With temperatures cooling off and leaves beginning to change, autumn is approaching in the Triangle! This means new fall events and exciting seasonal activities are about to begin. After spending five years in the Raleigh area, I have put together my list of “must-do” events for every fall season!

Nature Trails

Now that the unbearable heat and humidity have mostly passed, there is no better way to take in the changing season than to go outside and enjoy the cool weather. No matter if you prefer walking, cycling, kayaking, or camping, Raleigh has plenty of trails and greenways to explore. Some of my favorites are Umstead Park, Lake Johnson, and Bond Lake Trail.

The Crabtree Creek Trail has an access point right from Camden Manor Park, just as The Apex Lake Trail connects to Camden Lake Pine, and The American Tobacco Trail starts two blocks up from Camden Durham!

Photo courtesy of Camden Lake Pine

Corn Maze/Pumpkin Patch

Nothing feels more like fall to me than spending the day on a local farm winding through a corn maze and picking a pumpkin from the patch. These activities will bring a full day of fun no matter your age! Some great farms in the area include Ken’s Korny Corn Maze, DJ’s Berry Patch, and Page Farms. The Family Farm on Avent Ferry in Holly Springs has a wide variety of pumpkins and gourds to choose from and is conveniently right up the road from Camden Reunion Park.

North Carolina State Fair

Every October, the North Carolina State Fair comes to Raleigh for 11 days of fun and festivities! Nothing marks the arrival of fall quite like eating funnel cake and Ferris wheel rides at the fair. The N.C. State Fair has been around since 1853 and is a cornerstone for the Raleigh Autumn experience!

Photo courtesy of Laura Dell'Aquila

North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival

Just a short ride from Camden Lake Pine is the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival at Koka Booth Amphitheatre! The Lantern Festival has been visiting Cary for the past eight years, from mid-November to mid-January. This event showcases thousands of break-taking lanterns for guests to view, exciting nightly performances, and a look into the Chinese culture through an all-immersive experience.

Sporting Events

Fall marks the start of several sports seasons, and with a short walk from Camden Asbury Village, you can view the N.C. State Football team playing at Carter-Finley Stadium or The Carolinian Hurricanes playing at PNC Arena. Whether new to sports or a professional sports fan, nothing beats the camaraderie of cheering on a team to victory!

With all that Raleigh has to offer, you will be sure to find several ways to celebrate the autumn season! Check out all the fall festivities in the greater RDU area and in your surrounding Camden Communities!