According to anywhere you look on social media, Autumn began when Starbucks released their Pumpkin Spice Latte, but it’s still 90 degrees outside and pumpkin patches don’t open until later this month… on or around the real first day of Fall.
Some of our best family memories have taken place on Fall farms around Middle Tennessee…
When we lived in Nolensville, there were two pumpkin patches that were starkly different but equally loved by our friends and family. Hicklen Farm, owned by a precious farmer and his wife, was a quaint little farm with a lean-to barn filled with a gorgeous selection of pumpkins and gourds. Wagons to carry your pumpkins were scattered about, and there were a couple unassuming picnic tables with coloring sheets for the children to leave behind a keepsake for the Hicklens’ scrapbook or take with them. There wasn’t much to do, but hours would quickly pass listening to Mr. Hicklen’s stories which would take you back to a different time, a slower time. It was always a day well spent.
Hicklen Farm has been closed for a couple years now, but nearby families still have a great place to make Fall memories and there is a lot more to do at Walden Farm and other farms around Middle Tennessee. Whether you’re looking for a simple pumpkin stand or a hundred-acre wonderland chock full of Southern attractions for the whole family, look no further! We’ve got the list you’ve been waiting for. And don’t forget to share your Fall pictures on Facebook and Instagram and tag us at @livinglocalnashville or use the hashtag #livinglocalnashville. We love seeing your pictures!
12South Pumpkin Patch
Something magical happens throughout 12South in the Fall and holiday season! If you live in the area, you won’t be able to miss the beautiful pumpkins and mums that Nashville Pumpkin Company is bringing to the same corner where Santa’s Christmas Trees sets up each Winter. They’re planning to be up and running by September 15th!
2501 12th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37204
Bateys Farm
Unfortunately, Bateys Farm will not have any pumpkins or Fall activities this year. They also didn’t have any sunflowers planted this year, but said to keep an eye out for them next year… so we hope the pumpkins will also return in 2019!
Bottom View Farm
Bottom View Farm’s Fall Fest will be running September 23 through October 31, 2018. Each paid admission gets a small pumpkin and there are plenty of attractions to keep little visitors entertained and educated! Ride the train to Grandma’s cabin for a first-hand look at real life on the farm. See how blackberries, strawberries, and peaches grow. See how meat has been preserved for hundreds of years. There will also be hayrides, slides, a jumping pillow, pedal tractors, a gold mine, live animals, refreshments, an ice cream parlor, and the world’s longest rolled-hay maze!
Admission is $7 per person Monday through Friday or $10 per person Saturday and Sunday. Children age 2 and under are free! Each paid admission gets a small pumpkin. They’ll be open daily 8am to 4pm, but they recommend visiting on weekends to find all the activities up and running. If you plan on going on a weekday, just call first to see what’s open that day!
185 Wilkerson Lane, Portland, TN 37148
Breeden’s Orchard
Breeden’s Orchard was a Mt. Juliet landmark for over 40 years until they closed in 2016. Locals loved visiting over the years to pick their own fruit from the orchard. Co-owners of Zanies Comedy Night Club in Nashville purchased the orchard and re-opened this year, restoring what so many loved about it with plans to add much more. One of the first additions was a pumpkin patch… they have plans for pumpkin picking and screenings of “Hocus Pocus” around Halloween! Follow their Facebook page for the specific dates and future announcements.
631 Beckwith Road, Mt Juliet, TN 37122
Cedarwood Farms
Back in 2001, Cedarwood Pumpkin Patch began when the owner’s son wanted to plant some pumpkins. Now, visitors pick their own pumpkins in the pumpkin patch and make their own Fall memories on the pumpkin train, super slides, hay maze, corn maze, corn crib, petting zoos, tire city complete with tire swings, weekend bonfires and much more. Their Country Store is a one-stop shop for all of your Fall decor such as scarecrows, straw bales, corn stalks, and mums, and their Country Kitchen will keep everyone’s belly full.
Cedarwood will be open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from September 21st to October 31st, 2018. Discounted admission is available for children 3-10 years old, and children 2 and under are free with an adult admission.
2900 Old Nashville Hwy, McMinnville, TN 37110
Cheekwood Harvest
Explore Cheekwood’s 55-acre botanical garden and historic estate this Fall and take in more than 5,000 chrysanthemums, one-of-a-kind scarecrows created by members of the Nashville community, and the renowned pumpkin house, filled with over 400 gourds… then pick your favorite pumpkin from the pumpkin patch and take it home for carving, painting and decorating. Cheekwood Harvest will be open from September 22nd to October 21st, 2018 and offers a great line-up of weekend activities including a Halloween Pooch Parade!
1200 Forrest Park Drive, Nashville, TN 37205
Cooper Trooper Pumpkin Patch
Each year the Cooper Trooper Foundation hosts its primary fundraiser, the “Pumpkin Patch” at the corner of Cool Springs Blvd. and Mallory Lane in Franklin. They open the first Saturday in October (October 6th, 2018) and remain open each day through Halloween. The Pumpkin Patch is operated by hundreds of volunteers throughout the month. 100% of the proceeds (after the pumpkins are paid for) go straight to the Cooper Trooper Foundation to support their mission of funding pediatric cancer research through a fund set up with Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Additionally, Cooper Trooper supports siblings of children diagnosed with cancer by sending a special backpack full of items just to brighten their day and help remind them that they are not forgotten. It is because of volunteers, generous sponsors, and the thousands of customers who purchase their “pumpkin for a purpose” that they are able to continue doing what they do to help these families whose worlds have been turned upside down by childhood cancer.
If you or a group you are involved with are interested in volunteering at the patch, please visit the online volunteer sign-up form or email [email protected]!
