Discover all the kid-friendly spots to get lost (and found) thanks to these San Diego corn mazes that are designed for fun
‘Tis the season to get lost in a corn maze or two! These cool, sometimes creepy, life-sized puzzles are a spooktacular good time when these farm-fueled fun spots pops up all over the city. Little ghouls and goblins can try their luck at winding their way through corn mazes near San Diego that range from simple to ones that are downright corn-fusing. Of course, if you’re looking to explore all the fall activities around San Diego, don’t miss our insider’s guide to fall foliage guide around SD, our fall festival guide to San Diego, and where to pick up a pumpkin (or two) nearby.
Rancho Bernardo Pumpkin Farm
This eight-foot-tall farm-fresh corn maze is perfect for little farmers as it only takes about ten minutes to wind through. You'll spot this maze planted between the sunflower field and the pumpkin patch. Have your littles grab a partner and work through this labyrinth that has a few dead-ends. When done, take a tractor-hay wagon ride, pick a pumpkin and meet furry friends at the petting zoo. You can even cut your own bouquet of sunflowers.
This giant, four-acre corn maze is good for older kids, as there are plenty of dead ends among the twisting, winding trails. Only one trial and good decision-making will lead you out of the maze. This year's corn maze theme is Hocus Pocus!
Afterward, celebrate your maze achievements with pumpkin picking, target paintball shooting, a sunflower labyrinth, carnival games, and more.
Good to Know: There's a haunted corn maze on Thurs.-Sun. evenings for those who want a fright.
You'll be out of your gourd winding through this cool corn maze that boasts miles of trails. Mom and Dad will want to go in with little runners. The corn stalks are tall, but you'll find hints to help out. When done, you and your little kernels can get a giant Cinderella pumpkin, go for a tractor ride and head to the bounce land to exert some extra energy.
Weaving through this sweet hay maze at Bates Nut Farm is perfect for little pumpkins. Then continue to get a little nutty on a tractor hayride and enjoy the farm zoo and pumpkin picking (from Bic Macs to Jack O’ Lanterns).
Little farmhands may get a little corn-fused before finding the right path in this 2.5-acre cornfield. A marvelous maze (about 15 minutes worth of fun) for giggling, running and discovering your way. When done, dig into these farm-friendly festivities: pumpkin picking, corn cannon shots, hayrides, pony rides and a petting zoo. Free parking, but bring some cash for other activities.
This pretty little corn maze is perfect for young ones to navigate. There's also a fun hay fort for tiny explorers to play in while you sit and admire the beauty that surrounds you at this idyllic farm. Stroll the grounds and find the chickens and make a stop at the on-site store for freshly made soaps and pick your pumpkin too. Your little fairies are sure to love this spot.
You can bet the farm that this corn maze will require little farmhands to put on their thinking caps. In-and-out in about ten minutes, yet it can be tricky. We recommend Mom or Dad go too! After finding your way, cover more ground with the tractor-hay wagon ride, train ride and pumpkin patch to finish-up an awesome day of fall fun.
Did somebody say family fall road trip? Sure, it's a three hour drive, but it's tons of fun. Admission to their annual Fall Harvest on the Farm includes everything from a corn trail ride through and hay pyramid to the pumpkin house and wagon rides.
Across Maryland and Virginia, the DMV’s best pumpkin patches have all the autumnal elements you need to celebrate fall with the family this year
If you’ve already decorated your home with fall everything, it’s time to pick out that perfect pumpkin that steals the show! Patches are mostly all open by now, so get ready for autumn fun in DC! From Montpelier Farms in Maryland to Wegmeyer Farms in Virginia, here are the DMV’s best pumpkin patches—all within an hour’s drive of Washington, DC—to visit this weekend. Happy pumpkin picking!
Sharp's at Waterford Farm This 530-acre working farm offers nine pumpkin-punctuated open house events in October. Admission includes a hayride, pumpkin picking and feeding the animals. On the Day In The Life Of a Farmer tour, kids 2-10 will learn about beekeeping and how crops are grown, feed goats, navigate a mini corn maze, and take a hayride.
Butler's Orchard Festival The Fairy Godmother may have turned a pumpkin into Cinderella’s carriage, but here pumpkins become fairytale characters who populate the orchard’s popular Pumpkinland. The farm also features hayrides. This farm often sells out, so purchasing your ticket online prior to arriving is recommended (bonus: you score a savings by buying in advance).
Homestead Farm Looking for something a little more straightforward? Skip the extracurriculars and head here for some simple pumpkin picking. On weekends through Halloween, the farm offers hayrides to the patch, where shoppers can take their time deciding on their favorite member of the cucurbitaceae family, to which pumpkins, squash and gourds belong.
Clark’s Elioak Farm Known for its Enchanted Forest, this petting zoo farm has hayrides, cow trains, pony rides and more. If your pint-sized princess loves Cinderella, this is the perfect place to take a stroll through fairy tales and castles and leave with a pumpkin of your own.
Montpelier Farms If you're looking for a pumpkin patch with all the bells and whistles, head here where admission includes corn mazes, hayrides, hill slides and an area for tikes 48 inches and smaller. Extra fees apply for duck races, pumpkin chunkin’ (yes, using slingshots!), and a scarecrow workshop. Stop at the pumpkin patch for an orange orb of fall goodness.
Fall Fun Festival at Gaver Farm Before you pick a pumpkin to schlep around, cover the 45-plus attractions such as the jumping pillow, a petting zoo, giant slides, mini mazes, duck races and photo centers. When the sun goes down, Fall Fun Nights get started with a Moonlight Corn Maze, campfires, and s’mores.
5501 Detrick Rd. Mount Airy, MD Online: gaverfarm.com
Larriland Farms Get into the spirit with ghost and goblin decorations at the farm, which offers 20-minute weekend hayrides through woods (please note: these no reservation tours are open to the public and do not include a stop in the pumpkin patch. If you would like to include a trip to the pumpkin patch, you must reserve a private hayride this year. You can also enjoy sunflower and apple picking on this farm!
Summers Farm This farm boasts over 45 family activities and attractions. Check out Summer’s 12-acre cornfield maze, slides, farmer golf, and pumpkin and apple cannons. Candy lovers take note: the pumpkin cannon blasts out wrapped goodies one day a weekend. Fireworks can be viewed on Saturdays from Sep. 30 - Oct. 30.
