Ready to head to the countryside for some fall foliage and pumpkin picking? In addition to autumnal photo ops and an abundance of gourds, these farms in the DMV offer challenging corn mazes and tons of family fun. (If you’re looking for terrifying, spine-tingling Halloween attractions, there are also plenty of those in the area, too.)
MD Corn Maze
Get lost in the land of Toy Story at this maze on the grounds of Anne Arundel County’s largest remaining farm—a dairy supplier that provided milk to the Naval Academy for more than a century. Since 2006, it’s played host to an annual fall fest and themed maze. Bring your phone to find clues hidden in QR codes along the way. (Or creep through the labyrinth in the dark on Flashlight Nights.) Once you find your way out, the fun also includes a hay pyramid, corn pits, pedal tractors, a jump pad, farm animals, ziplines, slingshots, hayrides and more. The farm’s fall festival and maze run through Nov. 8, with dogs invited the final weekend. Check the calendar for events, specials and ticket prices, which range from $17.95 to $24.95. Drive time from Arlington: about an hour. 389 Gambrills Road, Gambrills, MarylandÂ
Great Country Farms
The corn maze is now open at this popular Virginia farm, where a Fall Pumpkin Harvest Festival runs through Oct. 31. Kids can bounce on jumping pillows, ride a cow train, take a swing at the Cow Pie Putt Putt course, navigate the farm ninja course and swish down a mega slide. On weekends, enjoy live music and roast marshmallows over an open fire. Tickets are $15 per child and $17 for adults (slightly more if purchased at the gate). New this year is an adults-only twist-filled corn maze, complete with an evening of live music, crackling bonfire and Henway Hard Cider or Bluemont Vineyard wine. Tickets are $45 online. Drive time from Arlington: 1 hour. 34345 Snickersville Turnpike, Bluemont, Virginia
Summers Farm
Head to this farm on the outskirts of Frederick and get lost in a six-acre corn maze now through Oct. 31. Â Once you’ve emerged, continue the fun by careening down mega slides, picking out the perfect pumpkin and testing your mettle in the rugged farmer obstacle course. Quench your thirst at the Watering Trough with apple cider slushies, “dirty sodas” (a customizable soda with flavored syrups, similar to a root beer float, but with cream instead of ice cream), and local beers and wines. Wagon rides to the pumpkin patch are free. Admission to the fall festival starts at $19.95. Drive time from Arlington: 1 hour, 15 minutes. 7503 Hollow Road, Middletown, Maryland
Cox FarmsÂ
Cox Farms’ quintessential fall fest, open now through Nov. 8, has pumpkins, a corn maze and much more. Slide down the giant, six-lane Dino Slide, plus numerous other hill slides, indulge in apple cider and kettle corn, greet the goats and pigs, swing, climb and jam to live music. Late night, the maze transforms into Fields of Fear, daring visitors to shriek past zombies, chainsaws, spiders and the occult before hopping aboard a Dark Side Hayride. Return after Halloween for the spectacle of a pumpkin drop and catapult to dispatch the season’s last remaining pumpkins. Tickets range from $15-$30 and must be purchased online only. Drive time from Arlington: 40 minutes. 15621 Braddock Road, Centreville, Virginia
Butler’s Orchard
This orchard’s annual Pumpkin Festival runs through Nov. 1. The admission price ($12 weekdays, $18-$20 weekends) includes hayrides, plus access to Hilltop Hop jump pads, barnyard animals, giant slides, a twisted corn maze, playground and pick-your-own pumpkin patch. Weekends bring pony rides, pumpkin cannons and face painting for an extra fee. Pre-purchased tickets are strongly encouraged, as the orchard sells out most weekends. Drive time from Arlington: 40 minutes. 22222 Davis Mill Road, Germantown, Maryland
Jumbo’s Pumpkin Patch
Open for fall fun until Nov. 1, this family-owned, 131-acre farm offers weekend hayrides, you-pick pumpkins, a 15-acre corn maze, a corn cannon, jumping pillow and petting zoo for $12 per person. Stop by the general store for holiday decor, mums, gourds and pumpkin-spice baked goods. In addition, check the website for special events such as pumpkin succulent floral arranging, ladies nights, morning story times and goat yoga. Drive time from Arlington: 1 hour. 6521 Holter Road, Middletown, Maryland
