Go big or gourd home! 9 best pumpkin patches in and around Charlotte.
Leaves are changing colors, the days are getting shorter and pumpkin spice lattes are back on the menu at Starbucks, which means fall is officially here in Charlotte.
And there’s no better way to kick off the season than by picking the perfect pumpkin.
Pumpkin patches are perfect for creating new family memories, enjoying cool weather in your favorite flannel and providing scenic backdrops for Instagrammable photos.
Here are nine of the best pumpkin farms in Charlotte and the surrounding area:
Bush-N-Vine Farm
Location: 1650 Filbert Hwy, York, SC 29745
Neighborhood: York, South Carolina
Cost: Pumpkins less than five pounds are $1.15 per pound. Pumpkins greater than 5 pounds are 69 cents per pound. Reservations are not required.
What to know: The fall season ends Oct. 31. Hours for the pumpkin patch are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The kitchen on the farm serves ice cream, hot dogs, apple cider slushies and other sweet treats. Tennis shoes are recommended, since the pumpkin patch can be muddy.
Instagram: @bushnvine
Carrigan Farms
Location: 1261 Oakridge Farm Hwy, Mooresville, NC 28115
Neighborhood: Mooresville
Cost: $14 per person. Reservations are required.
What to know: The pumpkin patch is open through the end of October. Trips to the patch include a hayride to the petting zoo and a pumpkin for each person. Closed-toed shoes or boots are recommended, and pets are not allowed. The haunted trail, Scarrigan Farms, is also open in October. Prices for the haunted trail range from $20-$40 per person, and reservations can be made online.
Instagram: @carrigan_farms
Cherry Place Farm
Location: 1922 Oakdale Rd., Rock Hill, SC 29730
Neighborhood: Rock Hill, South Carolina
Cost: $10 for ages 2 and up. Pumpkins are $9 each. Reservations are not required.
What to know: The pumpkin patch is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sundays from 1-6 p.m. through Oct. 30. All activities, including petting and feeding farm animals, a corn maze and free popcorn are included in the cost of admission. Pets are not allowed.
Instagram: @cherryplacefarm
Hodges Family Farm
Location: 3780 Rocky River Rd., Charlotte, NC 28215
Neighborhood: Near Newell and Reedy Creek Park
Cost: Parking is $5 on Saturdays and Sundays. Reservations are not required.
What to know: The pumpkin patch will be open from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. every day through the end of October. You can look forward to pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, interacting with farm animals and plenty of opportunities for photos. On the weekends, hayrides will be offered and the farm shop will be open. You can also purchase sweet treats including kettle corn, funnel cakes and drinks.
Instagram: @hodgesfarm_nc
The Hunter Farm
Location: 13624 Providence Rd., Weddington, NC 28104
Neighborhood: Weddington
Cost: $10 for ages 2 and older. The cost includes a wagon ride to the petting barn and a small pumpkin from the patch. Reservations are required for the wagon ride.
What to know: The fall season ends Nov. 6. Hours are Tuesday-Thursday, 2-7 p.m., and Friday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Dogs are not allowed. Professional photography is only permitted upon request and approval.
Instagram: @thehunterfarm
Patterson Farm
Location: 10390 Caldwell Rd, Mt Ulla, NC 28125
Neighborhood: Just north of Mooresville
Cost: $14 for ages 2 and up on weekdays; $16 for ages 2 and up on weekends. Pumpkins are not included in admission and are priced per pound. Tickets can be purchased online.
What to know: Fall season ends Nov. 6. Weekday admission includes access to the barnyard, PawPaw Carl’s Playground, corn maze, wagon ride and more than 40 attractions. Weekend admission includes access to the barnyard, playground, corn maze, cow barrel train ride, wagon ride and attractions. Dogs are not allowed, except for registered service dogs.
Instagram: @patterson_farm
Riverbend Farm
Location: 12150 McManus Rd, Midland, NC 28107
Neighborhood: Midland
Cost: $6 for ages 2 and up. Pumpkins are 50 cents per pound. Reservations are not required.
What to know: The farm is open through the end of October. Hours are Monday-Friday 3:30-6 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sundays, 1-6 p.m. Admission includes a wagon ride to the pumpkin patch, a barn with animals and a farm-themed playground.
Facebook: @Riverbend-Farm-118659738184594
Shelby Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch
Location: 120 Broadway Dr., Shelby, NC 28152
Neighborhood: Shelby
Cost: Admission to the farm is $13, and includes access to the corn maze and more than activities. Admission for the haunted maze is $15. Reservations are not required, but tickets can be purchased online.
What to know: The farm is open through Oct. 30. Hours are Friday, 4-10 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m., and Sunday, 2-8 p.m. The haunted maze opens after dark on Fridays and Saturdays. Dogs are allowed, but they must be on leashes at all times.
Instagram: @shelbycornmaze
Wise Acres
Location: 4701 Hartis Rd., Indian Trail, NC 28079
Neighborhood: Indian Trail
Cost: $3 for ages 2 and up. You can pay an additional $28 for two Wise Pie Pizzas. With your ticket, you’ll get pumpkin field access, with pumpkins available for purchase. Reservations are required.
What to know: The fall season ends Nov. 6. Corn pit access, wagon and barrel train rides, food and drinks can be purchased for additional fees. Dogs are not allowed on the farm.
Instagram: @wiseacresoganic
This story was originally published October 11, 2022 at 1:00 AM.
