Every October, the Queens County Farm Museum sets up a pumpkin patch, hosts a fall festival and offers a farm experience to us city folk; all without leaving the city. The museum and working historical farm dates back to 1697. It sits on the largest tract of undisturbed farmland in New York City and is the longest continuously farmed site in the entire state. How’s that for bragging rights?
This Halloween, uncover this hidden gem and venture out to Queens, the most underrated borough for some pumpkin picking and agrarian fun. Plus, you can get some great ethnic food from the famously diverse borough on the way back home.
When to Go
Any Saturday or Sunday in October for pumpkin picking and exploring the farm on your own. If you’re looking for more Halloween action, check out the farm museum when it hosts the annual Children’s Fall Festival on Sunday, October 28. Admission includes bounce house, games, magic show, live music and crafts. We’ve listed the nitty gritty details for all different options at Queens County Farm Museum below.
Don’t Miss
Before you pick your pumpkin and enjoy the Halloween festivities, complete this checklist for experiencing the best of Queens County Farm Museum:
- The 3-acre corn maze. Can you believe there’s a corn maze in the middle of NYC?
- The friendly goats. Purchase some goat feed at the gift shop so you can feed the little guys when strolling around the farm.
- The Italian honeybees. The farm museum has hives where the bees produce delicious wildflower honey. Pick some up at the gift shop!
- The weekend hayrides. At $2 a person, it’s an easy way to get some transportation entertainment and is a lot more comfortable than the MTA.
How to Get There
The farm museum web site offers great directions for driving and public transportation. Our suggestion is to make life easier and rent a car for a few hours or the entire day. It will be worth the convenience and the fun! Plus, you might save yourself from a meltdown when switching from train to bus after a long wait.
Queens County Farm Museum
73-50 Little Neck Parkway
(Queens)
Floral Park, NY
Open daily year-round.
10:00 am – 5:00 pm.
FREE
Online: queensfarm.org
Pumpkin Patch
Saturdays and Sundays – through Oct 28
11:00 am – 4:30 pm
FREE Admission (except Sunday, Oct 28).
Pay for pumpkin by the size.
Corn Maze
Saturdays and Sundays – through October 28
11:00 am – 4:30 pm
$9 adults/$5 kids 4-11/FREE kids 3 and under
Children’s Fall Festival
Sunday, Oct 28
11:00 am – 4:00 pm
$5/person, $3/animal feeding, $3 pony ride, $2 hayride, $4/haunted house
Other Pumpkin Patches Worth the Drive (or Train Ride):
The First Annual Brooklyn’s Great Pumpkin Patch by Brooklyn Plantology offers thousands of pumpkins for picking and fun events like a hay maze, petting zoo, and live music every weekend in October. Come visit Saturdays and Sundays 10:00 am-4:00 pm.
Or visit The Haunted Pumpkin Garden at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. There is no patch for picking but hundreds of spooky pumpkin sculptures to check out in the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden along with pumpkin carving workshops and other activities.
Do you stick to the city pumpkin patches or venture to the outer boroughs to grab your pumpkins? Let us know where you pick your pumpkins in the comment section below.
— Sarah Choi
first two photos courtesy of The Queens County Farm Facebook page; third photo courtesy of Brooklyn Plantology
