We’re a little biased, but when it comes to reveling in the best activities of the fleeting autumn season, Southern Indiana has the best picks around. Grab your sweater and a pumpkin spice latte as we explore the very best this corner of the Midwest has to offer.
1. Pumpkin Patches
Fall wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the pumpkin patch. Bledsoe Farms offers a classic autumnal experience with a corn maze, pumpkin patch, and petting zoo to offer a day of fun for the whole family. Cornucopia Farms is a one-stop shop for everything fall. Here, you can play everything from barnyard basketball to pumpkin putt-putt, then cool off with a fresh apple cider slushie. The farm is ripe with U-Pick pumpkins, and on September 23rd and October 14th, you can get lost in its one-of-a-kind Glow Maze! For familiar fall vibes including hayrides, carnival games, zip lining, and more pumpkin picking, swing by Lark Ranch in Loogootee. A visit to any of these pumpkin patches is sure to make for the ultimate fall day!
2. Haunted Adventures
It's officially spooky season! Grab some friends and get ready for a spine-chilling adventure at PsychoPath Haunt, where you’ll brave your way through its haunted forest trail. The Forbidden Hollows Haunted Farm is another eerie-sistible experience sure to give you a fright with its haunted house and corn maze. On October 7th, experience Spring Mill State Park’s annual campground contest, where almost every site will be hauntingly decorated. And on October 21st, its Pioneer Village will be transformed into a scary spectacle, creating a Haunted Village. If these experiences aren’t spooky enough for you, brave a night at Whispers Estate, a mysterious house said to be truly haunted by its previous tenants. If you have a little more time, try your hand at cracking a cold case over October 27-29 at the West Baden Springs Hotel, inspired by the locally-filmed thriller “So Cold the River”. For a more family-friendly affair, trick or treat yo' self to French Lick West Baden Museum’s Fright Night and costume parade on October 31st!
3. Railway Rides
Climb aboard the French Lick Scenic Railway to combine the beauty of the season with the nostalgic charm a vintage train journey brings. Sit back and relax during the 1-hour 45-minute ride as you travel through the picturesque Hoosier National Forest with panoramic views of lakes, fields, a waterfall, the longest railroad tunnel in the state, and of course, breathtaking fall foliage. Continue to experience the glamor of railway travel on the Spirit of Jasper’s Autumn' Ride & Dine which provides a luxurious sightseeing tour through our region’s countryside paired with a delicious dinner and beverage.
4. Fall Foliage Wine Cruises on Patoka Lake
On select Saturdays during the months of September and October, Patoka Lake Marina offers scenic wine cruises featuring local wines and breathtaking views of the fall colors. Each cruise includes 5-7 wine tastings paired with complimentary appetizers and desserts, two glasses of your favorite wine from the tasting, and a souvenir wine glass to take home.
5. Ferdinand State Forest
This list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning some of the natural beauty our region has to offer. Ferdinand State Park has over 900 acres of trails and waters to explore, including one of the most stunning fire towers in Indiana. Climb its stairs to get a bird's eye view of the beautiful fall tapestry of red, orange, and gold colors before stick season sets in!
Want more? Find more fall fun on our events page.
