HEATHER HILL GARDENS 8111 Ox Rd., Fairfax Station, a half-mile south of Lee Chapel Road. 703-690-6060. Open Monday-Friday 10 to 6, Saturdays 10 to 5:30 and Sundays 11 to 5:30 through October. Pony rides, $3, Saturdays 10 to 4 and Sundays 11 to 4. Other highlights, $4 per person, free for ages 2 and younger, include a small pumpkin, a pumpkin fort play area, farm animals and assorted children's activities.
KROP'S CROPS 11110 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. 703-430-8955. Open daily 10 to 6 through October; closed in November, reopens in December for Christmas trees. Closed Dec. 24 until late March. Take a tractor-pulled hayride, $2, to the 20-year-old produce market's pick-your-own pumpkin patch. Features geared toward young children include farm animals and straw and corn play activities.
MEADOWS FARMS 10618 Leesburg Pike, Vienna. 703-759-3900. http://www.meadowsfarms.com/ . Hours vary seasonally and by location; open through Dec. 24, reopens late February. A free Fall Festival, held during the garden center's business hours through Oct. 31, includes slides, giant scarecrows and crawling pipes. A free moon bounce is available Saturday and Sunday and Oct. 14 and 15. Activities also take place at locations at 5043 Plank Rd., Fredericksburg, 540-786-8171; 1360 E. Market St., Leesburg, 703-777-1900; 5074 Lee Hwy., Warrenton, 540-341-0020; and 5432 Old National Pike, Frederick, 301-473-5411.
NALLS PRODUCE 7310 Beulah St., Alexandria. 703-971-4068. Open this month Monday-Saturday 9 to 7, Sundays 9 to 6; hours change seasonally, closed January and February. Through October, children can visit a free pumpkin tunnel at this fruit and vegetable stand, which sells seasonal produce and specialty products.
Fauquier County
APPLE RIDGE RANCH 3549 Fiery Run Rd. (Route 726), Linden. Take Interstate 66 west to Markham Exit 18, Route 688, and turn left under Interstate 66. Go right on Route 55 west and travel about 1.5 miles to left on Fiery Run Road (Route 726). Go about 1.5 miles to the top of the S-curve in the road; farm is on the left. 540-364-2079. Open Saturdays and Sundays and holidays 9:30 to dark through Oct. 29. This family-oriented pick-your-own apple farm also has a new pick-your-own pumpkin patch and sells honey.
THE CORN MAZE IN THE PLAINS Route 245 north, just off Interstate 66 west, adjacent to the Archwood Green Barns Farmers Market, The Plains. 540-456-7339. http://www.cornmazeintheplains.com/ . Open Friday-Sunday and Columbus Day 10 to 6 through Nov. 5. The maze also will open for moonlight visits Oct. 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28 and Nov. 3 and 4 from 7 to 10, with last tickets sold at 8:30. $8, $6 ages 4 to 12 and free for ages 3 and younger. Carved in the shape of flying bats, the five-acre, organically grown "Bat-titude" corn maze offers 2 1/2 miles of trails. Admission also includes a hayride, barnyard play area and farm animals.
COWS-N-CORN 5225 Catlett Rd., Midland. 540-439-4806. http://www.cows-n-corn.com/ . Open Fridays 4 to 9, Saturdays 10 to 9 and Sundays 12:30 to 6 through Nov. 5. $7, free for ages 3 and younger. The dairy farm's sixth annual maze features a 10-acre "Field of Fun" design depicting a cow peeking from a pumpkin patch. Admission includes a narrated hayride tour of the farm, pedal-powered go-karts for all ages, a straw bale maze, farm animals and a farm-themed play area with a corn-filled sandbox. Warrenton Fauquier Jaycees Hollywood Horror Haunted Hayrides, $10, including nighttime maze walks and campfires, starting at 7:30 Friday and Saturday nights, Oct. 14-Nov. 4.
HARTLAND ORCHARD 3064 Hartland Lane, Markham. 540-364-2316. http://www.hartlandorchard.com/ . Open daily 8 to 6 through the last week of October. Free, ongoing hayrides at this pick-your-own apple orchard run Saturdays and Sundays. The family-owned 1775 farm also features select-your-own pumpkins, farm animals and honey made in on-site hives.
SKY MEADOWS STATE PARK 11012 Edmonds Lane, Delaplane. 540-592-3556. http://www.hollinfarms.com/pages/pumpkins.html . The park is open daily dawn to dusk. $3 per car weekdays, $4 weekends. The October Fall Farm Fest, Saturdays and Sundays 11 to 5 throughout October at the visitor center, features farm animals and a five-acre pick-your-own pumpkin patch grown by neighboring Hollin Farms. Musical performances and educational programs some weekends.
