10.20.2023

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49º | Sunny | 5% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:24 a.m. | Sunset 5:07 p.m.

4 must-do fall activities in North Carolina

CHS.RIC-Heart of North Carolina Visitors Bureau-10.20.23-GIF (2).gif

Pumpkin carving at home might be fun, but how about experiencing fall in a fresh way with a road trip this fall? | Photos provided by Heart of North Carolina Visitors Bureau Staff, North Carolina Zoo, and Spooky Bottom

Windows down, seat heater on, PSL in hand, and autumn leaves in view: It’s time to leave the pumpkins behind and hit the road.

Consider changing things up this season by planning a fall road trip to Randolph County, NC, where celebrations, harvest vibes, coziness, and — of course — some jumpscares await.

Check out our fall bucket list to see where to find pumpkin-tossing animals, fall food + drink favorites, spooky trails and haunted houses for the daredevils, and more.

🐻‍❄️ Boo at the Zoo and Pumpkin Palooza

Do polar bears celebrate Halloween, too? At North Carolina Zoo, they do. (So do elephants and seals.) This year, go trick or treating at the Zoo’s family-friendly fall tradition, Boo at the Zoo, or see Pumpkin Palooza, where animals promise a smashing good time. Bonus: You’ll find plenty of photo opps.

🪦 Spooky Bottom Haunted Trails

This Halloween, we challenge you to hike down a haunted trail. And not just any haunted trail, but the Fear Carolina’s 2020 Victims Choice Award winner for the best haunted attraction in North Carolina. Witness Spooky Bottom’s backwoods horror, plus new scenes for 2023 (think: a longer hike and more scares). Who will be your ride-or-die on this trail?

CHS.RIC-Heart of North Carolina-10.20.23.jpg — Located along the scenic Pottery Highway, Seagrove is home to talented potters and artisans.
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Photo provided by Heart of North Carolina Visitors Bureau Staff

🏺 Potters Pumpkin Patch

Think if you’ve seen one pumpkin patch you’ve seen them all? Think again.

Head to Seagrove, NC, for its annual Potters Pumpkin Patch, featuring ceramic pumpkins, gourds, autumn leaves, and woodland creatures made by its renowned potters’ community — plus scented candles, seasonal snacks, and more from the five participating shops. Grab your patch map at any shop and check all of them off the list.

🎃 Pumpkin-Picking Adventures

Looking to embrace the season of harvest? Check out the Fall U-Pick activities at Millstone Creek Orchards in Ramseur. Help (well, kind of) the orchard harvest the 20,000 pumpkin seeds they planted across three patches in spring.

Get the most out of your visit on Saturdays, ft. live music, weekend-only apple cider donuts, and special events like alpaca petting and axe throwing.

Explore more fall activities

Asked

Where did the term “Jack-O-Lantern” come from?

A. Switzerland
B. Ireland
C. France
D. Portugal

Take a guess

Events

Friday, October 20

Tree Time Adventures Fall Festival & Scream Time Haunted Forrest | Friday, Oct. 20 - Saturday, Oct. 28 | 4-10 p.m. | Tree Time Adventures, 6680 Courthouse Road, Prince George | This seasonal event features plenty of activities for guests of all ages during the day Friday-Sunday with a haunted trail, night-course + more Friday and Saturday nights.*
Garden Glow | Friday, Oct. 20 | 6:30-10 p.m. | Maymont, 1700 Hampton St., Richmond | $8-$16 | After sunset, the Carriage House Lawn transforms into an enchanting Glow Village with a glow bar, cozy fire pits, food trucks, immersive fun and art installations.
The Magic Beans | Friday, Oct. 20 | 8 p.m. | The Camel, 1621 W. Broad St., Richmond | $15 | Enjoy an evening with the alt-indie band.