Shlagel Farms Put your thinking caps on for this one. Kids and adults alike can get a better sense of the path food takes from the farm to the table while also enjoying a wagon ride, petting zoo and, of course, the pumpkins.
Queen Anne Farm A tractor-pulled hay wagon will give your crew a ride to a pumpkin patch, which has squashes ranging in size from two ounces to more than 200 pounds. You can also make a free stop at the Insta-worthy Pumpkin House.
Fall Pumpkin Harvest Festival at Great Country Farms There’s a giant jumping pillow, slides and putt-putt. Take a wagon ride to the pumpkin patch and get picturesque views of the mountains. Don't forget to head back on weekends in November for Pumpkin Chunkin'.
Wegmeyer Farms You can choose from over 50 different varieties at this u-pick field in Hamilton. These pumpkins are grown with a no-till process, so these fields don't get muddy! There is plenty of space to socially distance while picking your pumpkin off a vine. Reservations are required.
Wayside Farm During the fall, the 120-acre working farm hosts pig races, pumpkin drops and a corn maze. In the patch you'll find gladiator, full moon, fairytale and Cinderella varieties.
These pumpkin patches near Atlanta have just what you and your family are looking for this fall
Peaches and peanuts may be what our state is known for, but when it comes to pumpkin patches near Atlanta, there are more than a few we think you’ll love. In fact, the perks—inflatable pillows, hayrides, and more—will have your crew itching for more fall activities like corn mazes, apple picking, and hayrides before the day is over. Just be sure to check in with each spot before you go to guarantee the pumpkins aren’t picked out.
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Mitcham's Farm This farm has it all! Enjoy the corn maze, fun zone, pumpkin patch, and hayrides before swinging by the farm market for some delicious treats. And that's all before you pick out your perfect pumpkin from the patch. Our tip? This is a great spot to plan a party if you've got a kiddo with a birthday this month.
Sleepy Hollow Farm This Powder Springs patch includes a hayride, corn maze, farm animals and children’s area, in addition to pumpkins. While you're there, visit sheep, goats, donkey, pigs, chickens & rabbits, and take a trip to their country store for jams, jellies, honey, ciders, and more.
Uncle Shuck's Uncle Shuck's serves up a bumper crop of fall fun in addition to its pumpkin patch, including hayrides, a corn cannon, goat walk, evening bonfires, and a corn maze. Check Facebook for up-to-date hours, special events, and pumpkin availability.
Burt's Pumpkin Farm Burt’s is the behemoth of pumpkin patches, with a sea of orange (and white, green and everything in between) pumpkins that range in size from a whopping 150 pounds to a preciously petite one pounder. Don't miss the farm tour via hayride, while you're there!
Date: Open now
4801 Highway 52 Dawsonville, GA Online:burtsfarm.com
Southern Belle Farm The folks at Southern Belle Farm are celebrating the harvest in an old-fashioned way, with a pumpkin patch and 4 acres of corn maze. You can also enjoy their hayride, cow train ride, corn cannon, jumping pillow, racing pedal carts, giant tunnel slide, barnyard animals, and pig races.
Jaemor Farms Jaemor Farms has over 130 acres of pumpkins in a variety of different sizes, shapes and colors. From minis to giants, white ones, beige ones, light orange to dark orange, Jaemor has them in their pumpkin patch. While you're there, take a shot at their corn maze. You can enjoy the unlimited corn maze, hayrides, pumpkin train, petting zoo, farm slides, skeeball, and duck races.
Berry Patch Farms At Berry Patch Farm, you'll take a hayride out to the pumpkin patch, returning with your prized pumpkins to enjoy fresh apple cider, a homemade fried pie, and some boiled peanuts and popcorn. Once you've picked your perfect gourd and enjoyed some refreshments, plan to stick around a while for the kids to enjoy the playground and baby farm animals. Check the website for updates on hours and an opening date.
Walking through the pumpkin patch at this hot spot is only a small slice of the fun. With a corn box in place of a sand box, a haunted forest, hayrides, corn maze, and a dedicated Kids Zone for more fall fun, you'll leave with a whole lot more than a pumpkin.
At Big Springs Farm, you can pick your pumpkins from the patch or from their stand, then enjoy a wagon ride around the farm. Each year, they produce a behemoth pumpkin weighing in at close to 60 pounds, so be sure to keep an eye out for this year's giant. Big Springs also is home to plenty of farm animals to see, as well as a bounce house.
Date: Sep. 24-Oct. 30, 2022
2100 Sugar Pike Rd. Woodstock, GA Online:facebook.com
Head towards the mountains and Red Apple Barn to pick your own pumpkin out of the field, or pick one out of their pile of pumpkins on the farm. There are small, mid-size and big pumpkins planted, including orange pumpkins, Cinderella, and other varieties. While you're there, be sure to play a round of cornhole, horseshoes, visit the covered bridge, or take a stroll.
Kinsey Family Farm Jardales, Knuckleheads, Luminas, and Red-eyes—these are just a few of the unusual varieties of pumpkins you can find at the Kinsey Family Farm. In addition to pumpkins, you'll also discover a variety of fall fun, including animal interactions and lots of homemade food items for sale. Pack a picnic lunch and make a day of it.
Ole McDermitt's Farm Ole McDermitt had a farm—and on this farm he had—everything! Kids will go crazy for the pumpkin launching station, rubber duck races, corn box (think sand box), farm animal encounters, hayrides, a 4.5 acre corn maze for big kids and a mini 1/3 acre maze for tiny tots. Don’t miss the scarecrow dress up station and rope maze. Oh, and they have a pumpkin patch too, of course.
Scottsdale Farms Pumpkin Patch Farm offers a plethora of pumpkins, as well as an animal barnyard, pumpkin ring toss, mini tractors to ride, a hay maze, and face painting. Tractor drawn hayrides bounce down “Bumpy Way” as tots hear tales of scarecrows and learn lessons about how pumpkins grow. We're big fans of their special events that run all month long and include Family Farm Fun on the weekends, and parent/child workshops all about fall.
