Your Guide to Fall Adventures on Kansas I-70
Fall is the perfect season for a road trip, and there’s no better route than Kansas I-70, where 17 vibrant communities come alive with festivals, fairs, and celebrations. From car shows in Goodland to pumpkin patches in Russell County, Oktoberfests in Hays and Junction City to the BBQ Trail in Kansas City, Kansas, each stop along the highway offers its own unique way to experience autumn. Whether you’re chasing fall colors, local traditions, or new flavors, Kansas I-70 is your ticket to discovering the heart of Kansas one community at a time.
The Flatlanders Fall Festival returns to Goodland on September 26–28, 2025, filling downtown with a car and bike show, live entertainment, local vendors, and family activities that draw thousands each year. It’s a weekend packed with small-town hospitality and big-time fun.
Now in its role as one of Northwest Kansas’s premier events, the festival is built on community pride and collaboration. Goodland’s location, just off I-70, 17 miles from the Colorado border and 50 miles from Nebraska, makes it an easy stop for travelers exploring Kansas and the surrounding region. Learn more at Flatlanders Fall Festival.
Enjoy an intimate night of music in Colby as BreAnne Stone performs live at the Cooper Barn on October 25, 2025, at 7 p.m. Her soulful folk sound, heartfelt lyrics, and warm stage presence promise an evening filled with stories, connection, and uplifting melodies. 🎶🌾
A traveler and songwriter inspired by the ocean, trees, and the people she meets along the way, BreAnne has been performing across the U.S., turning each concert into a shared experience. Don’t miss this special opportunity to hear her in one of Colby’s most unique venues. Purchase tickets here.
Celebrate autumn in Oakley at the Annual Fall Festival on October 4, 2025, hosted at the Buffalo Bill Cultural Center. This free, family-friendly event offers food trucks, local vendors, pumpkin rolling, wagon rides, inflatables, yard games, and plenty of seasonal fun for all ages.
The festival has become a favorite community tradition, welcoming both residents and travelers with Oakley’s hallmark hospitality. Located right along I-70, Oakley is the perfect stop to enjoy small-town charm and big autumn energy in Northwest Kansas. Learn more at Buffalo Bill Cultural Center.
Catch a night of nostalgia under the stars at WaKeeney’s Double Feature Drive-In Movie Night Fundraiser on Saturday, September 27, 2025. Hosted by the Trego Sky View Drive-In, the evening features Hocus Pocus followed by Little Shop of Horrors. Gates open at 6:30 p.m., with sundown and showtime beginning around 7:30 p.m. Enjoy popcorn, pizza, and bottled water while supporting efforts to fully restore this beloved venue.
Located just off I-70 at Exit 128, WaKeeney’s Sky View Drive-In is a community treasure and one of the few remaining drive-in theaters in the region. This event not only brings families and friends together for a fun evening, but also helps preserve a classic roadside experience that reflects the spirit of small-town Kansas. Click here for more information.
Get into the festive spirit at Oktoberfest in Hays, Kansas on September 26–27, 2025, held in Municipal Park during Fort Hays State University’s homecoming weekend. Expect a lively weekend packed with traditional food and drink, live music, crafts, beer, and plenty of activities that celebrate Volga German heritage.
Organized by the Volga German Centennial Association, this annual event honors the history and traditions of German immigrants who settled in the region. From cultural booths and authentic cuisine to music that moves both feet and hearts, Oktoberfest Hays offers locals and visitors alike a chance to connect with history, community, and some very tasty traditions.
Granny Mae’s Pumpkin Patch opens for the 2025 fall season beginning October 4, welcoming visitors on weekends in October: Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. Experience bonfires, hot cocoa, hoodies, pumpkins, and magic around every corner as the patch transforms into an autumn wonderland.
Located off I-70 at the Dorrance exit (Russell County), Granny Mae’s isn’t just a pumpkin patch—it’s a full fall festival experience. Attractions include a corn maze, live music, choice pumpkins both picked or ready for purchase, a gift shop, and seasonal treats. The patch offers that cozy, nostalgic Kansas fall vibe that’s perfect for families, road-trippers, or anyone looking to celebrate autumn in the heartland.
