Top 5 Fall Activities in Kansas

Fall is one of my favorite times of year! It’s starting to cool down here in Kansas, which is putting me in the fall spirit. So, today I’m sharing my top 5 fall activities in Kansas — these are some of my favorite unique things to do during the fall season to take advantage of all Kansas has to offer!

This post is sponsored by Love, Kansas. Please see the Legal page for more information.

As a nearly 20-year Kansas resident, I’ve had a lot of time to explore some of the best spots in the state. Being a mom for the past 9 years has also allowed me to find many of the best family-friendly activities in Kansas!

My husband and I chose to raise our kids in Kansas for many reasons, including great schools for the kids and wonderful professional opportunities for us. Did you know Kansas ranks 5th in the nation for K-12 education? Kansas is celebrated for its diverse and high-quality education options. We live in the Blue Valley School District, which is ranked in the top 1% of all school districts in the nation by Niche. In addition to outstanding academics, our kids are also able to enjoy a variety of extracurricular opportunities.

Professionally, Kansas combines competitive salaries and exciting career prospects with a cost of living that is among the most affordable in the country. Kansas was actually ranked #2 for Cost of Living in the U.S. by Forbes in 2023, and #1 for GDP Growth in the nation (Q3 2023) by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Kansas is home to many exciting industries, such as aerospace and bioscience. It’s also a great place to be for remote workers! In addition to being an attorney in Kansas, I’ve had the opportunity to build up my own content creation business here as well.

But, one of my favorite parts about living in Kansas is how we get to experience all 4 seasons! Fall has always held a special place in my heart, though. Here are some of my favorite fall activities in Kansas!

1. Apple Picking

Nothing says fall like apple picking! The Kansas foliage is beautiful this time of year, making the perfect backdrop for a fun fall day and some beautiful photos.

These photos were taken from one of my family’s visits to Cider Hill Family Orchard in Kansas City, Kansas. However, there are lots of great apple picking spots all over the state.

2. Airport Restaurants

Kansas is home to several small airports, and a few of them even have restaurants attached. This makes such a unique opportunity to enjoy a meal while watching the planes take off and land. My kids especially love this. Bonus: the planes help keep them entertained while waiting on our meal! While this activity isn’t necessarily limited to the fall, this is my favorite time of year to go because of the beautiful weather and scenery.

A couple of our favorite airport restaurants in Kansas are We B Smokin at the Miami County Airport (Paola, Kansas) and Stearman Field Bar & Grill in Benton, Kansas (near Wichita).

3. Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead

The Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead is a true gem in the heart of Kansas. Located in Overland Park, Kansas, the farmstead has enough activities to keep your family busy all day long! Popular activities include animal feeding, fishing, mining, wagon rides, and multiple playgrounds. There are also plenty of spots to grab food or you can even bring your own picnic lunch. My kids always want to visit the on-site ice cream parlor as well!

While the Deanna Rose Farmstead is fun all season long, I especially love visiting the month of October because they open up a special section called Pumpkin Hallow. Pumpkin Hallow is, in my opinion, the best kept secret for a pumpkin patch for little ones. I’ve taken all of my kids there when they were tiny. You get to take a wagon ride back to the Pumpkin Hallow area, then there are lots of age-appropriate games and fun for the kids. When you’re done, you can even pick a pumpkin to take home! The best part is that it’s all very self-contained, so it’s great for small children who might not have the stamina for a large pumpkin patch.

4. Great Wolf Lodge

The Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas City is one of my family’s favorite fall activities in Kansas for so many reasons! We visit Great Wolf Lodge about once a year and my kids always have the best time. You can often find great deals this time of year, making it a perfect staycation opportunity. After swim season winds down at the end of summer, my kids have a blast in GWL’s indoor waterpark. Plus, Great Wolf Lodge does a great job of seasonal decorating, making it a perfect place to get away for fall break.

5. Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens

If you’re looking for the perfect spot to see Kansas’ fall foliage in all its glory, the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is your place. At the 300-acre arboretum, you’ll find over 1,700 species of plants. The grounds are meticulously kept, making it a beautiful spot to take in all of Kansas’ beauty. There is also a new visitor center with breathtaking architecture!