Cox Farms, Centreville VA
October 2023
Visiting Cox Farms for its Fall Festival has become something of an annual tradition for me, after stumbling on it a few years ago in a list of “things to do in northern Virginia in the fall.”
I’m far from the only one. It’s a massive event. Every time I’ve visited, the place has been packed with thousands of people. It’s basically a fairground, with animal pens, hayrides, a corn maze, a tractor “museum,” giant slides, and lots of food stalls.
It also has Foamhenge, an all-foam recreation of Stonehenge by our local, lovable, eccentric fiberglass artist Mark Cline.
There’s not a single thrill ride in sight (unless you count the “Fields of Fear” events at night). In fact, I don’t think there are any electronics at play anywhere besides the cash registers. There’s something refreshing about that. Not in a technophobic sense; it’s just nice to have a breather from the digital world, to enjoy kettle corn and apple cider and friendly goats.
It’s a great way to spend an hour or two, especially if you have young kids.
Fees: $10-$25 per person for basic admission depending on the day, except infants and toddlers under 2 years old. Fields of Fear costs extra at $30-$40 per person. Tickets must be bought online (which you can technically do on a phone when you get there).
Conditions: Sunny, 75° Fahrenheit; unseasonably warm