Hollin Farms
This hillside farm may not have all the bells and whistles, but it’s a fun spot for kids who like getting dirty (i.e., all of them). In addition to pumpkins and apple picking, the property’s fall lineup includes dig-your-own potato and peanut patches, a huge field of cut-your-own sunflowers, and a pick-your-own fall vegetable garden (including kale, arugula, collards, mustard greens, bok choy and lettuces), with shovels and wagons available for public use. If your day of farm life works up an appetite, enjoy apple cider doughnuts made fresh every weekend throughout the fall. Stop by the farm stand to take home jams, jellies, pickles and other goodies. Check the website before you head out, as hours and offerings may change based on weather and crop conditions. Drive time from Arlington: About 1 hour. 1524 Snowden Road, Delaplane, Virginia
Larriland Farm
This family-owned and -operated farm has maintained pick-your-own fields since 1973. On weekdays in October, hop on a hayride that includes a stop in a PYO pumpkin patch, then navigate the farm’s corn maze on foot. On weekends, enjoy Halloween decorations, freshly pressed apple cider and apple fritters. Take a 20-minute tractor-drawn wagon ride through the farm and spooky woods. The Boo Barn, designed for kiddos ages 4-6, includes a dark passageway filled with not-too-scary animated ghosts and goblins. Festival/field tickets are $3 weekdays, $14 weekends. Drive time from Arlington: 1 hour. 2415 Woodbine Road, Woodbine, Maryland
Miller Farms
This 267-acre farm in Prince Georges County has been family owned and operated since 1879. Family Fun Weekends beginning in October and extending through Nov. 1 include hayride farm tours, a corn maze, giant slides, jump pillows, outdoor play areas and visits with barnyard animals, plus apple cider doughnuts, homemade pumpkin or apple pie ice cream, apples and mums. Admission is $16 online for guests 2 and older, or $18 at the gate. Drive time from Arlington: 40 minutes. 10140 Piscataway Road, Clinton, Maryland
Temple Hall Farm Regional Park
Now through Nov. 3, visitors to this Loudoun County farm can pick pumpkins and sunflowers; meet and greet cows, goats, alpacas, sheep, pigs and chickens; and learn about the daily workings of a farm. An interpretive hiking trail teaches guests about the area’s native plants and animals. For restless kiddos, the farm has a jumping pillow, hill slides, yard games, corn box and pumpkin cannons. Tickets are $15 per person on weekends, and $12 on weekdays (kids 2 and under get in free). Each paid admission includes one pumpkin and sunflowers. Ticket sales are in person only. Drive time from Arlington: 1 hour. 15855 Limestone School Road, Leesburg, Virginia
Yankey Farms
Situated in Prince William County, this farm has a pick-your-own pumpkin patch where you can choose your preferred gourd right from the spot where it grew. It’s open daily through the end of the month. Activities for kiddos include a corn maze, hayride, face time with farm animals, a cow train and a play area. The weekend activities are $8 for participants over age 2. Pick-your-own pumpkins are 79 cents per pound. Drive time from Arlington: 1 hour. 11812 Bristow Road, Bristow, Virginia
Wayside Farm
Visit this Berryville farm through Nov. 1 to peruse its 8-acre you-pick field laden with pumpkins of various shapes, colors and sizes. A $21.68 reservation gets your family an hour of pumpkin picking and includes your first $20 worth of pumpkins. Make a day of it by also reserving a time to enjoy the 10-acre corn maze, pig races, play yard and hayrides (weekends only) for an additional fee of $16.53-$34.04. Drive time from Arlington: 1 hour. 5273 Harry Byrd Highway, Berryville, Virginia
Shlagel Farms
On weekends until Oct. 31, the fall festival at this small, 113-year-old farm has activities suited for younger children, including a hayride to the pumpkin patch, straw maze, corn boxes, small slides and a petting zoo. Plus you can get seasonal fruit and veggies and farm-raised meat and eggs at the market. Drive time from Arlington: 45 minutes. 12850 Shlagel Road, Waldorf, Maryland
