by Sherida Mock
Farms
Local farms are celebrating the cooler days with pumpkin patches, corn mazes, hayrides and other fall festivities. They’re worth the trip for a great time and some heart-warming family photos.
Barton Hill Farms
Weekends through Nov. 8
1115 FM 969
Bastrop
Elgin Christmas Tree Farm
Select weekends in October,
see website for details
120 Nature’s Way
Elgin
Evergreen Farms Christmas Trees
Weekends in October
242 Monkey Rd.
Elgin
Sweet Berry Farm
Weekends in October
1801 FM 1980
Marble Falls
Texas Big Worm Pumpkin Patch
Thursdays through Sundays, October 8 through November 15
4625 E. SH 29
Bertram
512-468-9997
Camping
Summer camping in Texas? Too hot! But fall—that’s another story altogether. Enjoy a hike that isn’t in 100-degree heat. Build a campfire (if we’re not under a burn ban). Knock back a hot chocolate or two. All state parks can be found at tpwd.texas.gov. Our favorites:
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
16710 RR 965
Fredericksburg
Inks Lake State Park
3630 Park Rd. 4 West
Burnet
McKinney Falls State Park
5808 McKinney Falls Parkway
Austin
Lockhart State Park
2012 State Park Rd.
Lockhart
Pedernales Falls State Park
2585 Park Rd. 6026
Johnson City
Events
October means outdoor events, and here are some of our family-friendly favorites.
ACL Fest
Visit the Austin Kiddie Limits stage
October 2 – 4 and 9 – 11
Zilker Park
Sacred Springs Pow-wow
Enjoy native dancers, music and storytelling
October 10
Meadows Center, San Marcos
Oktoberfest
Take in German food and music, plus face painting and magicians
October 17
507 E. 10th St.
Texas Book Festival
Meet your favorite authors and discover new ones
October 17 – 18
Downtown Austin
Formula One Race
See this worldly and glamorous motorsport up close
October 23 – 25
Circuit of the Americas
Leaves
Okay, our landscape can’t compare to the spectacular displays in the northeastern U.S., but our trees do put on a nice show, thank you very much. West of town and throughout the Hill Country, take a drive and enjoy the fall colors of oaks (other than live oaks), big-tooth maple, cedar elm, cottonwood, flame-leaf sumac and sycamore.
Lost Maples State Natural Area
37221 FM 187
Vanderpool, TX
(Check the weekly foliage report at Lost Maples Foliage Report)
