Top 10 Free Things to Do this Fall around Louisville

August 31, 2020 Fall, Family Fun, Outdoor

These are the best things to do this fall for FREE fall fun with your family.

This means that there is no admission cost for the festival or event, but there might be a small parking fee or activities within the event that have a ticketed cost and also does not include things like paying for food or drinks, etc.

We love free fall fun events that allow families to go out and have fun together without worrying about spending too much money. And, a lot of these events encourage families to go explore out area and do something new. So, if you are looking for free fall fun around Louisville, here are some great options with our top 10 things to do this fall.

Have fun this fall y’all!

Sure, 2020 has been unique. But, we don’t have to say goodbye to free fall fun. There are still things to do all around us, we just had to look at little harder to find it. Luckily, we did that so you don’t have to!

1. Colorfest at Bernheim Forest – Unfortunately, this event is canceled for 2020 but we can’t take it off the list because you will want to remember it for 2021! And,you can go to Bernheim this fall and have a wonderful time with your family. There is a suggested donation upon entry but no set fee.

For future reference, this particular event is a wonderful immersion into the fall season and admission to the event is free; there is a $10 per car environmental fee for non-members. There will be a pumpkin launch, hayrides, and a hay maze plus lots of other activities.

2. Go to Blackacre State Nature Preserve – There are tons of photo opps with breathtaking backdrops for your fall favorite photo times with your family. Just walking along the grounds, seeing the animals up close, and even going to the feedings on Saturday mornings is fun in the cool crisp air of autumn. You can bring carrots too!

There’s no better time to take a hike than in the fall in Louisville and Blackacre has some great trails with beautiful views of tree lines and waterfalls. It’s a must this time of year. They also host special events and farm animal feedings.

free things to do this fall

3. Roadside Farm Markets – One of our favorite things to do in the fall is hitting up the local roadside markets for special autumnal season goodies. Check out this list of certified roadside markets in Jefferson County and Oldham County. You can go pumpkin picking, but not always at the hugely crowded pumpkin patches all over the area.

A favorite roadside market near our home in Jeffersontown is Tower View Farm and Nursery. They have tons of pumpkins, gourds, apples, mums, hay barrels, and more for your fall decorating needs. They have wagons set up for the kids to pull around the property while you pick out some neat pumpkins. They also usually offer quick hayrides back to the back of their property where you can “pick” a pumpkin from their backyard. It’s fabulous!

4. St. James Court Art Fair – Unfortunately for 2020, this event is also canceled. But, for future reference, it is typically in early October – No top 10 fall list is complete without including St. James Court Art Fair. However, you can take a stroll around St. James Court for beautiful scenery when the leaves start to change. For the future, remember the festival – It’s a must-do and that’s why it’s on our list for top 10 things to do this fall and is always a great chance to take in the historic sites and walkways through Old Louisville. Stop by Dizzy Whiz when you’re done for a great dive experience!

5. The Parklands of Floyds Fork Turkey Run Park – The Parklands already has a great parks system with Beckley Creek Park and Pope Lick Park, but don’t miss the yellow silo at Turkey Run (the view from up high will be gorgeous) and the wonderful playground at Broad Run (not yet open). Another oasis of nature trails and walking paths, this park will be a sure thing to see this autumn.

Boone Bottoms trail at Turkey Run is a fantastic family-friendly hike. It is short and one loop plus you get creek access. Even if it isn’t hot, kids love skipping rocks and getting by the water.

6. NuLu Fest – Unfortunately for 2020, this event is also canceled. Instead, we suggest you still walk around Nulu and enjoy the shops, restaurants, and dessert places. It would be a great thing to do after a visit to the Waterfront Botanical Gardens, which is also free. For future reference, this festival in the NuLu neighborhood along East Market Street has grown a lot too over the past couple of years. It’s a huge block party with lots of food, vendors, live music, fun and more. There is a children’s area! It typically takes place in late September.

7.Falls of the Ohio – Fall is the best time to explore the Falls of the Ohio because the views across the river and the colors in the trees are so pretty. Yes, it’s $2 to park but you can explore the fossil beds for free. Go in the interpretive center and ask for a fossil map.

If you want to get down on the fossil beds, call ahead and check the water level of the Ohio. If the river is high, they will be covered. They also host many special events and do have an optional indoor interpretive center that has been recently updated (fee for admission).

8. Gaslight Festival – Unfortunately in 2020, much of this festival is canceled but they are still keeping some of it going! Please click here for updates about the 2020 Gaslight Festival. There is so much to love about this multi-day event in Jtown. Balloon glow, parade, street festival and more. If there weather is just right, you can’t beat it. This event is annual in mid-September.

9. Madison, Indiana – Take a day trip to Madison, IN. Take the scenic drive along U.S. 42 through Oldham, Henry and Trimble counties. Read more here. Stop in Bedford, KY and explore the roadside market, Bray Orchards, as well. The Madison Chautauqua festival is in late September (canceled for 2020 but they still have many smaller events going on during fall that are free). There are other events like the Fourth Friday downtown monthly event or outdoor movies. See the events here.

They also have You can spend a little bit of money and pay the entry fee ($9 for out-of-state license plates) for Clifty Falls State Park and explore this gem; it’s beautiful in the fall!

10. Take a hike! Seriously, there are so many wonderful places to hike and walk among nature trails around the city and outlying areas. These places come to mind immediately: Bernheim Forest, Jefferson Memorial Forest, The Parklands, Louisville Loop, Falls of the Ohio and the Ohio River Greenway, Big 4 Bridge, and Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve. Did you know if you venture over to southern Indiana you can find the Legendary Shoe Tree? Take this list from Roadside America and venture into something you’ve never found before in Kentucky! I think you must go explore and discover it and more!

Free fun is all around us. Here are some more ideas for FREE FUN THIS FALL.

Top 10 Free Things to Do this Fall around Louisville

These are the best things to do this fall for FREE fall fun with your family.

This means that there is no admission cost for the festival or event, but there might be a small parking fee or activities within the event that have a ticketed cost and also does not include things like paying for food or drinks, etc.

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