Halloween will be here before you know it. Time to head to a pumpkin patch near Boston to pick that just-right jack-o-lantern
Boston’s cooler mornings and changing leaves are a sign it’s that time of year again. Time to pick out a future jack-o-lantern with your Halloween-lovin’ half-pints. These tried and true pumpkin patches Boston families love have the all the patch perks your kids love. We’re talking corn mazes, crafts, playgrounds, pony rides, and more. Get ’em while you still can and carve out fun this weekend!
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Shelburne Farm
If you want to combine your family’s two favorite fall activities—picking apples and picking pumpkins—there’s no better spot to do in than Shelburne Farm. Not only can you find the perfect jack-o-lantern wannabe, but families can pick so many different types of apples throughout the month of October too. Then it’s off to the playground to clamber up the combine climber, play at the John Deere tractor playground, visit the farm animals, play in the hay area (and take a ride too) before grabbing a bag of warm cider donuts to finish off your day.
Especially when you’ve got tots in tow, it’s best to keep it simple. And that’s what we love about this family-owned farm that offers u-pick pumpkins straight off the vine and hay rides too. Pick up fall décor and fresh produce from the store when you’re there. The farm is open Fridays through Sundays, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Good to Know: This patch is also open on Monday, Oct. 10, 2022.
This North Andover spot welcomes families to visit their working farm to pick your pumpkin. The weekends in September and October (plus Indigenous Peoples Day) are Fall Festival days with even more fun on the farm. Expect hayrides, carnival games, cow trains, live music and more. Families can pay per experience or get a kids combo ticket and do it all.
Dates: weekends, Sep.-Oct., 2022
315 S. Bradford St. North Andover, MA Online: smolakfarms.com
This farm has been in business since 1904, and they've got the pumpkin patch scene down. Their seven-acre corn maze is a huge draw and the barn and silo with slides is a little kid favorite. Take your family pic at the giant rocking chair and then see how far you can launch apples in the apple cannons. You'll need tickets to get in on the fun.
This farm is full of all of the fall favorites—apple picking, a pumpkin patch, and everyone's favorite apple cider donuts. Take a wagon ride to the orchard, and then let the kids climb on the farm-themed playground before you head home with all of your goodies.
Founded by Irish immigrants, Wilson Farm has been in operation at its present location since 1884. You won't be able to resist purchasing the apple cider donuts when you see them popping out of the donut machine, available on the weekends. Kids will love visiting the farm animals after you've picked the perfect pumpkin.
Good to Know: Looking to add an extra sweet activity to your pumpkin patch visit? Sign up for the Haunted Gingerbread House Workshop on Oct. 19.
Pick your own pumpkin directly from the field at this spot that is open every day. Grab a red wagon before you head out in case one of the giant gourds is calling your name. If you're looking for special sugar pumpkins (or other baking essentials), give them a call and they'll pick them ahead of time. Also, dogs (on leashes) are allowed here.
This smaller farm offers a quaint pumpkin picking scene without all of the rides and hooplah. They offer pick-your-own blueberries in the summer and u-pick apples in the fall. Kids will love riding the wagon out to the pumpkin patch (weekends only, starting September 24, 2022). Our tip? Be sure to save some room for the apple cider donuts when you visit.
Just 40 minutes north of Boston, Crescent Farms has over 400 acres of farmland that includes pumpkin patches, gourds, hay fields, corn fields, and produce. Allow some extra time to check out the 15-acre corn maze ($8/person) or take a hayride (weekends for $3). The farm animals and promise of Richardson Ice Cream make this a family favorite.
Your family will love hitching a ride on these Atlanta hayrides that’ll take you past pumpkin patches, waterfalls, and covered bridges
No bucket list of fall family fun is complete without three things—finding that just-right pumpkin to carve, picking your own apples at a nearby orchard, and hitching a hayride around a farm. So, grab your dungarees, and pull on those boots because you and the kids have a wagon ride (and so much more) waiting for you at these farms this fall.
Uncle Shucks Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch While there's lots to love about this pumpkin patch in Dawsonville, kids will agree the wagon ride around the farm is the best way to see it all. Load into the wagon and pull up the nearest hay bale, because it's time to sit back and relax as you get a tour around the farm. See if you can spot the pumpkin patch, corn maze, and tire mountain as you make your way around the property. When you're done, you'll have plenty of time to jump on the bouncy pillow, navigate the kiddy maze (trust us, they'll love it), and maybe even get your face painted before calling it a day.
Berry Patch Farms Just a short drive to Woodstock, you’ll find a fun and friendly place for the kiddos to catch a (hay) ride. You’ll take a short tractor pulled hayride out to a field where you’ll find an enormous section of pumpkins, gourds, and plenty of photo ops. Once you make your way back to the main area, we have a feeling the kids will find the playground, farm animals, and boiled peanuts, popcorn, and homemade fried pies without too much trouble. Come for the hayride, stay for the fun.
Burt's Pumpkin Farm The hay ride at Burt's travels two miles around the pumpkin patch and through the woods. Wagons are filled with wheat straw and are pulled by a big farm tractor. You will see their famous pumpkins, Autumn and Gordy, along the way and also go through a covered bridge filled with singing pumpkins. At the end of the ride you will get a glimpse of Amicalola Falls, the highest waterfall east of the Mississippi River.
Sleepy Hollow Farm The name Sleepy Hallow conjures up images of hayrides, Halloween, and crisp fall nights, but this Sleepy Hallow got its start thirty years ago as a family-owned Christmas tree farm. What started as a Christmas tradition has grown into a fall tradition for families throughout the Atlanta area. Aside from the main attraction—the tractor ride—kiddos will love the corn maze, a pumpkin patch, and farm animal feeding.
The Buford Corn Maze As the name suggest, there is much more to do here than just the hayride. Like, maybe a corn maze? But the hayride really is a highlight. Known as Atlanta's longest hayride, not only is it a long leisurely ride into the woods, but the drivers are super friendly and entertaining too. After the hayride, prepare yourself, because there is a lot to do. Older kiddos may want to do the corn maze. Just know it’s a lot of walking so if you’re not up for carrying your little one through the corn, opt for the playground or bounce house, which are free with admission. Look for pony rides, face painting, and karaoke too.
