Like many of you, fall is definitely my favorite season. From the cooler weather to the beautiful colors, so much about this season is beautiful. In Nebraska, celebrating fall is possible in so many ways. Many annual events take place throughout the state each fall. Plus there are numerous places that are open primarily during fall.
Apple orchards and pumpkin patches abound throughout Nebraska. Some only charge the price of admission, but some charge much more. Entrance fees to certain locations can get a bit expensive if you are bringing a family. Before you go, decide in advance if you are simply looking to bring home some fall produce or if you are looking for an experience. Martin’s Hillside Orchard is one of my favorite places to visit probably because they are a bit more low key. But my kids enjoy the entertaining aspects of some of the larger locations. If you have all afternoon to explore, the cost might be worth it. My hint is to plan ahead. Sometimes weekday admission is cheaper. Plus certain times you can get a discount if you are a part of a particular organization (such as AWANA day) or if you organize a group.
To make the organizing easier, I am presenting some of events by area – exactly in the order that my Detour Nebraska is organized. Note: upcoming events are ordered by chronological date. