That delightful chill in the air is just around the corner, so we’re celebrating the arrival of fall by highlighting a few of our favorite pumpkin patches. These spots are great outings for families or to explore with friends, so get ready for a fun day of pumpkin picking and apple cider drinking!
Here are a few of our favorite pumpkin patches to get you in the mood for the fall season:
Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church (1401 S. College Road)
This pumpkin patch may be one of Wilmington’s most enduring — it started in 1990 and for many Wilmington families, October just wouldn’t be the same without a visit to Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church. This year, the patch will open in October and remain open seven days a week. Check their Facebook for hours of operation.
Visit up until Oct. 31 or until supplies run out.
Trask Family Farms (3650 Blue Clay Road)
If you are looking for a local corn maze, Trask Family Farms has a large field in the Castle Hayne area, pumpkins and some seasonal produce. The corn maze is family-friendly for all ages and features more than 4 miles of trails. Check out hours and maze admission prices here.
Mike’s Farm (1600 Haw Branch Rd, Beulaville)
While this farm is beyond the greater Wilmington area, it is one of the most authentic pumpkin-picking experiences around. After you visit with the farm animals and check out the massive gift shops and bakery, take a hay ride to this patch’s massive pumpkin field. Once in the field, you can pick your pumpkin off the vine and tote them home. Stick around for dinner at Mike’s Farm which serves up all-you-can-eat Southern supper with fried chicken, pork loin and gravy, country ham biscuits, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, green beans, corn, and dessert.
Check their website for the hayride schedule and to make dinner reservations.
Barr Evergreens (2715 Shipyard Blvd.)
This Western North Carolina family farm brings pumpkins and Christmas trees to Wilmington each year at the corner of Shipyard and Independence. Find one of the biggest selections in the area here with plenty of space for the family to roam around, take photos, and pick out pumpkins and gourds.
The patch will announce hours for the season once open in October.
Biggers Market (6250 Market St.)
Head to Biggers Market to shop a huge variety of pumpkins AND get this week’s groceries. The market has expanded to include all sorts of offerings in the last two years, including a bar, live music and a kitchen with food made-to-order.
Open daily from 9 AM to 6:30 PM (6 PM on Sundays).
Hampstead United Methodist Church (15395 Highway 17, Hampstead)
A pumpkin patch nestled under the live oak trees, this Hampstead church’s longtime fundraiser has been the location for family memories and photos for more than a decade. The pumpkins come from a Navajo reservation where a portion of proceeds helps combat the high unemployment rate. The church’s youth group works at the patch to help raise funds for local organizations, outreach projects, and missions.
Beginning Sept. 29, join in each Saturday for the “pumpkin toss” where dozens of volunteers all jump into an assembly line and unload thousands of pumpkins onto the church lawn.
