Top Pumpkin Patches to Visit in Greater Fort Lauderdale This Fall

Fall in the tropics just hits different, especially at Flamingo Road Nursery, where you can get immersed in the 10-acre garden center once it fully transforms into a New England-style fall paradise. The annual Flamingo Road Nursery Fall Festival in Davie kicks off Saturday, Sept. 19, and runs through Monday, Nov. 2. 
We’re talking hay bales, scarecrows, cornstalks, mums and, of course, pumpkins (order in advance to lock in your gorgeous gourd). With one of the biggest and best pumpkin patches in Greater Fort Lauderdale, this is a prime spot for family snapshots.

Expect six different themes to roll out each week, from the Tropical Fruit Celebration to Tomato Fest to Pepper Palooza, and don’t miss the tractor-pull hayrides, kid-friendly arts and crafts and plenty of good eats to go around. The festivities are in full effect daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and tickets are available on-site.

Returning for a five-week run through Halloween, Marando Farms & Ranch in Davie is back starting Saturday, September 26 to kick off all things pumpkin. The kids will especially love this hands-on adventure from the patch to the petting zoo — your little ones can even feed the goats. There’s also hayrides, pony rides and plenty to celebrate at this communitywide fall favorite.

As an added bonus, you can stock up on U-pick eggs produced by the free-range chickens, shop local produce from the farmers market, and sip on a farm-fresh juice or smoothie offering straight from the Zen Bar.

Redstone Ranch in Coconut Creek kicks off its annual pumpkin patch on Saturday, Oct. 3, and Sunday, Oct. 4, with fall festivities alongside the South Florida Craft Show. Explore pumpkins in all shapes and sizes, shop fall-themed finds and snap photos among seasonal backdrops and autumn décor. There will also be plenty of animal fun, with opportunities to capture photos with some of the ranch residents. The pumpkin patch will remain open through Thanksgiving.

On Saturday, Oct. 3, the inaugural Las Olas Autumn Festival takes over Fort Lauderdale’s famed Boulevard for a day of fall fun. Admission is free, so bring a tote (or two) and stroll the Flamingo Flea Marketplace, lined with local makers, small businesses and unique finds. Groove to live tunes, nosh on tasty treats and pose for festive fall photos by Artisano Studios. Plus, there’s a Joe DiMaggio Children’s Health Kids’ Corner with games and activities to keep the young ones busy.

Join the Parkland Pumpkin Patch revelry for a good cause, where each purchase benefits Food For The Poor. Free and open to the public, the pumpkin patch opens Saturday, Oct. 17, at the  Equestrian Center at Temple Park. Kids can scout for the perfect pumpkin, pose for festive photos, hop on a hayride, slide down inflatables, get crafty and have their faces painted. There’s also a chance to mingle with the local barnyard lineup.

Plus, don’t miss the annual Scarecrow Decorating Contest. Local businesses, schools, community groups and organizations can enter beginning Oct. 1 while supplies last, and visitors can vote for the spookiest, scariest or silliest scarecrow around the patch.

Celebrating its 10th year, the annual Riverwalk Fall Festival is not to be missed. On Saturday, Oct. 17, Esplanade Park in downtown Fort Lauderdale will transform into a family-friendly, fall-themed playground. The kiddos are invited to paint pumpkins, play games, try their hand at pumpkin bowling and create sand art, along with other seasonal hands-on activities. Bring your appetite for the food truck lineup, enjoy live entertainment and take in the scene along the iconic New River. Entry is free, but online registration is encouraged so you can stay up to date leading up to event day.