Next to Walgreens at 530 Cool Springs Blvd, Franklin, TN 37067
Fiddle Dee Farms
Shuckles Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch at Fiddle Dee Farms was our family’s favorite last year! Kids won’t be able to keep their eyes open on the ride home after playing their little hearts out in Fiddlesticks Hollow. Kids of all ages will love the wooden playground, 40′ tall super slide, brain twisters, corn cannon, rope maze, and even paintball! When you’re ready to explore how strong your sense of direction is, walk through the forest to find your way to the 8-acre corn maze. The fun doesn’t stop there… there are hayrides, live animals, bonfires, homemade ice cream, and much more!
Shuckles Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch will be open from September 22nd to November 3rd, 2018. Visit their website for various military, senior, and group discounts and specific days and times.
Gentry’s Farm
For over two decades, Gentry’s Farm has been opening their family farm to the public on the weekends in the Fall (September 29th through October 29th, 2018) to celebrate all that the harvest season has to offer. There is no charge and free parking to enter the retail area and pumpkin patch, where they have pick-your-own pumpkins as well as pre-picked pumpkins. General admission covers everything once you enter the activity area which boasts a wide range of farm fun activities!
1974 Highway 96 West, Franklin, TN 37064
Green Door Gourmet
Green Door Gourmet sadly will not be hosting their annual Fall Fest this year, but they are planning a smaller Fall event. Details are still being finalized, so follow their Facebook page and stay tuned for more info!
7007 River Road Pike, Nashville, TN 37209
Honeysuckle Hill
Honeysuckle Hill’s Fall Festival will run from September 22nd to November 3rd this year and features over 200 acres of farm fun! Just take a look at their farm map!
1765 Martins Chapel Church Road, Springfield, TN 37172
Keller’s Corny Country
Pick your own pumpkins at Keller’s Corny Country and then take a ride on the kid-friendly zip lines, hayride and barrel train! Keller’s Corny Country will be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays through Sundays in October.
542 Fire Tower Road, Dickson, TN 37055
Lucky Ladd Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch
Lucky Ladd Farms is a year-round attraction with Tennessee’s largest petting zoo and 60 acres of excitement including farm themed playgrounds, mega slides, wagon rides, pedal karts, tire climbs, toddler town, tractor train, games, mazes and more. Seasonal favorites include miles of winding paths in a huge corn maze that pays tribute to the Nashville Predators, which opens on September 19th, and over 10 varieties of pumpkins in the pick-your-own pumpkin patch, which opens on September 22nd. Don’t miss the pumpkin carving contests and giant pumpkin slingshots!
4374 Rocky Glade Road, Eagleville, TN 37060
Lyon Family Farms
Tennessee Valley’s biggest pumpkin patch will be open from September 21st to November 3rd. Lyons Family Farms will be serving up tractor-pulled wagon rides, live music, pumpkin patch, corn maze, farm animal petting zoo, great food, seasonal fun and much more! All military, police, and first responders will get in free on September 22nd and 23rd. Visit their website for a full list of special dates including bonfires and fireworks after dark on the last two Saturdays of October!
130 Bellview Road, Taft, Tennessee 38488
Mrs. B’s Pumpkin Patch
From pumpkin painting and farm animals to the bouncy house, dance floor and more, you’ll find fun activities at Mrs. B’s that’ll put you right in the spirit of the fall season starting September 29th! Mrs. B’s has a wide variety of pumpkins, gourds, straw, mums, and corn for sale on site right next door at their Halloween store, All About Holidays, where you can also find a wide selection of costumes and costume accessories.
1942 Murfreesboro Road, Lebanon, TN 37090
Nashville Farmers Market
Some of the most beautiful Cinderella pumpkins that have ever adorned our front porch were picked up at the Nashville Farmers Market! While it may not be the most entertaining “pumpkin patch” for kids, their selection deserved a spot on this list.
900 Rosa L Parks Blvd, Nashville, TN 37208
Pumpkin Hill
Pumpkin Hill is one of the smaller pumpkin patches in Middle Tennessee but is a favorite nonetheless of regular visitors who return year after year. After 25 years of sharing their family farm with local residents, the owners decided not to open in 2017. Imagine the happy surprise when they announced they will be re-opening for the 2018 season! Pumpkins, hayrides and a corn maze will be open on weekends between October 13th to the 28th.
861 Benders Ferry Road, Mt Juliet, TN 37122
Pumpkin Paradise
Pumpkin Paradise offers a fun-filled farm experience. Whether you are looking for a close place to have a field trip, an exciting birthday party, or just need a place for the kids to run off some energy, this is the place for you! They offer swings, slides, corn box, pedal track, climbing tires, inside hay maze, sit n’ play, flying pigs, gravel pit, and much more. Be sure to stop by the farmer’s garden and see what they’re growing. Make sure to take a ride on the hayride, spot some cows and learn a few things about them. Don’t forget to read the signs posted around the field and see what you can learn about being a farmer.
Walden Farm
Walden Farm will be open from September 22nd to October 31st this year. Admission to is free and several things are included such as grain bins, an animal barn, hay maze, and Toddler’s Town. There are small fees for the hayrides, pick-your-own pumpkin patch and activity area.
8653 Rocky Fork Road, Smyrna, TN 37167
Wilson Family Farm
Opening day of fun on Wilson Family Farm is September 22nd. Attractions include a pick-your-own pumpkin patch, corn maze, and their 3rd annual Scarecrow Contest!
4809 Byrd Lane, College Grove TN 37046
To make the most out of your visit, be sure to check the website or social media pages for whichever farm you decide to go to. Specific dates, times, admission and available payment methods vary.
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