On our daily walk to school this morning, my daughter, son, and I took a little detour through the grass to hear the crunch of the first fallen leaves under our shoes. We talked about raking leaves and decorating our front doorstep with the gourds from our garden. And my kids shared loudly and excitedly about what they want to dress up as for Halloween. Autumn is officially here, and it is finally beginning to look like it too.
Fall is the time of year when it gets exciting to make the switch from sandals to boots, and sunscreen to scarves. That cup of coffee not only tastes fantastic, but it warms your hands as well on the chilly mornings that start to occur more frequently. Autumn is also the time of year when my cravings for all things apple switch to all things pumpkin.
While I’m tempted to pick up a pumpkin from the grocery store today so I can make some pie ASAP, I’ve decided to hold off until the kiddos, and I can explore a pumpkin patch (or three) in the Twin Cities this fall. Not only do we have an excellent selection of apple orchards and corn mazes to choose from, but there are also more than a dozen pumpkin patches to explore in the Twin Cities with our families. Some places offer pick-your-own pumpkins, while others already have the pumpkins picked for you. And many patches provide a variety of family-friendly activities to keep the kiddos entertained for hours.
So soak up these last few beautiful weeks of jacket-free weather and explore one of these pumpkin patches in the Twin Cities with your family:
Eveland Family Farm – Andover
If you are looking for a real working farm experience when picking pumpkins this season, you’ll want to bring your family to Eveland Family Farm in Andover. The 80-acre site is located only 30 minutes from Minneapolis and offers several activities for families in addition to pumpkin picking.
Families are welcomed to go on self-guided tours at the farm, and there are a variety of animals to meet including miniature horses, llamas, alpacas, and pot-bellied pigs. There is a kiddie maze for the little ones, and the whole family can enjoy a hayride together. The farm also has a picnic area, so be sure to pack a lunch or snack so you can spend a few hours at the farm with your family.
Admission is $3.00 per person. Entry includes a self-guided farm tour, hayride, visit with the animals and use of the farm’s picnic area.
Open daily through Halloween, 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Weekdays) 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Weekends)
https://www.evelandfamilyfarm.com/fall-pumpkins/
2575 Andover Blvd., Andover, MN 55304
(763) 755-5123
Anoka County Farms – Ham Lake
There is something for everyone, including any shape, color, and size of pumpkins at Anoka County Farms! Kids can participate in a FREE coloring contest and be entered to win a prize (we will choose the winner on October 28th). Families can enjoy a hayride together and take some beautiful outdoor pictures with each other. The pumpkin patch also has a petting zoo, pumpkin painting, a jumping castle, and some yummy warm treats to eat.
Please note: Anoka County Farms only accepts cash for payments.
Open daily through Halloween, 3:00 PM – Sunset (Weekdays), 12:00 PM – Sunset (Fridays) 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Saturdays and Sundays)
MEA Hours: 10:00 AM – Sunset on October 15 and 16 (Hayrides will be going on all day)
https://www.anokacountyfarms.com/index.html
125 Bunker Lake Blvd., Ham Lake, MN 55304
(763) 427-0000
Berry Hill Farm – Anoka
Berry Hill Farm is a great place to explore with the family when it comes to picking your pumpkins from the field. Wagon rides, a field maze, and pony rides are also available for families to enjoy. In addition to picking out the perfect pumpkin, guests may also purchase Indian corn, squash, and gourds at Berry Hill Farm.
This 100-acre farm is undoubtedly a sight to see when the leaves start turning colors.
Admission is $2.00 per person. Access is FREE when guests purchase the wagon ride and grass maze package for $6.00 per person.
Please note: Berry Hill Farm only accepts cash and checks for payments.
Open daily through Halloween, 3:00 PM – Sunset (Weekdays), 12:00 PM – Sunset (Fridays), 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Saturdays and Sundays)
MEA Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM on October 16 and October 17
https://www.berryhillfarm.com/index.html
6510 185th Ave NW, Anoka, MN 55303
(763) 753-5891
Pinehaven Farm – Wyoming
Pinehaven Farm is a family-operated farm located just 30 minutes outside of the Twin Cities. The family is excited to meet your family, and they strive to make their farm an excellent destination for a wholesome, entertaining, and educational farm experience for all families.
