Photograph: Courtesy Three Cedars Farm
Fall fun abounds at these pumpkin patches across America
Written by Lauren Mack
USA contributor
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The October bucket list is packed every year:take on acorn maze, brave a haunted house and hit up a slew of Halloween events.But top of the list, especially for the family-friendly crowd, is a day of fun at a pumpkin patch.
In the lead-up to Halloween, local farms across Americatransform from sleepy swaths of land to full-fledged, action-packed entertainment venues. The best pumpkin patchesin the U.S. offer heaps of pumpkins, sure, but they go above and beyond to make your fall memories last a lifetime. Think in-ground trampolines, giant corn mazes, petting zoos, hayrides, and plenty of treats (who can resist those apple-cinnamon donuts?)
Whether you have kids to entertain,are looking for a cozy day date with your boo or simply want to get into the fall vibe, these pumpkin patches will make your autumnal dreams come true.
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Best pumpkin patches in the U.S.
More than 100,000 pounds of pumpkins, squash, and gourds are displayed at the Circleville Pumpkin Show in Circleville, Ohio, some 26 miles south of Columbia, Ohio. Founded in 1903 by George Haswell, the mayor of Circleville, the nine-block festival attracts 400,000 people during its four days.
There are thousands of pumpkins to pick from, plus seven parades, amusem*nt rides, a variety of pumpkin foods (soup, burgers and, of course, pies), and fun contests like pie-eating, hog-calling, and pageants like the Little Miss Pumpkin Show. Stop by Lindsey's Bakery to admire their six-foot, 400-pound pumpkin pie fed to area hogs post-festival. Oct 18-21, 2023.
There are many pumpkin picking places in New York, and one of the most popular is Hank's PumpkinTown. While the family farm is on the eastern tip of Long Island, it's worth the drive to get pumpkins and pumpkin carving tools.
There are more than 30 acres of attractions, including narrated wagon hayrides through the pumpkin and corn fields, three corn mazes, tractor train rides and a giant 50-foot tube mountain slide. Take advantage of the corn shed selling roasted sweet corn and their market, where you’ll find apple cider donuts and slushies, and caramel apples. Through Oct 31, 2023.
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Located 34 miles from Sacramento, California, Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm has been a beloved pumpkin-picking staple since 1973. What began as a humble pumpkin farm started by Bill and Sandy Bishop has expanded to offer a petting zoo, zipline rides, train and carnival rides. There’s also live music, pig races and seasonal food for sale, like freshly baked scones and muffins from Mrs. B’s Bakery, all made from heirloom variety pumpkins. The northern California pumpkin farm is the largest U-Pick pumpkin field in the world, featuring 90 acres of pumpkins, gourds and squash. They sell 100 varieties to 300,000 guests annually. Through Nov 5, 2023.
Uncle Shuck's Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch has you covered with all types of Georgia-grown pumpkins—from minis to prize winners to warty to white, all fresh from the field. About an hour's drive from Atlanta, Uncle Shuck's has Georgia's largest and longest-operating corn maze. For 22 years, visitors have gotten lost in the 15-acre corn maze's seven miles of paths. On weekends in October, there's also The Dark Rows, a two-acre haunted trail through the most twisted trails of the cornfield. Through Nov 12, 2023.
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Roughly 45 minutes west of Chicago, the family-owned pumpkin farm Sonny Acres has been creating fall fun since 1883. Founded by first-generation German immigrants Ferdinand and Anna Nagel, the farm features hayrides through fall foliage, farm-fresh foods like taffy apples and cider donuts and a patch for picking out the best pumpkins. Come for the pumpkins and stay for the new amusem*nt rides, farm animals and train rides. On weekend nights, Sonny Acres hosts haunted hayrides in an open-air wagon through the woods and a haunted maze that meanders through an abandoned barn with a scarecrow on the loose. Both have live actors, animatronics, pyrotechnics and music for those who dare enter. Through Oct 29, 2023.
When Bruce and Carol Waterman opened Waterman's Farm Market in 1978, they wanted locals to pick their own strawberries, tomatoes, sweet corn and other produce. They expanded their engagement with the community with their Fall Harvest Festival, which is hosted in Raymond Street and Greenwood. Go for the full seasonal immersion at both locations, featuring hayrides, petting zoos, a human hamster wheel and a straw fort, among other things. Sep 24–Oct 31, 2023.
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Three Cedars Farm is some 30 minutes west of Detroit, Michigan, home to a five-acre U-Pick Pumpkin Patch, a storybook farm, and a seven-acre corn maze. Visitors who find three cedar trees hidden in the maze are entered to win a prize at the end of the season. Families can hop aboard a hayride for a festive ride to the pumpkin patch and corn maze. No trip here is complete without a stop at the Cider & Donut Hut for fresh cinnamon sugar donuts, cider slushies and hot apple cider and the country store for old-fashioned candy and all types of fall decor. Through Nov 5.
For more than 40 years, family-owned Craven Farm has hosted its pumpkin patch 45 minutes north of Seattle. They also have a massive Alice in Pumpkin-Land corn maze, a kid's adventure maze with educational stations, apple cannons, hayrides, human foosball, ax throwing and adorable animals like pigs and Nigerian Dwarf Goats. After a day of fun in Snohomish Valley, fill up on funnel cakes, cheese curds, corn dogs, and donuts and shop for fall decor, farmhouse pickles and toys in the gift shop. Through Oct 29.
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Located about 30 minutes south of Philadelphia and 20 minutes north of Wilmington, Delaware, Linvilla Orchards' Pumpkinland is filled with nostalgic activities like hayrides, pick-your-own apples, straw bale and corn mazes and scenic train rides. More than 100 tons of pre-harvested pumpkins are in various colors, shapes and sizes. At night, take a hayride to the Witch's House to visit a friendly witch in the woods who tells stories and jokes. The hayride ends at a campfire with cider and marshmallows. There's also a 20-minute hayride that loops around the fruit orchards. Sep 23–Nov 5.
About one hour south of Tampa, Hunsader Farms has been hosting its annual Pumpkin Festival for more than 30 years. The farm was started by the Hunsader Brothers, who planted tomatoes on 80 acres in 1967. Their sons began running the farm in 1990 and started the Pumpkin Festival. Before picking out the perfect pumpkin, check out the live shows, music, chainsaw sculpting, scarecrow display and arts and crafts activites. This pet-friendly pumpkin festival also has a corn maze, train rides and a petting zoo with goats, sheep, mini donkeys and ponies. Oct 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29, 2023.
Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.
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