How to Spend the Fall in Stafford, VA

Many people will probably agree that fall is the best of all seasons. The leaves change color and paint the roads, parks, and sidewalks magically golden, red, and orange. You can smell pumpkin lattes in every cafe you step in. There is excitement in the air about the approaching Halloween. Scary masks are being carefully crafted, and candies are being bought for the trick-or-treaters. And it ends with the most fabulous holiday of all, Thanksgiving. But the topic of our article today won’t be about fall in general; it will be more specific. We will focus on a tiny but lively place in Virginia called Stafford. Even more specifically, the focus will be on how to spend the fall in Stafford, VA. Every area has some fun fall activities and entertainment unique to them, including Stafford, and we will explore that today. We will share the best things you can do in Stafford as a family with kids and some you can do alone or with friends.

Stafford Fall Family Festival

Stafford is a great place to raise a family. Partly because there are many fun family things you can do, that’s why when most families visit it only once, they immediately start planning their long-distance move to Stafford and hiring movers. A quick tip, if you are one of those people, you will need expert help for this. So it is no wonder the most significant event during the fall season in Stafford is Stafford Fall Family Festival. As the title suggests, this is a fun fall adventure for the whole family. It is organized every year in October at Pratt Park. If you are new to Stafford, this festival is the perfect opportunity to get acquainted with this community and its spirit. There are various fun activities you can engage in during the festival. To start the day off, you can participate in the always fun hayride and many fun and engaging children’s activities after that. And for the grand finale of the festival, the traditional pumpkin derby. That is a hilariously suspenseful race with creatively carved pumpkins.

Spend the fall in Stafford, VA by visiting the pumpkin patch

There isn’t a more appropriate and traditional fall activity than visiting a pumpkin patch. And if you find yourself in Stafford, you can do just that. This year from October 16 until October 31, you can attend the Ebenezer Church Imagination Library Pumpkin Patch. You can come alone or bring your whole family and enjoy everything this fantastic event has to offer. Besides picking out pumpkins, you can enjoy hayrides, face painting, and a petting zoo. And that’s not everything. Did we mention you will be contributing to a very good cause by visiting this event? This pumpkin patch’s profits will go to Ebenezer Church Imagination Library. And they use those proceeds to provide free books for children up until age five. So not only will you have fun, but you will also be helping those in need. And if you want to do even more this fall season, you can volunteer to work at the pumpkin patch.

Stafford Fair

Another great way to spend the fall in Stafford, VA, is to visit the annual Stafford Fair. This is one of the most significant events in Stafford and something you shouldn’t miss if you happen to be in Stafford at the time. This event starts on October 13 and lasts until October 16. There are plenty of fun activities spread over four days. During the fair’s first two days, there will be an impressive carnival setup, a petting zoo, and pony rides. Also, you can see Sheriff and Fire Department displays and demonstrations. The next two days will be a little more kids-oriented as there will be Kids Power Wheels Derby and kids pedal tractor pull. In addition to that, there will also be a few dancing performances and best of all live music. And obviously, cute little local vendors will be open the whole time.

Visit the Potomac Point Winery and Vineyard

This next activity will surely be a delight to all vine lovers. At 275 Decatur Rd in Stafford, there is the Potomac Point Winery and Vineyard, one of the best wineries in entire North Virginia. It is inspired by Tuscany wineries but still has that cozy and warm Virginia feel. And what better way to spend your fall days in Stafford than tasting some of the most delicious vines in the world? You can make a reservation for a guided wine-tasting tour up to 30 days in advance. And you can choose between two options, Premier Cru and Grand Cru. You will be offered a selection of vines such as Sauvignon Blanc, Moscato Dolce, Petit Manseng, etc. But that’s not all you can do here. From Wednesday through Saturday, you can enjoy delicious meals at Le Grand Cru Bistro. But if you want to spend more time outdoors in the gorgeous vineyard scenery, you can do that too. You can have a picnic outside in the vineyard with your family or friends.

Tour the Stafford Civil War Park

If you want to spend your time having fun and learning something new then you should visit the Stafford Civil War Park. Here you can learn a lot about American history and especially about the Civil war period. Come here and hear the story about the Army of the Potomac’s Winter Encampment in 1863 and see the preserved artifacts of that time. Admission to the park is free, and the best part is you can bring your furry friends as the park is pet friendly. Visiting hours from April through October are 8 am – 8 pm, and from November to March, 8 am- 5 pm.

In conclusion

As you can see, there are many fun ways how to spend the fall in Stafford, VA. There are plenty of fun activities for both adults and kids. You can enjoy all the traditional fall festivities such as pumpkin picking and carving, hayrides, pumpkin derby, etc. But you can also spend your fall touring the gorgeous Potomac Point winery, tasting vine, and having fun family picnics. And if you are new to America, you should definitely visit the Stafford Civil War Park and learn about a very important part of American history.