STRIBLING ORCHARD 11587 Poverty Hollow Lane, off Route 688 south, Markham. 540-364-3040. http://www.striblingorchard.com/ (includes directions). Open daily 9 to 6, with last orchard entry at 5:30, through mid-November; reopens in July. Pick apples and choose pumpkins at this six-generation family farm, which is more than 200 years old. Visitors can picnic at mountaintop tables and view farm animals. The Piedmont artisan craft section at the Harvest House, open weekends and by appointment, features locally made crafts and artwork.
Frederick County
HEDGEBROOK FARM MARKET AND PUMPKIN PATCH 690 Shady Elm Rd., two miles south of Winchester. 540-869-4100. http://www.hedgebrook.com/ . Open Saturdays 10 to 4 and Sundays noon to 4 through Oct. 29. Highlights at this 100-year-old, pesticide-free working dairy farm include pick-your-own pumpkins, farm animals and a children's play area. Call for times for Miss Kitty's Straw Rides, $4, featuring educational tours led by farm manager Kitty Nicholas.
HILL HIGH FARM 933 Barley Lane, Winchester. 540-667-7377. http://www.thepumpkin-patch.com/ (includes directions). Open Saturdays and Sundays 10 to 5 through Oct. 29. This farm, which has been in the same family for more than 100 years, has a 25-acre pick-your-own apple orchard and 30 acres of pumpkins. The free Pumpkin Patch play area features a straw maze, farm animals and antique farm equipment. Hayrides, $6, free for ages 2 and younger, start about every half-hour and feature an apple and small pumpkin for each passenger; moonlight hayrides take place Fridays and Saturdays from 7 to 11. A galaxy-themed, eight-acre corn maze boasts about three miles of trails, open Fridays 7 to 11 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sundays 10 to 5 and Oct. 19 and 26 from 7 to 11. $7 for adults, $5 for children ages 5 to 12 and seniors ages 65 and older, free for ages 4 and younger. A high-tech, walk-through haunted house of more than 4,000 square feet features intense scenes and is not recommended for ages 7 and younger, people with heart conditions or pregnant women. Admission is $8. Open through October, Fridays 7 to 11, Saturdays 1 to 11, Sundays 1 to 5, Oct. 19 and 26 from 7 to 11 p.m. and Oct. 31 from 5 p.m. until visitors have left. Kids ages 12 and younger can visit an inflatable haunted maze Saturdays and Sundays, $3; adults may accompany young children for free. Visit the Web site for information about special events each weekend.
MARKER-MILLER ORCHARDS 3035 Cedar Creek Grade, Winchester. 540-662-1980. http://www.markermillerorchards.com/ (includes directions). Open July through Dec. 23. Market open Monday-Friday 9 to 6, Saturdays 9 to 4 and Sundays noon to 4 during October; other hours vary seasonally. Wagon rides, $2, weekends at the 325-plus-acre pick-your-own apple orchards, which also offer pick-your-own pumpkins and a playground. The free annual Apple Harvest Festival is Saturday 9 to 5 and Sunday 10 to 5. Highlights include the barrel-train ride for kids, a bounce house ($1), apple butter making, antique tractors and live music. A pumpkin festival Oct. 28 from 9 to 5 includes similar activities, plus a pumpkin toss game, $1.
RICHARD'S FRUIT MARKET 6410 Middle Rd., Middletown. 540-869-1455. http://www.valleymarkets.com/Richards.htm (includes directions). Open August-November, Mondays-Saturdays 8:30 to 6, Sundays through Thanksgiving weekend 10 to 6; closed Thanksgiving day. This 53-year-old family apple orchard also offers pick-your-own pumpkins and pick-your-own flowers (until the first frost). The 13th annual Apple Festival Oct. 21 from 8:30 to 6 and Oct. 22 from 10 to 6 features free hayrides and other activities. The orchard holds its fifth annual gourd festival, featuring gourd artisans, Nov. 4 from 8:30 to 5:30 and Nov. 5 from 10 to 5:30. Free, but fees for classes. Check the Web site for information about classes.
RINKER ORCHARDS 1156 Marlboro Rd., Stephens City. Take Interstate 66 west to Interstate 81 north to Exit 307 (Stephens City). Turn left, go 2 1/2 to three miles and look for the farm on the right. 540-869-1499. Open daily 10 to 6 through Oct. 15; after that, hours vary with apple availability. This 107-year-old family apple orchard also features pick-your-own pumpkins. The orchard produces and sells its own flash-pasteurized apple cider.
