Irvine Railroad Pumpkin Patch will keep you busy all day, and leave the kids begging to return. So all aboard for a great day escape! Click through to see what kind of adventures you’ll have at this destination.
Start with the Train
You have to start with the train, for a couple of key reasons. One is that the lines get longer as the day progresses. And one of the first facts of parenting is: lines + kids = tantrums. But the other reason is that it gives you a nice spin through the park and the pumpkin patch, giving you a glimpse of all that awaits and allowing you to form a plan of attack (and point out to kids which activities they can anticipate, while mentally marking spots to steer clear of).
Special note: OC Zoo is also at the park, which can delight kiddos for another couple of hours. Also, the 400+ acre park is designed with kids in mind, with plenty of shady nooks for picnics and mini playgrounds appearing just when little legs get tired of walking.
Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch
1 Irvine Park Road in Orange (20 minutes east of Disneyland, to orient you!)
Online: irvineparkrailroad.com
Phone: 714-997-3968
Open: The pumpkin patch is open through Halloween, 7 Days a Week at 10 a.m. (closing at 5 p.m. on weekdays and 6 p.m. on weekends).
Admission: Admission is free, and you can play in the park, wander through the pumpkin patches, take pictures at all the photo ops and stroll through the Haunted House & Corn Maze without purchasing tickets. All other attractions are 1-2 tickets (tickets are $5 or $60 for 15).
Photo credits: Meghan Rose and Irvine Park Railroad
