The last traces of summer heat are trailing in the wind. Our days are getting shorter, we have traded swimsuits for sneakers, and kissed our littles goodbye at the bus stop. Football is in full swing; the Halloween costume hunt has begun and everything can now be found in pumpkin flavor. Hello, Fall, how we have missed you!

 

It is a beautiful time of year and for middle Tennesseans it is the perfect opportunity to get outside! Thankfully, our community hosts some amazing family activities that lend well to all ages. Whether you have friends and family visiting or are looking to get some fresh air and unplug, your weekends are a sacred time and you should take advantage of every minute.

 

This year’s Pumpkinfest begins October 28^th. With more than 112,000 people in attendance in 2022, the festival stretches along Main Street and its side avenues in downtown Franklin and offers festive fun for everyone. There is autumn-inspired food and drink, children’s activities, live music, costume contests for pets and families, and awesome arts and crafts – featuring seasonal and specialty gift items. Get one more wear out of those Halloween costumes and come dressed up!

 

Another local gem you will not want to miss is Gentry Farm. Turn back the wheel of time and enjoy a good old-fashioned day at this unique working farm. Open until October 30^th, Gentry Farm focuses its efforts on making family memories and creating fun educational opportunities. Rather than carnival rides and petting zoos, Gentry Farm provides hands on learning and imaginative play which includes a maze, grain barn, farm arcade, tire swings, animals, wagon rides and more. 

 

Feeling the urge to move your legs and take in all that nature has to offer? Located at milepost 404.7 on the Natchez Trace, Jackson Falls is a local favorite. This hike leading to a waterfall, is particularly great for families as it is a short 900-foot-long walk on a paved concrete path. Once there, you can choose to stay at level ground and enjoy the falls’ beauty, or meander to the bottom or top of the fall.  Adventurous kids love it, especially when the leaves are changing. 

Want to add some excitement to your weekend and get out pent up energy? Farms like Lucky Ladd and many others in the area host an abundance of activities that the entire family will love. From petting zoos to wagon rides, playgrounds, mega slides, pony rides, barrel trains, rubber duck races and more, your kids will not only love every second of their day, but also leave completely exhausted. It is a place where memories are made.

 

Finding the best trick or treating locations can often sneak up on us like a Werewolf in the night (cue spooky howl), but Franklin’s West Main Street has got you covered. As a long-standing tradition, the houses along the street transform every year into a Halloween spectacle. Don’t forget to stop by Marty and Ronald Ligon’s LilliHouse, as she encourages children and families to walk through her property to be spooked and spellbound by her annually changing skeletons.

Autumn in Franklin is filled with an abundance of activities. Families don’t have to look far to find a fantastic fall fes-tivity. With Autumn in full swing, middle Tennesseans have a unique opportunity to explore everything that makes this area the charming place we have come to love.  

 

For more family fun, follow @kathleendavisbooks on Instagram or visit kathleendavisbooks.com.