The month of October is synonymous with pumpkins. Although the month and the fall season have been hyped to include everything pumpkin-spiced and matching flannel outfits for the family, nothing quite exemplifies October so much as picking pumpkins does. For our October trip for pumpkins, we’re going to six of my favorite places for pumpkins. Three destinations in Connecticut and three in eastern Massachusetts will highlight this road trip in the month of all things orange.
Connecticut
Holmberg Orchards– Gales Ferry
Located on Route 12 in the Gales Ferry section of Ledyard, Holmberg Orchards is southeastern Connecticut’s most popular apple-picking destination. Although apples are always worth a stop we’re here for the pumpkins. At Holmberg’s, pick from an array of off-the-vine pumpkins in their patch. There are also a number of fun activities here for the kids.
Lyman Orchards– Middlefield
Another orchard for all things apple, Lyman Orchards also is a great place to pick up a pumpkin or two. The outdoor pumpkin display makes it hard to resist taking one home. The display is located outside of the Apple Barrel farm store (a visit is a fantastic event on its own.)
Woodstock Orchards– Woodstock
Most that venture to the Quiet Corner of Connecticut on lazy autumn afternoons are looking for a tangible bite of the season. Woodstock Orchards, located at 494 Route 169 in Woodstock offers just this. Customers can choose to pick their own apples (as well as other fruit) or visit the farm market which includes fresh produce, their own apple cider and an assortment of pumpkins and gourds. The pumpkins are displayed in the driveway heading toward the farm store in a way that is just begging you to take one home. No trip through the town is complete without a stop here.
Massachusetts:
Hornstra Farms– Norwell
Hornstra Farms in Norwell offers the perfect farm store experience. Try their own cider doughnuts, take home their milk, and an array of other locally made goodies. And make sure to visit the herd of cows out back as well as peek into the barn to see if there are any calves. During the fall, Hornstra is definitely on my list for an October trip for pumpkins though. They intersperse pumpkins into an autumnal display that is just oh-so quaint and oh-so New England.
Bramhall’s Country Store– Plymouth
Lobster rolls, seasonal produce, tacos, and other localvore goodies define what’s in stock at Bramhall’s in Plymouth. During the autumn, the grounds of Bramhall’s are littered with pumpkins creating a a seasonal masterpiece. There are many shapes and sizes to choose from to decorate your own home with.
Colonial Gardens- Concord
The MetroWest of Boston in the fall is as pretty as a visit to northern New England (but just a bit more crowded). One of my favorite towns that I try to stop at every year is Concord. Located on the prettiest route for a seasonal trip, Route 117, stopping for pumpkins is a must. Towns including Lexington, Sudbury, and Wayland all have their share of roadside stands but one of my favorites is Colonial Gardens. This is at heart a florist but they have an excellent array of pumpkins including “uglies” or misshapen ones that often adorn my own front steps.
If you’re looking for an October trip for pumpkins in Connecticut or eastern Massachusetts, make sure to stop at any of these six places.
