Top five affordable fall escapes for families

There’s no better way to experience the harvest season than picking your own fresh fruits and vegetables at a nearby farm or orchard. Every autumn, thousands of farms across the country allow visitors to pick their own apples, pumpkins, and more. Normally, you pay only for the produce you buy, which is usually a lot less than you’d pay at the supermarket. Plus, many farms and orchards also offer petting zoos, pony rides, hayride tours, and farming demonstrations for little or no cost.

Hiking is not only one of the best ways to see fall colors, it’s also one of the cheapest. With some basic outdoor equipment and a map, your gang can witness the changing of seasons up close and get a good workout, be it at a nearby nature preserve or a national park.

For some families, fall and football go hand in hand. But rather than shelling out for a professional game, consider cheering on the local college team for a lot less. What’s more, college games often have more family appeal than professional games, with alumni from older and prospective generations joining together to watch the current squad. Although ticket prices for some college football games rival the cost of professional games, most are significantly cheaper. And, most universities offer child, student, and senior ticket discounts?something professional teams almost never do.

If you’re not interested in football, you can often see other fall college sports for little or no cost. Soccer, golf, tennis, cross-country, crew, volleyball, and field hockey will all be in season, and the teams will be eager for support. For example, you could attend a Northwestern football game for $15 to $40 per person, a volleyball game for $3 to $5, or a soccer match for free.

With fall being harvest time, many states and counties choose to hold their annual agriculture fairs in September and October. For a reasonable admission charge, most fairs offer enough variety and entertainment to keep your family occupied for a full day or longer. You can spend extra on games and rides, or enjoy the shows, competitions, exhibits, and animal and produce displays for no added cost.

You may associate the beach with summer, but many seaside resorts along the East and West Coasts are also ideal for off-peak fall travel, offering lower prices, less crowding, and pleasant, cool weather through much of the season. In an effort to keep tourists around for as long as possible, local hotels and other travel companies are staying open longer than in years past and cutting prices. And, local chambers of commerce tend to organize special fall events and activities, such as arts and music festivals. If your family is interested in more than sunbathing, you’ll find plenty to do along the coast this autumn, such as biking, sailing, and sea kayaking.