A Bucket List for Your Fall in Nebraska

1. Go to a pumpkin patch 

It wouldn’t be fall without a pumpkin patch! Nebraska offers a variety of different options to help you prepare and pick the perfect pumpkin for carving, baking or any of your other fall related needs.

• In Gretna, visit Vala’s Pumpkin Patch to get the most out of the season with rides, delicious food, cider and apples, spooky attractions and more family fun. 
• At Roca Berry Farm, there is lots of fall fun with pumpkin picking, corn mazes, farm attractions and their Roca Scary Farm for those looking for a fright. 
• Head over to Blair to visit Skinny Bones with attractions ranging from a multi-acre corn maze and tornado alley, a tornado simulator, to the pumpkin patch and jump pillows. 
• For those in central Nebraska, Helgoth’s Pumpkin Patch near Grand Island has all of your fall needs with train rides, donuts, a corn maze, a haunted village and more. 
• Homestead Pumpkin Patch in North Platte provides an exciting autumn outing with more than 50 varieties of pumpkins, squash and gourds, campfires, hayrides, zip lines and more. 
• Finally, Grandad’s Pumpkin Patch, located one mile west of Bassett, has a variety of attractions including pumpkins and gourds, go karts, zombie archery, putt putt golf and more. 

2. Go on a fall hike 

With fall comes the changing of colors to beautiful reds, oranges and yellows. Don’t miss out on the change of scenery; go on a hike to watch the colors change in real time.

• Indian Cave State Park provides a stunning view of the scenery with miles of trails, a view of the Missouri River and a historic town to explore. 
• Another must-see spot is Smith Falls State Park near Valentine. Explore trails covered by trees turning bright red and yellow, float down the river and see the highest waterfall in the state. 
• Rock Creek Station State Historical Park near Fairbury offers six miles of hiking trails taking you through wooded areas and grasses full of color. Also, explore historic buildings and wagon ruts from the Oregon-California Trail. 
• Niobrara State Park provides opportunities to see fall foliage through hiking, horseback riding, swimming and more. 
• At Chadron State Park in western Nebraska, surround yourself with maple trees as they change color and explore over 100 miles of hiking trails. 
• Finally, make a stop at Ponca State Park where you can see the yellows and reds come to life on 22 miles of trails, hike forested hills and gain access to the Missouri river. 

Photo courtesy of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission 

3. Go apple picking 

Apples are a staple food during the fall: Caramel apples, apple cider, apple donuts, apple pie and the list goes on. Enjoy these delicious treats across Nebraska by going apple picking.

• Apple Acres Orchard in Kearney has fresh apples and cider for sale, apple and pumpkin picking, a petting zoo and a corn maze to enjoy. 
• For those in Nebraska City, Kimmel Orchard & Vineyard has fresh apples and other apple treats, apple U-Pick on the weekends and their Scarecrow Festival running all throughout October. 
• Head over to Ceresco to visit Martin’s Hillside Orchard which has U-Pick apples, pumpkins and flowers, homemade apple cider, orchard tours and other kid-friendly activities. 
• In Fort Calhoun, Super Bee Orchard is the perfect place for a family outing. Here, you can pick your own apples, buy peaches and raspberries and browse other homemade goodies. 
• Degroot Orchards is a family owned orchard in Madison providing a variety of apples, pumpkins and squash, perfect for your fall needs. 
• Finally, visit Union Orchard in Union and enjoy a day full of apple and pumpkin picking with 18 varieties of apples, and check out one of their seasonal festivals. 

4. Browse through a farmer’s market

As Nebraskans begin their fall harvest, it’s the perfect time to visit a farmer’s market to find delicious treats, fresh vegetables and homemade items. 

• The Lincoln Haymarket Farmer’s Market runs every Saturday until October and features a variety of vendors including baked goods, warm meals, arts and crafts, produce and more. 
• Head over to Omaha every Saturday until October to visit the Omaha Farmer’s Market in the Old Market. There, you’ll find vendors including Briar Rose Farms, Bumbling Bee Native Wildflowers, K Family Farm, Ben’s Soft Pretzels and many more. 
• In Beatrice, the Beatrice Farmer’s Market is every Thursday from 4 to 6:30. Meet local farmers, bakers, crafters and find fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers, eggs, baked goods and more. 
• For those in Kearney, the Kearney Area Farmer’s Market is every Saturday where you can eat and shop local, and stock up on fall items including pumpkin, corn and apples. 
• Next, visit the Norfolk Farmer’s Market on Saturdays through October to support local farmers, producers and artisans, and enjoy live music. 
• Finally, the Wayne Farmer’s Market runs through mid-October, Wednesdays and Saturdays where vendors sell produce, eggs, baked goods, handmade items and more. 

