If you are looking to get outside and have some fun this autumn, check out the great leaf-viewing opportunities, corn mazes, pumpkin patches and fall events in Festival Country Indiana, located just south of Indianapolis.

Festival Country is home to three awesome corn mazes. The first is at Kelsay Farms in Whiteland. This farm offers a complete fall experience a straw bale mountain that the kids love to climb, a corn maze, kiddie train rides, a baby barnyard, hayrides, pumpkins and a barn full of corn grain to roll around in. The farm is open October 1 through 31.

Another great corn maze and fall destination is Dollie's Farm in Franklin. This flower farm is also a fall favorite with a pumpkin patch, corn maze and farm store, open Thursdays through Sundays in October.

Next is Waterman’s Family Farm in Greenwood, where their Fall Harvest Festival is daily in October. They offer hayrides, miniature train rides, farm animals, a pumpkin patch, a straw bale playground and fort, the human hamster wheel and more.

The Jenkins Farm Market Corn Maze and Pumpkin patch in Franklin offers a pumpkin patch, corn maze, hayrides and fall market every Saturday and Sunday in October.

I also love heading to The Apple Works in Trafalgar for fresh-off-the-tree apples, as well as apple dumplings, caramel apples, apple pie, pumpkins pie and pumpkin bread. This orchard is also home to concerts each weekend in September and October. Add in a U-pick pumpkin patch and kid’s attractions like a super slide and a bamboo maze, and it all adds up to a good time. 

There’s no better way to enjoy the season than a fall drive through Festival Country, which is between Indy and Brown County. Check out this fall drive put together by locals who know Festival Country. The leaves usually start changing color in late September, are at peak color from mid-October to mid-November.

While you’re driving around Festival Country to view the fall leaves and find the perfect pumpkins, be sure to check out the hundreds of scarecrows that decorate the communities as part of Scarecrow Madness. The entire area turns plain scarecrows into works of art, creating everything from a Dolly Parton scarecrow to an E.T. scarecrow to amazing recreations of the Beatles.

If you want to get out of the car and enjoy the colors in a more active way, enjoy a nature walk at Atterbury Fish and Wildlife Area, Johnson County Park, and Laura Hare Preserve at Blossom Hollow. I also enjoy kayaking at Blue’s Canoe Livery in Edinburgh, which, in the fall, usually stays open on weekends through September, but call or check their Facebook page.

This is also the perfect time to head out to Mallow Run Winery and enjoy some wine and cider tasting on a crisp autumn day. Festival Country is also home to a thriving craft brew scene. The wineries and brewpubs can be found here.

Finally, Festival Country Indiana earned its name by being the place for festivals and events, so check out the many great fall events. Enjoy a fall weekend getaway by staying at a B&B or hotel in Festival Country.