By Laurie Rilee, REALTOR®
Autumn is when Chester County really shows off. The hills turn amber and rust, the farm stands fill up, and every weekend has something to do. Here's a short list of local favorites.
Autumn's Colors at Longwood Gardens
Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square runs Autumn's Colors from October 2 through November 15, 2026. The highlight is the Chrysanthemum Festival, with thousands of mums trained into fanciful shapes in the conservatory. You can also take in the foliage from the treehouses (Longwood Gardens).
Apples and pumpkins in Kennett Square
Barnard's Orchard on Wawaset Road is a fourth-generation family farm known for pick-your-own apples, with pumpkins in the field too. It's a great way to spend a crisp afternoon with kids.
Pumpkinland and hayrides
Colonial Gardens' Pumpkinland and its daytime hayrides run daily through November 1, from 10 AM to 4:30 PM when the weather cooperates, per Kid-Friendly Chester County. That calendar is also a good place to find story times, farm days, and festivals all season.
Mark your calendar for next September
Kennett Square calls itself the Mushroom Capital of the World, and The Mushroom Festival takes over State Street every September. This year's festival was on September 12, so put next year's on your list early.
A good time to buy?
Fall can be a smart time to buy here. Many sellers who listed in spring and summer are ready to negotiate, and you get to see a home's yard, light, and views at one of the prettiest times of year. If you're curious what's on the market, I'm happy to set up a search for you.