Scottsdale Farms Just north of Atlanta in Milton, you’ll find Scottsdale Farms, a 55-acre family owned Garden Center and Cafe. You'll find a Family Fun Field, complete with a corn maze and hayride for all ages, lawn games, and a Sunflower Field. They also have a plethora of pumpkins, gourds, and squashes in all varieties if you need to stock up.
From mini mazes for little ones to mystery mazes you might never escape, these farms know how to do the fall season right
If you happen upon a farm that grows corn this fall, chances are really good that it’ll be turned into a corn maze—but beware, not all are created equal. That’s why we’ve scouted out a few of the very best destination corn mazes in the country. From themes like “Hope” to mystery mazes and even haunted mazes, you and your super-sleuths will be left with a map and your navigation skills; can you make it out before closing time? Add on some leaf peeping and your fall dreams will come true.
Yesterland Farm is huge with lots to do after you conquered the regular three-acre corn maze during the day or the separate “Creepy Corn Maze” at night. (Farmer Chuck and Kama Bozeman make a point to make it “spooky” not “gory” so that it is still very family-friendly.) In addition to the things you would expect to find here, they also have a bunch of unique attractions like the Cow Train, Santa's Runaway Sleigh Roller Coaster, the apple cannon, pig races, and more.
Dates: Sept. 17-Nov. 6 (weekends only, plus Fridays in October)
Cost: Prices start at $22.95 and it's cheaper if you purchase online than in person
This year, Bella Organic has a corn maze with the theme “HOPE” complete with the word woven seamlessly between acres of corn and coupled with the number for Lifeline, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline (Dial 988). You can expect seven acres of vertigo-inducing fun to explore and 2.7 miles of paths to navigate. (Tip: Bring your flashlight for evening adventures). With food and beer vendors and a variety of additional autumn activities including hayrides, a cow train, and a petting zoo, you’ll be happy to get lost in all of the festive fun.
Dates: Sept. 3-Oct. 31
Cost: Prices start at $6 for kids and $8 for adults
For the "World's Largest," get lost in the corn maze at Richardson Farm. Little ones will love the farm's play area, pedal trikes, and the goat walk. There's a show featuring live pig races, as well as pumpkin picking and a zip wire. If 28 acres of corn is intimidating, rest assured, that there are multiple checkpoints throughout the maze and three bridges to help you find your bearings with a map.
Dates: Sept. 10-Oct. 30
Cost: Tickets start at $16 and under are 2 are free
Part art installation, part outdoor game, part social experiment, the Treinen Farm corn mazes are designed and cut entirely by the staff at the farm. Each year they pick a theme and create an entire experience around it. There's even a maze within the maze for those who have expert-level skills (there's no map!).
Dates: select dates Sept. 3-Nov. 6
Cost: Admission starts at $12.95/person. Buy online and save.
The corn mazes created at the Pumpkin Valley Farm over the years have been truly incredible. Also incredible is the amount of entertainment found here. Your admission to the festival includes the corn maze, the Jumping Pillow, two shots on the ball launcher, one ride for kids (age 12 & under) on the Cow Train, all play areas, and farm animals visit. Stop at the Cow Lick Cafe for kettle corn, cotton candy, hot dogs, and cider, or the horse trailer bar, The Rusty Bucket, for brick oven pizza, beer, and wine.
40 minutes outside Seattle, the 10-acre maze at Bob's will have you twisting and turning through geometric paths to find the exit. While going through the maze during the day is a lot of fun, we suggest making a night by attending one of the "Night Maze" sessions and reserving one of the fire pits carved into the perimeter of the maze. You don't have to worry about any creature jumping out to scare you. It's just a challenge to overcome with only your flashlight to guide you (be sure to have fresh batteries!). For those with young ones visiting during the day, don't miss the two kids' mazes created just for them.
Dates: Sept. 17-Oct. 31
Cost: $16.95/person and up, save when you purchase online
This is the black diamond of corn mazes. It's the largest maze in New England, and with towering 12-foot walls of corn, visitors come for the challenge. Hardcore mazers might take up to four hours to find their way out, without the help of clues or a map. The big maze is 24 acres and includes several bridges, an underground tunnel, and a 28-foot cabin cruiser. Little ones will enjoy the shorter scenic maze that takes you through all the neat features of the big maze but without all the frustration. There are hours of fun to be had outside the maze with a play area, kid village, underground gopher tunnels, hay bales, climbing tower, rodeo, barnyard golf, and friendly goats.
Dates: select dates July 10-Oct. 30, not open in the rain
Cost: $10/person and up, free for ages 4 and under
Seventy miles north of downtown Atlanta, experience a quest through six acres of corn. In addition to the large maze, Jaemor Farms also offers a mini-maze that should take guests between 15-20 minutes to complete. There are also a lot of other things to do here too including the new farm tricycles, skeeball, a pumpkin train, hayride, petting zoo, skeeball, apple cannon, duck races, and farm slide. You can pick your own pumpkins during maze hours until dark.
Dates: select days Sept. 10-Nov. 6, closed when it rains
Cost: $15 and up/person, ages 2 and under are free
Celebrating over two decades of maze fun, Long Acre Farms' mazes require some logic. Upon your arrival, you'll be given a game board and even though it's usually solved in 60 minutes, if you need help, there are staff members inside the maze to give you a hand. Once you're out of the maze, don't miss the smaller Animal Tracks Maze. There's also an activity area for little ones, an ice cream shop, a farm market, a wagon ride, and a cow train ride. On fall weekends there are also wood-fired pizzas, cider donuts, candy apples, and other fall faves.
Dates: weekends Sept. 17-Oct. 30
Cost: $12/person and up, under 2 and 80+ are free. Tickets cheaper online.
There are two mazes to conquer at Rutledge Farm: the regular corn maze during the day and a "haunted" version at night. However, there's plenty of stuff to do even if you're not that brave including story time with Spookley the Square Pumpkin, corn hole, and swings! There is also ladder ball, a calf roping station, a cow train, and a corn cannon! Book a firepit and plan to stay for a while.
Dates: Sept. 17-Oct. 31
Cost: $11 and up/per, ages 4 and under are free. Free to visit the pumpkin patch.
Enjoy getting lost in NYC’s only corn maze! The adventure begins during the day with a stalk talk to prepare you for the three-acre challenge of finding clues, solving puzzles, and making your way out of this interactive maze. Come back to navigate The Amazing Maize Maze by the starry night! Bring your flashlight and enjoy the fun.
