Pumpkin picking season is here. Here are 7 must-visit patches in New Hampshire

As October begins, pumpkin season is officially here in New Hampshire.

You may be celebrating the fall crop with a new pumpkin candle, a signature pumpkin spice latte or a fresh pumpkin baked good, but for some, nothing says fall like getting the real thing. Luckily, New Hampshire has plenty of pick-your-own pumpkin patches, often accompanied by other fall attractions like corn mazes, hayrides and fresh cider donuts.

Here are seven must-visit farms in New Hampshire where you can pick your own pumpkins this fall.

Charmingfare Farm

Fall at Charmingfare Farm is jam-packed with fun activities like concerts, magic shows, hayrides, wagon rides, trick-or-treating, horseback riding and more.

On select weekends in October, the farm hosts a pumpkin festival, complete with a petting zoo, live music, juggling shows, pony rides, pumpkin painting, a pumpkin market, mini games, a corn maze and of course, an expansive pumpkin patch where you can search for the perfect pumpkin. Tickets to the festival cost $29 per person, but children age two and under enter for free.

When: Oct. 4-5 and 11-13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: 774 High St., Candia

Moulton Farm

At Moulton Farm, pumpkins of all shapes and colors can be picked from the patch or stand. The Lakes region farm also has two corn mazes: a full-size maze with a cornucopia design and a children’s maze for the kids to enjoy.

When you get hungry from pumpkin picking, food options at the farm include a food truck with seasonal dishes, a farm-market with fresh goods and ready-to-eat meals, hot cider donuts from the Cider Bellies stand and pastries from the bakery.

When: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily

Where: 18 Quarry Road, Meredith

DeMeritt Hill Farm

Lee’s DeMeritt Hill Farm offers two large patches of regular pumpkins, painted pumpkins and gourds. Additionally, the farm has many varieties of apples, peaches, blueberries and Christmas trees to pick from. Outside of the fruit picking, the farm has ponds perfect for a picnic, several miles of trails to walk through, hay rides to enjoy and a bakery and store full of homemade goods.

DeMeritt will celebrate the first weekend of October with Pumpkinfest, a festival dedicated to all things pumpkin. Activities include pumpkin rock painting, naming contests, face painting and pumpkin weighing.

When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Pumpkinfest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4 and Sunday, Oct. 5.

Where: 20 Orchard Way, Lee

Applecrest Farms

Located in Hampton Falls, this farm is the oldest and largest apple orchard in the state, and the oldest continuously-operated farm in the country.

Along with apples, blueberries, peaches and flowers, Applecrest Farms offers pick-your-own pumpkins at $0.80/lb. At their farm market, they sell hand-pressed apple cider, native maple syrup and a variety of local goods.

Customers can enjoy attractions such as live music, tractor rides, lawn games, a corn maze and a creamery with locally-made ice cream. Applecrest also hosts seasonal festivals. The fall harvest festival, featuring a traditional corn roast and clam chowder, will run every Saturday and Sunday in September and October.

When: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily

Where: 133 Exeter Road, Hampton Falls

Mack’s Apples

At Mack’s Apples, a National Bicentennial Farm dating back to 1732, guests can pick pumpkins, pears, peaches and apples from the largest pick-your-own destination in the state – covering over 400 acres.

Mack’s also has a corn maze, an ice cream store and a farm market full of local goods, gifts, fresh-cut flowers, hand-picked produce and fresh, warm apple cider donuts.

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Where: 230 Mammoth Road, Londonderry

Washburn’s Windy Hill Orchard

A family tradition for over 25 years, Washburn’s Windy Hill Orchard has thousands of pumpkins across several acres, from carving pumpkins to sugar pumpkins to ornamentals.

Besides the pumpkins, Windy Hill has a large apple orchard, a five-acre corn maze, hayrides and a gift shop. Be sure to end the day with a sweet treat from the bakery, where options include warm apple crisp, hot mulled cider, frozen apple cider, apple cider donuts and a cider donut ice cream sundae.

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through Halloween

Where: 66 Mason Road, Greenville

Butternut Farm

Butternut Farm is a 30-acre pick-your-own fruit farm up in the hills of Farmington, offering not only pumpkins, but also apples, peaches, nectarines and blueberries. Adults can finish off a day of apple picking with a glass of hard cider at The Cider House, which also offers jam, honey, donuts and pies.

When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday

Where: 195 Meaderboro Road, Farmington

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald. Reporting by Catherine Messier.