12 of Minnesota's Best Pumpkin Patches

Fall is a wonderful time to be in Minnesota, where there are an abundant of fun harvest-related activities for the whole family. Last week, Stillwater hosted its annual Harvest Fest, where locals enjoyed an array of fun activities, including live music, microbrews, wine and fall food. Perhaps the most fun activity, especially for the kids, was the annual giant pumpkin drop.

Young children gathered to watch as "pumpkin pilots" paddled giant pumpkins (loaded with candy) together down the by St. Croix River.

Here's a video of the first pumpkin drop of the weekend:

If you're looking for more fall activities to do this season, such as pumpkin patches, hay rides, corn mazes, and apple slinging, check out the list below of 12 of Minnesota's best pumpkin patches, compiled by OnlyInYourState.com.

1. Thea's Pumpkin Patch, Pelican Rapids

• Hayrides
• Animals
• Corn maze.
• Open 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. every day

2. Waldoch Farm, Lino Lakes

• Pumpkins
• Weekend visitors get to take a free hayride to the patch.
• Open 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. daily until Halloween.

3. Pinehaven Farm, Wyoming

Named Minnesota's best pumpkin patch in WCCO poll.

• 25 acres of pumpkins
• Hayride
• Petting zoo
• Giant slide
• Open until Oct. 31

4. Simek's Farm, Cotton

• Pick your jack-o'-lantern pumpkin
• Open 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday until Oct. 23

5. Lendt's Pumpkin Patch

• Open 9:00 a.m. until dusk every day until Halloween
• Big selection of giant pumpkins

6. Buffalo River Pumpkin Patch, Glyndon

• Open Friday 3:00 pm. until 6:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
• Horse-drawn wagon rides through a forest for $3

7. Farmer John's Pumpkin Patch, Austin

• Growing pumpkins since 1988
• Admission is free, just pay for your pumpkin

8. Tweite's Family Farm, Byron

• Family farm
• Corn maze
• Food court
• Games
• Large pumpkin patch.
• Open every weekend until Oct. 23

9. Anoka County Farms, Ham Lake

• Pumpkins, corn, potatoes, onions, straw bales, squash, and gourds.
• Many activities, open until Oct. 31.

10. Nelson Farms, Litchfield

• Pumpkin Patch Festival has been a tradition for 26 years
• Open every day at 2:30 p.m., they use their trebuchet to fling a pumpkin into the air.
• Visit Saturdays and Sundays until 5:00 p.m.

11. Center Creek Orchard, Fairmont

• Pumpkins
• 10,000-square-foot corn maze
• Aapple slinging
• Open 10:00 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays through October.

12. Afton Apple Orchard, Hastings

• Apple orchard
• Pumpkin patch
• Open 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. dail

Image via liz west, Flickr, used under Creative Commons