One of the most popular inquiries we are getting at Checkered Flag.com these days is, "where can I find a great pumpkin patch in Hampton Roads?"
This year, more than ever, we are seeing families posting pictures online of little ones plopped amongst a pile of pumpkins, taking hayrides, and enjoying the fall festivities at our local Hampton Roads farms. I'm not sure if the influence of Facebook or the drive to support local business is behind the trend; but, either way, who can complain? It's falltastic to see our Checkered Flag fans getting out and enjoying some local pumpkin picking!
Here's a great list, compiled by the folks at the very-popular MyActiveChild.com, of our local Hampton Roads pumpkin patches:
BIG LIST of Pumpkin Patches in Hampton Roads 2012
Bergey's Breadbasket
Address: 2207 Mt Pleasant Road, Chesapeake VA
Cost: $7 ages 6+ (September), $8 ages 6+ (October), $4 kids ages 4-6, age 3 and younger are free
Dates: Open September 12th - October 31st. Friday/Saturday 10am-7pm, Thursdays (October only) from 4-7pm
Groups: Additional Groups times (for 10+ people) must be reserved ahead of time Wednesday (all day), Saturday & Sunday 7-9pm.
Activities: Ticket provides access to: Corn maze, Straw Bale Maze, Hayride, 1 free shot out of the Corn Cannon (more can be purchased for $1/shot)
Also available: Pick Your Own Pumpkins
Updates: For updated information call (757) 546-9225 or visit their Facebook Page.
Brookdale Farms
Address: 2133 Mt. Pleasant Road, Chesapeake VA (2,25 miles east of Centerville Turnpike--look for the sign flanked by old-fashioned corn shocks)
Cost: Free admission, Free parking and Free use of "Pumpkin Barrows". U-pick carving (large) pumpkins are 59 cents per pound. Pre-picked Pie (small) pumpkins are 99 cents per pound. All pumpkins are grown in their fields.
Horse-drawn hayrides are $4.00 per person (under age 2 on laps no charge), kids play area $2.50 (adults free) U-shell popcorn (customers shell it off the cob using antique hand-crank corn sheller) $3.50 per pint or 3 pints for $10.
Dates: September 29-30 & Saturdays and Sundays until October 31 (weather and pumpkin supply permitting) from 10am-5pm.
Activities: Pumpkins, Horse-drawn Hayrides, U-shell Popcorn, and Kids Play Area.
Also available: Apple butter, pumpkin butter, jams, salsa, corn stalks, hay bales, mini-pumpkins and gourds.
Updates: For updated information call (757) 721-0558 or visit their Facebook Page.
Bush Neck Farm
Address:1502 Bush Neck Road Williamsburg, VA
Cost:$3-$4 for a medium sized pumpkin.
Dates: From the second week in October through October 31st. Open Monday-Saturday from 8am-4:30pm.
Activities: Pumpkin patch, playground and picnic area.
Updates: For updated information visit their Facebook Page or call (757) 258-0114.
The Chubby Pumpkin Patch & Harvest Market
Area: Chesapeake - 1325 S.Battlefield, Chesapeake VA
Cost: No admission to pumpkin patch. $6 admission to inflatables (all day pass- you can leave and come back), $3 Hayride/$4 After-Dark Hayride with $1 from each hayride benefiting the local SPCA.
Groups: Special deal for Groups of 15+ call Chad at (252) 562-7700 for all the details.
Dates: Opening the last week of September and will be open every day in the month of October.
Activities-even more inflatables this year! Moonwalk bounces and slides for all ages (including special bounces for age 4 and under).
Also available: Pumpkins, mums, cornstalk bundles, haybales, harvest decorations and treats for sale.
Updates: For updated information call (252) 562-7700 or visit their Facebook Page.
Clarke Farm
Address: 3831 Bruce Rd, Chesapeake VA
Cost: Pumpkins sold by weight. Hayrides $2 per person
Dates: Opening Monday, October 1st and will be open through the month of October. Farm is open to the public Monday-Saturday 9am-6pm, Sunday 12-5pm through October.
Groups: Farm is open to Schools and Groups ONLY Monday-Friday from 9am-12:30pm. Visits during this time need to be scheduled by calling (757) 484-6000.
Activities- Hayrides, Dirt Pile, Farm Animals. Hayrides will be held: Monday- Friday 2:30-5:30pm, Saturday 9am- 6pm, Sunday 12- 5pm
Updates: For updated information call (757) 484-6000 or visit their Facebook Page. (writer's note: This is where my family visited this year. The farm is small, but lovely. Prices were reasonable and there were nice set-ups for those fall photos!)
College Run Farms
Address: 2051 Alliance Rd, Surry VA
Cost: Free admission to the farm. Pumpkins range from $.50 to $20. Corn maze $3 (kids 6 and under free). Cash or checks only.
Dates: The Farm opens for Pumpkin Season on September 22nd. Hours are: Mondays (Closed), Tuesday & Wednesdays (9am-1pm), Thursday-Sunday (10am-6pm) through October 31.
Activities- U-pick Pumpkins, Corn Maze, Other treats available for purchase including Pumpkin Ice Cream!