You'll be wishing you had a longer neck to look above the 33 acres of corn at Liberty Mills because there are four trails in one and the farmers have added to the Mystery Maze (no map provided), making the corn maze adventure the largest east of the Mississippi. Want something tougher? Try the Mystery Maze at night with only your flashlight as a guide.
How long does it take to get through the maze at Connors Farm? They say it should take you about an hour to complete. Then again, when asked what to do if one gets lost in the maze, they say, "That's all part of our maze experience!" Seriously though, they have a number of interactive games planted throughout the maze that will help guide you out easily and when worse comes to worst, their "corn cops" will get you to the exit with ease.
If there were ever a one-stop shop for fall festivities, this would be it! In addition to a corn maze and pumpkin patches, you will find pig races, a hay jump, gem mining, bouncy houses, a jumping pillow and…. beer! Still looking for fun? Try the family-friendly Trail of Lights & Field of Frights which is a magically light journey through the farm.
Set on seven acres of corn, Long and Scott Farms describe Scott's Maze Adventures as "It's a maze, it's a game, it's educational, and it's FUN!" Follow the paths, answer the questions and collect picture rubbings along your journey. This place includes three mazes, a castle-themed playground, a zipline for kids, games, and hayrides. You can also stock up on fresh produce at the farm's store.
Cherry Crest Adventure Farm has been offering fun adventures since 1996. The a-maizing-maze features 2.5 miles of paths of twists and turns and is even more challenging in the dark and can be explored with a flashlight (on Friday and Saturdays). This year's theme is the National Parks. In addition to the maze, there are over 50 more fun activities. For little ones, there's a playland with a mini village equipped with costumes and props big enough so the whole family can jump in and play! Tip: Save a few bucks if you order your passes online.
This maze is definitely a challenging one but there's a video orientation before you enter the cornfield as well as Maze Masters on the inside who come to the rescue of anyone who is lost. Other attractions include gemstone mining, hayrides, a kids’ playground, and a farm store. Do the maze at night (most Saturdays in October) for a different challenge. Don't forget your flashlights.
Dates: Sept. 3-Nov. 6
Cost; $10.99/person and up. Save when you purchase online.
Conquering this eight-acre maze starts with a stop at the CORNcierge booth. Petite puzzlers can grab game sheets and tackle the CORNnumdrums word puzzles found on signs throughout the maze. There are dozens of attractions once you've puzzled your way out of the maze, including a 26-foot tall slide mountain, a corn box, a play fort, a train, a climbing wall, a vintage carousel, and a walkthrough of over 600 carved pumpkins.
Visitors get to play two games in this four-acre maze as they hunt for the exit. The first is a trivia game, and in the second, Farmer Brown is missing, and there's a crime to solve. These twin challenges make for plenty of family fun. The farm festival also includes a giant pumpkin jumping pad, play areas, and a pumpkin cannon.
This year's maze theme is Legendary with a sasquatch included. In addition to pumpkin picking, hayrides, and a whole array of on-the-farm activities, those who venture into the cornfield will inch their way through the twists and turns among the one-million stalks of corn ultimately destined for cattle feed. There's also a mini maze for little ones.
Tucked away in idyllic farm settings, these pumpkin patches go beyond the squash and offer hay-filled play spaces, autumn treats and other fun in the fields
Check out these great pumpkin patches that are ready and waiting for you to help kick off San Diego’s Halloween season. Your only problem? Picking which pumpkin patch suits you best. In addition to the adorable gourds, many of these patches also have plenty of farm-inspired fun, from hayrides and petting zoos to corn mazes, and more. So, get ready to celebrate all things autumn—from nearby fall festivals and leaf peeping to the peak of spooky seasonal glory—here’s where to find a pumpkin patch near you.
From Big Macs to jack-o'-lanterns, acres of pumpkins are the hallmark of Bates Nut Farm. Located in Valley Center, Bates is known for its petting corral, pony rides, hayrides, straw maze and of course, their country store (hello, homemade fudge!). Make sure to check out their events page for upcoming Halloween-time fun like a pumpkin festival craft fair, pet and human costume contests, and a scarecrow contest.
There are five Pumpkin Stations to choose from all over San Diego, and each location has something unique that the others may not have. Some have living pumpkin patches while others have already harvested pumpkins to choose from (no mud involved!) while others have the addition of petting zoos, carnival rides or corn mazes.
Insider Tip: You can download a free ride coupon from their website.
Carve out some fun at Mr. Jack O’ Lanterns Pumpkins in La Jolla and Pacific Beach. You’ll find pumpkin decorating, pumpkin bowling, jumpies and more. In addition to visiting in-person, you can also place a delivery order. That’s right, have your pumpkins, decorating and carving kits to-go.
This Pacific Beach pumpkin patch has been serving up local farm-fresh fun since 1992. Not only do they have a large selection of pumpkins ranging from mini gourds to 100-pound monsters, they also have a variety of fall accessories like straw bales, Indian corn, gourds, and other fall décor. The best part is you can keep your kitchen table clean and make all the mess there with their free pumpkin carving and painting tables that offer stencils, paint kits, stickers, and candles. Plus, there's free hot apple cider and free shaved ice for kids.
Insider Tip: Print out their online coupon for 10-percent off your total pumpkin purchases before you go.
Fall at the Farm is a beloved tradition for many families who make the drive out to Julian. During the rest of the year, many know it as a gold panning hot spot, but in the fall they have a pumpkin patch and other farm fun activities like apple picking. Other activities include hayrides, cider pressing, farm animals and even axe throwing.
Oma’s Pumpkin Patch has been a San Diego tradition for many years. The farm features pumpkins, wagon rides, cottonseed mountain, a petting corral, a playground, and a lot more fun for the entire family. Admission gets you access to the farm, all play activities and, if you paid extra, kids will get a Jack Patch Pumpkin. Plan your time around the fun wagon ride that gives you a complete tour of the farm and even through the dairy barn; it departs on the half-hour until 6 p.m.
Insider Tip: All tickets must be purchased online before arrival.
