Shorter days and cooler breezes mean autumn is on its way, and Missouri pumpkin patches are ready to help usher in the new season. From picking out the perfect pumpkin to indulging in pumpkin-flavored treats, there’s plenty of ways to celebrate fall’s favorite squash.
Pumpkin Patches in Missouri
The Show-Me State is home to dozens of pumpkin patches – most are open from mid-September through October. Here’s a sampling of the pumpkin patches you can find this fall across Missouri.
Centennial Farms – Augusta
A working farm since 1854, Centennial Farms in Augusta is aptly named as it has been in operation for more than 100 years. Widely known for its apples in late summer, the farm is transformed into a pumpkin fantasyland in early fall. Enjoy whimsical farm folks and favorite storybook and movie characters made from pumpkins and gourds. Wander the farm’s two pumpkin patches to find your future jack-o-lantern and be sure to stop by the farm’s market for fresh goodies like apple butter and preserves.
Weston Red Barn Farm – Weston
For an authentic agriculture experience explore Weston Red Barn Farm, located near the Missouri River town of Weston, about 30 miles northwest of Kansas City. The working farmstead raises farm animals and field crops – including many different varieties of pumpkins. Fall weekends feature hayrides, barbecue, caramel apples, apple cider and cider doughnuts. Fill a vase with sunflowers, cosmos, zinnias and other blooms from the u-pick flower garden.
Exeter Corn Maze – Exeter
A 75-acre pumpkin patch awaits at the Exeter Corn Maze in the southwest corner of the state. After you’ve selected a pumpkin, spend your day enjoying an array of activities including a mega slide, carousel, axe throwing, zip line, wagon train, petting zoo, peddle carts, duck races, pig races and other attractions. Hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken strips, street corn, kettle corn and bacon-on-a-stick will tempt your tastebuds.
Red Barn Ranch – Harrisonville
Red Barn Ranch is located just north of Harrisonville, about 30 miles south of Kansas City. Visit this working farm to see the cows grazing in the pasture and feed the goats and alpacas in the petting area. Pick pumpkins from the farm’s pumpkin patch, wander through the corn maze, admire fields of sunflowers, shoot the corn cannon, play on giant slides and take a leisurely walk down a nature trail.
Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch – Liberty
Raasch Farms is a traditional year-round agriculture operation, but for seven weeks each fall it’s the site of Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch. Located near Liberty, the farm is just 15 miles northeast of Kansas City. Choose from a large selection of prepicked pumpkins or take a wagon ride into the field to harvest your own. Play a round of barnyard mini golf, ride the “flying pigs,” create enormous bubbles in the bubble barn, visit the petting barn and enjoy live entertainment. Stop by Kate’s Kitchen and the Red Barn Bakery for lunch or a snack.
Shyrocks Callaway Farms – Columbia
A 16-acre corn maze featuring a new design every year is the centerpiece at Shyrocks Callaway Farms, just outside of Columbia. Previous designs have included tributes to Missouri’s championship sports teams, the 100th anniversary of the National Parks and the 50th anniversary of the moon landing. There’s also plenty of pumpkins, hayrides and a three-story gumball coaster inside the farm’s impressive red barn.
The Fun Farm – Kearney
More than 300 acres are packed with activities – and pumpkins, of course – at The Fun Farm in Kearney, about 25 miles northeast of Kansas City. Pick your own pumpkins and apples. Travel through the corn maze, ride the “cow train,” watch the pig races and feed the farm animals. Sample freshly made cider, funnel cakes and pumpkin doughnuts. During the farm’s annual Ciderfest, rent a fire pit and gather with family and friends around your own personal campfire. S’mores kits are available to purchase – marshmallow roasting sticks included.
Beggs Family Farm – Sikeston
Head to southeast Missouri to pick out a pumpkin and make your way through the 10-acre corn maze at Beggs Family Farm, located near Sikeston. Forty attractions include a monster slide, tractor tire “mountain,” miniature golf, pig races, gemstone mining and “apple blasters.” Once you’ve worked up an appetite, have a barbecued pork sandwich, burger or corn dog. Satisfy your sweet tooth with an apple cider doughnut, kettle corn or cinnamon roasted nuts.
Lloyd’s Pumpkin Patch – Ashland
Pick up some pumpkins and colorful mums at Lloyd’s Pumpkin Patch in Ashland, 15 miles south of Columbia. Catch a hayride out to the pumpkin patch. Navigate your way through the corn maze. Other activities include a “jumping pillow,” corn pits and a towering slide.
Urban Gardens: Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze – Kirksville
Play pumpkin tic-tac-toe, corn hole and other harvest-themed games at Urban Gardens: Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze in the northeast Missouri town of Kirksville. Take a train ride and try out the 60-foot slide. You’ll find an assortment of animals – horses, cows, goats and rabbits – at the petting zoo. There’s also a ghost town with a jailhouse, casket shop and old cemetery. Top off your trip with some hot cocoa or homemade root beer.