VIRGINIA FARM MARKET 1881 N. Frederick Pike, Winchester. 540-665-8000. In October, open Monday-Thursday 8 to 7:30, Fridays 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Open April 1 to Dec. 1. Hours vary seasonally. Pumpkinland features a pumpkin-lined path with little red wagons and a large pumpkin-filled wagon designed as a photo backdrop. Other free kid-pleasing highlights include a small, decorated wire-mesh maze; a play area with a sandbox and a mini pumpkin checkers game; and a wooden train for climbing.
Loudoun County
CROOKED RUN ORCHARD 37883 E. Main St. (Business Route 7), Purcellville, 10 miles west of Leesburg. 540-338-6642. The pick-your-own apple orchard, open for picking Friday-Sunday 9 to 6 during October, offers horse-drawn buggy rides from 1 to 4 and free, interpretive hayrides at noon, 2 and 4 during the Loudoun Farm Color Tour on Oct. 21 and 22. The farm also features pigs to look at and has some select-your-own pumpkins and gourds.
GREAT COUNTRY FARMS 18780 Foggy Bottom Rd., Bluemont. 540-554-2073. http://www.greatcountryfarms.com/ . Open daily 9 to 5 through Nov. 6; reopens Nov. 24 through Dec. 17 for Christmas tree sales; reopens in April. $4 weekdays; $6 weekends and Columbus Day. Free for ages younger than 2. This 200-acre farm offers hayrides to the 50-acre pick-your-own pumpkin patch. New highlights include a 2,800-square-foot Pumpkin Jumpin' Pillow for outdoor bouncing, mazes, a twin 60-foot slide and a mountain made of tractor tires. The farm boasts numerous other children's activities, including a two-acre play area, additional mazes, more than 75 farm animals and a catch-and-release fishing pond. Weekend and Columbus Day admission also includes cornhusk-doll making, hourly pig racing from noon to 4 and P-Rex, the Pumpkin Munchin' Dino. Check the Web site for details about special weekend events such as live music and, on Oct. 28, Glow Night featuring jack-o'-lanterns carved by more than 3,000 schoolchildren.
LOUDOUN FARM COLOR TOUR Loudoun County Department of Economic Development, 1 Harrison St. SE, Leesburg. 703-777-0426. http://www.loudounfarms.org/ . Family-friendly attractions highlight this annual free, self-guided driving tour of 18 farms and country stores and 12 vineyards, some of which seldom open to the public. Oct. 21 and 22 from 10 to 4.
LAYNG'S FLOWER FARM 23520 Evergreen Mill Rd., Aldie. 703-327-0872. http://www.layngsflowerfarm.com/fallfest.html# . This family farm, which grows flowers and plants for retail and wholesale, holds its annual Fall Fest daily 10 to 6 (last entry at 5:30) through Nov. 5. $7 Saturdays and Sundays, $5 weekdays, free for ages 2 and younger. Highlights include hayrides, giant slides, tunnels, moon bounces, a hay maze, pumpkin painting, popcorn, tepees and a toddler play area. Check the Web site for a calendar of special events.
PUMPKINVILLE Leesburg Animal Park and Pioneer Garden, 19270 James Monroe Hwy. (Route 15 south), about 1 1/2 miles outside Leesburg. 703-779-2332. http://www.leesburganimalpark.com/pumpkinville.htm . Open daily 9 to 6 through Nov. 7; other hours vary seasonally. $10 Saturdays, Sundays and Columbus Day; $6.50 weekdays (with fewer activities) and free (without a pumpkin) for children younger than 2. Admission covers numerous kids' activities, including a new Spooky Pirate Ship and traditional favorites such as giant slides, a small hay maze and moon bounces, as well as entry into Leesburg Animal Park. Visit the Web site for details about free weekend entertainment and activities requiring additional fees.
TEMPLE HALL FARM REGIONAL PARK 15789 Temple Hall Lane, Leesburg. 703-779-9372. http://www.nvrpa.org/maize2006.html . Open Fridays 4 to 10, Saturdays 10 to 10 and Sundays and Columbus Day 11 to 6 through Oct. 29. $8 for ages 12 and older, $6 for ages 6 to 11 and free for ages 5 and younger. The 11-acre Maize at Temple Hall Farm Park commemorates the 400th anniversary of the founding of America at Jamestown with a design depicting scenes from the settlement. The park's free interpretive center, featuring farm animals, is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10 to 5. A barnyard activity area, open until 6 includes hayrides and more, $3.
