It’s that time of year when the weather is beginning to cool, fun fall outfits await, PSL’s are back and kids are hoping to start jumping in leaves soon. It also means making memories at local apple orchards, fall festivals and picking pumpkins. Be sure to check websites as protocols have certainly changed this year. Have a favorite place to add to our list? Let us know in the comments!
Butlers Orchard (22200 Davis Mill Rd., Germantown, MD 20876)
In the past there have been so many attractions including; a twisted pumpkin corn maze, corn box, hayrides, straw maze, corn hole, giant slides, pumpkin coach, jump in the hayloft, visit barnyard buddies, pumpkinland, pedal tractors, playground, pumpkin cannon, pony rides, face painting, kids crafts, pick your own pumpkins, festival food and a farm market as you exit the Orchard. More info to come soon on their website. Children under 24 months are free. September 26 & 27 $13.00/person October 3 & 4 $13.00/person Peak Dates October 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 24, 25 $15.00/person. October 31 $13.00/person. Nov 1 last call for fall $13.00/person. Cash only at gate. ATM on site or purchase tickets at the market with your Visa or MasterCard.
Winterbrook Farms (13001 Creagerstown Rd., Thurmont, MD 21788)
Visit September 26-November 1 from 11:00am-6:00pm to visit the Fall Festival. They are a 4th generation family farm that has been offering a fall festival for over 20 years! There is something fun for all ages at the farm with over 25 activities to enjoy. With over 9 acres of 20+ different varieties and colors of U-Pick Pumpkins, free Hay rides, Maryland’s Largest Corn Maze, an interactive farm animal area, a Pumpkin Jump Pillow, Mini Beeline Ziplines, Round Bale Rollers, Giant Corn box, Apple Cannons & much more! Also to enjoy, Freshly made Apple Cider Donuts, Local Apple Cider, Kettle Corn, Fresh Squeezed Lemonade, Delicious BBQ & more! NEW for 2020! A Farm Market full of fall decor and goods to take home from the farm. Click here for COVID-19 protocols.
Summers Farm (5620 Butterfly Ln. Frederick, MD 21703)
Open in the Fall each year with an old-fashioned Fall Festival from September 19–Nov 8. Purchase tickets here. The farm features a 12 acre corn maze, pumpkin patch, more than 45 activities, live weekend music, fireworks, finger-lickin’ good food and lots more!
Homestead Farm (15604 Sugarland Rd., Poolesville, MD 20837)
Pick your own apples and pumpkins, live animals to see and browse market goodies such as apple cider, mums and honey.
Larriland (2415 Woodbine Rd., Woodbine, MD 21797)
Open through the first Sunday in November, closed on Mondays. On Saturdays and Sundays in late September and October, they offer hayrides during the day which fords the stream, goes through the woods and includes a stop at the pumpkin field where everyone selects their favorite pumpkin. The straw maze, built with over 1000 bales of straw, is a delightful place to get lost. The boo barn is designed for children ages 4–6. It is a dark passage in the bottom of the red barn and is filled with animated, not too scary ghosts and goblins. Apple fritters and food trucks weekends in October.
Clark’s Elioak Farm (10500 State Rte 108 Ellicott City, MD 21042)
Open through November 3, Tuesday-Sunday. Purchase tickets here. Petting farm animals, hayrides, cow train rides, pony rides, birthday parties, educational tours, enchanted pine tree forest, special weekend events, enchanted forest attractions (from an old theme park) and fall season pumpkin patch.
Gaver Farm (5501 Detrick Rd., Mount Airy, MD 21771)
September 4–November 3, 2020 is the fall season at Gaver Farm featuring a farm market, pick your own pumpkins and sunflowers, farm fresh food and Fall Fun Days! Tickets are required for Fall Fun Days daily admission and can be purchased here. If you are visiting the farm for pick your own, hayrides, food stands or the Farm Market, you do not need an admission ticket. These areas of the farm do not required a ticketed wristband for entry.
Great Country Farms (18780 Foggy Bottom Rd., Bluemont, VA 20135)
Open daily for apple picking and corn maze from Sept 1-30. Purchase tickets here. Fall Pumpkin Harvest Festival is from September 28-October 31 & Pumpkin Chunkin taking place November 1-3. Celebrate with tastings of this season’s best ciders and demonstrations of antique cider press. Pick your pumpkins and apples, fire pumpkins from a cannon, enjoy cider donuts, get lost in a corn maze and visit with the pumpkin princess while at the pumpkin harvest festival.
Leesburg Animal Park (19270 James Monroe Hwy., Leesburg, VA 20175)
Pumpkin Village is open September 19-November 3. Purchase tickets here. There is also a Halloween costume contest on Oct. 31. Enjoy the giant hill slides, hay wagon rides, pet and feed animals, free apple and cider snack with admission, free mini-pumpkin, kids maze and live entertainment, pedal carts, bounce pillow and live music. Specials on weekends include camel rides and live entertainment.
Wayside Farm (5273 Harry Byrd Hwy., Berryville, VA 22611)
Open Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday’s from September 26-November 1. Whether you are head there to find the perfect pumpkin for carving Jack-o-lanterns, to find your way through the 10-acre corn maze, or to take in the scenery of their grounds while the kids enjoy all of our activities, Wayside Farm has something for everyone!
Ticonderoga Farms (26175 Ticonderoga Rd., Chantilly, VA 20152)
CLOSED FOR THE SEASON
Cox Farms (15621 Braddock Rd., Centreville, VA 20120)
CLOSED FOR THE SEASON
Visitors can take a self driven hayride and even load up on apple cider donuts and kettle corn to enjoy on the ride.
Readers also recommend:
Montpellier Farm
Weber’s Cider Mill
Pumpkin Playground at Burke Nursery
Festivals:
Maryland Renaissance Festival: Virtual September 12-13, 2020
H Street Festival: Virtual the month of September
Fall for Fairfax KidFest: October 2-3, 2020
Frederick Oktoberfest: Carry out & delivery October 3, 2020
Weiner 500 Oktoberfest at the Wharf: October 3, 2020
Barracks Row Fall Festival: Cancelled
Piketoberfest: TBA
Adults only:
Markoff’s Haunted Forest: Tickets coming soon
Field of Screams
Ebe Haunts Trail of Terror
Fields of Fear
Six Flags Fright Fest
