Get in the autumnal spirit with a trip to a nearby pumpkin patch. These venues offer a variety of experiences to enhance your search for orange, round perfection. Bring family, friends or your SO and enjoy a day on the farm complete with hayrides and furry animals, ropes courses, corn mazes, apple pastries and more. Check websites or call before you for times and conditions. Travel times to each venue are approximate.
The great pumpkin awaits!
The Hunter Farm
What could make the hayride + pumpkins combination even better? A trip to the barn with farm animals you can pet, feed and snuggle. A small pumpkin is included with each ticket or choose a larger one for a fee. Reservations are required.
Dates: Through November 2
Address: 13624 Providence Road, Weddington, NC 28104
Distance From Charlotte Center City: 22.6 miles (approximately 30 minutes)
Hours: Wednesday-Friday, 3-7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Reservations for wagon ride is required. Price varies and does not include parking. You must take the wagon to the petting barn.
Pro Tip: “Farm Fridays” with music, food trucks and adult bevs are the perfect way to kick off the weekend. Check the website for more information including event dates.
Hodges Family Farm
Open daily, fall fun is ready whenever you are. Spend the day visiting the pumpkin patch, climbing hay bales, visiting farm animals then wrap it up with lunch or snacks in the picnic area. Food treats are available for purchase weekends.
Dates: Through October 31
Address: 3780 Rocky River Road, East Charlotte NC 28215
Distance From Charlotte Center City: 10.1 miles (approximately 23 minutes)
Hours: Daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m. (Gates close at 5:30 p.m.)
Pro Tip: The farm is the perfect setting to take holiday pics.
Hall Family Farm
You will never run out of things to do at Hall Family Farm, so plan accordingly! There is no admission fee and lots of free activities including slides, a sandbox, balance beams and tires, fire truck slide and more – plus additional things to do for a fee. Luckily you can fuel up with cider doughnuts and other food fare to keep going.
Dates: Through November 2
Address: 445 W Rebound Rd, Lancaster, SC 29720
Distance From Charlotte Center City: 37.5 miles (approximately 45 minutes)
Hours: Visit the Facebook page for updates and hours.
Price: Admission is free; activities for a fee.
Pro Tip: Kids (big and small ones) can try a ropes course (wavier required). The Goat Walk is $15 and the Kid Walk is $9.
Carrigan Farms
Talk about fresh! Pack garden gloves and knife – you pick these beautiful pumpkins right off the vine. Catch the food truck serving up doughnuts and cider on the weekends. Only cash is accepted for the pumpkin patch and food trucks and there are no ATMs on site.
Date: Through October 31
Address: 1261 Oak Ridge Farm Hwy, Mooresville, NC 28115
Distance From Charlotte Center City: 33.5 miles (approximately 38 minutes)
Hours: You must reserve your pumpkin picking time in advance. Book now!
Pro Tip: Want to be scared out of your gourd? Check out Scarrigan Farms.
Sweetwater Farms
Need a fall fix close to home? Sweetwater Farms in Huntersville has an array of beautiful pumpkins and decorative gourds PLUS pumpkin spice coffee, iced lattes and hand-held apple pies (you had me at apple pies).
Date: Through November 2
Price: $6 online, $7 at the door
Address: 14412 Beatties Ford Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078
Distance from Center City Charlotte: 16 miles (approximately 26 minutes)
Hours: Wednesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Pro Tip: Sweetwater Farms is open March-November with season passes available for maximum fun.
