Fall is here. I’ve been so excited since October because this is the perfect season to visit a pumpkin patch and corn maze! And guess what, this is my first ever time seeing a pumpkin patch so this fall is a memorable one! Coming from a country with only ONE season (if raining counts as a season, then it’s two), I’ve never got a chance to see pumpkins. Of course I’ve got high expectations but like in any other situation, the experience will always be somewhat different.

So here I am, sharing with you some tips of mine before visiting the pumpkin patch and how the experience was for me!

A little about pumpkins:

  • Pumpkins as associated with Halloween and go hand in hand with the fall season
  • Carving pumpkins into jack-o-lantern is a popular Halloween tradition that the Irish started when they immigrated to America
  • Pumpkin seeds are usually planted around late May to mid June
  • It takes about 3 to 4 months for pumpkins to grow (hence, we visit the patch in October)

Pumpkin Patch Tips and Experience for First Time Visitors

what to expect at a pumpkin patch pinterest

Tip #1 Check the weather

We’re now living in a world where you can check the weather forecast even a month prior to plan your outdoor activities. Especially when visiting a patch, it’s important to do so because who wants to get wet in the rain and having your shoes soaked in muddy ground and end up sulking all day? It doesn’t mean you can’t visit a patch on a gloomy day. In fact, it depends on what you want to do when you’re there. If you plan on taking photos, going on a bright sunny day with no clouds in sight may not be the right day.

Experience:

I definitely checked the weather before planning my visit! I knew it was going to be sunny but I didn’t expect to not have a single cloud in the sky. It was completely cloud free and blue. I shouldn’t be complaining but I wanted to take some Insta photos so that’s not the best lighting.

Wind blowing in my hair when at the pumpkin patch
The wind was definitely not in my favor.

Tip #2 Which pumpkin patch?

There may be a pumpkin patch five miles from where you live but there’s nothing much you can do there. Or would you prefer to drive 20 miles to a bigger patch with more choices of pumpkins and offers more activities? It’s all up to you. Many farms offer activities for families and kids including corn maze and apple picking so choose whichever farm you want to.

Experience:

I went to is Hank’s Pumpkintown at Montauk. We didn’t have problems finding parking so that’s a plus! Coming from New York City, finding a spot in 15 mins is a miracle. Hank’s have got the corn maze ($15 admission fee per person), a wooden playground, apple blaster ($5 for 6 shots) gem mining ($7 per bag of rough) and face painting. I chose the corn maze and I was a little disappointed, it wasn’t as fun as I thought it would be. The corns were all dead, the feeling of excitement wasn’t there which is disappointing. Nevertheless, I’m glad I chose it or I wouldn’t know what a corn maze actually is!

At the corn maze with dead corns

Tip #3 Dress for comfort

Or for whatever you intend to be doing. If you’re looking to be running around with your kids, maybe sneakers with jeans would be good. Or if you want to take some nice Insta photos, your outfit choice will be different then. You can look good in sneakers in your Insta photo too, no biggie. The choice lies within you.

Experience:

Well, I didn’t exactly dress for comfort or I kind of did, it’s just that the ground was a little soft as it rained the day before. I was balancing on the balls of my feet the whole day as I didn’t want the heel of my boots sinking into the ground. My boots were only a week old when I wore them, what was I thinking wearing them to a pumpkin patch? I definitely looked boujee here, don’t I?

Getting into the patch with pumpkins all around
Gotta watch my step, walking through these pumpkins

Tip #4 Keeping your tummy full

Packing food is always an option, paying for food is another. I decided to go with the latter. Didn’t regret it!

I ruined my corn by splashing too much salt on it. Way too salty to enjoy it 🙁
Experience:

Aside from the corn, I had the seasonal food – pumpkin pie, apple cider doughnuts and hot chocolate. Added corn dog to the meal too and I’ve been craving for it ever since. There was a variety of farm food at Hanks – soft serve ice cream, doughnuts, pies, kettle corn etc.

Tip #5 Fall decorations

can be found at gift shops that are usually unique, handmade items. So when I think of a gift shop in a pumpkin patch, I would think that it’ll be full of pumpkins, wreaths, Halloween ornaments and of course, there’ll be food. Imagine a pretty fall wreath hanging on your door.

Experience:

There wasn’t really a gift shop at Hank’s, which is pretty disappointing, only a small section that had a couple of decor for sale.

Tip #6 Bring a camera

If you’re like me, a camera is what you should bring along. Nowadays, it’s all about our phone cameras which is really convenient. Capturing pictures with pumpkins and pictures of you having fun with your family, your kids, your friends, your partner. Nothing beats a good day with all the fun and laughter (:

I’m pretty happy my first pumpkin patch experience went well! Definitely wished I bought some pumpkins home but I know I’m not gonna be baking pumpkin pie so it’s best I don’t.

So here are just a couple of tips of mine and my experience visiting the pumpkin patch for the first time.

How was your experience like the first time you visited a pumpkin patch?

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