NoVA Farms Where You Can Pick Apples and Pumpkins This Fall
From NorthernVirginiaMag.com
Now that fall is here, we’ve all got apple cider and pumpkin picking on the brain. If you have either “visit a pumpkin patch” or “pick apples” on your fall bucket list, there are plenty of options around NoVA. Here’s where you should spend a day in the outdoors picking fruits and gourds for the season.
ARLINGTON
Open daily
DePaul’s is your one-stop shop for all things fall. Come for the pumpkins, gourds, mums, and wreaths; stay for the apple cider doughnuts and autumnal sweets. 2599 Chain Bridge Rd., Vienna
ALEXANDRIA
September 28–31
The 31st annual pumpkin patch is back with pumpkins of all sizes. This popular spot in Alexandria has pumpkins, gourds, and baked goods. All proceeds benefit more than 25 charities. 3606 Seminary Rd., Alexandria
Open daily
Not only can you buy pumpkins, produce, and mums at the market, but you can also make a morning or afternoon of it at the Pumpkin Hill play yard, which is set to open on September 28. The play area includes crawling tubes, lots of hay, and great spaces for photo-ops. 7310 Beulah St., Alexandria
FAIRFAX
Thursdays through Mondays, September 14–15, September 21–November 5
There’s plenty of fall fun to be had at Cox Farms. Grab tickets to the Fall Festival to pick pumpkins, take a hayride, get lost in the corn maze, visit farm animals, and enjoy kids activities and live entertainment. If you don’t have enough time to explore the festival, head over to the festival market to pick up pumpkins, apples, apple cider, kettle corn, and an assortment of pies from Mom’s Apple Pie. 15621 Braddock Rd., Centreville, Fall Festival admission $10–$25, free for kids under 2
October 1–31
Find pumpkins, apples, and gourds here, as well as locally sourced organic honey. Don’t forget to snap a family picture by one of the Halloween-inspired backdrops. 9401 Burke Rd., Burke
Open daily; pick-your-own pumpkins TBA
Whether you’re here for a scheduled play time with their resident goats or dropping in to pick your own pumpkins, this family-owned farm makes for a great fall activity. Be sure to check out the collection of soaps and lotions, made with fresh goat milk right from the farm. The farm accepts cash and Venmo only. The pumpkin patch opens September 30. 6745 Bull Run Post Office Rd., Centreville, $5 entrance fee, free for children under 1
September–November
Winchester apples, pumpkins, squash, and gourds are the Krop’s Crops you can get your hands on. The farm offers fresh-pressed apple cider, mums, fall decorations made by area artists, and hayrides for the family. 11110 Georgetown Pk., Great Falls, $5 hayride to pumpkin patch, free for kids 3 and under
LOUDOUN
Open Saturdays and Sundays
This farm has a variety of apples available for picking, and wholesale pumpkins and gourds are on hand for purchase. 37883 E. Main St., Purcellville
Open daily
Visitors can pick their own apples and pumpkins at one of the farm’s fall festivals. Visit through September 30 for a corn maze and an apple harvest, with live music, marshmallow roasting, and more on Saturdays and Sundays. October is pumpkin season, with the Fall Pumpkin Harvest Festival running October 1 to 31, with wagon rides to a pumpkin patch, pig racing, and more. Admission price does not include apples or pumpkins. 34345 Snickersville Tpk., Bluemont, $12–$14 Monday–Friday, $14–$16 Saturday and Sunday
Temple Hall Farm Pumpkin Patch & Sunflower Fields
September 28–October 31
Take a family trip to Temple Hall Farm for your much-needed pumpkins. Spend the day searching through the entire pumpkin patch, then head over to the jumping pillows and slides for some extra entertainment. Admission includes one pumpkin and sunflowers. Temple Hall Farm Regional Park: 15855 Limestone School Rd., Leesburg, $15, free for kids 2 and under
September 21–October 27
Take a trip to Hamilton for pick-your-own pumpkins and wholesale options. Customers are given clippers and a wheelbarrow and directed to the field where they can look for their own pumpkins and gourds. 38299 Hughesville Rd., Hamilton
PRINCE WILLIAM
September 30–October 30
Wander around the patch to pick your pumpkin off the vine by hand at Yankey Farms’ pumpkin patch. Then the family can visit the animals, attempt the corn maze scavenger hunt, ride the cow train, and have fun in the play area. 11812 Bristow Rd., Bristow
FAUQUIER
Monday–Friday
This traditional pick-your-own farm offers apples, pumpkins, gourds, and other seasonal vegetables and fruits, plus fresh-pressed apple cider, hot pumpkin cider, apple cider doughnuts, hayrides, and other kid-friendly activities. 4484 Lee Hwy., New Baltimore
Hartland Orchard and Green Truck Farm
September–November 1
Two farms under one family. Each year, Hartland Orchard has apple and other tree-fruit picking and Green Truck Farm features pick-your-own pumpkins and winter squashes in September and October. 3205 Hartland Ln., Markham
Hours posted weekly
A family farm run for generations. Here you’ll get apples, pumpkins, winter squash, fall greens (lettuce, kale, arugula, bok choi, mustard greens, turnips, and radishes), and dig-your-own potatoes and peanuts. Head to the farm from September through October for pumpkins and apples. 1524 Snowden Rd., Delaplane
Messick’s Farm Market Fall Festival
Saturdays and Sundays, September 21–October 27
A day at Messick’s Farm is a fall dream for the little ones. Not only can they explore the pumpkin patches, they can frolic in the corn maze, zip down the slides, jump on the massive bounce pillow, hop on hayrides, and get in some snuggles at the petting zoo. 6025 Catlett Rd., Bealeton, $15, free for kids 3 and under
Wednesdays–Sundays
A tradition for many Northern Virginia families, Stribling Orchard is the place to go for picking pumpkins and apples. You can also visit with farm animals and shop in the Harvest House market for cider, honey, jams and jellies, salsas, hot sauces, local cheese and eggs, Virginia peanuts, cookbooks, and fresh baked goods. 11587 Poverty Hollow Ln., Markham
FREDERICKSBURG
September 16–November 4
Guests of the Fall Harvest Festival have the chance to pick their own pumpkins or grab some from the market. Note: Belvedere is cashless, so bring your credit or debit card. Enjoy a hayride or wagon ride around the farm, and if you stop in on a Saturday night in October, take in the festive fireworks display above the pond. 1410 Belvedere Dr., Fredericksburg, $17.95–$26.95
September 28–October 31
The Fall Festival welcomes you to pick pumpkins, enjoy unlimited hayrides, explore the farm, buy apple cider, feed the animals, and have a fall picnic. On weekends, enjoy delicious meals and snacks from local vendors. Pumpkins are not included in the price of admission. 18294 Tidewater Trail, Fredericksburg, $10–$15
September 28–October 27
Fall photos, hayrides, a sunflower walk, and a corn maze add to the post-pumpkin picking fun at this Fall Festival. And don’t miss out on the Braehead Farm BBQ, offering some delicious meats and gluten-free items. Fall Festival admission does not include pumpkins. 1130 Tyler St., Fredericksburg, $15, free for children 2 and under