Fun Things to Do in Utah County Fall 2017

I love Utah County in the fall. The weather is generally really nice and there are so many things to do. Plus, I feel like it’s our last chance to get out and enjoy the good weather before winter sets in and we’re inside all winter. The problem is, there are too many fun things to do in Utah County in the fall. We just don’t have time to do them all – and they are hard to keep track of. So I thought it would be good to sit down and make a comprehensive list of everything there is to do to not only help me, but help you too!

Please note that I did not include haunted houses or mazes because there is no way in this lifetime I’m going to pay money to get scared to death.

Please let me know if you have things to add to the list by commenting below!

Cornbelly’s

Where – Thanksgiving Point in Lehi

When –

OPEN SEPT 22 to NOV 4
(closed Oct. 31-Nov. 2)
MON-THURS 4:00PM – 9:00PM
FRI-SAT 10:00AM – 11:00PM
Cost – $11.95 to $29.95 per person

Website – cornbellys.com

Cornbelly’s is something else. It’s at Thanksgiving Point, but it’s a totally separate thing, so your season pass doesn’t do you any good here. We got half off season passes last year, so we went 4-5 times last year. It’s too late to get season passes this year, but I recommend you sign up for their mailing list so you will know when their season passes go for half off. You usually only have a few days around the beginning of September to hurry and get your half off passes. The half off deal is really good compared to a day pass. It’s only double the regular daily admission cost or the same as the Lovin’ daily pass, so tons of people do that deal every year.

Pros

• Tons of things to do. Like, at least 30 things to do. We would spend several hours there every time we went and we could never do everything in one time. It would probably take close to a full day to do everything.
• Even when it’s really crowded, the lines aren’t horrible, because there are so many things to do and it’s fairly spread out.
• If you go during the day on Fridays, it’s hardly busy.
• They have several fun events. Last year we enjoy the dog show, the lumberjack show, pumpkin smashing and fireworks one night.
• There are plenty of things to do that don’t cost extra.
• My children’s favorite things to do were the rat rollers (which are big pipes they can go in and race from one side to the other), the jumping pillows and the corn pit.

Cons

• Since there are so many things to do, it is very popular. Especially the weekends are crazy busy.
• There isn’t a ton of selection of food and certainly not anything healthy. We always planned to eat right before or after we went, which meant we were starving sometimes, because my kids never wanted to leave to eat.
• About 10 or so things cost extra, which is kind of crazy, considering how much it costs to just get in the door. But, with your season pass  you can do many of the things that cost money once. Plus, you get a wristband with these tabs you use to pay for the money things and you can spread out of the extra activities. We did one or two each time we went.

Rowley’s Red Barn

Where – Santaquin

When –

Mondays – Fridays from 3:30 P.M. – 8:30 P.M. with the last wagon leaving the barn at 7:30 P.M.
Saturdays from 10:30 A.M. – 8:30 P.M. with the last wagon leaving the barn at 7:30 P.M.
Hayrides begin September 22, 2017 running thru October 30, 2017 Hayrides leave every 15 minutes.

Special hours for October 19th and 20th will be from 10:30 A.M. – 8:30 P.M.

Cost – $9 per person

Website – rowleysredbarn.com

We’ve been going to The Red Barn for several years, although we didn’t go last year since we went to Cornbelly’s so much. This year my children are all excited to go back to the Red Barn though. Although, I’m not excited about the price. I think it was like $3 the first year and now it’s up to $9. Ouch. Although, I don’t blame them for charging more. I mean, more power to them. Plus, I will say in their defense, that they have also added new things every year.

Pros

• One of my favorite things is that it’s kind of in the middle of nowhere. I mean, it’s right off the freeway, but it takes a good half hour to get there from Orem and you really feel like you get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Not only that, but once you to get the Red Barn store, you take a tractor train ride out to the activities, which are in the Back Forty (yes, they actually call it that). So you really are surrounded by fields and feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere. It’s a break from reality I look forward to.
• It’s not nearly as crowded as Cornbelly’s.
• You can go in their pumpkin patch and pick out any pumpkin you want for $4. This is really awesome because your kids can pick a pumpkin so big they can barely carry it and it costs the same as their sibling who got a pumpkin in “the perfect shape” and you don’t have to disappoint your child and say they can’t have a certain pumpkin because it’s too big.
• They have a huge slide and a medium slide that you ride on potato sacks. Plus, pedal tractors, corn maze, apple cannons (which are free, unlike Cornbelly’s) and sand box.
• After we get back from the Back Forty, we are always tired and hungry. So we always stop at the store and I get some fresh produce and groceries and the kids usually get some homemade ice cream or other treats. I love their store!

Cons

• It’s a bit of a drive and a bit expensive.

Jaker’s Jack-o-Lanterns

Where – Springville

When – September 30, 2017 until October 31, 2017 (we are only open until 4pm on the 31st)

Monday to Saturday: 9:00am-7:00pm

Cost – $2

Website – Harward Farms

I haven’t been here, but my sister went last year and said it’s a steal for only $2 and says we have to go this year. For $2, it’s totally worth a try.

