Fall Festival at Sundrop Springs: your guide

If you're looking for a family plan that leans into the season, the Fall Festival at Sundrop Springs is hard to beat. It's been running since September 26 and keeps going through November 1, so there's plenty of time to slot it in. The whole thing sits on a 22-acre farm on the north side of New Braunfels, at 953 Hueco Springs Loop Road, which is a reasonable drive from San Antonio for a full day out.

The daytime side of things is built for younger kids. There's a herd of Nigerian Dwarf goats with babies born in the fall, carriage rides, a hayride through Sundrop Forest, a corn pit, a castle playground and a giant jump pillow. The Pumpkin King's Trail is the centerpiece here: by day it's a guided walk that works for all ages, and it's the gentler way to see the farm. Once the sun goes down, though, the mood shifts. The nighttime version of the trail turns into a haunted attraction aimed at ages 12 and up, and Sundrop Screams, the festival's haunted attraction, opens at dusk. Whether you want a sunny afternoon with the goats or a spooky evening, the place handles both.

One thing worth knowing before you head out is that the hours change from day to day, so it's worth a quick check. On a typical weekend, it runs from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. or 10:00 p.m., but on some weekdays it doesn't open until 5:00 p.m. For example, today, Monday October 12, it's open from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., which is a shorter window than usual. If you're planning a visit later in the month, the hours swing back to full days on the weekends, with the festival running right up to November 1.

If you're in the mood to make a day of it, the farm is set up to keep you busy. Between the animals, the rides, the corn pit and the jump pillow, there's enough to fill a few hours without much rushing. And because the daytime and nighttime versions of the Pumpkin King's Trail are so different, it's one of those places you could visit twice in one season and get two different experiences out of it. If you have questions before you go, you can reach them at (512) 540-4218 or info@sundropsprings.com.

It's a straightforward, outdoor plan that fits the season well. With the farm animals, the hayride and the jump pillow, it's easy to keep younger kids entertained, and the haunted trail and Sundrop Screams give the older crowd something to do once it gets dark. Whether you go for the goats or the ghosts, it's a solid way to spend an October day or evening.