Fall is slowly, but surely making a triumphant comeback. Get ready for cooler weather, pumpkin spice everything, and the most amazing fall things to do with your family and friends.
Gross Farms Maze & Pumpkin Patch
Sept. 17 – Oct. 31
Make your way over to Gross Farms for fall delights and wholesome family fun! Start by getting lost in the largest corn maze in all of Lee County, spanning a 10-acre field. Test your mettle with over 4 miles of winding pathways and various puzzles and checkpoints to keep things interesting. Farm Scene Investigation (or FSI) adds a fun twist for the kiddies seeking to find the missing Farmer Joe!
Once free of the maze, the farm’s pumpkin patch greets you with gorgeous gourds of all shapes and sizes. Accent fall and holiday décor with choice picks for the perfect jack-o-lantern or extra flair for a seasonal yard display.
Close out a perfect evening at Gross Farms with a hayride around the property. Climb aboard a large wagon filled with straw and bundle up with loved ones as you enjoy a leisurely ride through the crisp fall air.
Downtown StreetFest & Fireworks
Oct. 8
As a Sanford signature event, StreetFest draws folks near and far to downtown to enjoy a celebration filled with music, entertainment, games, art and so much more. Driven by the support of local businesses and volunteers, this annual festival takes over downtown for an entire day and includes a food truck rodeo, craft market and two performance stages. Make your way over for a public art dedication ceremony, beautiful masterpieces created by a wood carving artist and the silly antics of The Dunn Clowns. If live music is more your jam, rock out with 90s alt-rock and pop-tribute band 120 minutes as well as the Blackwater Rhythm & Blues Band and Bad Moon Rising. Finally, StreetFest concludes with an epic, DJ dance party and lights up the sky with fireworks. Be sure to save the date and treat yourself and the entire family to a festival of great fun.
Boo & Brew Ghost Tour
Oct. 13 – 16; 20 – 23; 27 – 31
When October rolls around, Downtown Sanford gets downright spooky. Especially, when the Boo & Brew Ghost Tour is scaring up loads of fun for brave pub crawlers and lovers of the paranormal. Embark on a self-guided audio tour to hear Jinx of the Egypt Coal Mine – a terrifying tale from Sanford’s history as a mining town about the ghosts who still linger to this day. As you listen, follow a ghostly trail that leads to seven local restaurants and bars: The Chocolate Cellar, Libations 139, Wild Dogs Brewing Company, Hugger Mugger Brewing Company, La Dolce Vita Pizzeria, Smoke and Barrel and Local Joe’s Tap & Grill. Make plans any time throughout the month including Halloween to enjoy great drinks, delicious nibbles, choice entertainment and a frighteningly good time.
Sanford Trails
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Discover pure seasonal excitement by setting out on a unique trail or two right here in Sanford and Lee County. With natural beauty on full display this fall, get outside to hike and bike San-Lee Park or the Kiwanis Park Greenway. You can also paddle kayaks along designated routes on the Deep and Cape Fear Rivers.
Feeling less outdoorsy? No worries! Eat your way through the Sanford BBQ Trail to savor the taste of some of the finest ‘cue North Carolina has to offer. With a full belly, lace up your walking shoes and tackle the Sanford Mural Art Trail to see sprawling works of art featuring the town’s history and deep roots. Finally, round out your visit with a bit of shopping. With seven unique stops to check out on the Sanford Antique Trail, you’re bound to discover your next great treasure.
And bring your clubs
With professional golf and the fall season both in full swing, there’s never been a better time to hit the links! Sanford and Lee County are home to some of the finest golf courses in North Carolina guaranteed to test and thrill golfers of all kinds.
Come take on Tobacco Road and enjoy a course like no other. Its landmark design is not only a stunning work of art but also a golf player’s dream. Known as one of the top public golf courses in North Carolina, Tobacco Road has also been voted one of the Top 100 Golf Courses in the World by Golf Course Architecture.
Carolina Trace, another local course, has quite the reputation in golf and hospitality. It’s considered by many to be a champion golf course on par with Pinehurst, well-known as the anchor site of the U.S. Open.
For premier, daily-fee golf, tee off over at Quail Ridge–a course known for its rolling hills, lush fairways and immaculate greens.
Round out the list is Sanford Municipal Golf Course, offering terrific views and challenging games close to downtown Sanford. Marvel at lush fairways, eye-catching azaleas and one spectacular view of Buffalo Creek on the course’s back nine.
View the Sanford Trail Guide for even more information.
And there you have it! Five phenomenal ways to make this coming fall the best one yet. See you soon!
