpkins for you to pick your perfect pumpkin to take home.
Visit an Apple Orchard
Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains in Cosby, TN, you will find Carvers Orchard and Applehouse Restaurant where the views are stunning. When you sit down for a meal in the restaurant, you will be brought a basket of apple fritters with apple butter and a glass of apple cider to enjoy while you decide on your main course from the many southern favorite dishes they offer such as chicken and dumplings, fried catfish and fried chicken. The restaurant is open seasonally and also offers a breakfast menu. After your meal, visit the year-round store to purchase apples to take home from the dozens of varieties they offer throughout the harvesting season. You will also find a variety of canned goods and Appalachian specialties such as lye soap, candies, and fried apple pies.
Located at the top of Dayton Mountain in Pikeville, TN, is Oren Wooden’s Apple House where you will find a Farm Market and Gift Shop and the Orchard Cafe. The cafe serves local, farm-fresh food southern style. Some of their apple-infused offerings include cider-glazed ham, apple-stuffed pork chops, and apple cider BBQ pork. For dessert, check out the Pie Shop where you can purchase apple dumplings and many other sweet treats. The Farm Market and Gift Shop offers a variety of fruits and vegetables, canned goods, quilts and crafts, and cookbooks. Don’t forget to also purchase your apples to take home before you leave!
If you would rather pick your own apples, visit Buffalo Trail Orchard located in Greeneville, TN. In addition to apples, they offer a large variety of seasonal pick-your-own berries and pumpkins.
They also have a farm store where you can purchase pre-picked fruits and purchase snacks and drinks.
Leisurely Drives for Fall Foliage
The vibrant colors of changing leaves allows you to truly experience the seasonal beauty and get into the fall spirit. The best place to see this color change during its peak in mid-October to early November is the Smoky Mountains. One route option, Newfound Gap Road, allows you to ascend 3,000 feet from Gatlinburg to Cherokee, North Carolina. This route offers many overlooks along the way to stop and enjoy the view, or you can just drive casually with the windows down. Another option is the Cades Cove loop where you can view the historic charm of its preserved cabins and homesteads along with the changing colors of fall. If you prefer to take the less-traveled road, the Foothills Parkway also offers both close-up views and sweeping vistas of the Smoky Mountains for you to enjoy the beautiful colors of fall foliage.
History and Ghost Tours in Downtown Knoxville
If you enjoy the spookier side of fall, you can take one of the Haunted Knoxville Ghost Tours or Knoxville Walking Tours. Haunted Knoxville Ghost Tours allows you to investigate history and the haunted side of Knoxville using real paranormal investigation tools. Knoxville Walking Tours also offers ghost tours. During one of their tours, you will take a stroll through history in beautiful downtown Knoxville while listening to storyteller Laura Still recount the adventures of pioneers, soldiers, and outlaws who walked the streets before you.
Whether you’re exploring pumpkin patches, savoring fresh apples, admiring the fall foliage, or indulging in spooky local tours, there are fall activities near Knoxville for everyone.
Looking for a new home in Knoxville this season? Contact our team and let us help you find your next East Tennessee home.
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