Even though the fall season started off a little warm in Iowa, pumpkin patches are open and in full swing around the Des Moines metro.
Here are eight stops, from pumpkin patches to corn mazes, for a guaranteed gourd time in central Iowa.
Center Grove Orchard
With 25 acres of ripening pumpkins and gourds, Center Grove Orchard is a pick-your-own paradise. Admission for the patch is required for people ages 3 and up, but includes access to the farmyard and unlimited train rides.
After taking the hayride to the pumpkin patch, along the way is also the apple orchard and sunflower field. Sunflower season typically wraps up in late September. After collecting pumpkins, visitors can stroll around the animal barns and the kids’ corral. Small pumpkins start at $2.95 and large pumpkins are $5.95.
Deal’s Orchard
With more than 20 different varieties of pumpkins and gourds to pick from, Deal’s Orchard will fulfill any jack-o’-lantern needs you may have for the Halloween season. While parents sit back and enjoy a homemade cider, kids can explore the Apple Acres Attractions, including gaga ball, apple slingshots and jumping pillows.
Harvest Barn Marketplace
Family-owned Harvest Barn Marketplace will send visitors out with the fixings for a mean charcuterie board and pumpkins. The Boyer family sells fudge, cheese, beef sticks and more out of their 100-year-old restored barn. There are more than 30 outside activities for the family, ranging from a corn maze to a zip-line.
Howell’s Pumpkin Patch
Out on Howell’s Pumpkin Patch, the farm life lives on. After collecting pumpkins, kids can enjoy a barnyard-themed playground with a cow slide, pedal tractors, goats to feed and more. There is even a corn and pumpkin cannon along with a paintball gallery.
Iowa Orchard
The Iowa Orchard offers you-pick apples and pumpkins for the fall season. The Urbandale-based orchard is also known for its apple cider and Honeycrisp caramel apples. During the previous season, Iowa Orchard sold more than 10,000 of them.
Pierce’s Pumpkin Patch
Since 1981, Pierce’s Pumpkin Patch in Chariton has been the place to go for more than 100 kinds of pumpkins and gourds. Pierce’s offers dried gourds to craft and a range of pumpkins and gourds and a country store. The pumpkin patch is celebrating its 45th year.
Pumpkinville & Cornmaze
It is no secret that Pumpkinville & Cornmaze is all about fall. The activities are equivalent to the autumn Olympics with basketball wagon, bags, a football field, tug a pumpkin and sack races.
Wills Family Orchard & Pumpkin Farm
The 65 acres of land on Wills Family Orchard not only offers you-pick apples and pumpkins, but a general store and a kitchen/bakery. There are five acres of pumpkins, with two acres for you-pick pumpkins. Fun fall activities are also available, such as hayrides, corn mazes, corn pools, and more.
Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Head to one of these 8 pumpkin patches near Des Moines to get your jack-o’-lanterns ready
Reporting by Kate Kealey and Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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