Fall is one of my favorite seasons. I love the way the air starts to cool, a welcome relief from the sticky North Carolina summer heat. I love the colors the leaves take on as they start to change. Fading from a vibrant green to rich hues of red, orange, and gold. Above all, I love that I get to pull out my cute sweaters, jackets, and scarves and cozy up in a new, stylish way. And most of all, I love that it’s the perfect season for family photos! Meaning I get to see so many returning friends and meet new families, too! But it never really feels like fall until you fulfill the rite of passage of visiting an Asheville pumpkin patch for the season! I’ve put together some information on the best Asheville pumpkin patches, perfect for a day of autumnal family fun.
Three Must-Visit Farms With An Asheville Pumpkin Patch
Grandad’s Pumpkin Patch
Grandad’s Pumpkin Patch is just one part of the larger Grandad’s Apples n’ Such, a family-owned and operated farm outside of Asheville. Run by a fourth generation of apple farmers, Grandad’s sits on 120 acres of land that is home to apple orchards, pumpkin patches, and a popular Market that sells all kinds of goodies! They sell over 30 varieties of apples, so you can find the perfect crunch and flavor profile for all of your baking, canning, and snacking needs!
But we’re not here to talk about just apples – their pumpkin patch pops up every fall in late September and features pumpkins of all shapes and sizes! Whether you’re looking for the perfect jack-o-lantern pumpkin or a few gourds to scatter around the house for cozy, autumnal decor, Grandad’s has everything you need to prepare for the Halloween season.
Grandad’s Apples n’ Such offers several experiences through which you can celebrate fall, including you-pick apple picking on select weekends, a seasonal corn maze, and their classic Cow Train! They also have an Apple Cannon, where you can practice your aim by shooting apples onto various targets. When you visit, don’t forget to stop by their Barn and Country Store for a huge selection of fall decor, apple peelers, and other gifts and souvenirs! Expect to be enticed by the incredible aromas wafting from their bakery, where you can indulge in hot cider donuts, apple pies, cookies, hot apple cider, apple cider slushies, and so much more!! It’s the perfect way to take advantage of all of the things that autumn has to offer and to be present in the moment while you enjoy the season.
Packa’s Place
Packa’s Place is a gorgeous pumpkin patch nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains about 20 miles south of Asheville. It is tenderly cared for by the 6th generation of family farmers whose legacy is rooted deep into the soil of this beautiful farmland. Their history is celebrated every day as they share the stories of their family traditions and the people who have helped them succeed in the centuries they’ve been a part of this rustic mountain community.
Today, they proudly share the products of their land with families from all over North Carolina! Packa’s Place is home to an award-winning herd of over 600 beefalo, a unique variety of cattle that are part buffalo and part domestic cattle that are humanely raised for their lean and delicious meat. While they sell their beefalo meat and fresh flowers every Friday year-round, the fall brings a new slew of seasonal crops to be shared and enjoyed. Their annual Asheville pumpkin patch offers a variety of pumpkins of all shapes, sizes, and colors that you can purchase and bring home for your own seasonal decor.
But where Packa’s Place really shines is their BARn. An onsite beer garden that sells a selection of local craft beers, local seltzers and ciders, wines, and mimosas. They have created a space where everyone can gather together, socialize, and tell storys with a good drink in hand as they enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. Most weekends, they host food trucks, too, to make your visit even more delicious and satisfying. Be sure to check out their social media for their live music schedules, too! And don’t let the BAR in BARn throw you. Packa’s Place is the perfect family-friendly spot for gatherings of guests of all ages.
Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard
By the time J.H. Stepp’s family purchased the farmland, which now bears their family name over 50 years ago, the orchards already had a reputation for being a place where families could glean leftover apples at the end of the wholesale season. The Stepps began selling apples out of a car and then a small farmstand. But soon thereafter, they realized the potential of the growing “pick-your-own” trend. They were one of the area’s first pick-your-own apple operations and have been a family favorite ever since.
Today, Asheville families visit for apples, pumpkin patches, and more! You can either buy them pre-picked or have fun picking your own apples off the tree! Also their fresh pumpkins from the vine! But those aren’t the only things you can pick for yourself; in the spring, you can cut fresh tulips, and in mid-August, you can harvest your own grapes. But in mid-August through mid-October, you can pick your own sunflower and zinnia bouquets to brighten any space.
A visit to Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard doesn’t just include produce, though. They also have plenty of attractions to keep the whole family entertained! Try tackling their 5-acre corn maze, open any day of the week. Or visit on a weekend to take advantage of their Apple Cannon, Jump Pad, and Wagon Rides! There’s also a large covered picnic area perfect for a pit stop to refuel and rehydrate. Whether you grab a bite to eat from one of their visiting food trucks (available most fall weekends) or bring your own picnic from home.
Asheville Pumpkin Patch
Whatever your favorite parts of fall may be, I promise visiting an Asheville pumpkin patch will quickly become one of your favorite seasonal traditions (if it isn’t already!) So, plan on picking up your pumpkins from one of these local farms!
But as soon as you’re ready to take those holiday family photos, let me know! So we can schedule a cozy, fun photoshoot! We love helping families capture smiles and memories to cherish forever! Reach out today to chat about your dream photo session! Our holiday limited edition sessions are now live!
