While writing this blog post, it struck me. Fall is really the only season that is truly bucket list worthy. Sure, there are activities for every other season like hot cocoa and decorating the Christmas tree in the Winter. Or lake days and beach trips in the Summer. But Fall…now, that is a season where there is so much to do that’s it’s almost impossible to get it all in! That means you really need to have a game plan, and you need to start early.

This year, Fall came early in my heart. I am usually a late adopter and typically like to drag Summer out for as long as possible. But as soon as Labor Day hit this year, I was breaking out all my new Fall décor and buying all the pumpkins and Fall candles. So in the spirit of the season, I rounded up all the best Fall activities we plan to take part in this year! Read on for all the best Fall activities Greenville has to offer in 2021.

• Take a scenic drive and pack a Fall-themed picnic. I’m thinking apple butter and warm chai lattes here. My favorite scenic drive near the upstate is along the Blue Ridge Parkway. There is even an entrance a little over an hour from Greenville which makes it very convenient! Pisgah National Forest is also close by. It boasts some of the most beautiful foliage views alongside waterfalls and majestic peaks. If you want to venture a little further out, the Great Smoky Mountains is the place for you!
• Take the Jeep (or any car) and head to the drive-in movie theater. Picture this. You’re backing into your parking space. Your back hatch door opens to a Fall move paradise. Snacks, blankets, and twinkly lights. Our personal favorite spot is the Auto 25 Drive-In in Greenwood, SC. We are always pleasantly impressed with their food selection as well. The burgers are really great!
• If you’re brave enough, try a unique haunted attraction. Our personal favorite is Deceased Farms in Lexington, SC. But we have been itching to get to either Wompus Woods or MadWorld this year. The most unique haunted activity we can’t wait to try, though, is the Greer Ghost Tours. They offer two varieties, and they begin on October 15!

• Visit a farm for a Fall hayride, pumpkin patch, or corn maze. Denver Downs is usually the go-to for most families in the area and for good reason. This place has it all from a corn maze to multiple haunted houses. One of our favorite lesser known spots is Stewart Farms. They boast a pretty large pumpkin patch, fun corn maze, live animals, and both daytime and haunted hayrides. Those haunted hayrides begin October 15. The biggest corn maze we are excited to try this year, though is Strawberry Hill. It’s 10 acres of corn maze, and this year’s maze is pirate themed!
• Apple Picking is a must, and there are so many options of places to do it! Skytop used to be a hidden gem, and it still is a great place with amazing views! They also have excellent apple cider donuts, slushees, and other apple activities. But it can get very crowded. This year, we are hoping to make it up to one of the lesser known locations like Grandads, although it might be just as crowded now!
• Take time to cheer on your favorite team at a Football Game. Of course, I always love cheering on my Clemson Tigers. But what you might not consider is sitting in the fan section of a local high school football game. I went to one at the beginning of the season, and it was a blast and a great way to be involved in supporting your local community.

• The cooler temps are perfect for a little camping trip or hiking adventure. We have had camping at Lake Jocassee on the bucket list for a while. The Blue Ridge Parkway is also a picturesque spot for pitching a tent and roasting some s’mores. For hiking, we always love the vast DuPont State Forest. There are so many amazing waterfalls and trails that you’ll never get bored!
• Attend a local Fall Festival. Fall for Greenville is a very popular event that has been around for a while. This is actually its 40th anniversary! With a wide variety of restaurants participating, it’s a great place to try new things! This year, Fall for Greenville is the October 7-11 weekend. My personal favorite “festival,” though, is the SC State Fair. I can’t wait to go back this year after last year’s fair was just not the same as a drive thru.

• Get in the spirit of Fall with themed attractions at an Amusement Park. Carowinds has Scarowinds. Six Flags has Fright Fest. And Dollywood has the less scary Harvest Festival. Each of these are a short 1-3 hour drive from the upstate. I’m convinced that Fall is the best time to experience them in all their wonder! Plus, the hot days of Summer are gone and can make your time more enjoyable.
• Take a cooking class with your boo. I’ve found so many in Greenville that are already sold out on Eventbrite, so this must be a really popular one! The Cook’s Station has some awesome classes ranging from sushi making to charcuterie boards. Plate 108 has some similar options that don’t seem to be quite as filled yet! But one of the coolest things I’ve discovered is that our local tech college, Greenville Tech, offers personal enrichment classes. Their culinary department is hosting a Halloween cookie decorating class on October 29!