Fall Festivities at Family Resorts

Summer vacation and spring break are the most popular times for families to travel -- the kids are out of school, the weather's gorgeous and outdoor activities abound. But don't overlook fall's family vacation potential! With several long weekends, colorful foliage, shoulder season deals and (most importantly, we think) fall festivities, autumn is an ideal time for families to take a trip.

Plenty of family-friendly resorts host once-a-year Halloween- and fall-themed activities that the kids will love. From apple picking at local orchards to Halloween dance parties, autumn entertainment at family resorts combines harvest-time traditions with fun, kid-friendly events. Below, we've listed the some of our favorite fall happenings at resorts across the U.S. And if you're planning a fall getaway, don't forget to take a look at our family deals section to find timely seasonal bargains.

Point Sebago Resort
Point Sebago Resort promises "ghoulish delight" during its Halloween-themed weekend. This New England resort, located in Casco, Maine on the shores of Sebago Lake, plans to delight (and spook!) guests with Halloween-themed activities including a costume party, a "Very Scary Haunted House," a "Monster Rock Show," pumpkin carving, pumpkin decorating, face painting and more. Halloween weekend getaway packages include two nights lodging, five buffet meals (including a lobster dinner), free mini golf, nightly entertainment, daily supervised activities for kids, and Halloween delights as low as $155. Kids under 5 are free.

When it's happening: October 15 through 17

Great Wolf Lodge Sandusky
Throughout October, "Howl-O-Weenf" takes place at Great Wolf Lodge properties across the country. More than likely, there's a Great Wolf Lodge near you. East Coasters are closest to Great Wolf Lodge Poconos, families in the Pacific Northwest can visit Great Wolf Lodge Grand Mound in Washington, there's a Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg in Virginia, and Midwesterners can stay at Great Wolf Lodge Wisconsin Dells or Great Wolf Lodge Sandusky in Ohio (just to name a few!). What's going on at Great Wolf Lodge properties this fall? Trick-or-treating, costume contests, games in Wiley's Haunted Woods, pumpkin patches, Halloween crafts, nightly Howl-O-Ween fun, and Great Wolf's indoor water park passes. Special family suite rates are available now on Great Wolf's website.

When it's happening: September through October

Skytop Lodge
From October 29 through 31, Skytop Lodge in Skytop, Pennsylvania is hosting a Halloween-themed "Spoo-Tacular Weekend." This event includes hayrides, a masquerade ball, trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving and other activities. Feel like getting spooked? Families with older kids and teens can take "Ghost Hunting 101" at the lodge, and experience a paranormal investigation with members of the Pocono Paranormal Research team. For mom and dad, there's also an adults-only Monster Mash Party. Theme weekends start at $350 per room, per night.

When it's happening: October 30 through November 1

Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World is famous for its seasonal events -- and Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is no exception. This autumn celebration takes place from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. on select dates from September 1 through November 1, and features a Halloween parade, fireworks and special Halloween-themed entertainment. During this event, the whole park is decked to the nines with pumpkins, black cats and other spooky accouterments, and even the Disney characters wear Halloween costumes! Tickets costs between $48 and $59, and children under 2 are free. Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party takes place at Walt Disney World theme park -- not at any resorts in particular -- but you can get more information about Disney resorts on our Walt Disney World resorts and hotels page. Be sure to check our Florida deals for autumn savings at select Walt Disney World resorts.

When it's happening: Select dates from September 14 through November 1

Disneyland
Not to be outdone by Walt Disney World, Disneyland in Anaheim, California hosts its own autumn celebration. Visit the theme park between October 1 and 31, and you'll experience "Mickey's Halloween Party," an annual event that includes fireworks, dressed-up Disney characters, trick-or-treating and more. Even some of the theme park rides get decked out for Halloween. Space Mountain becomes Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy, and the Haunted Mansion becomes Haunted Mansion Holiday (Jack Skellington and other characters from Halloweentown take over the mansion!). The Halloween Party occurs on Tuesday and Friday nights, and, of course, Halloween. Tickets range between $49 and $59, and children under 2 are free. Looking for Disneyland lodging ideas? Find Disneyland hotels and resorts.

When it's happening: October 1 through 31

Rocking Horse Ranch
Rocking Horse Ranch, just a 90-minute drive from New York City, entertains families during its Fall Fest Weekends. Traditional autumn activities, like seeking out a great pumpkin in the pumpkin patch, apple picking at local orchards, getting lost in corn mazes and more are available at the ranch throughout the season. During October, weekends become Spooktacular and feature trick-or-treating, pumpkin painting, costume balls and hay rides. The fall-themed entertainment is in addition to the ranch's extensive list of indoor and outdoor kid-friendly activities, which includes horseback riding, wild west shows, children's programs and lots more. Rates are as low as $120/night, adults and $47/night, children, depending on length of stay and date of visit.

When it's happening: Weekends throughout October

Woodloch Pines
Woodloch Pines, in the fall foliage rich Poconos, brings back its popular Halloween Weekends at Woodloch. Beginning October 15 and running through Halloween weekend, guests will get more than the resort's already family-friendly amenities like getting wet in the indoor pool and splash zone, boating on the lake, scavenger hunts and more. Putting the treat in Halloween, guests can join in on pumpkin hunts, dress up for the costume parties, take a ride on the Spooktacular Haunted hay ride, and get up close and personal with the animals in the petting zoo. Rates begin at $390 per person per package, which includes two-night accommodations and six meals.

When it's happening: Weekends throughout October, beginning on the 15th

Wildflower Inn
Fall in Vermont cannot be beat and the Wildflower Inn provides a family-friendly country retreat in the heart of the mountains for prime leaf peeping. Its Autumn Harvest Family Weekend features apple cider making, a harvest dinner, bonfire with S'mores, apple bobbing, farm tours, horse-drawn wagon rides, and a day trip to the Great Corn Maze. The package, which begins at $468 for two people, also includes two-nights stay, breakfast and afternoon snacks.

When it's happening: October 15 through 17