Autumn in Alaska is a short season, sometimes skipped entirely by early snow falls, but it is one of the most beautiful seasons in the state. Up north, the tundra rolls in red and gold carpets, on the hills the trees explode into a perfect patchwork, and leaves fall all over in a pretty golden carpet. Enjoy these fall day trips in Alaska to get every drop of fun out of the season. But don't wait for fall adventures or you might miss the season completely. Winter is coming and it won't be long, so seize the glorious autumn day and take a picture perfect fall day trip.
1. Take a hay ride in the country.
Head to Pyrah's Pioneer Peak Farm (4350 S Bodenburg Loop, Palmer) in September for hay rides around the countryside for the young and young at heart. Their Fall Festival is good, clean fun for the whole family. U-pick fruits and vegetables are available through the summer, as well.
2. Take a train ride through the fall foliage.
Cruise through the Alaskan countryside when the fall colors are at their most vibrant. The Hurricane Turn Train, operated by the Alaska Railroad, is a picturesque route between Talkeetna and Hurricane Gulch. Take the train in late August through mid-September for the best chance to see the fall foliage before the snow falls.
3. Take a ride on the on the HooDoo Choo Choo!
In late September, the HooDoo Brewing Company in Fairbanks takes over one of the Alaska Railroad trains for a day. This wild party is a safe, fun ride through the gorgeous autumn colors from Fairbanks south to Denali National Park.
4. Go to Harvest Day at the Alaska Botanical Garden.
Head to the bountiful Alaska Botanical Garden (4601 Campbell Airstrip Road Anchorage) to help clean up! Fresh air and beautiful flowers make for a fun day in the sun. Sample produce, herbs, and fruit and help harvest all the vegetables for local charities for a healthy, happy day trip.
https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/alaska/botanical-garden-anchorage-ak/">More information here.
5. Visit Alaska's only cidery.
Double Shovel (502 W 58th Ave, Unit C,
Anchorage) makes micro-cider, a growing trend nationwide. Visit their tasting room to drink a pint of their unique cider on-site or pick up a growler for later.
6. Spend a day picking apples. (Yes APPLES!)
There are two U-Pick Apple Orchards in Alaska! Both have grafted tasty varieties of apples onto trees that survive well in the subarctic climate. Have a perfect fall day picking apples. Fire Apple Orchard and Gardens (4214 S. Andrea, Wasilla) were they teach grafting classes in the spring, have U-Pick cherries in the summer and apples in the fall. You can also buy your own Alaskan apple trees here! Clair's Cultivations (1364 Esro Road
Fairbanks) has a vast orchard of small, tart, delicious apples to pick on your own in August.
7. Check out the giant pumpkin at the Alaska State Fair.
The Midnight Sun does strange things to all living creatures, pumping them with extra energy and light. Vegetables are no exception and pumpkins, cabbages and zucchinis grow to freakishly huge proportions. In 2017, a 1,231.5 pound Pumpkin won first place! Take a day trip to do all the fun things at the Alaska State Fair and check out the winning vegetables!
8. Take a scenic drive up the Steese Highway.
Head north up the Steese Highway toward the Arctic Circle to see the tundra erupt in the beautiful colors of fall in the arctic. It has a kind of autumn charm all its own.
9. Celebrate Augtoberfest in Denali!
Head to Healy near Denali National Park for Augtober Fest, a celebration of the end of another beautiful summer in Denali National Park. Enjoy microbrew and German cuisine while listening to excellent music and dancing the night away.
10. Pick a pumpkin in Palmer.
Head to the Williams Reindeer Farm to pick your own pumpkin in August through mid-September. They have a field full of pumpkins to choose from. Get out in the fresh autumn air to see the verdant Matanuska Valley farmland.
11. Ride the bus up the Denali Park Road.
Head to Denali National Park to experience the breathtaking views and the abundance of wildlife most visitors see while traveling deep into the park. You'll never forget the experience of being surrounded by so much open wilderness, especially in the fall.
12. Head to Seward, a little town that that is charming in the fall.
Head to the Kenai Peninsula to the charming town of Seward to stroll along the seaside in the cool autumn breezes. The fall colors are beautiful in this area and the sea is always sparkling.
Have you been on any of these fabulous fall day trips? Tell us about it in the comments below!
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