Our family has a special love for fall in Seattle.  For Slaed, it’s the cooler temperatures, for Bergen (4 years) it’s all the collecting he suddenly gets to do–leaves, acorns, nuts, and fruit all falling from our regions’s trees, for me it’s the fall foliage–I just can’t get enough of the glowing display of yellows, oranges and reds, and Georgia (9 months) isn’t so sure what she loves most, but maybe it’s just seeing everyone so happy to be out and about.

Over the years, we’ve enjoyed fall in the Seattle Area (and beyond) in so many different ways, so I’ve compiled all of our favorite experiences together here to keep track of all the fun and in hopes to inspire and equip some of you to make your own autumnal memories!

Farms

Serres Farm (Redmond WA)

Serres Farm, 24-acres and family run, is our go-to pumpkin patch.  We love it for it’s simplicity (and the fact that it’s not super crowded on the weekends)–most of the focus is on the pumpkin patch.  There is plenty of space to roam around, and always plenty of pumpkins to choose from so that we each get exactly the one that meets our standards. In addition to the pumpkin patch, Serres has a corn maze, animal train, and rubber duck races.

Fall City Farms (Fall City, WA)

Bergen and I ventured out to Fall City Farms 3 years ago when he was a 1-year old just on the verge of walking.  I have sweet memories of him getting completely filthy as he crawled around the vines and patches of dirt in search of the perfect pumpkin.  The farm was great for a weekday visit, and I love it’s beautiful setting in the Snoqualmie Valley.  Bonus: Looks like they’ve added doughnuts, cider, and a beer garden!

The Farm at Swan’s Trail (Snohomish, WA)

The Farm at Swan’s Trail is the ultimate of fall farm experiences.  Huge pumpkin patch with views of Mount Baker, apple picking opportunities, real duck races, hay rides, and a corn maze in the shape of Washington State.  The Farm also boasts tons of delicious fall inspired food.  When Bergen and I were here 2 years ago, we devoured a bowl of chili, and may or may not have gone back to the bakery for one of their ooey-gooey cinnamon rolls. The crowds can get crazy on the weekend, so we recommend choosing to visit on the weekday if you can.

Smallwood’s Harvest (Peshastin, WA)

Smallwood’s Harvest was also a spot we visited when Bergen was a pre-walking 1-year old.  Slaed had a work commitment in town, so we tagged along to experience fall in North Central Washington.  Peshastin is just a few miles from Leavenworth, and worth a stop for all the fun farm experiences.  The focus is more on their produce and specialty foods, but there’s also a ton of activities for kids.  I just couldn’t bring myself to purchase our pumpkins here that year (hence why we also visited Fall City Farms that year–see above) because, while their pumpkins looked lovely, Smallwood doesn’t actually have a patch, but rather a greenhouse/display area.

Parks

Washington Park Arboretum & Japanese Garden (Seattle, WA)

Always an amazing place, but especially beautiful in the fall.  I especially love wandering through the Japanese Maple collection about a quarter of a mile or so down from the visitors center, just off Arboretum Way.  For more info: 5 Reasons to Love the Washington Park Arboretum.

Kubota Garden (South Seattle, WA)

Lovely place to sneak away, and get lost in the park’s winding trails.  Kubota Garden is small, just 4.5 acres, but packs in so much beauty and uniqueness.  You can read more about the garden from one of our summer visits here, but of course fall is my favorite time to stop in!

Seward Park (Seattle, WA)

Seward Park, a 300 acre forested park in southeast Seattle, is always so much fun to explore in the fall.  For me, it’s best to just simply stroll along the main 2.25 mile paved path, and enjoy the fall colors on the trees that line the walkway. And since your in the area, you might as well drive along Lake Washington Boulevard.  There’s a section between the Mount Baker beach park and the Mount Baker Rowing and Sailing Center that is gorgeous!

Issaquah Salmon Hatchery (Issaquah, WA)

Not technically a park, but such a neat place to visit during salmon spawning season.  We visited the hatchery last fall, and had such a blast watching salmon return, and learning all about this most important symbol of our community.

Waterfall Park (Pioneer Square–Seattle, WA)

A tiny respite from the bustling city life, the Waterfall Garden Park is at the sight of the birthplace of the United Parcel Service (UPS).  You can read about our fall visit to the park here.

I-90 Lid/Sam Smith Park (Mount Baker–Seattle, WA)

Whether its running an errand in the car or passing through on our bikes, the I-90 lid, which is mostly made up of Sam Smith Park appears to be on fire in the fall! I’m always amazed by the vibrant oranges and reds that turn up on the trees around the park–don’t adjust your computer screen, and no I didn’t do a bunch of photo editing–the leaves really are that rich in color! Sam Smith Park also has a fun playground and spooky (in a good way) bike/walking tunnel that will take you to a beautiful view of Lake Washington with the I-90 bridge screaming with cars below.

Hikes

Snoqualmie Valley Trail (Carnation, WA)

The Snoqualmie Valley Trail stretches from Duvall, Washington to North Bend, Washington, and is mostly flat with a few climbs between Carnation and Snoqualmie Falls and North Bend to it’s ending point at Rattlesnake Lake. Farms, rivers, and state parks are found all along the trail.  You can read about our fall adventure on the Snoqualmie Valley Trail here!

Franklin Falls (near Snoqualmie Pass, WA)

Changing leaves are not the only things showing off some “fall color”.  The fall also seems to be mushroom season in Western Washington, and when we hiked to Franklin Falls last year, we found nearly every color of the rainbow! Perfect hike for little kids–flat, just 2 miles roundtrip, and it ends with waterfall! Please note:  There is currently construction on the trail, so you’ll have to wait until late fall (11/1/15) to visit! 

Lake Valhalla (near Stevens Pass)

I recently got to venture out without the kids, and got to experience glorious fall colors on this 7 mile roundtrip hike. With 1500 feet elevation gain, a moderate amount of climbing, and a lake to explore, I recommend it for hiking with older kids.  I’m hoping I can hike here with Bergen in a couple of years!

Anti-Aircraft Peak: Cougar Mountain (Bellevue, WA)

Anti-Aircraft Peak is part of Cougar Mountain, and has multiple trails that wind their way around the area.  Great option since you can make your hike as long or as short as you like. More information from a hike we did in early fall 2 years ago here.

Burke Gilman Trail (Seattle to Bothell, WA)

The Burke Gilman Trail is not technically a hiking trail, but I wanted to include this paved pathway because it’s our family’s favorite spot to bike ride in the fall!

Are you getting out to farms, parks, and hiking trails this fall? Share your favorite spots with us!

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