Pumpkin Patches, Hayrides And Ghostly Gatherings

Autumn is a glorious season in the Triangle. Visit a local farm to hop on a hayride, sip apple cider and find your way out of corn maze. Scare yourself silly in one of the area’s celebrated haunted houses, or venture down a dark trail to greet the undead. Explore our vast selection of fall offerings, from tame experiences to frightful festivities. Events requiring a fee, ticket or donation are marked with an asterisk. Check the daily calendar section for more seasonal fun.

- Janice Lewine

Parents: Use discretion to determine whether activities are suitable for children. Be sure to call ahead or visit websites to verify hours and dates.

HARVEST-THEMED FAMILY FUN

*CARVING PUMPKINS WITH GOATS

5306 Homer Ruffin Rd., Chapel Hill 919-407-1806; springhaven.farm

Oct. 12-13, 19-20, 26-27. $13.50-$20/ person and free for ages 3 and younger; tickets must be purchased in advance online. Enjoy goats and other farm animals, pumpkin carving, a hayride and more.

*CROSSROADS CORN MAZE

3937 Louisbury Rd., Wake Forest 919-747-1324; crossroadscornmaze.com

Open Oct. 4-Nov. 3. Friday, 1-7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. (offers nighttime corn maze until 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays beginning Oct. 4); and Sunday, 1-7 p.m. Corn maze, hayride, pumpkin patch and more.

DJ’S BERRY PATCH

1223 Salem Church Rd., Apex 919-600-4020; djsberrypatch.com

Find pumpkins of all sizes, North Carolina apples and tomatoes, and other fall produce. Check the website for details.

THE FAMILY FARM ON AVENT FERRY

1719 Avent Ferry Rd., Holly Springs 919-624-8172; thefamilyfarmonaventferry.com

Open Monday-Friday, 4-6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 1-6 p.m. Specialty pumpkins, gourds and more. Take a family photo in front of a vintage John Deere tractor.

*GROSS FARMS CORN MAZE AND PUMPKIN PATCH

1606 Pickett Rd., Sanford 919-498-6727; grossfarms.com

Open Sept. 21-Nov. 3; Monday-Friday in September by appointment only for groups; Friday, 4-10 p.m. (beginning in October); Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. General admission is $3 for ages 2 and older; other fees vary by activity; combo ticket is $16. Enjoy a pumpkin patch, 10-acre corn maze, Farm Scene Investigation activity, hayrides, a pumpkin patch and more.