Eggleston Garden Center
Address: 110 La Valette Avenue Norfolk VA 23504
Cost: $15 for straw maze and pumpkin ($7 with Groupon deal!). No cost to just do the straw maze.
Dates: October 1-31 from 9am-5pm (unless it rains).
Activities: Straw maze and pumpkin patch.
Updates: Check their Facebook Page or call (757) 625-2044
Flanagan Farms
Address: 1880 N. Muddy Creek Road, Virginia Beach VA 23456
Cost: TBA
Dates: September 29 through October on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays from 9am-dusk.
Activities: U-pick pumpkins along with all the other fall goodies, and a corn maze.
Updates: Check their Facebook Page or call (757) 426-5585.
Greenbrier Farms
Address: 225 Sign Pine Road, Chesapeake VA 23322
Cost: Pumpkins are $10 each
Dates: Through the end of October: Mon 7am-330pm T-F 7am-430pm, Sat 7-1130am
Activties: U-pick pumpkin patch only, no other on-site activities.
Updates: Check their Facebook Page.
H&H Pumpkins
Address: 4500 Block of White Marsh Rd, Suffolk VA
Cost: No admission to pumpkin patch on the days it is open. Pumpkin prices- Tiny ones are 2/$1.00, or 15/ $5. Medium are $4 or $5 (dep. on size) and large are $6-7, or 2/ $12.
Dates: Pumpkin Patch will be open every weekend from September 29 - October 31 on Saturdays from 10am-3pm, Sundays TBA.
Activities- U-pick pumpkins, hayride, facepainting
Updates: Check their Facebook Page or call (757) 869-8279.
Hickory Ridge Farms
Address: 2928 S Battlefield Blvd. Chesapeake, Virginia 23322
Cost: Hayrides are $3, pumpkins cost $0.55 a pound at the stand or from the field.
Dates: September 22nd through the end of October. Monday-Friday hayrides will run 12-6pm, Saturday & Sunday from 9am-6pm.
Groups: Fall field trips can be scheduled (Call for reservations) for local schools and daycare centers. Each child receives a lesson on growing pumpkins, a hayride, a visit with their goats, and a small pumpkin to take home. Groups are welcome to stay and have lunch at their picnic tables.
Activities: Hayrides, goats, mini-maze for kids, storybook characters on hayride, picnic tables. There are 2 photo spots set up at the farm. Reservations are accepted for Birthday Parties.
Also available: Hay bails, corn stalks, corn bundles, mums, fall wreaths, local honey, Fresh Batch Jams, snacks and drinks for sale at the stand as well as seasonal produce. There also are a variety of unusual pumpkins and decorative gourds for sale.
Updates: Check their Facebook page for updates or call (757) 560-6763.
Hunt Club Farm Harvest Fair
Address: 2388 London Bridge Road, Virginia Beach VA
Cost: Petting Farm is $4.00- children 2 and under-No charge. Petting farm hayride combo is $8.00. Children's Harvest Fair Wristband- Weekends Only $12 (Unlimited Petting Farm, Day Hayrides, Moon Bounce, Kiddie Pillar, Monkey Slide & Obstacle Course!), Pony Rides $5, Carnival Rides (start Oct 6)-prices vary.
Dates: Every weekend in October from 10am-6pm
Activities- Petting Farm, Daytime Farm Tours, Carnival Rides (start Oct 6), Giant Haystack, and Pony Rides. Pumpkins available.
Pumpkinville
Address: 7691 Richmond Road,Toano VA 23168
Cost: No entry fee. Hayride, corn maze and games are free. Inflatables will be $1.
Dates: September 28-October 31. Sunday-Thursday 9am-8pm. Friday-Saturday 9am-9pm.
Activities: U-pick pumpkins, hayride, corn maze, games, inflatables
Also available: pumpkins, gourds, winter squash, flowers, wooden cut-outs, arts and crafts, fall decorations, bundles of cornstalks and bales of straw also available for purchase.
Updates: Check their Facebook page or Website for updates.
Taylor Farms
Address: 2599 Dam Neck Road, Virginia Beach VA
Cost: Hayrides are free.
Dates: Farm will be opening the Pumpkin Patch on October 6. During the week open for school tours by appointment. Weekends: Saturdays 10am-5pm, Sundays 12-5pm. *Special event on October 13th from 10am-5pm to benefit the K-J Justice League, $5 admission with lots of extras!
Activities: Pumpkins, Hayride, Inflatables, Farm Animals, Play Area
Updates: Call for updates (757) 427-6461
Woods Orchards Farm Market
Address: 183 East Mercury Blvd, Hampton VA
Cost: TBA
Dates: Opening sometime in early October. Website will be updated with current information.
Activities: Hayrides, U-pick pumpkins
Also available: Farm market has lots of local produce available for purchase.
Updates: Please see their Website for updates.
Another great resource for U-pick locations throughout the seasons and the entire state of Virginia is PickYourOwn.org
Thanks, MyActiveChild, for the great tips!
Stay tuned to more Hampton Roads events news here at Checkered Flag.com.
Info and image source: [myactivechild.com]