The farm offers pick-your-own and pre-picked pumpkins, and there are a variety of family-friendly activities going on at the farm throughout the fall. On October 3rd at 1:00 p.m., the farm is hosting a magic show by Karl Achilles. If you have kids who are interested in pirates, be sure to visit Pinehaven Farm on October 10th, 17th, 24th or 31st from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. to meet and take pictures with Captain Jack. And for some extra Halloween fun, you’ll want to visit the farm on October 31st and November 1st for a special party for the kiddos. In addition to these special events, the farm also features several other kid-friendly activities including mini train rides, a jumbo jumping pillow, fun mazes, and a 5-acre corn maze.
Admission is $8.99 (+ tax) per person. Children 2 and under are FREE. On discount days (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday) admission is only $6.99 (+tax) per person. Please check out the farm’s website for additional promotions throughout the season!
Open daily through November 1st, Noon – 6:30 PM (Weekdays), 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM (Weekends)
https://www.pinehavenfarm.com/
28186 Kettle River Blvd, Wyoming, MN 55092
(651) 462-1704
Lendt’s Pumpkin Patch – Wyoming
Lendt’s Pumpkin Patch offers a vast selection of pumpkins at low prices, so if you are looking for a deal, this is the place to go. Pick-your-own pumpkins are available for only $4.00 each, and Lendt’s will provide garden carts for families who choose to explore the 40+ acre fields. Pre-picked pumpkins are also available and start at $6.00 per pumpkin. Prices of pre-picked pumpkins do vary depending on the size of the pumpkin.
After spending some time in the fields, kids can enjoy jumping in a brand-new corn pit and even get their faces painted on Saturdays and Sundays. Lendt’s Pumpkin Patch is also pet-friendly, so feel free to bring the family dog as long as your pet remains leashed at all times.
There is no admission fee.
Open daily through October 31st, 9:00 AM – Dusk
https://www.lendtspumpkinpatch.com/
6903 Wyoming Trail, Wyoming, MN 55092
(651) 462-1516
Tom’s Pumpkin Farm – Lindstrom
Go on a scenic drive with your family and experience all of the fall colors on your way to Tom’s Pumpkin Farm. Located about one hour north of the Twin Cities, the farm has plenty of activities going on to make the trip worth it.
Families can explore the 15-acre field and hunt for the perfect pumpkin to carve. Afterward, guests may enjoy some activities like playing pumpkin ring toss or lawn twister. Younger children will have fun finding their way through the straw bale maze while the bigger kids explore the corn maze. Tom’s Pumpkin Farm also has a picnic area and serves snacks and refreshments.
On October 24th, the farm is hosting a special contest. Guests may enter the contest by guessing how many seeds are in a pumpkin, and the winner will receive a giant, prize-winning pumpkin!
Admission to the farm is FREE. The “Labyrinth” corn maze is $6.00 (ages 12 and up), $4.00 (ages 5-11) and FREE for children ages 4 and under.
Open daily through October 31st, 10:00 AM – Dusk
https://www.tomspumpkinfarm.com/
15281 Panola Drive, Lindstrom, MN 55045
(651) 462-1704
Apple Jack Orchards – Delano
Pumpkins are now available at Apple Jack Orchards, and family-friendly fall activities are going on every weekend through the end of October. The orchard offers a free play area for kids, and families may enjoy lunch outside while overlooking Crow River. Family-friendly weekend activities include a newly enlarged corn pit, wagon rides, pony rides, apple cannons, cow train, corn maze, and a jumping pillow.
Furthermore, Apple Jack Orchards plans many activities throughout the fall. For instance, stop by Cider Days on Saturday, October 3rd and Sunday, October 4th. There will be an old fashion cider press display as well as cider sampling and live music. Live music performances are lined up for October 10th, 11th, 17th and 18th from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM. And kids can show up in their Halloween costumes for some fall fun and a special treat on October 24th, 25th and 31st.
There is no admission fee; however, most of the activities do require a small fee.
Open daily through the end of October, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
4875 37th St SE, Delano, MN 55328
(763) 972-6673
Wheel Fun Rentals Pumpkin Patch – Richfield
Enjoy picking out pumpkins, playing a round of mini-golf, going on a scavenger hunt, and jumping around in inflatables with your family when you visit Wheel Fun Rentals Pumpkin Patch in Richfield this fall! A pumpkin carving station will also be available, which is excellent for those who don’t want to get their dining room tables all messy at home.
Children ages 3 and under are FREE with a paying adult. Admission for ages 4 – 55 ranges from $7.00 – $12.00 per person. Access for ages 56 and older ranges from $5.00 – $10.00 per person.