Pros

• Hay rides, corn pile, small slides, boo zoo, haunted cave, straw pyramid, straw mazes
• Pumpkins are $2-$12

Cons

• It’s geared toward younger children, so I’ll probably end up taking just my younger children.
• They don’t take credit cards, so plan for that. $2 isn’t much, but if you get a few $12 pumpkins, you could be in trouble.

University Place

Where – Orem University Mall

When –

Oct. 10th to 13th

Corn Play – FREE giant kernal filled sand box open during mall hours

Oct. 31st

10 – 12 Halloween Craft Workshop in the Orchard
10 – 11 Spooky Balloons in the Orchard
11 – 11:30 Magic show for kids in The Orchard
4 – 7pm Trick or Treat to all participating stores

Website – University Place

Vineyard Pumpkin Fest

Did you know that the old Vineyard nursery got bought out and is now Shade Home and Garden? I’m excited that it has a new life and wasn’t just turned in to condos. They actually have a cute store with lots of home decor items and some plants. Anyway, they are hosting Vineyard Pumpkin Fest this year.

Where – Shade Home and Garden

When–

October 12th to 28th

Thursdays 2pm to 8pm

Fridays 2pm to 9pm

Saturday noon to 9pm

Cost – $7 (3 and under free)

Website – Facebook

Provo Corn Maze

Where – Provo, out close to the airport

When –

Oct. 2nd to Oct. 31st.

M-F 4pm to 10 or 11pm

Sat 11am to 11pm

(some activities have different hours)

Cost – ages 3 to 9 $7

10 and up $10

Extra for paintball, zipline, pumpkins and a few other things

Website – Provo Corn Maze

They have a Monster Mystery Game, hayride, corn mazes.

They have daily deals listed for pretty much every day on their website.

Heber Valley Pumpkin Train

Where – Starts at Vivian Park up Provo canyon

When –

Pumpkin Trains run Thursday through Saturday

Oct. 5th – 28th
Train schedule:
Departure 4:00 pm / Return 4:40 pm

Cost – $15 or $7.50 with this deal

Website – Heber Valley RR

You and your kids will enjoy our annual Pumpkin Train! Your ticket includes a short 40 minute train ride where you will be entertained on board by costumed characters. You’ll also get to try a delicious pumpkin cookie. At the depot you can take a trip through our (family friendly) haunted car, and get a Halloween sticker. And of course you also get to select a pumpkin from our Pumpkin Patch and take it home with you! Additional food and snacks will be available for purchase at the depot.

Hee Haw Farms

Where – Pleasant Grove

When – Sep 29 to Nov 4

Mon-Thurs 4-9 pm Fri 4-10pm and Sat 10 am-10 pm.

Open all day Oct 19, 20 & 23, 2017

Giant Pumpkin Drop – Sat. Oct. 28th at noon

Cost – $6 for 3 and over (coupon in Hometown Values for $1 off or $28 for a family)

Haunted Hayride $5

Pick-Your-Own Pumpkin Patch $.35 per pound

Pony Rides $1

Website – Hee Haw Farms

To do – Hayrides, giant slide, petting farm, corn maze, corn cannon, corn box, animal train, trick-or-treat hayride

Gardner Village Six Hags Witches Adventure

Where – West Jordan (I know it’s not in Utah County, but it’s easy to take Frontrunner and then transfer to TRAX that lets you off across the street)

When – Opens Friday, September 29, 2017, and will be open Monday-Saturday, 11am to 8pm, weather permitting. Open on Halloween til 4pm.

Cost – $6/person, 1 year old and above.

Website – Gardner Village

We’ve gone here for several years. Every time I say I’m not going back during WitchFest because it’s so crowded, but every year at this time I start thinking how fun it is and how much my kid’s like it. There are tons of people who dress up as witches, although that’s not necessary. It’s really fun to see everyone though. My children love the kid’s area. Tip – if you can, don’t go on a Friday or Saturday night cause that’s when it’s really busy.

Bert’s Family Pumpkin Patch and Horse Drawn Wagon Rides

Where – 486 E. Southfield Road in Spanish Fork

When – They are open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays through Halloween.

Cost – Children ages 3 and under get in for free. Admission for everyone else is $3.

Website

Central Utah Garden’s Pumpkin Walk

Where – Orem across the street from Krispy Kreme

When – Sat. Oct. 28th from noon to 6pm

Cost – FREE

Website – Central Utah Gardens

Magician, candy and prizes, fun activities for kids, carved pumpkin display, caricature (1-5pm), free donut for those in costume

Tricks and Treats Magic Show

Where – Scera in Orem

When – Sat. Oct. 28th at 7pm

Cost – ages 3 and older $5

Website – Scera

A kid’s magic show, plus kids get a free Halloween goody bag

Bean Museum Family Night