Fall farms in St. Louis are so much more than tractors, goats and pumpkin patches. In addition to paying homage to the iconic fall pumpkin, visitors can wonder at pumpkin pyramids and Halloween displays, play on forts, slides and mazes -- and watch, and even fire, cannons that launch produce into fields.

Pumpkinland at Thies Farm and Greenhouses
The three little pigs may not have had luck with their straw houses, but the creative minds at Thies Farm and Greenhouses build structures each year that withstand thousands of curious toddlers, kids and grown-ups. During their annual "Pumpkinland" festival, Thies Farm creates playgrounds out of straw, complete with mazes, forts and slides. Pumpkinland also features swings, cable gliders, wagon rides, a petting zoo, food and crafts, and of course pumpkins. This year, corn cannons debut at Pumpkinland. Kids can launch ears of corn from air-powered corn cannons for an extra charge.

Pumpkinland is open Oct. 1-31. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday by reservation. General admission is Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Weekend admission is $3.50 for ages 15 and up. Children 2-14 are $5.25 at Hanley Station and $5.75 at the Maryland Heights location.

Thies Farm operates two Pumpkinlands.
www.thiesfarm.com
314-428-9878
Maryland Heights: 3120 Maryland Heights Expressway, Maryland Heights, Mo., 63146
Hanley Station: 4215 North Hanley Road, St. Louis, Mo. 63121

Pumpkin Patch and Fort Spooky at Stuckmeyer's
With its free Fort Spooky play area, including slides, tunnels and a corn maze, Stuckmeyer's is a sure bet for families. The you-pick pumpkin patch, with a large variety of pumpkins, is adjacent to Fort Spooky. Hay rides are also offered. Stuckmeyer's provides families with red wagons for carting pumpkins and worn out toddlers (wagons go fast at Stuckmeyer's, so consider bringing your own pumpkin tote).

Fort Spooky and the Pumpkin Patch are open every weekend in October from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free, but some activities, including hayrides and inflatables, cost a small fee.

Stuckmeyer's
www.stuckmeyers.com
636-349-1225
249 Schneider Drive, Fenton, Mo., 63026

Rombachs Farm
Known for its clever Halloween displays and friendly staff, Rombachs Farm has become a Chesterfield institution. Each fall weekend through Halloween, the farm offers hayrides, face painting, pony rides, barrel rides, an inflatable haunted house and dragon, and free play at a wooden maze and fort.

Call 636-532-7265 for 2011 hours. Admission is free, but many activities cost anywhere from $2-5.

Rombachs Farm
www.rombachsfarm.com
636-532-7265
18639 Olive Street Road, Chesterfield, Mo., 63005

Eckert's Millstadt Fun Farm
While the apples are delicious and the pumpkins are plentiful, Eckert's Millstadt Fun Farm is well-known as an entertainment destination for kids. With a hillbilly twist, families will enjoy animals, slides, pig races, a maze, tractor rides, jumping pillows and live music and shows. The Jack-O-Lobber Pumpkin Cannon, which launches cantaloupe-sized pumpkins over the apple orchards, is always a favorite with the kids.

The farm is open 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday through Oct. 31. Admission is $10, and kids under 2 are free (see their website for free and reduced rate admission dates). Mondays are reserved for apple pickers only, and there is free admission but no entertainment.

Millstadt Fun Farm
www.eckerts.com
800-745-0513
2719 Eckert Orchard Lane, Millstadt, lll., 62260

There are more fall farms in the Augusta area! See Destination Augusta for details.

Originally published: September 2010; Revised: September 2011

Best Bets articles represent the views and the research completed by St. Louis Sprout & About journalists and are not driven by advertising or requests by vendors or venues. Best Bets do not imply an endorsement of a business or activity.

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