Absolutely Autumn: Top 13 things to do in Albany this fall

Albany Oregon Fall Scene

Photo: Fall Along Highway 20 by Nancy Hunt

Pull out your sweaters and start putting pumpkin into everything you bake–fall is here! In honor of the season, we’ve compiled the top 13 things to do in Albany this autumn. (We tried to keep it to ten, but we just couldn’t contain our enthusiasm.)

Your task: read the list, go do something on the list, and then leave us a comment telling us what else should be on the list!

1. Visit a pumpkin patch. This is an easy one. We grow everything in the Willamette Valley, and pumpkins are no exception. And a trip to the farm includes more than just pumpkins! Go for a hay ride, get lost in a maze, and generally have all kinds of fun on the farm.

Bose Farmily Farm. 35765 Cyrus Rd. NE, Albany. Fall harvest festival 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Open till 10 p.m. Fridays. Closed Mondays.

Grandpa’s Pumpkin Patch. 36483 Hwy 226, Albany.  Open daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Know of others? Leave your suggestions in the comments!

2. Find a one-of-a-kind costume. Don’t be content with the same packaged-in-plastic costume all your friends will have. Find something unique in the racks and racks of vintage clothing available at the Albany Antique Mall, 145 SW 2nd. Ave, or browse from the selection of more than 7,000 costumes at The Costume Loft, 135 SE 2nd Ave.

3. Pick apples and taste cider. ‘Tis the season for crisp, juicy apples! Visit Adair’s Orchards, 36452 Hwy 226, Albany, and pick your own right off the tree. For fresh cider, head to Brocard’s Antique Apple Orchard, 28095 Highway 20 (25 miles east of Albany) on Saturday, Oct. 18. You can taste over 200 types of apples, watch cider-pressing on an antique press, and taste fresh cider.

Where do you go for apples and cider? Tell us about your favorites in the comments.

4. Run for your life. Get in the mood for Halloween with a Zombie Run! Run (or walk, if you dare) while zombies help you set a personal record for speed.

5k Zombie Chase, Lebanon, 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. Come dressed as either a human or a zombie and participate in the spooky fun.

Zombie Walk and Roll, Lebanon. 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18. Wear your best zombie outfit and watch an outdoor zombie movie.

5. Enjoy Oktoberfest. There’s no better way to celebrate this European harvest tradition than at Albany’s very own authentic European restaurant, Novak’s Hungarian. Novak’s Oktoberfest features traditional foods like house-made sausage, sauerkraut, and more. Their Oktoberfest runs all month, with special dinners on Friday and Saturday nights, and discounts on German beer and wine.

6. Ride the Trolley of Terror. This beloved Albany tradition features a spooky (but family-friendly) tour through town. Ride Albany’s vintage trolley (decked out in its Halloween finest) and enjoy scary tales from world-class storytellers along the Trolley of Terror route. Oct. 24-25; Call 541-928-0911 to reserve a spot.

7. Go on a leaf adventure. It’s hard to find a prettier sight than Oregon in the fall. Go for a walk or a scenic drive and admire Albany’s fall foliage. Post your photos on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and tag with #SeeAlbany and we’ll re-share them! If you tag #ORFallFoliage, the Oregon Fall Foliage Blog may feature your photos.

8. Nosh your way through town. It’s guaranteed to be a deliciously spooky evening when you sign up for the Halloween Nosh Tour, 4-7 p.m. October 25. Enjoy an evening of food and drink from Albany’s best chefs.

9. Visit a haunted house. If you enjoy being frightened, we’ve got some ideas for you!

Calapooia Middle School haunted house, 820 24th Ave SE., Albany. 4-7 p.m. Oct. 31.

American Legion Haunted House, 339 N. Main St., Brownsville. 4-10 p.m. Oct. 30 & noon-10 p.m. Oct. 31.

Morningstar Grange Haunted House, 38794 Morningstar Rd. NE, Millersburg. Oct. 17, 18, 24, 15 & 31, 7-11 p.m.; Oct. 19, 26 & 30, 7-10 p.m. Info 541-905-4113.

Frightmare Haunted House, Mid-Willamette Family YMCA, 3311 Pacific Blvd. SW, Albany. Tours start every 15 minutes beginning at 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 25. Recommended for ages 10 and older.

10. Go Trick-or-Treating with your friends. Many local merchants open up their doors to costumed kiddos at special trick-or-treat events.

Downtown Albany. Saturday, Oct. 25. Costume contest at 10 a.m., trick-or-treating at downtown merchants begins at 11 a.m. Look for the pumpkin signs to mark participating businesses.

North Albany Village, Friday, Oct. 31. 4-6 p.m. Businesses at the shopping center at North Albany Road and Hickory Street NW will be handing out candy to trick-or-treaters.

Heritage Mall. Friday, Oct. 31, 5-6:30 p.m. Indoor trick-or-treating at all your favorite shops in the mall.

Timberview Care Center, 1023 Sixth Ave. SW, 1-3 p.m. Saturday Oct. 25. Indoor trick-or-treating for kids of all ages with the residents of Timberview.

Downtown Brownsville. 1-5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31. Stop at locations with the big orange pumpkin sign for trick-or-treating fun.

11. Go to a (kids) Halloween party. Want to show off your costume and have some fun? Here are a couple of ideas.

VFW Halloween Party, 1469 Timber St. SE, Albany. 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. Facepainting, crafts, hot dogs, games and more. Free. 541-926-9712 for info.

Downtown Albany. 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, 317 First Ave. W., Albany. Enjoy a magic show and costume contest for kids from 0-12.

12. Go to a (grown-up) Halloween party. Want to show off your costume and have some fun…without the kids around? Here are a couple more ideas!

Deluxe Boo-ery Tour and Costume Contest 4-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31. Live music, new beers on tap, costume contest and tours of the Sinister-Deluxe Brewstillery.

Boo! Boogie Bash Rough Stock Rodeo Saturday, Oct. 25, Linn County Fair & Expo. Enjoy a Halloween-themed rodeo! Doors open at 6:30, Rodeo starts at 7:30.

13.. Enjoy fall food & drink. Halloween is over and done with on Oct. 31, but the season for delicious fall foods and drinks keeps right on going!

Albany Farmers Market. Every Saturday at 4th and Ellsworth, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. through November 22. Delicious squash of all varieties, freshly-harvested apples and pears, local meat and cheese and honey–it’s your place for seasonal goodness!

Coffee and pastries. Fall goes hand in hand with hot pumpkin drinks and tasty pastries. Check out Red Daisy Coffee, Sidekicks, Sweet Red, Loafers, and The Beanery for delicious fall treats. (And yes, Albany does have three Starbucks locations if you really need that name-brand latte!)

Oregon Wine. Every year after the mad rush of harvest in early autumn, Oregon wineries throw open their doors on Thanksgiving weekend in November for one last big party before the winter. It’s Oregon Wine Country Thanksgiving–check out the Heart of Willamette Wineries website to find special events near Albany.

Now it’s your turn! Comment and let us know: what’s on your list of must-do events in Albany each fall?

One Comment on “Absolutely Autumn: Top 13 things to do in Albany this fall

  1. We love to get our pumpkins at Greens Bridge in Jefferson. Tons of pumpkins and some produce too.

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