There are so many reasons to love fall and one of those is the seasonal festivities and food – especially pumpkins and apples. For the times when Whole Foods doesn’t feel as authentic as a hayride, check out these farms around the DMV area!
1. Homestead Farms
Distance from AU: 20.6 miles
This fall paradise is complete with both an apple orchard and a pumpkin patch. Hayride tickets are $3 per person and run from about 9:30 to about 4:30 on Saturdays & Sundays, as well as October 3rd, 10th, and 12th. There’s also a petting zoo with pigslets and goats, caramel apples and other merchandise like jellies, breads, donuts, and ciders.
Visit their website for more info here, and get directions here.
2. Butler’s Orchard
Distance from AU – 25.3 miles
The pumpkin harvest starts on October 4th and you can buy a $3 day pass to pick your own apples. The pumpkin patch is also free to enter. Every weekend in October the orchard throws a Pumpkin Festival that is $12 per person. The festival has a hayride, corn maze, straw maze, pumpkin coach, and corn hole games among other activities as well as seasonal food like apple cider, donuts, and fritters!
Visit their website for more info here, and get directions here.
3. Graver Tree Farm
Distance from AU – 39.5 miles
This is a low-key orchard with a genuine country vibe known for its giant fields and friendly staff. There are free hayrides to the apple orchards and pumpkin patches for all of your fall desires. You can pick your own Fuji, Cameo, Gala and Empire apples on the weekends from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and pick out a pumpkin any day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Visit their website for more info here, and get directions here.
4. Larriland Farm
Distance from AU – 33.6 miles
This place is all about the apples. Although they don’t have pumpkin patches, there is a huge garden full of fresh produce like squash and broccoli. You can also do a wine and cider tasting! They’re open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.
Visit their website for more info here, and get their directions here.
5. Rock Hill Orchard
Distance from AU – 32.7 miles
This is a small orchard in northern Montgomery County that a Yelp reviewer describes as being “not very commercial and worth the drive!” If you want to have something a little greener, they also have okra avaiable for picking. Apple-picking pricing is by the bag and they’re just about to get their early October harvest (Ida Reds and Suncrisps galore).
Visit their website for more info here,and get their directions here.
6. Miller Farms
Distance from AU – 23 miles
It is $9 per person to take a hayride into the pick-your-own-pumpkin patch! Aside from the pickings, Miller Farms is known for their delcious treats. They make warm apple cider donuts, softserve apple and pumpkin ice cream, and fresh pies. The county store has a variety of eccletic merchandise like amish butter, jams, and penny candy.
Visit their website for more info here, and get directions here.
7. Great Country Farms
Distance from AU – 54.6 miles
Apple picking goes through mid-October for $1.99 per pound and pumpkin picking goes through all of October at $0.59 per pound. The fall festival is ging on right now until the end of October and features all sorts of barn animals, food, and games.
Visit their website for more info here, and get directions here.
8. Cox Farms
Distance from AU – 29.5 miles
Fall festival season starts in October, including a pick-your-own-pumpkin patch and other activities; prices vary during peak times but it is around 15 dollars to get into the festival. You can also enjoy a haunted hayride, haunted corn maze, and haunted forest while eating free donuts and sippping on free cider (with the purchase of an admission ticket).
Go to their website for more info here and get directions here
9. Hartland Orchard
Distance from AU: 60.3 miles
Hartland offers a unique experience to apple and pumpkin picking: getting lost. The orchard offers a giant corn maze as well as a variety of apples to pick from. They also make fresh pressed cider and homeade honey. They’re open from 9 a.m.- 5p.m every day!
Go to their website for more info here and get directions here