Why You Should Give in and Go to That Pumpkin Patch

It’s that time of year again! The “basic” fall vibes are out, the pumpkins are everywhere, and you can’t escape the strong smell of apples and cinnamon in every store. Most pretend to hate it yet secretly love it. Others go all in and are so fall-obsessed it borders on obnoxious. And then there’s the people in-between who just go along with it. These are the people we need to talk to.

Every Town Has One

You all know it, every town has it, that one pumpkin patch/apple orchard that EVERYONE seems to flock to once they see that first orange leaf fall in their yard. It’s still 80 degrees outside but you’ll see Instagram Influencers pretending not to sweat in their best fall outfit to get that perfect Insta pic. And then there’s the kids… you know, the ones that run wild, screaming and running into everything and everyone.

Sounds Horrible and Amazing All at Once

Sounds like a great way to spend one of your free weekend days, right? It gives me a headache just thinking about navigating around the families, the “basic” Instagram lovers who stop every 5 feet to take a photo, and pretend it’s not still summer while I sip on fresh, hot apple cider with a little cinnamon stick in it… in the perfect cup… and beautifully blended flavors…. that takes me right back to my childhood days of jumping in the leaf pile my dad so expertly gathered.

Wait. What just happened? I think I’m one of those people who secretly loves the fall pumpkin patch and apple orchard but definitely pretend not to! So, without further ado, here it is, inner-kids, reasons you should just go (you’ll love the last one, we promise).

Reason 1: It’s Actually Fun

There are plenty of reasons to skip out on this fall tradition. It’s too expensive. It’s too hot. There’s too many people. Where are we even going to park!? But trust me on this. If you go with an open-mind and block off your entire schedule to experience everything there is to experience, you’ll love it. Stop looking at the prices, come with your budget, and spend it. It makes for a great day if you’re going with your friends or with your family. It’s an easy way to convince people you’re doing something festive and wholesome.

Reason 2: Your Inner-Kid Needs It

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Think back to the days where you played outside and got excited to go to school to show off your new school supplies. Think back to being a kid during the fall season. Every grocery store trip ended in a debate with your mom as to why you absolutely needed another pumpkin – a debate you could never figure out how to win. When you were a kid you wanted nothing more than to go on the hayrack ride, carve all the pumpkins, and eat every pumpkin donut! Guess what? No one is telling you “no” now! GO! Live it up and have all the childish fun.

Reason 3: The Food

You will never taste a caramel apple as good as the one you buy at the apple orchard. It could be the worst thing in the world and incredibly over-priced but it will be the best apple you’ve ever had. Don’t even get me started on the donuts that most places now have. WOW! Pumpkin pie in donut form!? Give me 14 of them now. And if you’re lucky enough to be at a larger place, sometimes you’ll find different jams or breads or cheeses. Talk about making the perfect “girl dinner” later that day. I call it a win-win.

Reason 4: The Photos

Yes, I know I said the Instagram-lovers were a little annoying but let’s face it, you can get a lot of amazing photos at these places! Think about all the beautiful nature you will be surrounded by as you make your way through the winding pumpkin vines or the brightly colored apples on the trees. Who wouldn’t want to capture that moment?! Wanna know how to make this even better? Go analog. Grab one of those old-school Polaroid cameras and leave your phone in the car to fully enjoy the moment.

Reason 5: The Exercise

You get the benefits of being outdoors without pretending to enjoy hiking or something overly strenuous. It takes effort to find the BEST pumpkin! Not only is this a great fall-outing but it is a great way to get your exercise in for the day. I went to one pumpkin patch and without even realizing it, I ended up walking 3-4 miles. Between parking a little too far away, searching for the perfect pumpkin, and wandering the aisles of delicious foods, it was almost impossible not to walk that far in one afternoon. (Also means I can have more caramel apples, right?)

Reason 6: Perfect Excuse to Take a Day Off

We all know the weekends are crazy busy. It seems like the whole town decides to go on a Saturday at 11am. Wanna know a secret? Take an afternoon (or the entire day) off from work and go! The experience is instantly better when you don’t have to fight grandma for that last gallon of Honeycrisp Apple Cider (definitely not speaking from experience). If you think this is a waste of hours of your vacation time, think again. Not only do you get to enjoy the fall fun with limited guests but you also get to fully embrace the beauty of nature and spend time away from a screen.

Reason 7: Be a Kid Again!

Hayrides, corn mazes, and picking apples take you back to simpler times (without the guilt of looking like you’re trying too hard). Yes, go run through the rows of apple trees. Yes, try all the samples. Yes, lift up all the pumpkins until you find the one that is the perfect weight, perfect shape, and perfect for carving your masterpiece. What better place to run and play like a kid than a pumpkin patch! No one will judge you. No one cares. And everyone will be doing the exact same thing. Go on that hayride and make it the best hayride you’ve ever been on. Take photos next to the silly signs. Let your adult side rest for a day and be a kid again!

Reason 8: The Pumpkins

Have you ever seen so many!? These places know their pumpkins. Want to carve a massive one? Done. Want to fill your dining room table with small ones? Done. You can get it all! Sure the big-box stores usually have a few to pick from but you’ll never find the level of variety that you find at a real pumpkin patch. Plus, when you spend your money here, you’re supporting a local business in your community. So yes, you absolutely do need 10 pumpkins for your front porch and at least 4 more just for carving.

Reason 9: The Cozy Fall Aesthetic

You get to break out your favorite chunky sweater and boots, all while basking in those autumn vibes you secretly live for (unless it’s still summer outside). Yes, I am one of those people who LOVES the fall wardrobe. I never want to admit it but the sweaters are insanely comfy. If it’s still summer and I’m trekking out to the apple orchard, I’ll fight those summer temps by wearing shorts and a long-sleeve top. If you can, take the day off that’s the first chilly day. Nothing beats that first crisp air of fall and a cup of pumpkin spice coffee!

Reason 10: The Cheesy Memories

As time goes by, you’ll look back on the photos (on that old Polaroid, remember?) and the moments you shared with your friends and/or family and remember how much fun you had. You’ll forget the parking was horrendous. You’ll forget you were sweating and miserable because it wasn’t cold yet. You’ll forget the long lines and screaming children. What you’ll be left with is a memory of that one fall day you took time off work to run through the rows of apple trees, had the best-tasting caramel apple, found the perfect pumpkin for carving, and got the store’s last gallon of Honeycrisp Apple Cider.