As someone who waits all year for the air to crisp, to drag out my sweatshirts, and to sip hot coffee as I walk with my family of three through one of the metro area’s perfectly autumn-colored parks, I never take the idyllic months of September–November for granted. I want to do everything: the apple picking, the corn mazing, the fall festing, the trick-or-treating, the spooky movie-watching... A few things on my toddler-centric list for this fall:
🌾 Winding my way through one of the insane corn mazes in the metro area. Keep scrolling for some favorite picks!
🪴 Learning more about initiatives helping St. Louis grow. See below for our preview of an education center coming to the Shaw neighborhood that will bring plant sciences to life—literally—for area students and offer food supply solutions for the community.
🎡 And, of course, our biggest St. Louis Family Playdate yet, at Union Station on September 18! We’ll be exploring the aquarium, playing games, riding the destination’s brand-new rides, and more. Score 50 percent off select attractions when you register here. Can’t wait to see you there!
Wishing you a wonderful week with the ones you love.
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Things to Do
For even more great ideas for things to do this week, subscribe to our Weekend newsletter, delivered every Thursday. And if you’re looking for classic seasonal activities, check out our below guides.
A MESSAGE FROM VISITROLLA — ROLLA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Your fall bucket list starts in Rolla
From playful adventures at Pete’s Pumpkin Patch to colorful celebrations and creative crafts, Rolla offers fall fun for everyone. Explore the season’s best festivals, flavors, and family traditions in Rolla.
Green House Venture breaks ground on education center for St. Louis students
St. Louis kids are about to get a big boost in hands-on science learning, thanks to a new education center that’s planting roots in Shaw.
What’s Happening: A $4.7 million education center is coming to Shaw, with a groundbreaking this week and a projected opening in fall 2026.
🌱 Why It Matters: The center will provide hands-on learning for grades 4–8 in bioscience, dietetics, and urban agriculture. Features include aquaponics, rooftop gardening, vertical farming, and year-round greenhouse projects.
📓 Who’s Involved: Current partner schools include St. Margaret of Scotland, Center Cross Academy, Mullanphy Investigative Center, Lafayette Prep. The program's also working in collaboration with UMSL and other community organizations.
🍏 Community Impact: Students take home their harvests, with extras donated to Operation Food Search. Alumni of the program have also been inspired to pursue plant science-related careers.
Believe it or not, the holidays are right around the corner. From organizing décor and seasonal clothing to preparing for guests, get ready with these expert tips from Closet Factory.
PIGS & PUMPKINS
Meet Rusty Pliers, the folksy, familiar face at Eckert’s Millstadt Fun Farm
For 17 seasons, entertainer Rusty Pliers has been a fan favorite at the family attraction.
🐖 Pig Races & Pumpkin Cannons
Rusty emcees the famous pig races every fall (with cookie-loving pigs at the center of the show).
Since 2017, he’s also hosted the pumpkin cannon show, delighting crowds with a mix of humor and spectacle.
🌟 A Beloved Performer
Rusty got his start at Eckert’s in 2009, thanks to his mentor “Smooth,” the original pig-race emcee.
He keeps his shows fresh by incorporating ideas from kids in the audience.
His bib-overalls have become a signature look.
💬 Rusty’s Words: “When people walk up to me and say, ‘Your show was worth the price of admission,’ now I’ve accomplished my task for the day.”
📅 Plan Your Visit: Catch Rusty this fall during weekends at Eckert’s Millstadt Farm (2719 Eckert Orchard). Tickets are available online.
Learn together as a family through this free educational program for homeschoolers that explores STL history. Offered one Friday per month at Missouri History Museum for pre-K through twelfth grade students. Enjoy workshops, performances, crafts, and more. Plan your visit.
Pedal the Cause is back September 20 and 21! Ride, spin, donate, volunteer, or kids challenge—everyone can help fund critical research to one day end cancer. Learn more.
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