Open Saturdays and Sundays through the end of October, 10:00 AM – Sunset
6335 Portland Avenue South, Richfield, MN 55423
(612) 861-9348
Sever’s Corn Maze & Fall Festival – Shakopee
Sever’s Corn Maze & Fall Festival is a favorite spot for families to visit in the fall. While many families visit Sever’s for the corn maze, there are dozens of other activities going on throughout the next month for families to enjoy, including pumpkin picking.
Admission is $15.00 for ages 4 and up. Children 3 and under are FREE.
Open September 11 – November 1 (Fridays 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM; Saturdays 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Sundays 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM).
Also open MEA Thursday, October 15 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, and MEA Friday, October 16 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (MEA Thursday will follow the show schedule for Sundays, and MEA Friday will follow the show schedule for Saturdays).
While there is a pumpkin patch onsite at the maze this year, Sever’s also offers several other locations for picking pumpkins for those who want to skip the additional fall festivities. These additional locations can be found on the Sever’s website here.
https://www.severscornmaze.com/
1100 Canterbury Road, Shakopee, MN 55379
(952) 974-5000
Afton Apple Orchard – Hastings
Pumpkin picking season is in full swing at Afton Apple Orchard. Enjoy a relaxing hayride to the patch while you sip on a warm cup of fresh apple cider or hot chocolate, all while taking in the beautiful fall colors with your family.
In addition to picking pumpkins, there are several other kid-friendly activities to enjoy. The orchard has a 15-acre corn maze, and there is an excellent play area for kids. A concession stand, petting farm, and jump pad will also be open throughout the pumpkin-picking season.
Afton Apple Orchard is also celebrating its annual Apple Festival on the weekends of October 3-4, October 10-11, and October 17-18 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Some of the festival activities include the following: cider pressing demonstrations, live music, chainsaw carving demonstrations, hayrides, and a petting farm.
Afton does charge a moderate admission fee of $3.00 for guests ages 4 and under, and $4.00 for guests ages 5 and up. Not inThe corn maze and jumping pad are not included in admission and cost extra.
Open daily, 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (through the end of October)
14421 90th Street South, Hastings, MN 55033
(651) 436-8385
Emma Krumbee’s Orchard and Farm – Belle Plaine
There are thousands of pumpkins to choose from at the Great Pumpkin Patch, so if you are looking for a great selection, Emma Krumbee’s is the place to go!
Emma Krumbee’s is also celebrating its 32nd Annual Scarecrow Festival this year which runs through October 30th. In addition to pumpkin picking, the festival features a scarecrow display, wagon rides, farm animals, giant haystack, and a play area with monster trucks. Brats, ice cream, apple treats, and a variety of other foods will be available for purchase during the festival.
Admission during the 32nd Annual Scarecrow Festival is $5.50 per person (plus tax). Children ages 2 and under are FREE. Entry includes the scarecrow display and some other family-friendly activities.
Open daily, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (through October 30th)
https://emmakrumbees.com/pick-your-own-pumpkins/
311 E Enterprise Dr., Belle Plaine, MN 56011
(952) 873-3006
Pine Tree Apple Orchard – White Bear Lake
If you need to visit a pumpkin patch that is closer to home, Pine Tree is an excellent choice for families. Located just minutes northeast of the Twin Cities, the 6-acre pumpkin patch opens for the season this upcoming weekend on October 3rd.
There is no admission fee, but guests should be prepared to pay a fee for some of the additional activities that are available including the corn maze. Be sure to check out the website before visiting Pine Tree to get the latest information on all of the orchard’s fall festivities.
Open October 3rd through October 25th, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Saturdays and Sundays), 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays)
https://www.pinetreeappleorchard.com/EventSchedule
450 Apple Orchard Road, White Bear Lake, MN 55110
(651) 429-7202
Country Sun Farm – Lake Elmo
Country Sun Farm has a vast selection of pre-picked pumpkins available, and there are many activities for the kiddos to choose from. Kids can play around in a corn pit or jump on bouncers. They can even play with silly string or do some gem mining. The hayride at Country Sun Farm might be a little spooky here and there for younger kids, but there are a lot of silly sights as well along the way.
There is no admission fee, but guests should be prepared to pay a small fee for some of the activities that are available at Country Sun Farm. Most of the events are under $5.00 each, and only cash is accepted. Special activities are open Saturdays from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Sundays from 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
Open daily, 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Monday – Friday), 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Saturdays and Sundays)
11211 60th Street North, Lake Elmo, MN 55042
(651) 439-4156
Waldoch Farm Garden Center – Lino Lakes
Waldoch Farm Garden Center is located just 20 minutes north of St. Paul and Minneapolis, making it another excellent destination for families who don’t want to travel too far to explore a pumpkin patch. The farm offers a great selection of pick-your-own and pre-picked pumpkins. Families may also browse the garden center for additional plants to add to their outdoor fall décor.