Orange County
DOUBLE B FARM 28200 Constitution Hwy. (Route 20), Rhoadesville, about 20 miles west of Fredericksburg. 540-854-4277. Store open Monday-Saturday 8 to 5, Sundays 10 to 5 through October; closes Christmas Eve and reopens Feb. 1. Hours change seasonally. Free activities offered through Oct. 29 include hayrides to the four-acre pick-your-own pumpkin patch Saturdays 10 to 5 and Sundays 11 to 5, a petting zoo and a play area featuring a straw fort and haunted school bus geared toward children.
ROUND HILL FARM 6347 Everona Rd., off Route 522, 12 miles south of Culpeper. 540-854-7398. http://www.round-hill-farm.com/ (with directions). Open Saturdays and Sundays 10 to 5 through Oct. 29; open Monday-Friday for groups of 10 or more with reservations. $5, free for ages 3 and younger and 65 and older. A $20 pass for a family of four includes a $10 voucher toward a $30 produce purchase. The beef cattle and grain farm's 10th annual Harvest Festival activities include hayrides to the two- to three-acre pick-your-own pumpkin patch, a playground, a two-acre round-bale hay maze and a petting zoo with new animals, including a zebra. Pony rides and face painting, weekends only, require additional fees.
Prince William County
OLD MINE RANCH 17504 Mine Rd., Dumfries, near Potomac Mills mall. 703-441-1382. http://www.oldmineranch.net/ . Open daily 10 to 5 through Nov. 15; hours change seasonally. Admission -- $6, free for ages younger than 2 -- to the rustic, 40-acre pony ranch includes a new inflatable haunted mansion, along with a little pumpkin, hayride, barn moon bounce, petting farm, ghost town, guided riverside hikes, pumpkin and cookie decorating and three tall mine tunnel slides. Watch a Wild West pony show Saturdays and Sundays at 1 and Monster Bash Kids' Karaoke Saturdays noon to 3. Pony rides are $2.
PLANTLAND 8548 Sudley Rd., Manassas. 703-369-1821. Store open daily 8:30 to 8:15. Plantland Playground, a fall play area open daily 9:30 to 8:15 through Oct. 31 (closing at 6 on Halloween), includes a new basketball hoop bounce and variety of other activities such as moon bounces and ride-on toys geared toward young children. $15 ages 1-12 Saturdays and Sundays, $12 weekdays; adults free.
Rappahannock County
MUSKRAT HAVEN FARM 20 Cedarbreak Lane, on Route 211, four miles west of Amissville, 15 miles west of Warrenton. 540-937-5892 or 540-937-5191. Open daily 9 to 5 through October. The farm has about nine acres of pick-your-own pumpkins and also sells fresh quail and rabbit.
Shenandoah County
MAIZE QUEST AT BRIDGEMONT FARM Route 720, four-tenths of a mile off Route 11, Mount Jackson. 540-477-4200. http://www.cornmaze.com/mq_location.asp?ID=5 . Open Fridays 4 to 10, Saturdays 11 to 10 and Sundays 1 to 7 through Nov. 12; call for weekday hours. $7 ages 13 and older, $5 for ages 5 to 12 and free for ages 4 and younger. This farm adjacent to the historic Meems Bottom covered bridge features Maize Quest's "Pirate Treasure"-themed, eight-acre corn maze with nine hidden pirates and flags. Last year's T-Rex theme lives on in a 4-foot sorghum maze. Other attractions include a rope maze and pedal carts.
Spotsylvania County
BELVEDERE PLANTATION Route 17 south, seven miles southeast of Fredericksburg. 540-371-8494 or 800-641-1212. http://www.belvedereplantation.com/ . Through Nov. 4, the maze is open Fridays 5 to 10, Saturdays 10 to 10, and Sundays and Columbus Day 10 to 5; the Great Pumpkin Patch activities area is open maze hours through Oct. 29. Admission for the maze and Great Pumpkin Patch is $12, $10 for seniors and military personnel, and free for ages younger than 2. The historic, 1,000-acre farm features as its maze theme "Lostalot's Plow." The overhead view resembles a huge plow. The nearly eight-acre maze, now in its seventh year, boasts special features such as bridges, themed sound and a new maze puzzle with triple logic levels. Lights-out Moonlight Mazes take place Oct. 27 and 28 and require flashlights. The Great Pumpkin Patch includes hayrides to large pick-your-own pumpkin patches; a straw-filled fun barn with rope swings; pygmy goats and more. Visit the Web site for details about special weekend events, additional activities and live music.
Annandale writer Mary Jane Solomon, whose most recent Weekend article described pick-your-own apple orchards, loves everything about autumn.
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