Even if you’ve outgrown the traditional pumpkin carving that typically marks each October, pumpkins themselves should remain a part of your fall traditions. Grabbing a bunch of your friends and heading out to a charming pumpkin patch makes for a fun afternoon of sweater-filled Instagram pictures, people watching the small and overly excited children, drinking fresh apple cider, and forming emotional attachments to the smallest runt pumpkins.
Well, the last one might just be me, but you should still consider checking out these incredible pumpkin patches across the U.S!
Location: Arthur, Illinois
Located in the heart of Amish country, the Great Pumpkin Patch lives up to its name with a truly great selection of pumpkin varieties as well as squash and gourds that are all grown on the property. If a sea of pumpkins doesn’t sound exciting enough for you, you can also spend time with the resident animals, including a llama, an alpaca, chickens, and rabbits. You do have to pay to enter ($5 on weekdays and $8 on weekends), but they offer wagon rides, a small museum, mazes, and a cute seed shop to occupy your time.
Location: Dallas, Texas
If you’re tired of sprawling pumpkin patches full of lumpy looking pumpkins and overpriced snacks, venture to somewhere offering something a little bit different. Tom Thumb’s Pumpkin Patch has almost 100,000 pumpkins which create an artsy, fantastical Pumpkin Village. The village is not only fun to look at, but also comes with plenty of activities. There’s a hale corn maze, Cinderella’s Pumpkin Carriage, and a Great Pumpkin Search at the Dallas Arboretum location. Whether you come for the pictures or the fun, you won’t forget your time spent here.
Location: Gretna, Nebraska
If you’re looking for more than a cute Instagram location, take a trip to Nebraska’s Vala’s Pumpkin Patch. This farm offers more than 50 different attractions, from live shows to Graveyard Golf and Stalk Cars. The Fall theme doesn’t stop with the entertainment options, either, as their staple foods include traditional Fall favorites such as s’mores and caramel apples. This Nebraska favorite pretty much ensures you’ll have a sweet time. If you live nearby, you can also purchase a season pass or reserve your own campsite for festive Fall events.
Location: Middletown, Maryland
Jumbo’s Pumpkin Patch is the perfect destination for those of you who are craving some of the childhood nostalgia that accompanies the Fall season. The humble Pumpkin Patch originated in 1994 and now has more than 30 acres of Pick Your Own Pumpkin space, but maintains its humble feel despite the expansive collection space.
Once you’ve found the perfect pumpkin (or busied yourself in the 15-acre corn maze, pony rides, or hayrides), head over to the massive crafts center. While the pumpkins only cost 0.49 cents a pound, you might find yourself making slightly larger investments when you see all the darling homemade crafts.
Location: Piggot, Arkansas
Pumpkin Hollow is family owned and places an emphasis on education and tradition. If you visit, you can learn about local crops, grind corn by hand, or try out their delicious pumpkin pie from the Weenie Wag’n. If that doesn’t suit you, more adventurous options include tractor rides and even a double zip-line, making this the perfect pumpkin patch for a group of friends with varied interests.
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