Pierce County farms, museum, conservatory and other sites offer autumn activities

Families across Pierce County are marking the arrival of autumn with a variety of seasonal activities, ranging from traditional pumpkin patches and corn mazes to historic railroad excursions and indoor educational play.

Local Farms Offer Seasonal Activities and Attractions

Double RR Farms provides pumpkin slingshots and weekend hayrides, while Maris Farms has scheduled duck and pig races. Picha Farms incorporates live bluegrass music into its field operations.

Spooner Farms maintains a selection of more than 50 varieties of pumpkins, gourds, squash, and corn. Their facility includes pedal karts and gel blasters, alongside a dedicated play area for children under age 12. In Enumclaw, the Thomasson Family Farm offers a corn maze, a “mega slide,” and a fairy tale trail, with seasonal food items such as caramel apples and mini donuts available for purchase.

Autumn Floral Displays at W.W. Seymour Conservatory

The W.W. Seymour Conservatory in Tacoma is hosting its annual Autumn Flower Show, which remains open through November. The exhibition features seasonal flora, including golden sunflowers, ornamental peppers, and various types of chrysanthemums housed within the facility’s historic glass dome. The display is situated in Wright Park, where the surrounding champion trees provide additional autumn foliage. Beyond the seasonal exhibits, the conservatory maintains a year-round collection of tropical plants and orchids.

Historic Railroad Excursions in the Foothills

The Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad offers fall-themed trips departing from Elbe and traveling toward Mineral. The excursions utilize historic locomotives and passenger coaches dating from the 1920s to the 1940s, operating on tracks originally established in the early 20th century for the regional logging industry. Each trip lasts approximately one hour and fifteen minutes. The route provides views of the Nisqually River and the foothills, with the peak of Mt. Rainier visible during clear weather. The railroad includes a narrated history component and a run-around maneuver in Mineral. Reservations are recommended, though walk-up tickets may be available depending on capacity.

Indoor Play at The Children’s Museum of Tacoma

For families seeking indoor activities during inclement weather, the Children’s Museum of Tacoma operates five themed playscapes: Woods, Water, Voyager, Invention, and Becka’s Studio. The museum maintains a Pay as You Will admission policy, which allows families to enter based on a donation rather than a fixed ticket price. This model is intended to ensure access regardless of a family’s financial circumstances. The facility also hosts weekly activities and designated low-sensory sessions.

Halloween Programming at Wild Waves Theme and Water Park

Wild Waves Theme and Water Park in Federal Way is conducting its October seasonal programming, split into daytime and evening formats. The park’s Kiddie Land area hosts “Booville,” which includes trick-or-treating, face-painting, and live entertainment suitable for children aged 12 and under. Beginning at 6 p.m., the park transitions to “Fright Fest,” an evening program featuring haunted houses, scare zones, and rides operating in the dark. This programming is scheduled to run throughout the month of October.