Our 5 Favorite Pumpkin-Picking Patches for the Fall

We understand the inclination to simply pick up a pumpkin or two the next time you’re at Kroger: They’re right there, sitting at the front of the store, so convenient to grab and go…

But let us suggest an alternative—by grabbing the family and going, instead, to one of these nearby pumpkin farms to pick your own straight out of the patches they were grown in. But that’s not all these family-friendly farms offer: look for wagon and train rides, corn mazes and petting zoos, and much more. 

Blessington Farms

Ride barrel trains and climb spider webs, then select your own fresh-from-the-vine gourd from the farm’s homegrown patch.

Thru Oct 31; weekends only. $10. 510 Chisolm Trail in Simonton., 832-444-8717. blessingtonfarms.com 

Dewberry Farm

The farm offers a winding, eight-acre corn maze, covered-wagon rides to the pumpkin patch, and 500-plus artist-carved jack-o-lanterns in the Punkin Hollar barn.

Thru Nov 13; weekends only. $9–12. FM 362 and Morrison Rd. in Brookshire., 281-934-3276. dewberryfarm.com

Froberg’s Farm

The farm’s annual Corn Maze and Fall Festival features a pick-your-own flower garden, plastic-duck racing and, you guessed it, plenty of pumpkins.

Thru Nov 6. 3601 W. Hwy 6 in Alvin., 281-585-3531. frobergsfarm.com

Halter, Inc.

This tree-lined, non-profit farm, which trains pet-therapy miniature horses for special-needs children, brings the fun with pony rides, haunted trails and a petting zoo. (Did we mention pumpkins?)

Thru Oct; weekends only. $5 per child (2–16); free for adults. 17410 Clay Rd. 281-508-6501. halterinc.org

Oil Ranch

The scenic, 56-acre farm’s month-long Pumpkin & Scarecrow Festival boasts 70 straw-stuffed characters, 1,000-plus gourds and countless photo-ops.

Thru Nov 18. $15.95, includes a free pumpkin for children. 23501 Macedonia Rd. in Hockley., 281-859-1616. oilranch.com