Pumpkin spice lattes. Skinny jeans tucked into boots. Sweater weather. Halloween. Fall is here, and for so many parents, it’s our time to shine.
One of my favorite things to do during the autumnal season is to visit local pumpkin patches just outside of Portland. Honestly, nothing makes me happier than to grab a cider, go on a hayride, and make my kids take cute pictures sitting on pumpkins in a field. And this year, we’ve gathered the best spots to do all of the above — and more!
Bella Organic Farm, Sauvie Island
Bella Organic is one of my absolute faves. I moved to Portland in 2020, and this was the pumpkin patch I chose to take my then-5-year-old to during COVID times. Why? Because they are always super conscious of making sure their patrons are safe! They had mask and social distancing guidelines at the time, and I remember thinking how nice it was to get out of the house (and to feel safe doing so).
Nowadays, Bella Organic has carried on the mission of having a positive message attached to their farm. Every year, they pick a theme for their corn maze, and this year’s theme is “Human Rights for All.” They carve the message into their maze so that you can see it from above (check out pics of this year’s theme here).
Some of the farm’s most fun parts for kiddos include:
- Hayrides (Free!)
- A cow train (this is always a big hit with my kids!)
- Grain train
- Hay maze
- Duck races
- Petting zoo
- Face painting (Saturday and Sunday only)
- A gift shop/farm store
For the older kids, the farm also features a Haunted Corn Maze every year (ages 13+), which honestly looks like a blast. I haven’t personally experienced it — yet — but that’s only because I tend to fall asleep at 9 p.m. Thanks, my toddler!
Additionally, the farm is a winery, and so grown-up drinks are available, including wine, hard cider, and Hopworks beer, if you have a designated driver and want to relax a bit while keeping track of overly excited children running around a field. No judgment from me!
Kids 5 and under are free, and dogs are allowed. Tickets range from $10—$12 for the regular corn maze, and from $30—$45 for the Haunted Corn Maze.
The Pumpkin Patch, Sauvie Island
The Pumpkin Patch is another big favorite of mine, not just because their name tells it like it is, but they also have all of the regular pumpkin patch accoutrements you’d expect (hayrides, a pumpkin field, a “corn maize,” a cow train, and more!).
Additionally, there’s a really fun petting zoo with some of the chillest animals I’ve ever been around (great for the littlest ones), and they have some of the best coffee I’ve tasted in Oregon! The Pumpkin Patch is also offering free entry into their one-acre sunflower field this year. They have “u-cut” flowers that are ready to go! This is a fun activity for kiddos, especially if they’re pumpkin-patched-out.
A couple of other things to note:
- Kids under 5 are FREE
- No dogs are allowed
- Entry to the maize is $10
Yesteryear Farms, Wilsonville
If I could live at Yesteryear Farms — I would. We go there every year around Christmas to pick out a tree and enjoy the winter festivities. Much like the other farms mentioned, they are “curated for every holiday.” I’m obsessed with their gift shop (LOVE a good gift shop!), which has jams, honeys, and soaps, amongst other trinkets like candles, tea towels, and decor. All items are locally sourced.
One great perk of this farm is the food trucks. They have a variety of options every year, from Thai to Mexican to brats (though I would double-check what they have before going if you’re looking for something specific; food truck vendors can apply every year in February).
Their pumpkin patch is huge and has a large variety of pumpkins, including Warty Goblins, One Too Many, Long Island Cheese, School Boys, Grunchkins, and many other names for pumpkins that I just learned today. One thing about Yesteryear is that they know how to create a good photo opportunity, with a cute shelving unit covered in farmstead-style decor at the front, to the scenic pumpkin patch in the back, and fun cutouts along the way.
There is no entry fee, and well-behaved, leashed dogs are allowed.
There are so many more options in and around Portland to enjoy; many that have free entry, and many that aren’t too far of a hike from your neck of the woods — these were just my top three faves that welcomed me to Portland over the years, and ones that I keep returning to. Drop your personal favorites in the comments below!
Anna Giles has written about parenting, her kids, cats, and other things for over 10 years now (the math is easy when your oldest kid is 10). Fancy companies she’s written for include Delta, IHG, Bravo, NBC, E!, Syfy, and Disney. Parenting publications she’s written for include Romper, Time Out New York Kids, and Mommy Nearest. She’s really good at procrastinating on writing her Great American Novel. She has two kids and a perfect golden retriever. A born-and-raised Southerner, she’s learning to love her new PNW home in Portland but would really like to join a sauna during the winters, so please read her articles!!!