SARATOGA with Kids
PICK YOUR OWN PUMPKINS WRITTEN BY GINNY SMITH
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icking your own pumpkins is a fun way to spend a beautiful day enjoying fall as a family. We are lucky to be surrounded by picturesque countryside in Saratoga County and to have many pumpkin patches and fall farms nearby. Whether you’re looking for carving pumpkins, decorative pumpkins, edible pumpkins, fall activities, or beautiful pictures in a pumpkin patch, these farms near Saratoga have you covered. SUNNYSIDE GARDENS, SARATOGA SPRINGS
Sunnyside Gardens transforms into a pumpkin patch every September during its annual fall festival. The garden center sets up beautiful displays of pumpkins, large straw bale structures decorated in various themes, and a pumpkin patch. A little blue train ride surrounds the pumpkin patch and there are also hayrides available. And a pumpkin Hall of Flame filled with hundreds of carved Jack ‘O Lanterns completes the experience. There is no admission fee to enter the garden center or pumpkin patch. Activities and food may be purchased separately. www.sunnysidegardensllc.com HANEHAN FAMILY FARMSTAND, SARATOGA SPRINGS
The Hanehan family grows many different varieties of pumpkins to fill their beautiful farmstand every fall. The farmstand provides wagons to fill with pre-picked pumpkins, gourds, and decorative corn. There is a vintage tractor photo spot for festive fall pictures. Some fall weekends, the family brings a baby calf to visit the stand. The cost is free to enter. www.facebook.com/hanehans.pumpkins VINCEK FARM, SARATOGA SPRINGS
Vincek Farm has been family owned and operated since 1920. The Vincek family operates a seasonal vegetable stand during the warm weather months and grows pumpkins for fall. They also sell cornstalks, hay bales, gourds, and decorative corn. There is no charge to enter. www.facebook.com/vincekfarms SCHUYLER FARMS, SCHUYLERVILLE
Schuyler Farms hosts an annual fall festival. You can take a hayride to the pick your own pumpkin patch, which has beautiful views. Schuyler Farms has a petting zoo with a
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variety of adorable farm animals. Activities include a zip line, gemstone mining, and a large corn maze, for which the theme changes every year. It’s free to enter, but there is a charge for activities. www.schuylerfarms.com ELLMS FAMILY FARM, BALLSTON SPA
Ellms Family Farm opens for its season in mid-September and continues through Halloween. There is a 5-acre pumpkin patch for picking your own pumpkins as well as a variety of pre-picked pumpkins. Ellms has over 40 other attractions, including ropes challenge courses, zip lines, mini excavators, farm animals, jumping pillow, and corn maze. General admission tickets start at $19.99 for adults and $22.99 for kids. Pumpkins, food, and some premium activities may be purchased separately. www.ellmsfarms.com LIBERTY RIDGE FARM, SCHAGHTICOKE
Liberty Ridge’s Fall Festival runs from mid-September through Halloween. Liberty Ridge is a beautiful scenic farm with a pick your own pumpkin patch. Fall farm attractions include an 11-acre corn maze, farm animals, a pumpkin cannon, games, and trolley rides. General admission tickets start at $23.95. Pumpkins, food, and premium activities are extra. www.libertyridgefarmny.com SF
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