Fall is a great time for a family trip to Ogunquit. Cooler temperatures make it comfortable to explore outdoors, farms around southern Maine enter harvest season, and local communities fill their calendars with festivals and seasonal activities.
Families staying in our Ogunquit, Maine vacation rentals can use the town as a home base for apple picking, pumpkins, foliage drives, and special events throughout the region.
Pick Your Own Apples at a Local Orchard
Apple picking is one of the classic fall activities in Ogunquit and the surrounding area. Several farms within driving distance of town offer opportunities to enjoy Maine’s harvest season with kids.
Visit Spiller Farm
Spiller Farm in nearby Wells is a convenient option for families. The farm has been operated by the Spiller family since 1894 and grows apples along with pumpkins, vegetables, berries, and other crops.
During the 2026 fall season, Spiller Farm offers pick-your-own apples and pumpkins. Families can also see farm animals, and the farm offers scheduled group wagon tours during part of the season. Picking conditions and hours change, so check the farm’s website on the day you plan to visit. If you fall in love with Wells (it’s easy to do), you can extend your stay at one of our vacation rentals in Wells, Maine.
Explore Nearby Apple Orchards in Southern Maine
For another option, consider McDougal Orchards in Springvale. This seventh-generation family farm specializes in pick-your-own apples and offers additional family activities such as a corn maze, wagon rides, a fairy village, picnic areas, and walking trails. Apple varieties ripen at different times, making it important to check orchard updates before making the drive.
Find the Perfect Pumpkin at a Local Pumpkin Patch
Picking a pumpkin gives kids a hands-on way to celebrate fall and makes an easy addition to a day exploring southern Maine.
Visit Spiller Farm for Pumpkins and Fall Produce
Spiller Farm’s pick-your-own area includes pumpkins and ornamental pumpkins along with winter squash and seasonal vegetables. Families can walk through the farm and choose their own fall produce. Wear shoes that can handle farm fields, especially after rainy weather.
Enjoy Corn Mazes and Other Farm Activities
Families looking for more than pumpkin picking can explore farms farther inland. McDougal Orchards offers a corn maze and other activities alongside its apple orchards. Farm offerings depend on weather, crop conditions, and the time of the season. Always check current information before leaving Ogunquit.
Celebrate the Season at OgunquitFest
OgunquitFest belongs near the top of any list of family-friendly things to do in Ogunquit during October. Organized by the Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce, the annual festival combines Halloween traditions with crafts, entertainment, and activities around town. In 2026, the 23rd annual OgunquitFest takes place October 23 through 25.
Browse the Artisan Craft Fair
The OgunquitFest Artisan Craft Fair takes place October 24 and 25 in 2026. The Chamber says the fair features approximately 50 to 60 vendors across indoor and outdoor areas at the Dunaway Center and Dorothea Jacobs Grant Common. Families can browse handmade items while taking a break between other festival events.
Enjoy Halloween Activities and Seasonal Entertainment
OgunquitFest’s 2026 schedule includes children’s trick-or-treating downtown on Friday night and in Perkins Cove on Saturday morning. Other signature events include Dogtoberfest, a classic car show at Main Beach, live entertainment, and the High Heel Dash.
Visit Nearby Fall Festivals and Harvest Events
Staying in our vacation rentals in Ogunquit, Maine also puts families within easy driving distance of fall celebrations in neighboring coastal towns.
Wells Family Jamboree
The Wells Chamber’s annual Family Jamboree provides a beloved family-focused fall outing. The 2026 event is scheduled for October 17 at Wells Harbor Park, with games, crafts, food, vendors, and other activities planned.
Event details can change, so check the Wells Chamber calendar when planning your trip.
York Harvestfest
York’s Harvestfest & Kidsfest is one of the area’s established fall traditions. The 41st annual event is scheduled for October 17, 2026, at Short Sands Beach. Families can expect local food, live entertainment, a juried craft market, and Kidsfest. Kidsfest features hands-on activities that may include games, crafts, demonstrations, and face painting. Extend your celebration by booking one of our York, Maine vacation rentals.
Take a Family Fall Foliage Drive Near Ogunquit
A foliage drive can provide a quieter break between busy festival days. Head away from Route 1 and explore the wooded roads connecting Ogunquit with Wells, York, South Berwick, and other inland communities.
Build extra time into your route for scenic stops. Maine foliage timing varies with weather and location, so checking the state’s current foliage reports before your trip can help you plan.
Plan a Full Day of Fall Activities With the Kids
Combining farms, ocean views, local treats, and seasonal celebrations makes it easy to pack a full day of autumn fun near Ogunquit. Here is a sample step-by-step itinerary to help families organize their day:
- Morning: Orchard Picking & Corn Mazes (8:30 AM – 11:30 AM) Start early with a visit to Spiller Farm in Wells or McDougal Orchards in Springvale. Spend the morning picking crisp apples, selecting jack-o’-lantern pumpkins from the patch, and tackling the corn maze. Don’t leave without picking up fresh apple cider donuts from the farm stand.
- Midday: Family Lunch & Scenic Coastal Walk (12:00 PM – 2:30 PM) Head back toward the coast for lunch at a casual, kid-friendly spot like Cornerstone Artisanal Pizza in downtown Ogunquit or Footbridge Lobster in Perkins Cove. Afterward, take a leisurely stroll along the Marginal Way. This 1.25-mile paved cliff path is stroller-accessible, offering gorgeous views of the crashing surf set against autumn foliage.
- Afternoon: Village Exploring & Sweet Treats (2:30 PM – 5:00 PM) End your walk in Perkins Cove to watch lobster boats pass under the pedestrian drawbridge. Stop into Perkins Cove Candies for homemade fudge and retro sweets, browse The Toy Chest, or hop on the Ogunquit Trolley for a ride back to the village center to visit Village Toy Funatic.
- Evening: Festival Events or Back-Road Foliage Drives (5:00 PM Onward)
- On Festival Weekends: Join in local traditions like OgunquitFest’s trick-or-treating or Dogtoberfest, games at York Harvestfest & Kidsfest, or craft activities at the Wells Family Jamboree.
- On Quiet Weekends: Take a late-afternoon foliage drive along the wooded back roads connecting Ogunquit to South Berwick, then head back to your vacation rental for dinner, board games, and pumpkin carving.
Final Thoughts
Ogunquit gives families plenty of ways to enjoy Maine in the fall. Apple orchards, pumpkin picking, community festivals, Halloween events, and colorful drives make it easy to build a trip around different ages and interests.
Reserve your vacation home early, especially when visiting during popular October events, and use it as a comfortable home base for exploring southern Maine.
Book Your Ogunquit Vacation Rental with Jean Knapp Rentals
Jean Knapp Rentals specializes in vacation homes throughout Ogunquit, York, and Wells. Our experienced team is committed to personalized service, helping families find a Maine rental that fits their group and plans. Browse our available homes and start planning your family’s fall trip to the southern Maine coast.