Don’t miss the Smoky Hill Museum Street Fair in Salina on Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The day kicks off with a parade down Santa Fe between Elm and South Streets, then moves to the museum grounds at 211 W Iron Avenue. You’ll find an Old West theme throughout, with a chili cook-off, historic demonstrations, wagons, crafts (free make-and-take), caricatures, airbrush tattoos, and more. Entry, entertainment, and most participation are free.
Hosted by the Smoky Hill Museum in downtown Salina, this annual street fair is a celebration of Old West heritage and community spirit. With food vendors, lively music, family-friendly activities, and exhibits open in the museum, it’s ideal for locals and those traveling I-70 alike. It’s a perfect stop to stretch your legs, engage with history, and enjoy fall in central Kansas.
Climb aboard the Pumpkin Harvest Express with the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad this October. Running on the weekends of October 11–13, 18–19, and 25–26, 2025, the festive train takes passengers from Abilene’s Rock Island Depot to a nearby pumpkin patch where families can pick the perfect pumpkin before returning by rail. Trains depart Saturdays at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., and 2 p.m., and Sundays at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Advance tickets are available at asvrr.org.
Now in its third year, the Pumpkin Harvest Express has quickly become a fall favorite, drawing thousands of visitors to Dickinson County. With vintage passenger cars and an open-air gondola, the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad offers both history and fun, creating a unique way to celebrate the season while enjoying the nostalgia of rail travel in the heart of Kansas.
Get ready for a festive weekend in downtown Junction City—Junction City Oktoberfest takes over October 3-4, 2025, on Washington Street between 6th & 10th. Expect a full lineup of German food, craft beer, live music (including the Der Manhattan Polka Band), fun contests, a large kids zone (with inflatables, climbing wall, crafts, an escape room, miniature golf, and more), plus 50+ vendors, entertainment, and family-friendly attractions. Admission is free.
This two-day event is one of Junction City’s biggest fall celebrations—blending Bavarian tradition with local flavor. It’s organized by JC Main Street and local partners, transforming downtown into a hub of food, music, and community energy. Whether you’re interested in authentic German fare, a craft beer, shopping local vendors, or just enjoying the atmosphere, Oktoberfest offers something for everyone.
Celebrate the season at A&H Farm’s Fall Festival in Manhattan, Kansas, open now through October 31, 2025. Voted one of the Top 10 Must-See Farm Experiences in Kansas, the festival features something for everyone: Kansas’s largest petting zoo, two themed corn mazes (including a weekend-only Lainey Wilson Corn Maze), hayrack rides, pumpkin picking, giant slides, game areas for all ages, and endless fall fun. Tickets are available at ahfarm.ticketspice.com.
A&H Farm has become a fall destination for both locals and travelers along I-70. With unique experiences like tortoise feedings, a Budgie Barn, tricycle track, apple cannons, and even a candy cannon, the farm blends traditional pumpkin patch charm with creative attractions. Whether visiting on a weekday or weekend, families can count on new adventures, great food, and plenty of photo-worthy memories.
It’s fall, y’all, and there’s no better time to soak in the crisp air, colorful leaves, and seasonal flavors in and around Topeka. Kick off your autumn weekend with a visit to Gary’s Berries Cornmaze and Pumpkin Patch, where fun for all ages grows bigger every year with new games and attractions. Then swing by Rees Fruit Farm, where every weekend in October offers a bounty of fall fun, from pick-your-own pumpkin patches and hayrack rides through the orchard to face painting and pumpkin decorating. Don’t leave without the perfect fall treat: fresh apple cider donuts paired with a cup of locally sourced cider. For a scenic slice of the season, take in the vibrant fall colors at Lake Shawnee, Burnett’s Mound, or the trails surrounding the Governor’s Mansion. Cap off your day with wood-fired pizza and a glass of wine under the open sky at Crooked Post Vineyard and Winery. Whether you’re looking for adventure, flavor, or fall views, Topeka has it all this season. https://www.visittopeka.com/
Join the celebration at Lecompton Territorial Days on Saturday, September 27, 2025, as downtown Lecompton transforms into a lively festival honoring the town’s rich history. The day is filled with fun for all ages, including a parade, carnival rides, food trucks, live music, crafts, and even an 1860s vintage baseball game. Historical reenactments bring the past to life, while games and activities create a family-friendly atmosphere that lasts all day.
