What would fall be without a trip to an apple orchard and a hayride out to the pumpkin patch to pick your own pumpkin? These Indianapolis-area orchards feature farm stores with homegrown fruits and vegetables, cider, baked goods, and more; plus straw bales, corn mazes, fall décor, and plenty of fun fall activities for the kids.
Adrian Orchards: 500 West Epler Ave., Indianapolis 46217, phone 317-784-7783 or 317-784-0550. Hours: Mon-Sat, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun, noon-6 p.m.
A family-owned business celebrating its 84th year in operation, specialties include a U-Pick pumpkin patch, apples, unpasteurized cider, cider slush, bittersweet, apple butter, jams and jellies, in addition to fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables.
Anderson Orchard: 369 East Greencastle Rd., Mooresville 46158 (2 miles west of Mooresville on Main Street), phone 317-831-4181. Hours: Daily, 8 a.m.-dark.
U-Pick apples and pumpkins, plus a farm store featuring apples, pumpkin rolls, cider and cider slush, apple butter, homegrown chestnuts, and seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables and frozen fruits and vegetables.
Beasley’s Orchard: 2304 E. Main St., Danville 46122 (12 miles west of Indy off Old US 36), phone 317-745-4876. Hours: Mon-Sat, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun, noon-6 p.m. Through Oct. 31. Admission: $5 per vehicle.
Hayrides to U-Pick pumpkin patch (Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sun noon-5 only); weekend concession stand featuring hot dogs and smoked, pulled-pork BBQ; farm store featuring apples, cider, squash, pumpkins, fudge, tomatoes, green and red bell peppers, sweet banana peppers, and Poblamo peppers. Big Top Corn Maize, Fri and Sat, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun, noon-5 p.m., $6 ages 12 and up, $5 ages 6-11, ages 5 and under free. Haunted Corn Maze: Fri and Sat, 8-10:30 p.m. Fundraising event for Project A.N.G.E.L. (Area Neighbors Giving Extra Love).
Pumpkin Patch at Lawrence United Methodist Church: 5200 N. Shadeland Ave., Indianapolis, phone 317-770-1331. Hours: Mon-Fri, 1:30 p.m.-dark; Sat, 11 a.m.-dark; Sun, 1-6 p.m. Through Oct. 31.
Pumpkins, gourds, fall décor and baked goods for sale. For the kids: Games, costumed storytelling, crafts and treats. Horse rides: Oct. 17 and 24 from 1-3 p.m.
Stony Creek Farm’s 37th Annual Pumpkin Harvest Festival: 11366 State Road 38 East, Noblesville 46060, phone 317-773-3344. Hours: Daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Through Oct. 31. Admission: $5 per vehicle.
Hayrides, U-Pick pumpkin patch; gift shop featuring fall and Christmas décor; nursery (open Mon-Sat, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.). Activities (some are weekends only, and most cost between $1 and $3 per activity): Inflatable haunted house, straw maze, pumpkin train, jumping pillow, Cob Cannon, Giant Chess, High Striker, candle-making, slingshot, inflatable Kiddiepillar, duck race, pedal cars, balloon lady, face painting, blacksmith, caricatures, farm animals, fishing pond, pony rides.
Tuttle Orchards: 5715 North 300 West, Greenfield 46140, phone 317-326-2278. Hours: Mon-Wed, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thu-Sat, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., closed Sun.
U-Pick apples and hayrides to pumpkin patch through Oct. 31, Mon-Sat, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Over 23 varieties of apples; farm store featuring apple cider, apple cider vinegar, real maple syrup, Amish noodles and baked goods, on-site and locally grown seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables, and frozen apple pies, apple dumplings, apple and cherry crisp, and persimmon pulp. Concession stand Saturdays 11 a.m.-5 p.m. featuring hot dogs, bratwursts and roasted corn. Greenhouse featuring mums, annuals, perennials, vegetables, and apple trees. Observation beehive. Kids’ Play Area, Mon-Sat, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., $2 kids ages 2 and up (under 2 free), featuring sunflower maze, straw maze, bales of straw for climbing, tractors to ride, jungle gym, swings, and sandbox. Pony rides: Oct. 17, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., $3/ride.
Waterman’s Farm Market and Harvest Festival: 7010 E. Raymond St., Indianapolis, phone 317-356-6995. Harvest Festival hours: Daily, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Through Oct. 31. Admission: $4 weekdays, $5 weekends, ages 2 and under free.
Admission includes a farm tour hayride to the pumpkin patch, two cornfield mazes, a 1,500-square-foot straw bale maze, a straw mountain for climbing, a tricycle trail for ages 10 and under, plus Bouncy Barnstorm – seven huge inflatables to crawl through, climb up, slide down and bounce on. Live entertainment weekends including a clown and bands. Pony rides: $3. Weekend concession stand featuring breaded tenderloins, BBQ ribs and sandwiches, funnel cakes, hot dogs and bratwurst, curly fries, cheesecake, cider, cookies, and more. Farm store featuring fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables, Amish baked goods including pumpkin and carrot roll cakes filled with cream cheese, bread, cookies and noodles.
Up for a challenge? Try Waterman’s “all you can carry challenge”: All the pumpkins you can carry for $30. One person must carry the pumpkins for five steps without dropping any. Good luck!