Brookdale Farms – Eureka
Hop aboard a hay wagon for a tour of the 280-acre Brookdale Farms in Eureka, about 25 miles west of St. Louis. Explore the pumpkin patch and three different mazes – made from corn, hay bales and sunflowers. Challenge your family and friends to a giant-size version of checkers or chess. Other attractions include a pumpkin cannon, pumpkin slingshot, barrel train and petting zoo. When hunger strikes, have a burger, hot dog or brat at the Feed Bin.
Fischer Farms Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze – Jefferson City
A variety of crops are grown throughout the year at Fischer Family Farms near Jefferson City, but when fall rolls around, pumpkins are the main attraction. In addition to the 40-acre pick-your-own pumpkin patch, the farm offers a 10-acre corn maze, hayrides, slides, swings and other family-friendly activities. See Clydesdale horses, pigs, goats and baby chicks in the animal barn.
Perryville Pumpkin Farm – Perryville
Make fall memories at the Perryville Pumpkin Farm in southeast Missouri. The farm grows 200 types of pumpkins and gourds in all colors, shapes and sizes. Walk, drive or take a wagon ride to the pumpkin patch to pick your own pumpkin from the vine. Explore more than 30 activities and meet the resident farm animals. Stroll through the corn and soybean mazes, crawl through the straw tunnel, and jump into the corn pits.
When planning a visit to a pumpkin patch, be sure to check each farm’s website or social media for hours of operation and admission fees.
Pumpkin and Harvest Festivals in Missouri
The Show-Me State celebrates its love of all things pumpkin at fall festivals throughout September and October.
- Shepherd’s Pumpkinfest, Branson, Sept. 20-Oct. 26 – Take a hayride, paint a pumpkin and make your own scarecrow at Shepherd’s Adventure Park. Enjoy a multitude of attractions including barnyard animals, a jump pad, a tube slide, a corn pit, a bounce house, mini golf, a kids obstacle course, tree houses and treetop rope bridges.
- Harvest Festival and Pumpkins in the City, Silver Dollar City, Branson, now through Oct. 26 – Silver Dollar City’s fall festival features thousands of carved pumpkins and towering pumpkin creations – illuminated each night. Discover enormous pumpkins, some weighing a half ton, in the Garden of Giants. Dig into some pumpkin-flavored treats and end the day at a pumpkin dance party.
- Republic Pumpkin Daze, Republic, Oct. 3-4 – Celebrate the season with huge pumpkins, crafts, live music, food trucks and a kids zone. The festival includes a pumpkin growing competition and is a sanctioned weigh-off site for the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth, an organization that recognizes growers of giant-sized pumpkins and other vegetables.
- Pony Express Pumpkin Fest, St. Joseph, Oct. 3-5 – The lighting of Great Pumpkin Mountain sets hundreds of hand-carved pumpkins aglow in St. Joseph, the launching point of the Pony Express. A costume parade, rides, crafts and food trucks round out the event.
- Caledonia Pumpkin Festival, Caledonia, Oct. 11 – Visit the historic Village of Caledonia to take a wagon trip to the pumpkin patch and corn maze. You’ll also find games, music, food trucks, a parade, pony rides and a pumpkin pie eating contest.
- Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival, Hartsburg, Oct. 11-12 – Thousands of pumpkins and more than 200 booths filled with arts and crafts, food and drinks line the streets of the tiny town of Hartsburg. The event also includes a parade, live music and a magic show.
- Pumpkin Palooza, Washington, Oct. 25 – Visit the Missouri River town of Washington for a giant pumpkin competition, seed-pitting contest, pumpkin roll, costume contest, story time and trick-or-treating at downtown shops.
Pumpkin Food and Drinks
Fill up your cup
Every fall, Missouri breweries, wineries and coffee shops roll out a selection of pumpkin-flavored drinks. Start your day with a pumpkin spice latte expresso drink at Lakota Coffee Company in Columbia or pick up some pumpkin spice flavored coffee beans to brew at home. At Mother’s Brewing Company in Springfield, try Mr. Pumpkin, a smooth and not too sweet pumpkin ale that’s brewed for beer lovers. The wine-making crew at Hemman Winery in Brazeau chops up fresh pumpkins to make its small batch pumpkin wine.
Check out more tasty pumpkin beverages here.
Sweet treats
Many Missouri restaurants highlight pumpkin dishes on their fall menus. Order a slice of pumpkin cheesecake from My Daddy’s Cheesecake in Cape Girardeau. Pick up some pumpkin spice doughnuts at Elliana’s Donut Shop in Columbia. Pumpkin pie is a fall favorite at Prairie Pie in Springfield. Every year, Clementine’s Ice Cream in St. Louis combines pumpkin with a variety of spices to create one-of-a kind ice cream flavors.
More Fall Fun
Here are some suggestions for more ways to experience all that fall has to offer in the Show-Me State: