Halloween Pumpkins: Alternatives to Carving
Don’t want to make a mess carving pumpkins this Halloween? Try these techniques.
Problem solved, USA TODAY
With falling leaves and orders of spiced lattes come fall sensations, and despite the summery weather, Austin is home to pumpkins, corn mazes, walks and pumpkin hunts.
Here’s a list of farms and other places blooming with fall festivities. Check websites for current prices and times, which may be affected by weather. Is your favorite site missing? Email ehopkins@statesman.com and we’ll add you to our list.
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Sweet Eats Fruit Farm
This adventure farm is where visitors can find pig races, a large petting zoo and traditional pumpkin food as part of the Georgetown Farm Fall Festival. The annual harvest season runs until November 20. Sweet Eats is cashless and pet-free. (14400 E State Hwy 29; dolços.com)
Crowe’s Nest Farm
Along with hundreds of domestic farm animals, Crowe’s Nest is a fall festival utopia. Stop by the farm and rescue wildlife sanctuary for the fall festival every Saturday and Sunday through the month of October. (10300 Taylor Lane in Manor; crowesnestfarm.org)
Indian Springs Ranch Pumpkin Patch
Indian Springs Ranch has it all: pumpkins to pick, animals like bison, zebras, white and water buffalo, face painting, fall photo sessions, swings for kids, and food and craft vendors. (403 Elm View Way, Manchaca; indianspringsranchatx.com)
Sweet Berry Farm
Home to rides, Candy Cornkid Maze, pumpkin painting and stuffed scarecrows, this Marble Falls farm is one way to get your fall season fix. All visitors are welcome until November 6. (1801 FM1980, Marble Falls; sweetberryfarm.com)
Robinson Family Farm
Through October 30, the family-run farm is a mainstay for pumpkin houses, farm animals, photos, ax throwing and an unlimited dose of fall fever. (2651 Bob White Road, Temple; therobinsonfamilyfarm.com)
Dripping Springs Pumpkin Festival
When fall blooms, a pumpkin patch or festival is a must, and Dripping Springs Pumpkin Festival is among the top spots. The five-acre farm is home to more than 50 fall-inspired games, activities and attractions. (419 Founders Park Road in Dripping Springs; drippingspringspumpkinfestival.com)
Mama Mary’s Farm and Pumpkin Patch
Spend a day at this family-owned farm with Mama Mary, which offers a glimpse into the Texas countryside outside of the bustling Austin metro area. Visitors can pick the perfect pumpkin, ride hay wagons and barrel trains, and get lost (but not really) in the tractor tire playground or hay maze. (5701 Williamson Road, Creedmoor; mamamarysfarm.com)
The Jersey Barnyard Pumpkin Patch
Located in the oak-filled hills of South Central Texas, stop by the four-generation farm for pumpkin picking and painting and other fall activities starting in October. (3117 TX-159, La Grange; texasjersey.com)
Barton Hill Farms
Located 30 miles from downtown Austin, the 118-acre farm features a five-acre corn maze, farm animals, live music, face painting, duck races and other activities. Through November 6 (1115 FM 969, Bastrop; bartonhillfarms.com)
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Evergreen Farms Pumpkin Hunt
Tour Evergreen Farms for the annual pumpkin hunt, along with a pumpkin tosser, train ride, bounce house, fishing pond, kids’ zipline and other fall fare. (242 Monkey Road, Elgin; evergreen-farms.com)
Texas Pumpkin Fest
Run wild at the Texas Pumpkin Fest. The annual festival, now at a new location in Leander, has more space to explore the area’s harvest and Halloween season activities. (8760 FM 2243, Leander; texaspumpkinfest.com)
Pumpkin nights
Pumpkins are “rolling into town” (at Pioneer Farms to be exact), according to that event’s website. Visitors are promised art, fire shows and thousands of handmade pumpkin displays. Tickets are available by time slot, without face-to-face sales, until October 30. (Pioneer Farms, 10621 Pioneer Farms Drive; www.pumpkinnights.com/austin)
