As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to crunch, there’s no better way to spend a Saturday than soaking in the season on a local farm.
Farms have long been places to gather, reconnect and make memories. With so many options near Raleigh, everyone from toddlers to grandparents can find something new to enjoy.
To make your weekend adventure easy and unforgettable, we’ve curated a five-stop itinerary that celebrates the best of fall. Round up your crew and hit the road!
Note: While these farms are scheduled to be open each Saturday this fall, be sure to confirm hours before visiting. Addresses are listed at the end of this post.
Stop #1: Grasshopper Farms in Knightdale, NC
Start your morning just 20 minutes east of Raleigh at Grasshopper Farms. Opened in 2022 by Joshua and Thais Logan, this farm has quickly become every child’s fall fun dream. With a daytime corn maze, pumpkin patch, hayrides, games, fun park, unique gemstone mining experience and even goats to pet, what more could a kid wish for? Plus, new this year are a corn pit and bounce houses.
Grasshopper Farms even has the perfect jolt to get your morning going. That’s right, they have coffee. Served from the restored building of what was once Broadwell’s Grocery, you can get a fresh cup of joe or apple cider alongside a cider donut to jump-start your morning.
Enjoy your beverage as you stroll through Grasshopper Farm’s extensive plant selection or shop their charming country grocery store. The store offers a wide range of products including local dairy, branded jams and jellies, seasonal produce and even candy. If you look closely at the interior of the store, you’ll find the products are beautifully displayed on the original store’s shelving and counters. Meanwhile, some of the original signage is artfully featured.
If a morning shop is a bit much for you, enjoy your coffee and a moment of peace at a sheltered picnic table while the kids have their fun.
On select weekends, you’ll be in for an extra treat. Grasshopper Farms’ Maker’s Market. The market, which features local artists, artisans and food trucks, is scheduled for Oct. 18, Nov. 1, Nov. 22 and Dec. 13.
Stop #2: Raleigh State Farmer’s Market Restaurant in Raleigh, NC
As your stomach begins to rumble for lunch, head 15 minutes back into Raleigh to the State Farmers Market, where you’ll find the State Farmers Market Restaurant, a local favorite. Serving up classic southern brunch food, chow down on a hot biscuit or a stack of silver dollar hot cakes before you head back out to the farms.
Don’t be dismayed if there’s a line to get in when you arrive, it’ll move fast and it’s worth the wait. Keep your eyes open as you do. You never know what agricultural treasures you might discover. The last time we visited, Rodney Register’s 222.5 lb. watermelon, the winner of the 2025 Largest Watermelon Contest, was in the restaurant’s lobby.
Stop #3: Cloer Family Vineyards in Apex, NC
Continue your adventure with a half-hour drive out to Apex for a stop at the gorgeous Cloer Family Vineyards. This gem is one of just two wineries in the greater Raleigh area and is the perfect place to bask in a quiet fall afternoon.
The family-owned vineyard makes five types of wine on-site, all of which those interested can taste in a wine flight. If a wine flight is not your thing, you’ll also find delicious sangrias on the menu as their fall specialty drink.
After enjoying your beverage, set out across the vineyard’s five acres of grape vines for an afternoon stroll. The vibrant fall colors make the perfect photo opportunity to preserve your fall memories.
The vineyard is family-friendly and even has a play area to keep your kiddos entertained. Kids can get a “kid’s box” featuring snacks and coloring sheets or bubbles. All ages will also delight in visiting the vineyard’s horses and sheep.
Note that the vineyard asks groups of 6-8 to let them know in advance of your arrival by emailing cloervineyards@bellsouth.net. Groups of 10 or more must make a reservation in advance by emailing.
Stop #4 Holl & Stone Farms in Garner, NC
Non-drinkers can drive the group onward 30 minutes to Holl & Stone Farms. While Holl & Stone has adorable alpacas and dwarf goats to pet, what really makes this farm shine is its intentional design as a community gathering space.
On our recent visit to the farm, we met the owners, Dustin and Burton Buffaloe. Their passion for this family farm, which Burton is the sixth generation of his family to run, is evident. “We want the farm to be a community space for people to gather and build memories,” Dustin said.
That couldn’t be more evident from their design. The farm’s most notable gathering space is its three fire pits surrounded by an array of comfy Adirondack chairs. You can purchase a s’mores kit at their unique marketplace to take your adventure up a notch and create unforgettable family memories.
Speaking of their marketplace, you’ll find it’s unlike any farm shop you’ve been to. While they do sell their own hydroponically grown produce, as well as other locally grown produce, you’ll find they have so much more. From clothing and mugs to houseplants, candles, puzzles, greeting cards and hot sauce, you’re sure to find a unique gift or special surprise to bring home as a souvenir from the day.
The farm also sells creamy New Zealand-style ice cream which’ll have you coming back for more. And when you do make it back to the farm next spring, you’ll find that Holl & Stone’s new beer and wine bar will be open and ready to become your new favorite gathering space.
Stop #5 Ken’s Korny Corn Maze in Garner, NC
As night falls on your perfect Saturday near Raleigh, the place to visit is Ken’s Korny Corn Maze, just five minutes down the road from Holl & Stone. The star of the show here is the maze, which sprawls over five acres and has three unique trails of varying difficulty within it. The maze is lit at night, so you can have a great time splitting into teams and seeing who in your crew is the mastermind.
Ken’s Korny Corn Maze is far from just a maze. They’ve got everything from tug of war to a corn tunnel, giant slides, swings, farm animals and mini golf. New this year, you’ll find shuffleboard, a tire climb, a music wall, a bubble station and bowling. Plus, if your group is larger, Ken’s also allows you to rent a party tent for an additional cost.
When all that fun leaves you hungry, Ken’s has two vendors on-site offering hot dogs, fries, onion rings, chips, mini doughnuts and an assortment of beverages. A trip to Ken’s is the only way to end your perfect fall Saturday near Raleigh.
What are you waiting for? Gather up your crew and go make some fall memories on North Carolina farms!
Trip Addresses
Grasshopper Farms: 8004 Poole Rd., Knightdale, NC 27545
State Farmers Market Restaurant: 1240 Farmers Market Dr., Raleigh, NC 27603
Cloer Family Vineyards: 8624 Castleberry Rd., Apex, NC 27523
Holl & Stone: 920 Buffaloe Rd., Garner, NC 27529
Ken’s Korny Corn Maze: 3175 Benson Rd., Garner, NC 27529