Photography courtesy Eckert's
Fall has arrived in St. Louis, and there may be no more quintessential autumn activity than walking through a pumpkin patch and picking the perfect orange gourd. The St. Louis region boasts plenty of places to do so, including these local farms full of activities for families eager to embrace the season.
Hours: 8 a.m.–6 p.m., Monday–Friday; 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Saturday & Sunday
Cost: Pumpkins are 79 cents per pound.
Overview: You’ll pay for the pumpkins, but that’s about it. This Metro East farm offers free wagon rides to the field, where families can choose the pumpkin of their dreams. While there, snag some apple cider, apple cider doughnuts, and cider slushies. 618-233-4059. 2795 Turkey Hill, Belleville, Illinois.
Hours: 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Wednesday–Sunday
Cost: Single-day passes are $12 online and $14 the day of. Pony rides and pumpkins are an additional cost.
Overview: If you’re looking for a relaxing day of fall activities, Brookdale Farms has you covered. There’s a pumpkin patch, a corn maze, and a petting zoo, among other activities for guests of all ages. If you’re looking for something slightly spookier, Brookdale turns into a “Fear Farm” on select nights in October. Navigate a haunted corn maze and catch a lift on a scary hayride. 636-938-1005. 8004 Twin River, Eureka.
3. Daniel's Farm and Greenhouses
Hours: 9 a.m.–7 p.m., Monday–Friday; 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Saturday; 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sunday
Cost: $8 per person; pumpkins priced individually
Overview: Although there's no patch, per se, beginning October 1, this plant and gardening center in St. Charles transforms into a celebration of autumn packed with individually priced pumpkins, plus a straw maze, pony rides, petting zoo, slides, swings, and more. 636-441-5048. 352 Jungermann.
4. Eckert’s
Hours: Fields are accessible from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. daily.
Cost: A field access pass varies by location. Belleville costs $7, Grafton costs $6, and Millstadt costs $18 on Saturday and Sunday. Pumpkins are 79 cents per pound.
Overview: For many families in the St. Louis region, it’s not officially fall without a visit to an Eckert’s farm. While Belleville, Grafton, and Millstadt each have fields from which you can pick your own pumpkin, it’s the Millstadt location that offers the most fall fun. Each weekend at Millstadt, the Pumpkin Jamboree is an opportunity for families to take haunted wagon rides, play games, dine on festival foods like cakes and caramel apples, reserve bonfire sites, and more. It’s also the place to launch apples and pumpkins from a giant cannon.
Belleville: 618-310-2758, 951 S. Green Mt., Belleville, Illinois.
Grafton: 800-745-0513, 20995 Eckert Orchard, Grafton, Illinois.
Millstadt: 618-233-0513, 2719 Eckert Orchard, Millstadt, Illinois.
Photography courtesy Meert Tree Farm
Hours: 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Wednesday–Saturday
Cost: 65 cents per pound
Overview: Pumpkin picking will cost you. The rest of the seasonal activities at this farm in Festus are on the house. Get in the festive fall spirit while taking a free wagon ride to the pumpkin patch or running around the (also free) maze. If you’re looking for more fall décor, Meert also sells gourds of varying sizes (65–75 cents per pound), decorative ears of corn ($2), corn stalks ($5), and bales of straw ($8). 636-931-3901. 14560 Dry Fork, Festus.
Hours: 9 a.m.–6 p.m. daily
Cost: Free admission; pumpkins priced individually
Overview: With more than 50 acres of pumpkins, this Wright City destination lives up to its name. Don't miss the "Punkin Chuckin," the air cannon that launches mini pumpkins at targets. 636-745-3927. 26415 South Stringtown, Wright City.
Hours: 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Saturday & Sunday
Cost: Pumpkin prices vary by size and weight. Activities require tickets, which can be purchased for $1 apiece.
Overview: Name the activity, and you can probably do it at this Illinois farm. Beyond pumpkin picking, Relleke offers a long list of fall-themed games and attractions, including hayrides through the patch, the “Pumpkin Chucker” pumpkin gun, pumpkin painting, a Spin-the-Pumpkin ride, and more. Admission is free, though activities and rides require tickets that can be purchased on-site. 618-797-6858. 519 Sand Prairie, Pontoon Beach, Illinois.
Hours: 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Monday–Friday; 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Saturday & Sunday
Cost: Pumpkin prices vary by size and weight.
Overview: There’s no admission for Farm Fun Days, an annual event that runs daily through Halloween. Families can pick their own pumpkins in the patch, or select a pre-picked pumpkin to make the process a tad easier. Although you might deal with larger crowds, weekends are the time to visit. On Saturdays and Sundays, kids can ride ponies, take a ride on the inflatable slide, and nosh on kettle corn, caramel apples, and more. Kiddos can also don their favorite costumes while navigating Fort Spooky, a free, fenced-in play area that features its own small corn maze, slides, and tunnels. 636-349-1225. 249 Schneider, Fenton.
photography courtesy Sullivan Farms
Hours: 10 a.m.–8 p.m. daily
Cost: Pumpkin prices vary by size and weight.
Overview: The pumpkins here have already been picked from the vine and priced for guests. It’s up to you to browse the farm and find the best ones. Admission is free, and there’s no cost for the farm’s straw maze or tractor rides. For $3 each, kids can burn some energy in the bounce house or take a short trip on the Thomas the Train ride. On weekends, the farm offers pony rides for $7. 314-570-6662. 16704 New Halls Ferry.
10. Thies Farm
Hours: 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Tuesday–Sunday
Cost: Admission to Pumpkinland is $9 for kids ages 2–14 and $7 for adults. Pumpkin prices vary by size and weight.
Overview: Throughout October, Thies Farm turns into “Pumpkinland,” a family-friendly play area featuring a straw castle, corn maze, pirate ship, swing set, and more. Pumpkin pickers can walk through the field and snip their own gourds off the vine or select a pre-cut pumpkin in the market. 314-429-5506. 4215 N. Hanley.
