Every year we round up the very best in Portland-area fall fun. We’ve collected some of the quintessential Portland fall fun activities, plus some new ones to try. Happy fall, y’all!
Outdoor Fall Fun
Visit a pumpkin patch. No family’s fall is complete without a visit to a pumpkin patch. Not only can you pick out the perfect carving pumpkin, but you can also visit with animals, ride on a hay wagon, take part in fall-themed activities and even bite into a delicious caramel apple. Topaz Farm is one of your favorites, but check out our comprehensive list of the area’s pumpkin patches.
Pick some apples. There’s not much more satisfying than that delicious crunch of a freshly-picked apple. There are lots of great apple picking spots around town. Here are a few of our favorites. And once you’ve picked …
Pick even more fruit. Apples picked and sauced? Check. But fall time features additional tasty produce and we one of our favorite traditions is touring the Hood River Fruit Loop. These local family farms have a bounty of apples, as well as pears, plus apple cider, cookies and farm animals.
Take a hike. Check out our recommendations for hikes where you can see great fall colors or just enjoy a crisp autumn stroll, like Forest Park or Hoyt Arboretum. If it’s too early or too late to catch the trees in action, try one of these other fun family-friendly hikes.
Go for a bike ride. Peep the leafs while checking out one of these kid-friendly bike paths.
Celebrate Oktoberfest. Many of Portland-area Oktoberfests are kid-friendly! Check our full list for the next celebration.
Live on the lawn. Don’t miss the last two performances of the 2025 Porch Concert Series. Red Yarn is playing on September 13 and Mr. Ben is jamming on September 27.
Explore the Oregon Zoo. The Oregon Zoo is an absolute delight in the crisp fall air. Don’t miss their annual Howloween event!
Gather leaves. Put on those rain boots and take a stroll around the block trying to find the most beautiful leaves you can. Put them in a mason jar like a bouquet, make them into a craft, or — if you’re feeling really ambitious — rake them into a pile and jump into them. (Hint: taking a slo-mo video of your kids executing the jump will lead to a full afternoon of active fun!)
Get lost in a corn maze. Take your pumpkin patch experience to the next level by venturing into a corn maze. Bring your boots, and be prepared for an hour or more of meandering. And be sure to reward yourself with your favorite fall treat afterwards!
Stroll through sunflowers. If you’re looking for a more low key maze experience, check out one of the early fall sunflower fields instead!
Puddle stomp. Yes, your child will get wet and dirty. But isn’t that what childhood in Portland is all about?
Skip the parking fee. September 18, October 13 & 16, and November 11, 20, and 28, are Metro Free Parking Days in 2025. Enjoy free parking at Oxbow and Blue Lake regional parks, Broughton Beach, M. James Gleason Memorial Boat Ramp, and Chinook Landing Marine Park.
Recapture your zen. No matter the season, the Portland Japanese Garden is lovely. Fall can be an especially wonderful time to visit, as the colors become more vibrant and the summer crowds thin. Pick up the Children’s Discovery Map by beloved local artist Mike Bennett while you’re there!
Search for rainbows. You know the type of weather — those rainy days with the sun shining through the raindrops — basically October through February. Where there’s that kind of rain, there’s rainbows. Go find one. And if you find that pot of gold, share it around!
Visit a minigallery. Portland goes way beyond little free libraries. Follow this handy map created by @pdxdinorama and @pdxflag to find a fun and funky gallery near you.
Indoor Fall Fun
Get the wiggles out. Speaking of indoor play, check out our list of play spaces. There are enough to keep you busy all fall and winter, too.
Snag free tix. Local library systems offer free and discounted passes to popular attractions — perfect for a rainy fall day. Find your library system here to see where you can go. (Check your library system for the most up-to-date information on where passes are accepted.)
Visit a cartoon aquarium. If you want your child to get truly excited about science, Mike Bennett’s The Portland Aquarium is a can’t-miss adventure. They’ll have so much fun with the immersive seek-and-find adventure, they won’t even realize how educational this outing actually is.
Get a hole in one. Speaking of Mike Bennett, his Wonderwood Mini-Golf is another must-visit creation — and it’s completely indoors! Craving more putt-putt fun? Check out our full list.
Create a bookshop bucket list. Powell’s is a stunner, but there are lots of other independent bookshops worth a visit. Try Green Bean Books, Annie Bloom’s, and Books With Pictures — or create a list of your own! It’s also a great time to visit your local library.
Enjoy a cup of joe sans whining. Visit one of our favorite kid-friendly coffee spots on a chilly morning.
See a Blazers game. Fall marks the start of the basketball season. Even if you’re not the biggest sports fan, seeing a professional game can still be really exciting! (Plus, stay tuned — Portland’s new WNBA team the Fire is tipping off in 2026!)
Take in a show. We are lucky to have great kids theater here in Portland. Take the family to see a play or musical with Northwest Children’s Theater or check out the Oregon Symphony’s Family Series.
Learn something new. While we’re all familiar with OMSI, there are many museums around that can get your kids (and you) engaged. Scour some fun and enriching kid-friendly museums here.
Prefer to avoid messy art at home? Check out our list of arts and crafts studios in PDX for places to make a fall-themed mess without stress.
Spooky Fall Fun
Start spooky season on stage. From ballet to symphony to theater, these live performances bring just the right amount of chills.
Get into the Spirit of Halloween(town). Weekends starting September 27, throughout October you’ll find lots of spooky and not-so-spooky family-friendly fun at St Helens’ Spirit of Halloweentown.
Visit a graveyard. Davis Graveyard is back for more free Halloween thrills! Starting October 1, the spooky effects will be running every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night.
See Pirates. Speaking of free Halloween displays, don’t miss the Pirates of Pinehurst. On weekends they often offer free performances, too.
Tour PDX hoods. Cruise around Portland to gaze upon the city’s spookiest Halloween displays.
Trick or Treat! The ultimate free October event. Get those bags or buckets and get some candy!
Cozy Fall Fun at Home
Make applesauce. Looking for something to do with all those apples you picked? Peel and quarter as many apples as you can stand, throw them in a pot with a splash of water to prevent sticking, boil over medium-high heat until soft, puree and voila — fresh apple sauce! Try adding cinnamon or strawberries to the sauce for a twist on the classic.
Plant fall veggies. Spinach and arugula can withstand cooler temps and grow quickly.
Plant bulbs. Visit your favorite garden supply store for spring bloomers such as daffodils, tulips or hyacinth. Your kids will love the reward of seeing these flowers in the spring.
Make a fall treat. It’s pumpkin-spiced everything season, plus check out our list of easy, healthy Halloween treats.
Read a book. Grab a blanket and some hot chocolate for a cozy, snuggly family reading session. Here are some of our favorite places to find a new read!
Take a bubble bath. Cool, drizzly days call for warm, bubbly baths. Throw in a few caps of bubbles along with measuring cups and other kitchen utensils to change up the regular bath routine. Your kids will love our bath bomb recipe; just sub in pumpkin spice extract for the essential oil!
Downward dog. It’s hard to get the wiggles out when the weather’s dreary. Try Cosmic Kids Yoga for a break during the day.
Have a PNW-themed movie night. Snuggle up with a bowl of popcorn and watch a film set in the Pacific Northwest, like Homeward Bound (G), Pete’s Dragon (PG), The Goonies (PG), Wild (R), or Twilight (PG-13).
For Halloween ideas, check out our list of ways to celebrate Halloween like a Portlander.