Inside: Inexpensive Fall fun days out for families in Charlotte, NC, less than $30 for a family of 4.
Looking for some budget-friendly fall fun around Charlotte, NC? 🍁
Whether you’re staying close to home or up for a short day trip, there are tons of seasonal things to do that won’t cost a fortune. From apple picking to college gardens, mini-golf and train rides, we’ve pulled together a list of cheap fall activities for your family — and yep, LOTS of these are totally free!
Fall Family Outings: Free and Cheap in Charlotte, NC
All of these are about $30 or under for a family of 4, and perfect for cooler days, changing leaves, and autumn adventures.
Hiking at Crowders Mountain State Park
Cost for a family of 4: Free
Our Kidding Around Review of Crowders Mountain
Just 35 minutes west of Charlotte, Crowders Mountain offers stunning views—especially during peak leaf season. Choose a short family-friendly trail or challenge older kids with a more moderate climb to the summit.
Bonus: There’s no park admission fee, and restrooms and picnic shelters are available!
Read about our visit to Crowders Mountain State Park and plan your own hike!
Biking the Carolina Thread Trail (Multiple Locations)
Cost for a family of 4: Free
Carolina Thread Trail Website
Bring your bikes (or scooters!) and explore part of the Carolina Thread Trail, a growing regional network of greenways and trails. The Little Sugar Creek Greenway in Charlotte is especially scenic in fall and perfect for strollers and little riders.
Tip: Pack a picnic and make a day of it!
Explore McGill Rose Garden in Charlotte
Cost for a family of 4: Free
Kidding Around Review of the McGill Rose Garden
Tucked just outside of Uptown, McGill Rose Garden is a peaceful and beautifully maintained space that’s open to the public — and completely free to visit. Fall is a surprisingly lovely time to go, with late-season blooms, crisp air, and plenty of photo-worthy backdrops. It’s stroller-friendly, easy to access, and a great spot to let kids stretch their legs or enjoy a quiet afternoon walk.
Bonus: There’s a coffee and wine bar on-site (The Rosie’s Coffee & Wine Garden) if parents want to sneak in a little treat while the kids explore.
The McGill Rose Garden is stunning all year long AND it’s FREE. Check it out: Visit the McGill Rose Garden.
Apple Picking at Windy Hill Orchard (York, SC)
Cost for a family of 4: Free- sort of (see below)
Apple Picking Reservations
Just 45 minutes from Charlotte, Windy Hill Orchard offers U-pick apples, cider tastings (including non-alcoholic options), and a family-friendly vibe. Kids will love running through the orchard and sipping on fresh cider.
The fee to enter the orchard is the cost of apples— BUT for every person age 2 and older entering the orchard you must purchase a 1/4 peck bag of apples. The cost for that bag is $8.14. You must purchase this in advance with a reservation.
UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens
Cost for a family of 4: Free
UNC Botanical Gardens Website
This is a true hidden treasure right on UNC Charlotte’s campus. Stroll through the beautiful McMillan Greenhouse, explore the woodland trails, and let your kids check out carnivorous plants and bamboo forests. It’s 100% free and gorgeous in the fall.
Family-Friendly Trick-or-Treating Events
Cost for a family of 4: Often free
Skip the neighborhood stress and head to Charlotte-area trunk-or-treats and community festivals! Churches, libraries, and downtown districts host safe, well-lit trick-or-treating that’s perfect for little ones.
Most are completely free and stroller-friendly!
You’ll find lots and lots (did we say “lots”?) of Trunk-or-Treat events and other neat variations on that theme in our Kidding Around Guide to Halloween in Charlotte, NC
Hiking + Waterfall Watching at South Mountains State Park (Morganton, NC)
Cost for a family of 4: Free
Kidding Around Review of South Mountains State Park
This lesser-known state park is less than 90 minutes from Charlotte and has waterfalls, leaf-peeping trails, and wide-open picnic areas.
It’s a great “off the beaten path” choice for families who love exploring outdoors without the crowds, and it is SO gorgeous especially in the fall.
Check out our story on South Mountains State Park for all the details.
Historic Brattonsville (McConnells, SC)
Cost for a family of 4: $24-$40
Historic Brattonsville
Depending on the age of your kids, this one may push past our $30 limit, BUT, there’s so much here we definitely wanted to include it on the list. Kids 3 and under are free, and kids 4 to 17 are just $8. Adult tickets are $12.
Step back in time at this living history farm, just an hour from Charlotte. Fall is the perfect time to visit with their harvest-themed weekends, reenactments, and seasonal crafts. Your kids will love the hands-on demonstrations and roaming farm animals.
Hodges Family Farm Pumpkin Patch (Charlotte, NC)
Cost for a family of 4: Free entry: possible costs include $5 parking on weekends, $5 per person hayrides, plus the cost of pumpkins.
Hodges Farm Pumpkin Patch
Right in Charlotte, Hodges Farm is a local gem for families with toddlers and preschoolers. They don’t charge admission to the pumpkin patch—you only pay for what you pick! Climb on hay bales, visit the barnyard animals, and bring a picnic, all for free. On weekends parking $5 per car. AND you can expect hayrides offered for $5.
BONUS: Want to see some more pumpkin patch options? Here’s our Charlotte, NC Pumpkin Patch Guide.
Dan Nicholas Park (Salisbury, NC)
Cost for a family of 4: Free entry; small fees for mini-golf or carousel
Kidding Around’s Review of Dan Nicholas Park
About an hour from Charlotte, Dan Nicholas Park is a budget family day trip win. It has:
- a small zoo and barnyard ($2.50 per person)
- paddle boasts ($2 per person)
- a carousel (temporarily closed)
- mini-golf ($4 per person)
- several large playground spaces
- and miles of shaded trails
Pack a picnic, spend the whole day, and still spend less than $30!
Village Park in Kannapolis
Cost for a family of 4: Free entry; small fees for rides ($1.50 for the carousel, $1.50 for the train)
Kidding Around Guide to Village Park in Kannapolis
Just about 35 minutes from Charlotte, Village Park in Kannapolis is a budget-friendly day trip with lots to offer. The park features a train ride (just a few dollars per person), a double-decker carousel, and open green spaces for picnics and play. In the fall, it’s extra enjoyable with cooler weather, changing leaves, and seasonal events.
Get the full scoop on Village Park in our Kidding Around Review: Kannapolis’ Village Park
Want More Fall Fun?
Here are a bunch more cheap fall outing ideas near Greenville, SC, all for less than $25 per family.
Get more Charlotte area Fall Fun in our Fall Guide.