Photo courtesy of N.P. Dodge

5. Watch fall sports 

As school starts back up, fall sports are in full swing. There’s nothing more Nebraskan than cheering for our home teams. 

• Take a trip to Memorial Stadium to cheer on the Huskers, take a stroll around the Haymarket and experience a football Saturday with the legendary fan base. 
• Also in Lincoln, make sure to check out the No. 1 Husker volleyball team. Learn how Nebraska became the volleyball state and join the crowd at Devaney to cheer on the players as they make some incredible digs, blocks and kills. 
• To watch even more amazing volleyball, head to Omaha to watch the Creighton volleyball team in action and enjoy a fun and energetic atmosphere. 

Photo courtesy of Craig Chandler
 

6. Go to a haunted house 

With fall comes Halloween. What better way to celebrate than by visiting a haunted house? Nebraska has many options for you. 

• In Omaha, Scary Acres provides three terrifying attractions including Masters Castle, House on the Hill and the Haunted Woods. 
• Also in Omaha, Bellevue Berry Farm offers their Ranch of Terror where you can have a scary good time walking through the haunted house, ghost town, zombie jail and take a haunted hayrack ride. 
• About half an hour away from Lincoln, Eagle Hollow Scream Park is an experience you do not want to miss out on. With their three attractions, Luminon takes you into a silent alien world, Night Terrors brings you into a spine-chilling child’s nightmare and Darklands takes you on a walk through the dark where you will face your fears. 
• Farther out west, Grey’s Twisted Manor in Holdrege provides a bloodcurling experience, making it an unforgettable nightmare. 
• Finally, in Gibbon, KneeKnocker Woods awaits you. Enjoy food, games, the Haunted Night Market, entertainment, Nana’s Corn Maze or if you dare, risk a walk through the Trail of Terror. 

Photo courtesy of @eaglehollowsp

7. Go on a hayrack ride 

To make the most of fall, a hayrack ride is a necessity. 

• Bloom Farm & Pumpkin Patch, about 45 minutes away from  Lincoln, offers hayrides to their pumpkin field all day long, and it’s included in admission. There, pick a unique and colorful pumpkin to take home with you. 
• Near Omaha, Bellevue Berry Farm will take you on either a daytime hayride or a haunted hayride for a more thrilling experience. 
• Further out west near Grand Island, take a ride out to the pumpkin patch to harvest your pumpkin at The Scarecrow Patch. On top of that, enjoy other attractions including a petting zoo, corn maze and duck races. 
• Head over to Arbor Day Farm to continue your fall fun with an orchard hayrack ride through the U-pick apple orchard or take the discovery ride which is a guided one-hour nature tour of orchards, vineyards and stream beds. 
• Finally, make a stop at Pearson’s Pumpkin Place where you can find the best pumpkin while also enjoying a hayrack ride with cool lights. 

8. Grab a fall drink 

It’s the time of year where pumpkin is back in. The only way to celebrate is by grabbing a pumpkin spice latte or another fun fall drink at one of these Nebraskan coffee shops. 

• Crescent Moon, located in Lincoln’s Haymarket, is geared up for fall with spooky drinks including “Bride of Frankenstein”, a dulce de leche matcha latte with rosemary syrup, “Dracula”, an italian soda with ginger apple cider syrup and pomegranate, “The Blob”, a latte with salted honey pumpkin syrup and much more. 
• Zen Coffee Co., which has multiple Omaha locations and a Lincoln location, is in the fall mood with drinks like pumpkin tiramisu, apple pie chai, ghost smores, caramel pumpkin brulee and more. They also have a tailgate menu featuring their cornhusker cold brew, big red latte and more. 
• Next, in Ralston, Coffee Alley-Callejon del Cafe has some delicious fall drinks including a toasted marshmallow latte, horchata chai with pumpkin cold foam and a caramel apple butter latte with dulce de leche. 
• Up in northeastern Nebraska, Douglas Street Coffee Company in O’Neill is celebrating fall with their October drinks including a caramel apple chai, maple pecan latte, pumpkin cream latte and more. 
• Finally, out in the panhandle, Luna Bean Coffee House in Scottsbluff is serving fall in a cup with their pumpkin shaken espresso.