Family fall fun: Pick from these pumpkin patches
On the day after Labor Day, I am completely ready for all things fall. I’ve got my sweaters and
scarves in queue, a fall wreath on my door, and don’t even get me started on pumpkins, the
epitome of all that is fall.
I start stocking my fridge with pumpkin beer by the end of August, and – fully acknowledging how basic I am – I heed the call of pumpkin spice lattes. One of the best parts of fall however, pumpkin spice notwithstanding, is the plethora of fall family activities.
From apple picking, to corn mazes, to leaf peeping, and of course pumpkin picking, I’m a sucker
for all of it. Too bad I’m usually still either rocking short sleeves or sweating my butt off in the
flannel that I obstinately wear, because it's technically fall dangit.
For those of you looking to bring out the family for some pumpkin picking with all the appropriate fall fanfare, look no further than this list of some of the best that the Triangle has to offer.
Page Farms in Raleigh
Since I’m fortunate enough to live down the street from this gem, my family hits it at least twice
a year – for strawberry picking and pumpkin picking.
Unfortunately for us, so does everyone else, so expect large crowds.
Page Farms features an enjoyable hayride, a corn crib, both a corn and a hay maze, a cow train, playthings for kids, photo opps and some animals to boot.
I love that they have a legitimate pumpkin patch, not just pumpkins sitting in a field that have been pre-picked and hauled in from elsewhere.
Although a pumpkin is included in your admission, you’re mostly paying for the experience. If you want to adorn your porch with a wheelbarrow load of pumpkins without paying a premium for extras, you’ll want to supplement your pickings here with a haul from elsewhere.
Crossroads Corn Maze in Wendell
Not just a corn maze, as the name would indicate. Crossroads has a hay ride, lawn games,
picnic tables and fire pits for s’mores, and a hay maze for the littles. All inclusive tickets cost $17
for adults, $14 for kids, and include a pumpkin. Group tickets are also available. This year
Crossroads is open to the public from Oct. 6 through Oct. 29.
Smith Family Fun Farm in Hillsborough
For those looking to pick pumpkins without an admission fee, Smith Family Fun Farm is a great choice. Smith Family Fun Farm’s pumpkin patch opens for business on Sept. 30. It’s open Tuesdays through Fridays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The farm has a Christian element to their theme, so be advised if that is something that would either appeal to you or turn you off.
You have the option of picking pumpkins directly from the vine in their pumpkin patch or selecting a pre-picked pumpkin from their pavilion. Note that to meet demand, some of the pumpkins are brought in from elsewhere.
On the farm is a play area with a large slide and a spooky story walk. Snacks like frozen custard are available for purchase. While there is no admission fee for the farm, they kindly request that you purchase a pumpkin while visiting. Picnic shelter rentals and field trips are available for groups.
The Family Farm on Avent Ferry
Another admission-free option is The Family Farm on Avent Ferry, a working family farm for over six generations. The Family Farm on Avent Ferry was voted best farm in the WRAL Voter’s Choice Awards in 2021.
The farm opens for pumpkin season on Sept. 23 with animals to see and lots of great photo opps to be had among the tractor, old pickup truck and hay bales. The farm sells everything you could possibly need for your fall decor, from hayballs and corn stalks to a wide variety of pumpkins in every conceivable shape and color.
Pumpkin Patch at Naylor Family Farm
Naylor Family Farm in Fuquay-Varina offers a wide variety of attractions suitable for the entire family, the centerpiece of which is their giant 7-acre corn maze.
Besides the requisite pumpkin picking, their number of other attractions is hard to beat. Their much loved spooky hayride lasts a full 30 minutes, but be advised that their hayride is actually hay free for allergy reasons. The farm also features a mega slide and tube slides, pedal carts, an apple cannon, a corn crib play barn, a feed bin fort, gem mining, a warehouse full of inflatables to jump on, a barrel train, a duck race game, a toddler play area and a pavilion of pigs among other farm animals.
