Austin G.
Yelp
After visiting many of the D.C. area fall festivals, I can confidently say Cox Farms is the best! Here's why:
1) Price: At first glance, it feels pricey. It's $20 per person, but the ticket does get you a lot. Unlike other fall festivals where the fun wears off after 1-2 hours, you can easily stay the entire day at Cox Farms, getting the most of your money. Also, the $20 includes an interactive hayride, a free pumpkin on your way out and all the rides and activities (except for the gem mining).
2) Space: It's pretty big so pay attention to the maps placed throughout the farm. It's also in Centreville, Virginia about a 45-minute drive from D.C., adding to the appeal. You're definitely on a working family-owned farm. Although a big space, you don't feel exhausted walking from activity to activity.
3) Slides: They have six themed-slides from the "Castle Slide" to the "Dino Slide." The tallest slide is the Dino Slide and the line moves fast since there are six chutes. The widest slide is the Barn Slide. One slide to avoid is the Volcano Slide. It's a single chute, making the line (in direct sun) very long. In the end, it's the slowest slide and not worth the wait. Skip it.
4) Amenities: Besides the slides, there's a foam replica of Stonehenge, a corn maze with fun surprises (definitely worth visiting!), an interactive corn maze, play areas for little kids, a forest rail, farm animals (goats, pigs, cows, bunnies, etc.), a music stage, rope swings, a giant yellow chair, tunnels, etc. There's enough to stay engaged all day!
5) Food: It's what you'd expect at a place like this, but the prices were cheaper than I thought. For $8, you can buy chicken nuggets and waffle fries. The portions are large enough to feed two little kids. They also sell hot dogs, BBQ, kettle corn, apple cider doughnuts, cookies and milk and more. The stands are spread throughout the farm.
6) Water: They have free water stations throughout so bring a water bottle! They also have misting stations on hot days and a barn of free apple cider. (Keep in mind that bees love cider so be gentle when getting the cider. If you need it, there are bee sting kits nearby.)
7) Thoughtfulness: The staff are friendly, masked during the pandemic and really try to make it the best experience. For example, they have bee sting kits by the apple cider. Each staff member also has their pronouns on their name tags.
8) Tables: There are plenty of areas with tables and chairs and a good amount of them are in the shade.
9) Market: They have a market full of fall goodies, produce and farm fresh jams! Expect to buy some treats for the road.
A few things to note:
1) To avoid crowds during the pandemic, go on a Monday or Friday. If you must go on a weekend, get there right when they open and head directly to the back attractions. You'll have a good 30 minutes with little lines.
2) Pack hand sanitizer. They have stations by the farm animal pens, but you'd expect more given the pandemic.
3) They just have outhouses, but they are plentiful. Just be prepared to use an outhouse and expect all the usual smells.
