America's Amazing Pumpkin Patches You Need To Visit Now
What's not to love about decorative gourd season?
Everywhere you look a flash of orange catches your eye. Starbucks serves spiced lattes out of leaf patterned cups. Fake spiders, cobwebs and witches dot your neighbors' front lawns. We all know that Fall isn't really in full swing without the ceremonial Jack O' Lantern preparation or the baking of pumpkin pies.
Many of Fall's rituals revolve around the annual visit to the pumpkin patch.
Most towns have a patch, or two, but some have pumpkin patches that truly do stand above the rest—pumpkin patches worth making a pilgrimage to.
Here are some of the patches across the country that deserve a bit of a road trip.
Linvilla Orchard, Media, PA
Linvilla Orchard has become famous statewide for its annual fall celebrations, centered around Pumpkinland—where during September and October, over 100 tons of pumpkins will be on display. Huge scarecrows are scattered across the grounds telling the history of the harvest and local legends. There is a costume parade, hayrides to the witches house, face painting, pony rides, mini golf and corn field mazes.
Cox Farms, Centreville, VA
The largest and most popular seasonal event in the Washington D.C area, Cox Farms Fall Festival draws tens of thousands of people through its gates each year. A family owned operation for over 40 years, the farm is now spread over 116 acres and runs a year-round market selling seasonal produce, poultry, eggs, honey, flowers, preserves and even Christmas Trees (during December). The fall festival itself features a massive pumpkin patch, petting zoo, slides and other games as well as food vendors and entertainment. On fall weekends, thrill seekers can check out the 'Fields of Fear', a nighttime event with scary attractions and a haunted hayride.
Yahoo Farm, Jasper, GA
Just an hours drive outside of Atlanta, Yahoo Farm is nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, providing a stunning backdrop for your family outing. Imagine the Instagrams. Unlike many of its rivals, Yahoo does not charge an entrance fee, and has based its business on providing free fun for everyone. With pumpkin patch staples, like a corn maze and hayrides, Yahoo Farm ups the ante with its spectacular flowers and butterfly garden, some cute miniature ponies and a nightly 'haunted hayride.'
Papa's Pumpkin Patch, Bismark, ND
Enjoying its 33rd year, Papa's Pumpkin Patch is expected to attract over 60,000 people during it's short seven week season with an estimated 25,000-30,000 decorative pumpkins, gourds and corn on display. Aside from all the veg, the farm offers 25 different activities for all ages—from zip lines courses, wagon rides to pony rides, an obstacle course and a corn maze.
Craven Farm, Snohomish, WA
A family farm since 1949, run by three generations, Craven Farm launched its annual pumpkin patch event in 1983. Over thirty years later and their "Fall Festival" has grown enormously. Get lost in the Alice-In-Pumpkinland corn maze, take a relaxing hayride or visit the animals in the barn before indulging in a fresh cider donut, some warming chili or a S'mores pack, to roast over the new fire pit. And don't forget the 20-acre pumpkin patch.
The Great Pumpkin Farm, Clarence, NY
Open from mid-September to the end of October, The Great Pumpkin Farm is one of the state's largest seasonal family attractions. Acres of pumpkin picking surround a whole host of activities and attractions including amusement rides, a cow train, jumping pillows, hayrides and a giant pumpkin cannon. Daily events include magic shows, duck races, a buffalo zombie mud run, face painting, BBQ cook off and more.
Siegel's Cottonwood Farm, Lockport, IL
For over 25 years, Cottonwood Farm has opened its doors to the public for their annual Pumpkin Fest. But selecting your squash will likely be the last thing on your mind after you walk through these farm gates. With over 30 different attractions on site, many of which are included in the price of admission, you would be hard pressed to get through them in just one day. There is a ghost town railroad, zombie sniper paintball (!?!) pony rides, hay rides, a climbing wall, petting zoo, a huge corn maze, a haunted barn and many many more. Eight different food vendors round out the experience.
Underwood Family Farms, Moorpark, CA
Acres of pumpkins to choose from are surrounded by huge decorative squash displays. A plethora of food vendors—from roasted corn, burger and hot dogs, to shaved ice, kettle corn and cookies—along with tractor rides, farm animal displays, a hay pyramid and corn maze provide enough excitement to keep the entire family entertained for hours. You might even spot a celebrity or two, with Ben Affleck, Gwen Stefani and the Kardashian Klan have been known to hang out here.
This article was originally published by Stephanie Gaskell
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