It’s time to dust off and don those light jackets because fall is officially here! The leaves are turning, pumpkin-spice-everything is back, and now that it’s October, Halloween is the major theme of just about every store you enter. And that means, it’s time to start looking for that perfect pumpkin. Whether it’s going to be turned into a jack-o-lantern or grace your home in an attempt at an artful display, pumpkins are an essential component to any fall decoration.
And to keep this as easy as possible for you, we’ve taken the liberty of compiling a list of the top 20 farms in Massachusetts for your pumpkin hunt, below!
Belkin Family Lookout Farm
89 Pleasant Street South, South Natick, MA
Pick apples, pears and pumpkins all in one visit at the Belkin Family Farm! Established in 1650, the farm is one of the oldest working farms in the country, and features train rides, a burlap and a children’s play area.
Boston Hill Farm
Route 114, North Andover, MA
After finding the perfect pumpkin, take a hayride tour of the farm, feed animals at the petting zoo, or visit Boston Hill Farm’s ice cream shop, bakery or gift shop! Come to the Fall Festival every weekend from Labor Day through the end of October for all of this plus food, activities and live music!
Carver Hill Orchard
101 Boxmill Road, Stow, MA
Pumpkins, apples, and veggies are available for pick-your-own at Carver Hill Orchard until the end of October.
Chris’ Farm Stand
436 Salem Street, Haverhill, MA
Every weekend in October, Chris’ Farm Stand holds the Pumpkin Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities include a corn maze, hay rides, pony rides, a country barbeque – and of course, pumpkin picking!
Cider Hill Farm
45 Fern Avenue, Amesbury, MA
If you want to feel good about where you’re buying your pumpkin, Cider Hill Farm is a great place to good. A family-run, family-friendly operation, Cider Hill Farm has a unique field labor program in which they hire international exchange students from agricultural universities for internships. The farm also boasts three CSAs and utilizes an integrated pest management system.
Clearview Farm
4 Kendall Hill Road, Sterling, MA
Clearview Farm has pretty much any size and type of pumpkin you could ask for: Cinderella, heirloom, Baby Pam Sugar, Ghost Big Mac, Tom Fox, and Howdens. They also provide wagons to make transporting your prize from the patch a little easier.
C.N. Smith Farm
325 South Street, East Bridgewater, MA
Pick up pumpkins at the farm store or pick your own on weekends in October. In order to get to the pumpkins, you have to buy a ticket for a hayride to take you to the pick-your-own field.
Connor’s Farm
30 Valley Road, Danvers, MA
Boasting a 7-acre corn maze, a mechanical bull, and pumpkin tetherball among other activities, Connor’s has activities to entertain all ages. And for (adult) horror fans, get a pumpkin and go to Hysteria Scream Park on any Friday or Saturday night in October.
Crescent Farm
140 Willow Avenue, Bradford, MA
Crescent Farms consists of over 400 acres of pumpkin patches, gourds, hay fields, cornfields, and produce. For nourishment after you’re finished exploring, there’s a soft serve ice cream stand.
Drew Farm
31 Tadmuck Road, Westford, MA
Comb the pumpkin patch for the perfect jack-o-lantern or do your shopping in Drew Farm’s display area. By purchasing a pumpkin, you contribute to a fund for the farm’s Annual Pumpkin Light that takes place on Halloween every year.
Hanson’s Farm
20 Nixon Road, Framingham, MA
Hanson’s, a working farm since 1715, offers pick-your-own pumpkins from September to November.
Langwater Farm
209 Washington Street/Route 138, North Easton, MA
Lanwater Farm’s first growing season was in 2010, but that doesn’t mean they’re not competitive. One of the only certified-organic farms on this list, produce is sold at farmer’s markets throughout the area.
Long Hill Orchard and Farm
520 Main Street, West Newbury, MA
Bring your dog, a picnic, or just your enthusiasm to this 150-acre orchard and farm. Less than an hour away from Boston, the property has picnic tables and hiking trails for those looking to spend the day.
Parlee Farms
94 Farwell Road, Tyngsboro, MA
Parlee Farms offers a variety of pick-your-own fruits and vegetables from mid-June to late October. Over 12 acres yield more than 40,000 pumpkins, in shapes and sizes ranging from mini to over 40 pounds, are available.
Red Apple Farm
455 Highland Avenue, Phillipston, MA
Red Apple Farm has the distinction of being the highest commercial orchard in New England, with an elevation of 1,250 feet. While you’re there, check out the farmhouse and barn – they were both built in the mid-1700s.
Rogers Spring Hill Garden and Family Center
133 Neck Road, Haverhill, MA
Enjoy a free hayride and pick your own pumpkins and apples on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through the end of October. And on October 18, Rogers Spring Hill will be holding its first annual Fall Festival, featuring make-your-own caramel apples and ice cream, pumpkin decorating, and the chance to win prizes!
Shelburne Farm
106 West Acton Road, Stow, MA
Pick a pumpkin at Shelburne and take advantage of a variety of other farm activities, including hayrides, pony rides, farm animals, and live music.
Smolak Farms
315 South Bradford Street, North Andover, MA
Smolak Farms is the place to go if you want lots of options, with a huge variety of pumpkins available. Apples, winter squash, and ornamental squash are also there for the picking until the end of October.
Tougas Family Farm
234 Ball Street, Northboro, MA
It’s cash-only if you want to pick a pumpkin from Farmer Mo’s pumpkin patch. Stop by the Farm Kitchen afterwards for homemade baked goods.
Verrill Farm
11 Wheeler Road, Concord, MA
Verrill Farm provides produce to many of Boston’s restaurants, including 80 Thoreau, The Blue Room, and the Russell House Tavern. This year, the farm is selling a pink pumpkin called Porcelain Doll. A percentage of the sales of this variety of pumpkin will be donated to fund breast cancer research.
Image via Shutterstock
