First, read my tips for How to Pick a Pumpkin. Then, once you've returned home with your treasure horde of gourds, Wendy Hogan of Kids' Turn Central has compiled an incredible "101 Things to Do with a Pumpkin." If you intend to make a Jack O'Lantern, I'll help you find free pumpkin carving patterns. Or, if you're looking to cook up something exquisite with your pumpkin bounty, turn to New England's fine restaurants and inns for some great pumpkin recipes available online, including pumpkin ginger muffins from the Brass Lantern Inn in Searsport, Maine, or pumpkin creme brulee from Sunset Hill House in Sugar Hill, New Hampshire. Enjoy!
Connecticut Pumpkin Patches
Bishop's Orchards - Guilford, Connecticut
Bishop's Orchards began offering pick-your-own produce in the 1940s, and you can pick out a pumpkin of your own daily through the end of October. In addition to pumpkins, you'll also discover mums, corn stalks, bales of hay, Indian Corn, gourds, scarecrows and other fall decorations.
Lyman Orchards - Middlefield, Connecticut
Lyman Orchards offers pumpkins to pick from late September to late October. You'll find sugar pumpkins that are terrific for baking, plus jack-o-lantern pumpkins and gourds of all shapes and sizes for decorating. Visit the Cider Mill, buy specialty products at the Farm Market, find your way through the Corn Maze and even play 36 holes of golf on Lyman's two courses while you're there.
Pickin' Patch - Avon, Connecticut
This central Connecticut farm offers pumpkin picking from late September through October.
Massachusetts Pumpkin Patches
Clearview Farm - Sterling, Massachusetts
This centuries-old farm with a "Clearview" of Mount Wachusett has been in one family for five generations. They offer wagon rides for pumpkin picking in October. Pumpkin varieties include Cinderella, heirloom, Baby Pam, Sugar, Ghost, Big Mac, Tom Fox and Howdens.
Connors Farm - Danvers, Massachusetts
You'll find more than just pumpkins at this farm that's just a short drive from Boston. Fall also is the time for freshly made cider and hot apple cider donuts.
Dowse Orchards - Sherborn, Massachusetts
This Boston-area family farm that's more than 200 years old boasts of thousands of pumpkins of every size and shape.
Keown Orchards - Sutton, Massachusetts
Located near Worcester, this scenic farm offers pumpkin picking daily in season.
Red Apple Farm - Phillipston, Massachusetts
Among its slate of family activities, Red Apple Farm offers pumpkin and gourd picking, plus weekend hayrides, farm animals, walking trails, fall weekend barbeques and more.
Shelburne Farm - Stow, Massachusetts
You'll find hayrides every fall afternnon at this Massachusetts farm, which features a number of special weekend activities, cider and treats and several varieties of pumpkins.
Massachusetts Pick Your Own Pumpkins Guide - statewide
Here's a helpful guide from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources to pick-your-own pumpkin patches statewide, listed by county.
New Hampshire Pumpkin Patches
Brookdale Fruit Farm - Hollis, New Hampshire
Pick your own pumpkins, then reward yourself for your hard work with a scoop of pumpkin pie ice cream!
Charmingfare Farm - Candia, New Hampshire
On select fall weekends, this New Hampshire farm offers families a complete pumpkin experience. Their Pumpkin Festival features not only pumpkin picking, but horse-drawn hay rides, the Pumpkin Patch Review show, tractor train rides, farm animals to see, games, contests and more. There is an admission fee.
New Hampshire Pumpkin Patches - statewide
Find a pumpkin picking spot near your New Hampshire destination with this statewide guide from NewHampshire.com.
Rhode Island Pumpkin Patches
Salisbury Farm - Johnston, Rhode Island
In addition to pumpkins, you'll find free hayrides on weekends and a challenging, five-acre corn field maze at this Rhode Island farm.