While pumpkin picking may be the primary reason for visiting Waldoch Farm, families may also enjoy checking out the corn maze and some of the additional kid-friendly activities including pedal carts, a sandbox, and a corn box.
Waldoch Farm pops its own Kettle Corn on the weekends, and other food will be available for guests to purchase on weekends as well.
Admission for the fall activities is $10.00 for ages 3 and up. Children 2 and under are FREE.
Open daily, 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (through the end of October)
https://www.waldochfarm.com/html/waldoch_fallfun.php
8174 Lake Drive, Lino Lakes, MN 55014
(651) 780-1207
Nelson Family Farm – Litchfield
Nelson Family Farm is a historic farm that will undoubtedly charm your family this fall. So take a day trip to Litchfield with your kids to enjoy pumpkin picking and other family-friendly activities this fall.
At Nelson Family Farm, a 1958 tractor named ‘Alice,’ or a trolley ride pulled by horses will bring you and your family out to the pumpkin patch. This year’s Pumpkin Festival also features dozens of activities. For instance, families will enjoy barrel races, corn cob golf, face painting, farm animals, fun houses, and a corn maze at the festival.
On October 10 and 11, the farm is celebrating Pork Appreciation Days. The celebration includes special prizes for completing the corn maze, a pork information booth, and free samples of tasty pork tidbits. On October 17 and 18 families may enter the scarecrow making contest. Contestants are responsible for bringing their clothes and nylons for decorating their scarecrows. Judging will take place at 3:00 p.m. each day. And October 31, there will be free candy and special pumpkin activities to help the kiddos celebrate Halloween.
Admission is $8.00 per person. Children 2 and under are FREE. On October 24th and 25th, all active and former military personnel are FREE.
Open 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Saturdays), Noon – 5:00 PM (Sundays)
Also open MEA Thursday and Friday, October 15 – October 16
https://www.nelsonfarm.com/festival.html
23618 CSAH #1, Litchfield, MN 55355
(320) 693-7750
Tweite’s Family Farm – Byron
Tweite’s Family Farm has many activities going on for families this fall. First, grab a wheelbarrow and visit the pumpkin patch. Secondly, visit the fun park and play on slides, tires, swings, and a fun play structure. Kids can even play a life-size game of Connect Four or dig around in a huge sandbox. And you won’t want to miss out on the experience of getting lost in the 12-acre corn maze at Tweite’s Family Farm.
Admission for the maze ONLY is $8.00 per person. Access for the fun park ONLY is $10.00 per person. Entry for the fun park AND maze is $15.00 per person. Children 2 and under are FREE.
Open Saturdays and Sundays 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM (through October 25th)
Open MEA Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, October 14 – October 16 from 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
1821 Frontier Road SW, Byron, MN 55920
(507) 365-8035
Pleasant Valley Orchard – Shafer
Pick-your-own pumpkins and hayrides to the patch are only available on the weekends at Pleasant Valley Orchard. In addition, families may also purchase pre-picked pumpkins by the apple shed any day of the week.
The orchard, located near Taylors Falls, will also have a variety of activities going on throughout the fall on weekdays and weekends. Fall festivities at the orchard include the following: hayrides, a corn box, Kids Korral, farm animals, and a nature trail to explore. Food will be available at the orchard, and guests may listen to live music on Saturdays.
There is no admission fee. Guests should be prepared to pay a small fee for some of the activities that are available.
Open daily, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (through the end of October)
Pick-your-own pumpkins are only available on weekends from 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM (through the end of October)
17325 Pleasant Valley Road, Shafer, MN 55074
(651) 257-9159
While it might seem too early to start thinking about carving jack-o-lanterns, it’s never too early for pumpkin pie and decorating your front doorstep for the season. If you do plan on getting your Halloween pumpkins soon, find some cardboard that you can place under your pumpkin, so it doesn’t rot before you are ready to carve your masterpiece.
So tell us, which pumpkin patch do you plan to explore with your family this fall?
Join Twin Cities Kids Club today for exclusive membership deals and discounts. Be sure to tell us which pumpkin patch you liked the best.
-by Aimee Farley, Owner, WhyILeftMyJob.com and Twin Cities Kids Club Co-Owner
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