My absolute favorite fall drive — I've been doing this one for three years. I like to get up at about 5:30am on a Sunday and make my way along 285 to this pass. The aspens are truly in their most perfect state and if you get to the trailhead early enough you'll get parking. A short brisk walk after the hour+ drive is reviving.
A daily pass is $10 but I think it's worth it just to drive around the park and enjoy the falling leaves. They have tons of hike options but lack for parking so go early because I went in the afternoon and had to circle for half an hour.
Lakewood, Saturday Oct. 2–Sunday Oct. 3
This weekend! I'm going on Sunday and can't wait to try all the apple products — think apple pressing, apple cider and apple baked goods.
Denver, Oct. 1 (5-8pm), Oct. 2 (9am–8pm), Oct. 3 (9am–5pm)
Also this weekend, there are some really cool VIP experiences I think are worth the extra price. Think s'mores station, axe throwing and things from The Inventing Room (an insane dessert shop).
Littleton, Oct. 9 10am-3pm
Pick a pumpkin and go for a hayride at the living history museum not to far from Sterne Park. Say hi to the donkey — I always see him on my walk.
Denver, Oct. 19–24
I have never been to the Botanic Gardens at Halloween but I have been at Christmas and it was magical so I can only imagine what they do for the spooky season.
Littleton, Oct. 1–Oct. 30
Okay, for sure want to go to this glowing Halloween magic. Apparently there are 5,000+ hand-carved jack-o-lanterns just waiting to be discovered.
Fall Fest — Boulder, September (already happened)
Pumpkin Patches
Penrose, Aug. 27
Usually Third Street is my favorite apple-picking spot but this year they are going all in on the pumpkins. This one is amazing for the Instagram photos — my friends truly loved it when we visited.
Penrose, Thur.–Sun. 9am–4:30pm
If you are looking to make a day of fall activities a trip to Penrose is worth it. As you've read above they have apple picking and pumpkin patches but Happy Apple just goes above and beyond. They make some of the best apple cider donuts in Colorado, dish up bbq and give you all the fall feels.
Erie, Sept. 22–Oct. 31, hours vary based on day
A corn maze, pumpkin patch, pumpkin canon and private campfire sites make Anderson Farms a joy to visit.
Littleton, Sept. 17–Oct. 31 9am–5pm
Seven acres of corn make this quite the affair! My roommate and I went a few years ago and somehow made our way out but there was a lot of walking so if you're into getting your steps buy a ticket to this activity.
Longmont, Oct. 1–31, 9am–5pm
Okay, you've entered one of the most aesthetically pleasing patches I've ever seen! They have a giant pumpkin — a la Halloweentown — gourds of all shapes and sizes, and tons of activities. I will be making a pilgrimage this year.
LaSalle, Sept. 19–Oct. 31, Fridays: 4pm–10pm, Saturdays: 11am–10pm, Sundays: 12pm–5pm
This one has a house made out of pumpkins that would be *chef's kiss* for a 'gram photo with your pals. They also have a scary event that I will not be taking part in, but it is there if that's your thing.
Lafayette, Sept. 25–Oct. 31, 10am–6pm
Get your $5 ticket before you get to this pumpkin patch and corn maze extravaganza.
Broomfield, Oct. 1–31, 9am–6pm
U-pick pumpkins, a corn maze, decor and baked goods make this worth the drive up to Broomfield.
Thornton, Now–Oct. 31, Monday–Thursday: 12pm–7pm, Friday–Sunday: 9am–7pm
Maize in the City has the cheapest pumpkins of the patches I've been to thus far. And they have so many! It's also dog friendly, so that's a big plus as well.
Brighton, October, Saturdays & Sundays 10am–6pm
There are 35 activities to run around and do at this farm. The u-pick pumpkin patch and corn maze are probably the biggest highlights. But they also have punkin' chunkin' sling shots...so...
Aurora, Oct. Mon.–Sat. 8am-–6pm, Sun. 9am–5pm
Nick's does it up for the spoopy season and I'm definitely going to pop by. Also, is this how I know I'm getting older? I'm genuinely looking forward to going to a garden center?
Thornton, October, Monday–Saturday: 10am–6pm, Sunday: 10am–5pm
Admission is free and they grow all the pumpkins — yes, there are different kinds — ones for pie, little ones, gourds, jumbo for jack-o-lanterns, etc. Plus, they have decorations to make your home aggressively fall themed.
Boulder, Monday–Sunday: 9am–6pm
This Boulder farm has quite a few Instagramable corners with plenty of seasonal gourds and pumpkins available for purchase.
Parker, Sept. 25–Oct. 3, Thur.–Sun. 10am–6pm
Get your pumpkins, corn stalks, straw bales and gourds at this festival. Admission is $16.
Loveland, Monday–Sunday: 10am–6pm
This farm is the only one I've found that lists mums for purchase (THE flower of fall)! They also have pumpkins, gourds, corn, straw bales and hay rides.
Milliken, Oct. 1–31, Monday–Friday 1pm–6pm, Saturday–Sunday: 10am–6pm
Snack on a homemade pickle while you pick a pumpkin, squash, straw bale and corn stalk. Or go later in the day to enjoy the haunted houses.
Hudson, Oct. 1–31, Saturday–Sunday: 10am–5pm
For $14 you can enjoy a corn maze, petting zoo, pumpkin patch and a working farm. Also, a fun activity they offer (for $40) is make-your-own-scarecrow, which sounds incredibly fun!
Johnstown, Oct. 2–31, Saturdays: 11am–5pm, Sundays: 12pm–5pm
This place has blue pumpkins and you know a fall-obsessed person loves that! They also offer a corn maze.
Greeley, Now–Mid-Oct., Thursday–Sunday: 10am–6pm
15 acres of pick-your-own pumpkin paradise. ALSO, PINK PUMPKINS — a purchase of which gives money to breast cancer research. Count me in!
Bennett, Oct. 2nd–31, Saturdays & Sundays 10am–6pm
This one is aesthetically pleasing — think crumbling wood structure surrounded by hay bales and pumpkins. They have two corn mazes, a petting zoo, corn pits and, of course, a pumpkin patch!
Littleton, Now–Oct. 31, Monday–Friday: 9am–6pm, Saturday–Sunday: 9am–5pm
Another garden center that offers up giant pumpkins without the hassle of driving all the way to a farm.
Longmont, Opening: Oct. 2
Get some perfectly round, bright orange pumpkins up at this quaint farm in Longmont.
Yep. That's all you need to know.
Dushanbe is my favorite restaurant in Boulder and their chai is truly my favorite. They sell it in jugs and I buy two whenever I'm up there. It feels like fall the instant it hits your palate.
Need I say more? Hello fall!
SO GOOD.
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