We are so lucky to live in a state with an abundance of farms and orchards. Throughout the year, these family friendly destinations provide us with fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy products and more. Then, in the fall, many of them open up their properties to celebrate the season with hayrides, pumpkin patches, corn mazes and more.
Over the past two years, Shawna and I have been to several of their Fall Festivals and documented all they have to offer. To help our readers navigate the maze of fall fun, we wanted to put together a handy-dandy list of all the places we’ve been. So here it goes!
As an added bonus, I have included a quick update for the 2012 season. As we approach the final weekend of activities, we thought it would be helpful to give you this quick reference for each location. Check out the 2012 update which is listed in orange below.
Avon
The Pickin’ Patch is a great destination for pumpkin picking and for shopping for fall fruit, vegetable, and decorations. Through the last weekend in October, their fall festival includes FREE hayrides to the pumpkin patch and sweet treats like apple fritters and fried dough. They also have a store where they sell pumpkins, gourds, mums, and other products. As the leaves change, the views are beautiful to Heublein Tower from the pumpkin patch.
October 27th and 28th will be the last weekend for their Fall Festival activities. FREE hayrides to the pumpkin patch from 10am – 5pm plus shopping for other goodies in the store.
Glastonbury
In the fall, Belltown Hill Orchards offers apple picking and treats from the Hungry Harvester. A wagon ride will deliver you to the best locations in the orchard for apple picking. Then you can head back to the shed where you can pay for your apples, snap some cute pictures, and grab some apple fritters and other food options (Shawna recommends the chicken fingers) at the Hungry Harvester.
The weekend of October 27th and 28th will be the last weekend for apple picking and for apple fritters from the Hungry Harvester.
The Old Cider Mill is the oldest continuously running cider mill in the country. Not only do they offer the visitor a bit of history, but they also have a FREE petting zoo. In their store they sell homemade cider, mums, pumpkins, apple fritters and other goodies.
The Old Cider Mill is under new management and will now be open Thursdays and Fridays from 12-6 and Saturdays and Sundays from 9-6. They will definitely be open this weekend (October 27 and 28), but next weekend’s opening will depend on the weather.
I
n the fall, Riverview Farms partners with Robb’s Ice Cream to bring more entertainment to the Glastonbury area. This venue has a lot to offer including hayrides, FREE petting zoo, pumpkin bounce, pumpkin picking, corn maze, pony rides and more. They also have food options including homemade cider, hot apple fritters and ice cream from Robb’s Ice Cream Shop.
The weekend of October 27th and 28th will be the last weekend for the Fall Festival. This will also be the weekend of their haunted corn maze. It includes a “mini scare” for the younger visitors during the day and the regular haunted maze at night. It will definitely be open Friday and Saturday, but Sunday will be dependent on the weather.
Rose’s Berry Farm has a lot to offer during the fall months. You can enjoy Breakfast with a View, pick your own apples, and experience their Fall Festival. For one entry fee, their Fall Festival offers access to their playground, face painting, photo ops, musical entertainment, and a hayride to the pumpkin patch and corn maze. They also have many of your favorite fall treats for sale.
October 27th and 28th will be the last days of the fall entertainment. Hours of operation will be 10am – 5pm both days. It is also the last Sunday for Breakfast with a View.
The fall activities abound at Scott’s Orchard. They have pick your own apples, wagon rides, a pumpkin bounce, farm animals, a FREE mini hay maze, and FREE balloons and face painting. They also sell all your favorite fall decorations including pumpkins, mums and cornstalks. Some of the activities end earlier than those at other orchards, so check this place out sooner rather than later!
Though most of their fall activities have ended for the season, Scott’s will still have PYO apples and the mini hay maze open this last weekend in October (27th and 28th).
Middlefield
Lyman Orchards is another great fall destination in Connecticut. They offer pick your own apples and pumpkins and have a challenging corn maze. On the weekends they have pony rides and wagon rides along with all their regular activities. There is so much to offer here, you have to check it out.
PYO apples and pumpkins along with the pony rides and wagon rides will be available this weekend (October 27th and 28th). The theme for the corn maze this year is Red Sox and Yankees and it will remain open through November 4th. For even more information on Lyman Orchards, check out this post from a fellow Connecticut Blogger.
South Windsor
Foster Family Farm is another great family friendly outing. For one fee, the kids can enjoy a fun playground, farm animals, pedal carts, pumpkin picking, a hayride, and a mini maze. For an additional fee, visitors can work their noggins making their way through either of the two corn mazes offered.
All activities will be available daily through October 31st, depending on weather conditions.
So if you are looking for a fall outing for your family, look no further than these fun destinations. If you have a favorite fall festival that we haven’t mentioned, let us know about it in the comment section below!
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