Pick a pumpkin in this idyllic farm setting with pumpkins of all shapes and sizes. Parents will love the free admission and kids will love making hay forts, but don’t get lost in the corn maze. Visit The Barn Shoppe and Herbal Soap Shoppe while you're there for handmade gifts and treats. This is a certified wildlife habitat recognized by the NWF, so you’ll be surrounded by the beauty of nature here, along with their cats, dogs and chickens running around.
Mountain Valley Ranch has everything kids love about a visit to the patch! Kids will find all kinds of fun here like the corn maze, corn cannon, and petting zoo (all of these are open daily), while the pony rides hours vary (call ahead to confirm).
Good to Know: Snacks and drinks are available on weekends.
This family-owned pumpkin farm is the ideal place for kids to roam the fields and find the perfect pumpkin to pick. Keep roaming and you’ll come across ponies and trains to ride, a petting farm, carnival games, mini ride-on tractors for kids and more.
Insider Tip: Check out their fun kids' pumpkin painting classes too.
We’ve compiled some family-friendly activities that everyone, from little kids to aging relatives, will enjoy when the grandparents visit
Overdue for a visit from the grandparents? Thankfully, our favorite city offers tons of fun stops and sights that are perfect for all ages. We know our kiddos can quickly wear out our parents, so we’ve rounded up some great places with easy access—and lots of benches for a quick rest. Get started on your family day out in Washington, DC.
Urban Adventures Tour
Urban Adventures Tours
Skip the crowded hop-on-hop-off buses, and opt for a private tour around town aboard an electric vehicle. Customize a family adventure or choose from one of the group tours. Let your little ones stay up late to see the majestic monuments by night, or book a food tour your whole crew will find delicious.
The cathedral offers almost daily prayer, musical events, and services for your family. Many of their holiday events are simply magical, so be sure to check the calendar of events before you plan your visit. In addition, the cathedral provides accommodations for visitors with impaired hearing and limited mobility.
Insider Tip: Be sure to download the scavenger hunt guide, which includes fun facts about on-site history and art, before you head to the cathedral. Then, make a game of it and see if you can find each one. The Children's Chapel is a must-see, too. The space was designed with a 6-year-old in mind!
3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW Washington, DC Online:cathedral.org
Take art-loving grandparents alongside your tech-savvy kiddos to a super cool exhibit that combines both interests. Everyone can interact with the larger-than-life art installations and learn about the artists and the technology they use to create masterpieces. Exhibits change throughout the year, so check back often to see what's new for the whole family.
1238 Maryland Ave. SW Washington, DC Online:artechouse.com
Many grandparents will remember Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech delivered from the steps of this incredible monument. Although they may prefer to stay at the bottom of the steps or take the elevator located at the southeast corner of the building, your kids can learn a lot about our country's history while visiting this location. Plan your stop anytime during your family's itinerary, as the memorial is open 24/7.
2 Lincoln Memorial Cir. NW Washington, DC Online:nps.gov
Let your grandparents set the pace at this historical site right on the Potomac River. Your little ones will love visiting the farm animals and exploring the outbuildings, while the older generation can take a short break on the wagon ride. Music lovers of all ages will enjoy the early American concert while they stroll the grounds together.
Insider Tip: The Mount Vernon Trails stretches from Mt. Vernon Estate to Theodore Roosevelt Island. For the best views, take a short walk—or hike any part of the 18-mile trail—to enjoy the stunning views of the Potomac River and the city.
3200 Mount Vernon Hwy. Alexandria, VA Online:mountvernon.org
National Museum of African American History and Culture
According to the founding director of this spectacular museum, "the African American experience is the lens through which we understand what it is to be an American." That lens is on display throughout each thoughtful and impactful exhibit inside this architectural marvel. Get your timed entry passes before your head out to this free attraction.
Insider Tip: If you're hungry, save time to pop into a nearby eatery. Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken is the perfect stop for breakfast, lunch, and sweets. If your crew is ready for a crazy but delicious combo, go for the chicken doughnut sandwich. It's epic.
1400 Constitution Ave. NW Washington, DC Online:nmaahc.si.edu
Take the family car to Northern Virginia, and get ready to enjoy a hangar full of planes, rockets, and restoration projects on display for the whole family. Hop in a simulation to experience your flying adventure, or book a showing at the on-site IMAX theater.
Insider Tip: It might be something to save for a later visit, but every June, the museum opens its doors and takes the aircraft outside. Visitors enjoy seeing more than 50 aircraft of all kinds at the annual Become a Pilot Family Day and Aviation Display.
14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy. Chantilly, VA Online:airandspace.si.edu
Fall fairs in LA! From the largest corn mazes to the best photo-ops imaginable, discover the best fall festivals in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, with its plentiful palm trees and summery temperatures, may not feel like fall, but there are still plenty of chances for you and your kiddos to experience some of those classic autumn experiences aka: the fall festival (if you’re looking specifically for apples and pumpkins and leaf peeping—check out all the best places to go apple picking around LA, where to find your perfect pumpkin and all the nearby fall foliage spots we love around LA).
What makes the SoCal fall festival different from a regular pumpkin patch? There are loads more to discover than just the gourd—learn about and explore farm goods, wander fields and pick your own flowers, veggies (and yes, pumpkins), get lost in corn field mazes, ride an amusement park ride or two, and eat your way through loads of fall-friendly fare—all this and more at our favorite fall festivals in LA, SoCal, Orange County, Ventura and everywhere in between.
Pumpkin Festival at Cal Poly: Cal Poly's College of Agriculture grows 40,000 pumpkins for this annual event, a smorgasbord of fall harvest traditions, including (obviously) a massive pumpkin patch, horse and pony rides, a petting zoo, duck races, a sunflower field, live music, games, a food court, and two corn mazes. What makes this festival different than some of the others is the focus on education (it's a college, after all). Families can wander down "Ag Discovery Lane" to check out various live demonstrations of things like blacksmithing, soap-making, beekeeping, sheep shearing and live cow-milking (which'll make your kid either appreciate—or abandon—their daily cup of milk). New this year: Pumpkin Land, a garden “gallery” of uniquely decorated pumpkins. And for an additional entrance fee, little bug-lovers will want to get a ticket for the festival's Insect Fair, which has 500,000 live and preserved insects from around the world.
