Written by Kirstin Hawthorne

Visiting a pumpkin patch is a fun and festive fall activity that offers both an outdoor adventure and seasonal ambiance. From picking your own pumpkin straight from the patch to enjoying hayrides, corn mazes, and other activities, pumpkin patches provide a memorable experience for all ages. It’s a perfect opportunity to embrace the spirit of the season, make lasting memories, and revel in the joy of autumn.

Experts say selecting the perfect pumpkin involves checking the stem for firmness, ensuring the color is consistent and vibrant, examining the skin for any cuts or bruises, checking the density and weight, and considering the shape. Here are some great places to find your perfect pumpkin:

• Cox Farms: This popular farm in Centreville offers a wide variety of fall activities, including pumpkin picking, hayrides, and a corn maze.
• Great Country Farms: Located in Bluemont, this farm features a 5-acre pumpkin patch with a variety of pumpkins and gourds, as well as a corn maze, hayrides, and farm animals.
• Burke Nursery and Garden Centre: This family-owned nursery in Burke offers pumpkin picking, hayrides, and a variety of fall decorations.
• Ticonderoga Farms: This farm in Chantilly features a pumpkin patch with a wide selection of pumpkins, as well as hayrides, a petting zoo, and a corn maze.
• Marker-Miller Orchards: Located in Winchester, this farm offers a pumpkin patch, apple cider donuts, and a corn maze, among other fall activities.
• Hartland Orchard: This farm in Markham offers pumpkin picking, kettle corn, homemade apple cider as well as a farm store selling fresh produce.
• Stribling Orchard: Located just down the road from Hartland Orchard in Markham, it offers a pumpkin patch, apple cider, and baked goods, as well as scenic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
• Temple Hall Farm Regional Park: Located in Leesburg, this park features a large pumpkin patch, as well as a corn maze, hayrides, and other fall activities.
• Burnside Farms: This farm in Haymarket offers a pumpkin patch, sunflower fields, and other fall activities.
• Wayside Farm Fun: Located in Berryville, Wayside Farm offers a pumpkin patch, a corn maze, and a pumpkin cannon, as well as apple cider donuts and other treats.