Territorial Days is one of Lecompton’s most cherished traditions, blending community spirit with Kansas heritage. For history buffs, families, and festival-goers alike, it’s a chance to step back in time while enjoying the small-town charm and welcoming spirit that make Lecompton a special stop along I-70.
Discover the beauty of Kansas farmland during the Kaw Valley Farm Tour, October 4–5, 2025. Now in its 21st year, this self-guided adventure invites visitors to pack up their cars and explore back roads, highways, and even a few city streets to reach farms and heritage sites across Northeast Kansas. Each stop offers something unique—whether it’s fresh produce, hands-on activities, or a behind-the-scenes look at farm life.
Based in Lawrence and stretching across the Kaw Valley region, the tour provides a rare opportunity to connect with local farmers, experience rural traditions, and enjoy the changing colors of fall. It’s a family-friendly outing that blends scenic drives with immersive experiences, making it one of the most unique autumn events in Kansas. Learn more at Explore Lawrence.
Step into a medieval world at the Kansas City Renaissance Festival in Bonner Springs, running weekends through October 12, 2025, plus special holiday Mondays (Labor Day and October 13). Gates are open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays & Sundays; on Columbus Day/October 13 it closes at 5 p.m. Expect jousts, themed weekends, artisan vendors, food, music, and entertainment across 20+ stages.
Since its start in 1977, the Festival has become one of the Midwest’s crown-jewel Renaissance fairs. Covering a 16-acre “village” in Bonner Springs, the event draws around 200,000 visitors annually. With costumed characters, immersive period settings, artisan shops, and feasting, it offers both a full escape into history and an energetic celebration of community and creativity.
Leavenworth is the nexus point for two state-designated scenic byways that welcome leisurely driving tours each autumn. From “the First City of Kansas,” you can head south along the Frontier Military Historic Byway and follow a path taken by 19th-century soldiers moving between Forts Leavenworth and Scott in their mission to safeguard new settlers. You can also point your wheels north to explore the autumn foliage along the Glacial Hills Scenic Byway, named for a landscape shaped by centuries of wind, rain, and the movements of ancient glaciers. https://www.visitleavenworthks.com/visitors
Get ready for an exciting day on the water at the Kansas City Dragon Boat Festival on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at Shawnee Mission Park (7900 Renner Rd, Shawnee, KS). From about 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., this family-friendly festival features 500-meter dragon boat races in multiple divisions, plus an Athletes’ Village, vendor area, Food Trucks, live entertainment, and a Health & Wellness Zone. Admission is free.
Now in its second year, the KC Dragon Boat Festival is co-hosted by GWN Dragon Boat and KC Pink Warriors. It’s more than just racing—this event blends community, culture, and competition, with teams coming from across the country, cultural performances, and plenty of spectator appeal. Shawnee Mission Park, with its lakeside setting and wide open spaces, provides a great venue for both the action on the water and the festival fun on land.
Embark on a flavorful journey with the KCK BBQ Trail, a self-guided adventure through the heart of Kansas City, Kansas. More than just a food tour, the trail maps out family-owned barbecue joints, legendary pit stops, and hidden gems where pitmasters have perfected slow-smoked meats for generations. Visitors can check in at each stop to earn rewards along the way, but the real treasure is in the stories and flavors you’ll discover bite by bite. Sign up at visitkansascityks.com/bbq-trail.
The KCK BBQ Trail blends culinary tradition with culture and community, inviting travelers to explore neighborhoods and meet the people behind Kansas City’s world-famous barbecue. It’s a must-do experience for food lovers traveling I-70, offering not only a feast for the taste buds but also a deeper connection to the history and hospitality that define KCK.
