After living in and around Louisville, Kentucky for most of my life, I have to say there is really so much to do here no matter what time of year it is. However, the events that take place in Louisville during fall and Halloween put every other season to shame. There are things for people to do with their friends, but also great fall couples festivities. There are so many different fall events that cater to people of all ages. Here are the three best things to do in and around Louisville during fall and Halloween, in no particular order:
1. Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular This Jack O’ Lantern exhibition events goes from October 8th to November 3rd at Iroquois Park in Louisville, Kentucky. According to the website for the Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular, “The Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular began in Oxford, Massachusetts in 1988. The Louisville event, celebrating its 7th year in 2019, is held in Iroquois Park with 5,000 carved pumpkins lining a 1/3-mile walking trail, illuminated at night as an ‘art show’. The show runs daily from dusk to 11 p.m., during the week (Sunday-Thursday), and closes at midnight on Friday & Saturday.” This event is a great way to get involved in the Louisville community because proceeds benefit the Louisville Parks Foundation.
2. Waverly Hills Sanatorium Most people usually just think of Waverly Hills as a haunted house, but it is so much more than that! Waverly offers historical and paranormal tours of the grounds, and even offers the opportunity for you to conduct a paranormal investigation of your own. However, Waverly does offer a Haunted House Fundraiser during the fall months. All proceeds go toward preserving the sanatorium and promoting its history. Here is a little bit about the history of Waverly Hills and why it is such an important architectural part of Louisville taken from the Waverly website: “Waverly Hills Sanatorium sits on land that was originally purchased by Major Thomas H. Hays in 1883. Major Hays was in need of a school for his daughters to attend, so he started a one room school house that was located on Pages Lane. He hired a woman named Lizzie Lee Harris to teach at the school. Her love for the tiny school in addition to her fondness for Scott’s “Waverley Novels”, prompted her to name the little school house, “Waverley School.” Major Hays liked the name, and chose to name his property “Waverley Hill.” The Board of Tuberculosis Hospital kept the name after purchasing the land and opening the Sanatorium. Originally, Waverly Hills Sanatorium was a two-story frame building, with a hipped roof and half timbering. Construction on this building began in 1908, and opened for business on July 26, 1910. The building was designed to safely accommodate 40-50 tuberculosis patients. At the time, tuberculosis was a very serious disease. People who were afflicted with tuberculosis were isolated from the general public and placed in an area where they could rest, stay calm, and have plenty of fresh air.” To read more about the history of the Waverly Hills Sanitorium, you can go to therealwaverlyhills.com. They have some really interesting history!
3. Farm Life Farm Life is located in southern Indiana and is home to over 20 fall attractions for the whole family to enjoy. Their season starts September 28th and ends on November 3rd. Their hours are Saturdays: 11am to 7:30 pm and Sundays: noon to 6pm. Admission is five dollars for adults and kids and children two and under are free. The attractions included with admission are: hayrides, corn mazes, pumpkin patch, petting zoo, swings, duck races, corn hole games, tug of war, and many more!