Dates: Oct. 1-30 Cost: Thurs. & Fri.: Adults, $6; children 3–12, $5; kids under 3 are free. Sat. & Sun.: Adults: $10; children 3–12, $7. Certain events require additional tickets on the weekends
AGRIscapes Center 4102 S. University Dr. Pomona Online:cpp.edu
LA Fall Fair: The largest Fall Festival in Los Angeles County, you'll find 12 acres of amusement rides, live music, games, arts & crafts, and an international food court. Fair-goers can purchase a presale unlimited ride wristband for $25 that allows the fairgoer to ride all the rides as many times as they want for any one day of the event from open until close.
Dates: Oct. 21-Nov. 6 Cost: $5 per person; Under 12 and over 65 are free
Día de los Muertos at Hollywood Forever Cemetery: For a different direction than farms and pumpkin patches, head to Hollywood Forever Cemetery for their spectacular Día de los Muertos event. Tour over 100 vibrant altars, uniquely decorated in honor of community members’ ancestors and loved ones; awards are given at the end of the day to the most memorable altars and best-dressed Calacas (skeletons). Many event goers arrive in magical costumes (best costume is awarded $500!). At the Children’s Plaza, kids can participate in art and crafting activities, face painting, and performances by the Bob Baker Marionettes. Families can also watch the procession featuring hundreds of Aztec ritual dancers, listen to music on five different stages and sample food from LA vendors.
Date: Oct. 30, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost: $35 (under 5 don’t require a ticket)
Underwood Family Farms: Celebrating its 21st year, Underwood Family Farms is the best-known fall festival in Los Angeles—and it's no wonder why. The (slightly steep) ticket price gives families a whole day's worth of activities, including a massive corn maze, a tractor-drawn wagon ride, an animal center with a menagerie of adorable farm animals, a chicken show (!), a farm-themed playground, pig races, and acres of open space for kids to sprint their sillies out. Shell out additional bucks and you can add more to your day, including pony rides, kid-drivable mini-tractors, and a train ride. There's also Moorpark's amazing farm stand, and enough pumpkins in the patch that you'll be sure to find one that's Jack-O-Lantern-worthy.
Dates: Oct. 1 through 31. The festival is open seven days a week, but the major programming, live music and shows happen on the weekend. Cost: $22-$28 on the weekends; $14 on weekdays; kids under 2 are free. (Hint: Online tickets are required for weekends; for certain weekends, you can buy advanced tickets online for a discounted price.)
Weekend programming highlights include: Oct. 1-2: "Friends of the Farm Weekend," a public safety-themed weekend, when the fair will be filled with all sorts of real-life superheroes including Bomb Squad and SWAT members, police K-9s, a Disaster Action Response Team display (DART)—plus police cars and police motorcycles that your kids will love getting to see up close. Oct. 15-16: "Antique Tractor Weekend" where dozens of old tractors will be on display and their owners available to answer all your littles’ burning tractor questions. Plus, tractors go on parade at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. Oct. 22-23: "Wild West Weekend," filled with cowboy entertainment including stunt ropers, a gold miner, a covered wagon, music, and more.
Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch: Tanaka's 30-acres of Irvine farmland are open to the public year-round via U-pick and guided walking and wagon tours, but the farm ups its game during the Halloween season. This Fall Harvest Festival features carnival-style games, ATV and wagon rides, a pumpkin cannon, a corn maze and pumpkins as far as the eye can see. While you're there, pick up some farm-fresh veggies (straight out of the ground via U-Pick or from the farm stand), grab lunch from the Tanaka Farms Grille, or let the kids have some QT with the critters in the petting zoo. Note: There is no public drinking water, so bring your own water (or be prepared to buy drinks there) because it can get hot.
Dates: Weekends, Sept. 17 through Oct. 31 Cost: $10, with various activities costing additional fees
Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch: You’ll find this pumpkin patch just behind the Irvine Park Railroad station in Orange County. There’s a wide mix of classic fall activities. Free-of-charge ones include a haunted house, a hay maze, hay pyramids for kids to climb and photo stations. Buy tickets for pumpkin decorating, John Deere racers (the mini-sized versions, whew), panning for gold, hay and train rides, carnival games and more. And on Sept. 24, starting at 9 a.m., bring your best estimating skills to The Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off where prizes will be awarded to the biggest pumpkins.
Dates: Sept. 17-Oct. 31 Cost: Entrance to the pumpkin patch is free. Activity tickets are $7; pack of 15 tickets is $90. There is also a park entrance fee per vehicle of $3 on weekdays, $7 on weekends
The Best Fall Festivals in the San Fernando Valley
Forneris Farms Fall Festival: Forneris Farms' annual fall festival boasts a four-acre cornfield maze that is so big that it takes about an hour to complete—and kids under 12 aren't allowed without a parent. Which is to say, it's super big, super fun and super worth it! Festival-goers can also enjoy pony rides, a tractor-pulled train ride and a tractor ride around the farm. Your littlest celebrants will be in Halloween heaven at the "Farm Frolic" area, which includes a giant pumpkin jumper, a hay bale pyramid, a hay bale mini-maze and more.
Good to Know: All attractions are cash only; there is an ATM on site.
Dates: Sept. 30 through Oct. 31 Cost: Entry is free to the farm and pumpkin patch, but attraction passes—which include the corn maze, train ride and Farm Frolic area—are a separate fee (ages 2 and under are free)
Calabasas Pumpkin Festival: Did you know that Calabasas comes from the Spanish word ‘calabaza’ meaning ‘pumpkin’ or ‘gourd?’ So, it makes sense that Calabasas would go all out for its annual weekend-long Pumpkin Festival, a Halloween-time tradition that been holding strong from more than 40 years. This year, festival-goers can expect a slew of fun seasonal entertainment, including live music, food booths (orange flags signify vendors with pumpkin-based treats), tons of vendor stands, spooky squash sculptures, a beer garden (with pumpkin beer!), pumpkin carving with Peculiar Pumpkin Portrait's Doug Goodreau, and kids' games. Admission price includes all inflatables, a giant slide, Halloween carnival games, reptiles and bug shows, and a Saturday morning costume parade.
