Faulkner's Ranch 28th Annual Pumpkin Festival

Faulkner's Ranch is back for its 28th annual pumpkin festival, running from October 2 through October 31 at the Faulkner's Ranch Event Venue in Kansas City. It's a daily thing throughout the month, though the hours change depending on the date, so it's the kind of event you can slot in whenever you've got a free afternoon or weekend.

The ranch bills it as Kansas City's number one fall event, and it's easy to see why it's been running for nearly three decades. The activities are classic autumn: wagon rides and the Cow Train for getting around the grounds, farm animals to meet, and the Mega Slide for anyone who doesn't mind a fast trip down. There are games scattered throughout, and plenty of spots around the venue to stop and take photos with the fall scenery.

Then there's the food, which is a big part of the draw. Pumpkin donuts, apple cider, and kettle corn are the staples here—the kind of things that taste right when the weather starts to turn. Between the rides and the snacks, it's a full day out rather than just a quick stop.

One thing to keep in mind: tickets are limited and you have to buy them online to guarantee your admission. Since it runs every day from October 2 to October 31, you've got plenty of dates to choose from, but you'll want to book your spot ahead of time rather than just showing up.