Although the farm is among the most expensive of the lot at $20 for everyone over the age of 3, it includes an awful lot to see and do. Everything but gem mining, the apple cannons, the mega slide and animal feed are included.
Don’t miss out on visiting the new baby calf named Scout!
With all the attractions, plan to spend about five hours here. The fall season lasts from Sept. 16 all the way through Nov. 5, giving you plenty of time to visit. Hours and availability vary by the month, with some being by reservation only, so be sure to consult their website before you visit.
Phillips Farm in Cary
In addition to selling pumpkins, Phillips Farm in Cary promotes itself as a fall family fun park. With the number of attractions it has, it certainly fits the bill.
The fun park opens to visitors Sept. 16 on Thursdays through Sundays, with their haunted park opening Sept. 29. Like Naylor Family Farm in Fuquay, admission is $20 a pop and includes a laundry list of activities for kids of all ages. Among the numerous attractions are a pedal cart track, roller racers, human foosball, inflatables for bouncing, giant slides, wagon rides, a cow train, a sunflower field perfect for photo opps, a corn maze for the older set as well as one for the littles, games, play equipment, a toddler area, a corn crib and a petting zoo. Whew!
If that wasn’t already enough Phillips caters to the older crowd with their nighttime haunted park, corn maze, and wagon ride from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. The haunted park features the “Field of Lost Souls, Rebellion Trail, The Gore House and Big Top Terror.” Tickets for the haunted park are $25 with discounts for military veterans and seniors.
Perkins Orchard in Durham
For families looking to load up on pumpkins at a great bargain, look no further than Perkins
Family Orchard in Durham. The family-run farm has now been in business for 53 years, and
while they do not grow pumpkins in their own pumpkin patch, they have 80,000 pumpkins to
choose from in 60 different varieties.
For families who really want to deck out their yard with everyone’s favorite orange gourd, for $99 you can fill up one of their carts with all the pumpkins of your choice that will fit, all while getting a bag full of produce and a bonus jar of honey or jam to boot!
On weekdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Perkins Orchard offers a pumpkin painting activity that families can participate in on site or purchase the kit to take home.
Ragan and Holly’s Pumpkin Patch in Apex
This time of year, Jean’s Neighborhood Market transforms into Ragan and Holly’s Pumpkin Patch. The pumpkin patch, named for Jean's grandchildren, features boxes of pumpkins in all varieties that are brought and distributed throughout the patch to be “picked.” Lots of other fall and Halloween paraphernalia are available for purchase in their shop from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Hill Ridge Farms in Youngsville
Hill Ridge Farms bills itself as a “destination for old fashioned family fun.” Their fall pumpkin
festival starts Sept. 27 and runs Wednesdays through Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The festival runs through Oct. 29.
Everyone receives a free pumpkin with admission. A general admission ticket also includes a covered wagon ride, animal greeting, access to the general play areas, music. You can also purchase the all-inclusive superpass admission, which adds on train rides, carousel rides, gem mining and duck racing.
Yummy treats like apple cider donuts are for sale.
Expect long lines and get there early!
Tractor’s Corn Maze in Wake Forest
In addition to their field of homegrown pumpkins in all kinds of varieties, Tractor’s hosts their namesake 8-acre corn maze complete with scavenger hunt.
On Saturday nights the corn maze opens up after dark, so bring your flashlight! Other features include a hayride, hay bale art perfect for selfies and a corn pit.
The fall season begins Sept. 30, but see hours as they vary. A $15 cash entry price (free for kids 2 and under,) gets you a daylight trip through the corn maze, a hayride, a roll in the corn pit and a free pumpkin.
Pumpkin picking is clearly not just that, it’s a whole afternoon (or morning) of fall festivities
perfect for a day of family fun. With all these great pumpkin patches, you’re sure to find one
close to your neck of the woods. Always check with the farm to make sure they are open for the
day and time that you plan to visit, and expect crowds of other families with the same plan in
mind.
