Grab the pumpkin spice, unpack your scarves, and get ready for fall! To make the most of this wonderful time of year, we’ve set out to find the best fall events and activities, from Oktoberfest to pumpkin patches and apple orchards, as well as destinations for fall and even the top seasonal beers to enjoy.
Our panels of experts made their nominations across eight autumnal categories, and readers decided who came out on top by casting votes for their favorites. Here are the winners.
Click on each category below to see the full winners list:
Best Apple Orchard: Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards in LaFayette, New York
This family-owned orchard has been growing apples since onion farmer George Skiff and dairy farmer Andrew Beak joined forces in 1911 to plant apples on a hillside along Route 20. The rest, as they say, is history. Gala, McIntosh, Ginger Gold, and Paula Red are just a few of the varieties offered during their pick-your-own season, from late August through late October.
Full list of winners: Best Apple Orchard »
Best Corn Maze: Treworgy Family Orchards in Levant, Maine
Get lost in the corn maze at Treworgy Family Orchards — Photo courtesy of Treworgy Family Orchards
Home to the longest continually running corn maze in the state, Treworgy Family Orchards’ maze covers over 4 acres and consists of 60,000 corn plants grown to a height of 10 feet. Guests who find the center of the maze can enjoy signing their names to the Hall of Fame Board.
Full list of winners: Best Corn Maze »
Best Destination for Fall Foliage: Upper Peninsula of Michigan
Enjoy a spectrum of fall colors with a visit to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan — Photo courtesy of @a.carpenter_photography
With around 7 million acres of forest abutting the shores of three different Great Lakes, changing leaves are the main event each fall in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. With 10 fall color routes that cover a total of nearly 1,500 miles, there are endless opportunities for a peaceful autumn drive to soak in the scenery.
Full list of winners: Best Destination for Fall Foliage »
Best Fall Festival: West Side Nut Club Fall Festival in Evansville, Indiana
Celebrate the season at the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival — Photo courtesy of Mike Fetscher, WSNC
The West Side Nut Club Fall Festival attracts more than 200,000 people to Franklin Street each year, making it one of the largest street festivals in the United States. The October event includes free live entertainment, carnival rides, over 130 food booths, talent competitions, and a huge fall parade.
Full list of winners: Best Fall Festival »
Best Fall Seasonal Beer: Big Hop Harvest Ale – East End Brewing Company
Welcome autumn with Big Hop Harvest Ale from East End Brewing Company — Photo courtesy of Andrew Marcus
East End Brewing Company is a taproom, brewery, pop-up garden, and pizza kitchen with three Pennsylvania locations. Their once-a-year Big Hop Harvest Ale is made possible by local fresh-picked “wet hops” only available in August, and its citrusy and hoppy profile along with a burning orange color is perfect for celebrating the arrival of autumn.
Full list of winners: Best Fall Seasonal Beer »
Best Oktoberfest: Zeeco Oktoberfest Tulsa in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Zeeco Oktoberfest Tulsa tops this year’s list of the best Oktoberfest events — Photo courtesy of Tulsa Oktoberfest
During October, Tulsa celebrates Bavarian culture with its annual Zeeco Oktoberfest. The event boasts a few hundred taps of German and local beer, live bands, arts and crafts, and Bavarian cuisine. Carnival rides, kids’ activities, bier barrel races, and the highly anticipated Dachshund Dash promise family fun.
Full list of winners: Best Oktoberfest »
Best Place to Visit for Fall: Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, wins Best Place to Visit for Fall for second year in a row — Photo courtesy of Gatlinburg CVB
When fall arrives in the Great Smoky Mountains, it’s dazzling. And there are so many ways to enjoy fall in Gatlinburg, whether visitors want a quiet hike through the mountains or a bustling event like the Smoky Mountain Fall Festival at Ober Mountain. The event offers specialty food, hay mazes, beautiful scenery, and more for nearly the entire month of October.
Full list of winners: Best Place to Visit for Fall »
Best Pumpkin Patch: Treworgy Family Orchards in Levant, Maine
Find the perfect pumpkin at Treworgy Family Orchards — Photo courtesy of Treworgy Family Orchards
When visiting Treworgy Family Orchards, you may want to hop aboard the hayride or take a horse-drawn farm tour so you can get a good look at the expansive pumpkin patch. After all, it covers 8 miles of rows! Once you find the pumpkin you want, you can visit the goats or celebrate with ice cream.
Full list of winners: Best Pumpkin Patch »
Congratulations to all these winners! Remember to visit 10best.usatoday.com daily to vote in more Readers’ Choice Awards.