Saturday, Oct. 21

Plant Native! Festival | Saturday, Oct. 21 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park, 3400 Mountain Rd., Glen Allen | Free | Learn about native plants, shop from vendors, and hear from keynote speaker Nancy Lawson, author of “The Humane Gardener.”
Willie Anne Wright: Artist and Alchemist | Saturday, Oct. 21 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | VMFA, 200 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond | Free | Celebrate the renowned photographer who calls Richmond home at this special exhibition.
Monster Night Market | Saturday, Oct. 21 | 5-10 p.m. | Starr Hill Beer Hall & Rooftop, 3406 W. Leigh St., Richmond | Free entry | Sip while you shop at this Kismet Market event with 50+ vendors and treats from local food trucks.

Sunday, Oct. 22

“The Bride of Frankenstein” Organ Fundraiser | Sunday, Oct. 22 | 2 p.m. | The Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary St., Richmond | $20 | Proceeds will go towards the maintenance of the Mighty Wurlitzer organ.

Monday, Oct. 23

Monday Movie Night: “The Addams Family” | Monday, Oct. 23 | 4:30-6 p.m. | RPL Broad Rock Branch, 4820 Old Warwick Rd., Richmond | Free | Bring the kids and enjoy a family-friendly movie with snacks and drinks provided.

Friday, October 27

Trunk Or Treat Community Event | Friday, Oct. 27 | 5-7 p.m. | Virginia Museum of History & Culture, 428 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd, Richmond | Free | Guests can enjoy candy, giveaways, food trucks, crafts, games, free museum admission, and more at VMHC’s first “Trunk or Treat” event.*

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Outdoors

Henrico County broke ground on the first phase of the Fall Line Trail on Wednesday morning, joined by Sports Backers and several members of the Richmond outdoors community. Sports Backers also announced it’ll be moving headquarters to the Spring Park trail head.

Development

Work started on Courthouse Landing in Chesterfield on Wednesday. When complete, the 124-acre mixed-use development will include commercial space, multifamily units, townhomes, and condos. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Sports

Two golf tournaments return to the Richmond area this week. The larger of the two, the Dominion Energy Charity Classic, starts today at the Country Club of Virginia. The Fred Funk and Friends Golf Gala at the Kanawha Club took place on Monday. (Richmond BizSense)

Cause

The Fox Elementary Garden Club has been hard at work lately. They’re asking for donations of two liter bottles for a recycling project. To contribute, remove labels and drop the bottles at the “Fox Box” near the playground.

Weather

Mid-October means meteors, specifically the Orionids shower. The showers will be at their strongest in the pre-dawn hours of this weekend. (USA Today)

Sports

The Kickers’ season may have wrapped up last weekend, but season tickets for 2024 are already on sale. Until Friday, Nov. 17, general admission passes are only $180.

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Holiday

Spooky squash and ghoulish gourds

Richmond’s favorite pumpkins

Here are our picks for Richmond’s official pumpkins. | Photos via Madeleine W., Dave C., and Brenda L.O.

We asked all pumpkin-carving Richmonders to share their Halloween handiwork with us, and y’all did not disappoint. We’re crowning three champs for the RICtoday Carving Contest.

Most Lifelike — “A Punkin in a Homegrown Pumpkin”
Now this is some really impressive work. That jack-o'-lantern looks just like a human baby — and a super cute one at that. Thanks to Madeleine W. for this tiny little submission.

Best Local Pride — “Smiles for Spiders”
Now these are some Richmond jack-o'-lanterns. We can only assume all three of the pumpkins above graduated from UR, given their enthusiasm for spiders. Keep an eye out next time you’re at Robins Stadium for a football game — these jolly jack-o-lanterns could be anywhere. Thanks to Dave C. for this submission.

Best Variety — “3 Generations”
We have to hand it to this generational set of jack-o'-lanterns — pumpkin carving must run in the family! These detailed carvings would turn any porch into a trick-or-treating hotspot. Thanks to Brenda L.O. for sending these our way.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
David

From the editor

As a proud Hermitage HS grad, I never thought I’d be cheering for a football player who went to Glen Allen. But as a William & Mary alum, I was forced to eat my words when Sean McElwain caught the Tribe’s first pass of the season in August. Things have only gotten better from there.

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