articles

Pumpkin Picking 2016

By Gladys Dunbar September 29, 2016
Fall is here and with it comes fun family activities including pumpkin picking! Kids love to be involved in deciding which ones to decorate or carve for Halloween. There are so many places to choose from in the area. Whether it is a pumpkin field, a farm stand or a church lot, it's a great family tradition, and an experience that the kids will cherish as the years go by.  


Here's a list of places to pick pumpkins near Schenectady and those that are worth the trip! We've also highlighted other fun things to do the the pumpkin patch, so you could make a day out of it. 


Altamont Orchards| 
6654 Dunnsville Rd. Altamont {Albany}
Highlights: Pre-picked pumpkins, U-pick Apples, Apple Cider donuts, fresh produce and there's also a small play area for kids made of hay bales.  Travel time: 21 mins.
Website: www.altamontorchards.com


Bowman Orchards| 141 Sugar Hill Rd. Rexford {Saratoga}
Highlights: U-pick or pre-picked pumpkins, U-pick apples, farm animals, play area, pony rides, pedal karts, apple cider donuts, baked goods and more! Travel time: 21 mins.
Website: www.bowmanorchards.com


Buhrmaster Farms Stand| 
189 Saratoga Road Scotia {Schenectady}
Highlights: Pre-picked pumpkins, fresh produce and mums. Travel time: 13 mins.
Website: www.altamontorchards.com


Brown's Family Stand| 1174 Fort Hunter Road Schenectady {Schenectady}
Highlights: Pre-picked pumpkins of various sizes, fresh local produce and mums. Open daily. Travel time: 12 mins.


Carman Farms| 3130 Carman Road Schenectady {Schenectady} 
Highlights: Pre-picked pumpkins, corn stalks, fresh produce, mums, baked goods and more! Open daily. Travel time: 11 mins.
Facebook page: Carman Farms


Ellms Family Farm|  448 Charlton Rd, Ballston Spa {Saratoga}
Highlights: Pick in the field pumpkins or pre-picked pumpkins, corn maze, jumping pillow, zip line, hay rides, corn pit, plus so much more! Open for the season starting September 17, 2016. Travel time: 22 mins.
Website: www.ellmsfarms.com


Indian Ladder Farms| 342 Altamont Road, Altamont {Albany}
Highlights: pick from the field or pre-picked Pumpkins, U-pick Apples, Hay rides, Farm animals, plus more! Open daily. Travel time: 28 mins.
Website: www.indianladderfarms.com



Worth the trip Pumpkin Patches: 

Engelke Farm| 463 Garfield Rd Troy {Rensselaer}
Highlights: Zip line fun over 2,000 feet by reservation only. Pumpkin Patch, corn maze, hay rides and more! Open daily 9am to 6pm. Nighttime Fun: Haunted Hay rides, October Friday & Saturday Nights, 7pm to 10pm. Travel time: 39 mins. 
Website: www.engelkefarm.com


Liberty Ridge Farm| 29 Bevis Rd, Schaghticoke {Rensselaer}
Highlights: Pumpkin patch, hay ride, corn maze, jumping pillow and more! Nighttime Attraction: Nightmares is open every Friday & Saturday night in October. Bonus nights Friday, 9/30 & Sunday 10/9. Screams start at 7:00 pm. Last admission sold at 10:00 pm. Travel time: 44 mins.
Website: libertyridgefarmny.com


Pumpkin Patch| 2716 Creek Rd., Esperance {Schoharie}
Highlights: Hayrides, pick your own Pumpkins and Indian corn, Hay tunnel, Pedal Carts, Pumpkin Cannon and more! Open for the season from September 24 to October 31, 2016. Travel time: 44 mins.
Website: www.pumpkinpatch.com


Schuyler Farms | 1124 Route 29 Schuylerville {Saratoga}
Highlights: Corn maze, hayride, pumpkin patch, and mining for gem stones. There is even a haunted maze for the older kids and adults. Travel time: 48 mins.
Website: www.schuylerfarms.com


Sunnyside Garden| 345 Church St., Saratoga Springs {Saratoga}
Highlights: Pre-picked pumkins and Pumpkin patch, train ride, butterfly room, hall of flame, and display of model trains. Opens Monday-Saturday 8:30am-5:00pm and Sunday 8:30am-5:00pm. Travel time: 44 mins.
Website: www.sunnysidegardensllc.com





Stay in the KNOW! Sign up for a FREE weekly e-newsletter HERE!   
Each week, you will receive fresh new ideas of family-friendly events and activities in and around Schenectady NY.


Schenectady Macaroni Kid is a FREE weekly newsletter and website focused on fun family events and information in and around Schenectady NY! We gather all kinds of local family events and activities each week and add useful information about family-focused businesses, product reviews, recipes, crafts, guides and so much more. Subscribe to our weekly e-newsletter for the scoop on Local Family Fun. It's 100% FREE!