Perfect Places to Go Halloween Hunting
The Halloween hunt for the perfect pumpkin in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area sends you out into the countryside to farms and pumpkin patches where you can pick out your favorite Cucurbita pepo, get lost in a corn maze, go on a hayride, and enjoy more fun fall activities. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours, directions, and availability. Pumpkin supply depends on the weather, season, and demand. Many farms also sell apples and other fruits and vegetables, so even if you don’t find a bumper crop of pumpkins, you won’t have to go home empty-handed.
Afton Apple Orchard
Address:
14421 90th St S, Hastings, MN 55033-8422, USA
Phone: +1 651-436-8385
On 200 acres in the scenic St. Croix Valley, this pumpkin patch grows different kinds of pumpkins plus many varieties of apples, strawberries, and raspberries. You can choose mini pumpkins, pie pumpkins, jack-o-lantern pumpkins, and extra large pumpkins from late September through October. There’s also a corn maze with more than 6 miles of twists and turns, hay rides, a petting zoo, a playground with a straw mountain, a train, and baked goods for sale.
Emma Krumbee’s Orchard and Farm
Address:
311 E Enterprise Dr, Belle Plaine, MN 56011, USA
Phone: +1 952-873-3006
This popular farm in Belle Plaine, Minnesota, located about 45 minutes southwest of the Twin Cities, offers fall attractions including pick-your-own apples, a petting zoo, a corn maze, a restaurant, a nostalgic general store with homemade old-fashioned candies, and an annual scarecrow festival. There’s also an onsite restaurant and bakery. Take a tractor ride out to the pumpkin fields to pick your own pumpkins.
Peter’s Pumpkins & Carmen’s Corn
Address:
12860 Old Brick Yard Rd, Shakopee, MN 55379-8210, USA
Phone: +1 952-906-0247
Buy a pumpkin from the farm stand or pick your own from the pumpkin patch any day in October at Peter’s Pumpkins & Carmen’s Corn, located about 35 minutes southwest of Minneapolis. You will find an entire alphabet of other hand-picked fruits and vegetables for sale—from apples to zucchini—at this wholly hand-harvested farm. On the weekends, free hayrides and face painting are offered.
Pine Tree Apple Orchard
Address:
450 Apple Orchard Rd, White Bear Lake, MN 55110, USA
Phone: +1 651-429-7202
Pine Tree Apple Orchard in White Bear Lake just northeast of the Twin Cities brings on the weekend entertainment each fall. With pony and wagon rides, a corn maze, and live music, a pumpkin-hunting trip quickly turns into a full day of fall festivities. Also check out the different apple varieties, baked goods, cider, and gifts.
Pinehaven Farm
Address:
28186 Kettle River Blvd N, Wyoming, MN 55092, USA
WCCO viewers voted Pinehaven Farm in Wyoming (the town) Best Pumpkin Patch in Minnesota. The same family has operated this farm since 1950, and they refer to their robust roster of family-friendly activities as “agritainment.” You can pick pumpkins here, of course, but you can also touch a tractor, pet a porcupine, and test your strength at tug-o-war. Kids will love a rubber-duck derby, a corn pit, a giant jumper pillow, and the rocking big chair.
Barten Pumpkins
Address:
5716 W 280th St, New Prague, MN 56071-9702, USA
Phone: +1 612-227-0033
Head about an hour south of the metro area, and you can take a whole day to wander through the pumpkin patch at Barten Pumpkins in New Prague. You’ll find smooth pumpkins, bumpy pumpkins, pie pumpkins, squatty pumpkins, tall pumpkins, green pumpkins, and even ugly pumpkins that just may be cute enough to take home. As befitting their name, these farmers keep the focus on their Curcubita, growing more than 45 varieties of pumpkins, squash, and gourds.
