When autumn leaves dominate the local landscape and pumpkin spice adorns lattes everywhere, it’s time to celebrate the season al fresco. Some fall adventurers prefer actively selecting their future jack-o’-lanterns from a packed Pittsburgh pumpkin patch and zipping through tall corn mazes. Others prefer a quieter scene, sipping hot beverages at already-stocked farm stands. No matter your style or speed (or who you have in tow), we’ve got ideas on how to maximize the season at farms across Southwestern Pennsylvania.
While most Pittsburgh pumpkin patches and corn mazes usually open by mid-September, it’s best to call ahead or check online, since farm openings are in constant flux.
Half Crown Hill Orchard
In McDonald, pick your own pumpkins (or apples!), or hit the farm stand, which also sells honey, beeswax products and other farm-related goods. Try to find the queen bee buzzing around the observation beehive, and enjoy apples that have been pressed into cider and UV-pasteurized at Sally’s Cider Press.
Janoski’s Farm & Greenhouse
Throughout the year, this Clinton outpost sells 40-plus varieties of produce grown on 200 acres. On autumn weekends, Pumpkinland, just behind the market, features a stocked patch, scenic hayride, corn maze, pony rides, petting zoo, haunted barn, and more. BYO lunch, or enjoy snacks from the concession stand.
Shenot Farm & Market
From late September through October, this Wexford venue allows visitors to pick their own pumpkins. Enjoy a hayride to the patch, or follow a half-mile scenic walking trail. Or find pumpkins, corn stalks, straw bales, and decorative gourds at their market.
Soergel Orchards
This year-round venue in Wexford welcomes the fall season with pumpkins plus family-friendly rides on wagons and ponies. Harvest festivals throughout October bring food, farm animals, and fall-tinged festivities to be enjoyed by all ages.
Trax Farms
Keep an eye on the 2023 dates for this Finleyville site’s fall weekend festival, a South Hills tradition for many local families. The 150-year-old farm showcases hayrides to the patch where pick-your-own pumpkin options reign, and there’s also a giant, three-acre corn maze. Other draws range from live music to food trucks (think pizza, burgers, tacos, and kettle corn, too).
Triple B Farms
This Monongahela outpost has been growing since 1985. They do autumn right, with PYO (pick-your-own) pumpkins (and flowers) plus plenty of creative fall fun. Last year’s admission included scootin’ scooters, grain-bin basketball, a singing chicken show, two corn mazes, giant slides, a barnyard carnival and more. Be sure to also stop into the weekend food barn for apple fries, apple cider donuts, apple cider slushies, and more.
Story by Corinne Whiting / Photography by Katie Long
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