Dates: Oct. 16, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Cost: $10-15, kids under 2 are free
Big Horse Corn Maze: Speaking of corn mazes, if you really want to get lost in the crops, it's worth the hour-ish drive out of town to test your navigation skills at the Big Horse Corn Maze & Harvest Festival, where its whopper of a maze is ranked as the biggest in all Southern California. We're talking over 11 acres of corn stalks to navigate, which is no easy task, especially with little ones in tow. (FYI: If you give up, there are emergency exits along the way. And your bigger Harry Potter fans will love how much like the Tri-Wizard Tournament's final task this feels!)
Dates: Oct. 1-3; Tues.-Fri. 1-5 p.m.; weekends 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Cost: $15 (ages 5 and under are free). Each group must have a parking pass as well, parking $5
You know fall is on the horizon when the leaves start to change and the kids head back to school. But the surest sign your favorite season is closer than you think is kids asking to go apple picking. And although it’s not quite time to pull out your cozy sweaters and scarves just yet, it is time to plan your family’s annual outing to a nearby orchard. There’s no doubt some of the best memories are made going apple picking near Boston and playing on the farms. Bring home fall’s sweetest bounty to fill your kiddo’s lunchboxes or bake fall treats to share. Whatever reason you need a bushel or a peck, here’s where to find the best apple orchards around Boston.
Apple picking season means corn mazes, cider donuts, and farm animals are in your future
Check out this historic orchard in Stow, Massachusetts where you can pick 25 different varieties of apples daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. You can also pick your own blueberries and pears. Once you and the kids have filled your bushel, take a hayride, explore one of three different mazes (hint: tots will love the little hedge maze), and wave the the mini ponies, goats, chickens, and pigs that call the farm home. However, you choose to spend the day on this farm, be sure to check out the farm store filled with fresh jams, pies, and drinks to warm you up before heading home.
Fresh-pressed apple cider is the name of the game at this spot that's been farming for over 200 years. And when you come to pick your own, apples aren't the only thing you'll have access to. In addition to the August apples (think: Astrachan, Early Mac, Gravenstein, Jersey, and Puritan to name a few), you can also pick sweet corn and mums. Then in September expect more apples, plus pumpkins. Our suggestion? Stock up on maple syrup and preserves while you are there, and don't forget to return for Christmas trees in December.
The summer apple and peach picking season is underway at Brooksby. Families can check the Facebook page to get the latest picking updates, then load up the kids and head to the orchard to fill your buckets with those crisp apples you've been craving all summer. Families can also pick blueberries and green beans when they're there and swing by the farm store for even more fresh goodies, plus cider and donuts.
Mark your calendars for September 6, the start of u-pick apple season at Connors Farm, just north of the city. It's the same day the Barnyard Friends corn maze opens so you won't want to miss it. The themed play areas will also be open so plan to spend some time on this farm. Psst... if you've got older kids, pick apples in the late afternoon then stay for the flashlight corn maze that runs weekends starting September 30.
Who doesn't love fruit picking, seeing farm animals, and enjoying baked goods? You can find all of these things and more at Russell Orchards. Apple picking begins on September 3, but they still have blackberries and blueberries for a little longer. And of course they have lot of delicious fruits, veggies, and treats available for purchase in the farm store.
Load up on all the fresh fruits of the season, not just apples, when you pick your own at this farm about an hour north of the city. You can get tickets in advance to pick or plan to walk in with the kids whenever the mood strikes (the farm is open for u-pick daily from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.). Once you’ve filled your basket with ripe red apples, plan to play in the giant sandbox, ride trikes, swing, or even take in a family program while you’re there (hint: the Wednesdays Farms Tots program is the cutest). Plus, between the farm store and the food truck (there on the weekends) you can get your fill of mini donuts and cider that lets you know fall is really here.
Pick your own apples at this farm that's open every day, from 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. No plan needed. Grab a red wagon before you head out in case one of the giant gourds is calling your name. Then get your fill of McIntosh, Cortland, Macoun, Ginger Gold, Paula Red, and Red Delicious apples that are great for baking and snacking. Dogs are allowed on this farm, but they must be on a leash and can't join you in the Farm Stand.
You'll have a blast at this family-run orchard. From July through November, check out all of their delicious, fresh-picked fruits and vegetables available for purchase at their farm store. And after a long day of apple picking, swing by the snack window for some ice cream, apple crisp, or donuts. Just over an hour outside of Boston, this is the perfect day trip you're looking for.
This farm is full of all of the late summer and fall favorites your family loves. Come to pick apples (they've got over 30 different varieties), peaches, blackberries, and sunflowers that are in season right now. Everyone in your farm crew will love taking a wagon ride out of the orchard and climbing on the farm-themed playground before heading home. The barnyard animals are another big win for kids. And the apple cider donuts will certainly hit the spot on the ride back to the city. Reservations aren't required to pick, but it's a good idea to check the Today's Picking Conditions page before you make the trek.
If a visit with farm animals and a chance to sample flights of hard cider sound like the perfect pairings for your u-pick weekend, Hyland Orchard in Sturbridge is where you want to be. More than 1,500 trees are on the property and you can find all kinds of delish varieties between them, like Mac, Mutsu, Gala, Granny Smith, and Braeburn. Use them to bake or stick them in your kiddo's lunch—you can’t go wrong with these apples.
199 Arnold Rd. (use 3 Lake Rd. for GPS) Fiskdale, MA Online:hylandorchard.com
Smolak Farms in North Andover offers something fun for everyone—blending a 300-year-old New England Farm complete with orchards, berry fields, and family activities. Meet the barnyard animals when you visit for apple picking. The farm stand is well known for its top-of-the-line baked goods as well as sandwiches, soups, salads, and other items made with fresh produce from the gardens. The ice cream shop serves up scoops and cakes or pies for your next birthday celebration. Check the Facebook page for the latest updates.
15 S. Bradford St. North Andover, MA Online: smolakfarms.com
Shelburne Farm
Pick-your-own fruit season has officially started and the farm is open for the season. You can get fresh apples and peaches off the trees and warm apple cider doughnuts to take home (if they last that long). Kids will love the llamas, goats, miniature donkeys, chicks, and bunnies on the farm as well as the tractor playground.
This smaller farm offers a quaint apple picking scene without all of the rides and hoopla. They offer pick-your-own blueberries in the summer and u-pick apples and pumpkins in the fall. The apple picking season lasts from September 10 through October 16.
