1. Home
  2. Travel
  3. Family Vacations

Visit a Pumpkin Patch

By , About.com Guide

pumpkin patch photo - photo courtesy of PickaPumpkin.comPhoto courtesy of PickaPumpkin.com.

Plan a great getaway during "Fall-o-Ween" season, with:

Tips for Visiting a Pumpkin Patch

  • many pumpkin patches also offer a corn maze, hay rides, petting farm, or other fun for families
  • to choose your fruit (yes, fruit) : come with a carving pattern in mind; or get inspired by the shapes you find
  • make sure your pumpkin can sit level on the ground
  • ripe ones will have a dryish stem
  • leave the stem on! You'll need a handle for the "lid" of your carved pumpkin. (And don't carry the pumpkin by the stem or it might break off.)
  • see more tips about picking, carving, cooking; free carving patterns too

Find a Pumpkin Patch
See list below; wherever your fall getaway, you can probably find a local pumpkin patch. Watch out, though: some pumpkin patches are real, where you really pick your own; some are just fields where pumpkins have been laid out.

Below are some good sites online, to find a pumpkin patch:

  • New England: the "pick your own" variety of pumpkin patch, in each of the New England states
  • Pick a Pumpkin Patch- 35 miles from Albany NY; hayrides, hay tunnel, farm animals, cider donuts, and more
  • Pittsburgh: a guide to Fall Festivals and Pumpkin Patches

*photo courtesy of PickaPumpkin.com

Explore Family Vacations
About.com Special Features

Holiday Central

What to eat, where to go, fun things to do and how to save money on the perfect gifts. More >

Hot Winter Travel Deals

Check out these tips on finding the best airfare, hotel rates and cruise deals. More >

  1. Home
  2. Travel
  3. Family Vacations
  4. Fun Places for Kids
  5. Pumpkin Patch - fall family getaways - find a pumpkin patch>

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.