Fall is finally here in central Iowa, which means it is aperfect time to put on a flannel, pack up the SUV, and head to one of these must-see fall attractions around the Des Moines metro area. These metrodestinations are perfect for making new family memories, taking Instagram-ready photos with friends in scenic autumn backdrops, and savoring the last of fall before winter comes.
Here are nine stops, from pumpkin patches to corn mazes, for a guaranteed gourd time in central Iowa communities.
Center Grove Orchard
With 25 acres of ripening pumpkins and gourds, Center Grove Orchard is a pick-your-own paradise. Admission for the patch is required for people ages 3 and up but includes access to the farmyard and includes unlimited train rides. Pre-picked pumpkins are available for purchase outside of the admission zone. Small pumpkins are $2.95 while large pumpkins run $5.95. With a valet, the pumpkins cost $3.95 for a small and $7.95 for a large.
Location:32835 610th Ave., Cambridge
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Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Nov. 5
Contact: 515-383-4354; centergroveorchard.com
Admission: Farmyard admission, $16.95; children age 2 and younger are free; pumpkin prices vary
Deal’s Orchard
Deal's Orchard features 45 acres of apples, 10 acres of pumpkins and grows other produce including squash, sweet corn and tomatoes, as well as Christmas trees.
Its Apple Acres family play area includes a four-acre corn maze, sunflower patch, corn box, petting zoo, giant slides, jumping pillow, apple slingshots, and more.
The farmalso offers bakery items such as apple cider doughnuts, caramel apples, apple pies and fudge, and produces about 35,000 gallons of apple cider each year. Plus, the ownersmake their own hard cider.
Location:1102 244th St., Jefferson
Hours (through October):8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays
Contact: 515-386-8279;dealsorchard.com; Facebook
Admission:$11.95 for ages 3 to 64; free for ages 2 and younger and 65 and older
More:What's the most popular Halloween candy in Iowa? If you guessed candy corn, you'd be wrong
Harvest Barn Marketplace
You may know the Boyer family from their stand at the Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market. In addition to raising and processing beef and makingfudge, cheeses, salsa and more, they also take pride in their assortment of pumpkins and gourds. Visit the Harvest Barn to select a pre-picked pumpkin, and make sure you bring the kids and come with an empty stomach.
Fall farm fun for the whole family is in full swing now through the end of October. Enjoy family dodgeball, the human hamster wheel, round bale hay maze, zip line and much more. On the weekends, go for a wagon ride.
Location:2721 U.S. Hwy. 34, Osceola
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesdays through Sundays
Contact: 641-342-4039; harvestbarnmarketplace.com; Facebook
Admission:For select attractions: $8 on Fridays,$10 on weekends, free forchildren age 2 and under
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Howell’s Pumpkin Patch
At Howell’s Pumpkin Patch, it's all about having fun on the farm. You can pick your own pumpkin or buy one pre-picked. It offers plenty of attractions including a pumpkin cannon, corn mazes, wagon rides, two seater trikes, a jump pad, bathtub train, corn cannon and pool, observation deck, hamster wheel and so much more.
Location: 3145 Howell Court, Cumming
Hours: 10 a.m.to 6p.m. daily through Oct. 31
Contact: 515-981-0863; howellsgreenhouseandpumpkinpatch.com; Facebook
Admission: $18per person; $12 for seniors 65 and up, free for children under age 2
Iowa Orchard
When fall sets in, Iowa Orchard's unmistakable display of pumpkins appears. The apple cider is famous here, as well as 22 varieties of family-recipe pies with a sought-after flaky crust. Don't missthe corn box, big slides, jumping pillow and giant Legos.
Location: 9875 Meredith Drive, Urbandale
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., late September through Halloween
Contact: 515-276-0852; iowaorchard.com; Facebook
Admission: Free. Hayride and Farm Fun Zone, $5 per person; children 2 and younger are free.
Pierce’s Pumpkin Patch
Since 1981, Pierce's Pumpkin Patch in Chariton has been the place to go for more than145 kinds of pumpkins and gourds. Pierce's offers dried gourds to craft and a size range of pumpkins and gourds and a country store.
Location: 2491 IA-14, Chariton
Hours: Open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily the last weekend in September through October
Contact: 641-344-1344, 641-344-2052;piercespumpkinpatch.com; Facebook
Admission: Free for all ages. Call ahead for group tours.
More:$80,000 central Iowa Halloween display, featuring pirates, gorillas, spiders, draws hundreds every year
Pumpkinville & Cornmaze
You can use your GPS to navigate your way through the 20-acre "scavenger hunt" big maze at Pumpkinville &Cornmaze in Mitchellville or you can let the kids loose in the 15-minute mini-maze. Both mazes are open now, but all activities such as wagon rides and games begin Sept. 23.
Show your strength with a game of "Tug a Pumpkin," closely resembling tug-of-war, or show your speed with a sack race.
There's no shortage of straw here — kids can jump around a straw train or jump into a big pile of straw. Shop for a wide variety of pumpkins, savor some cinnamon-spiked cider and hot chocolate, and nibble on tasty treats, including nachos, burgers and hot dogs.
Location: 618 Center Ave. S., Mitchellville
Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through Oct. 31
Contact: 515-720-7502; pumpkinvillecornmaze.com; Facebook
Admission: No general admission fee
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Uncle Bill’s Farm
Uncle Bill's Farm in Grinnell features 10 acres of pumpkins, a corn maze, scenic wagon rides, giant jumping pillows, farm animals and plenty of photo ops. Shop for barbecue sauces, jams, fall decorations and goods from local artisans, dine on takeout food at the concession stand, and don't forget to pick up some fall mums in a wide assortment of colors and sizes.
Location: 244 400th Ave., Grinnell
Hours: Oct. 6 through Oct. 29, 10a.m. to 6 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays
Contact: 641-236-7043; unclebillsfarm.com; Facebook
Admission: $14per person, children 2 and under are free.
Wills Family Orchard & Pumpkin Farm
It's Apple and Pumpkin Fest time at Wills Family Orchard on Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 22. Pick your own pumpkins or choose from a pre-picked selection. When you're not roaming through the rope maze, take a ride on the hay wagon or pet the barnyard animals. Then go shopping for cider, wine and other treats made from apples picked right on location.
Location: 33130 Panther Creek Road, Adel
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays; noon to 6 p.m. Sundays during autumn weekends until Oct. 22
Contact: 515-321-1847; willsfamilyorchard.com; Facebook
Admission: Free to visit the farm store and pumpkin patch. $7for adults, $9 for children plus tax for the corn maze and activities; free for children 2 and under.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct prices at Howell's.
Do you have a pumpkin patch or corn maze and you don't see it on this list? Please contact jstahl@dmreg.com to have your location added.
Jay Stahl is an entertainment reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow him onInstagram or reach out atjstahl@gannett.com.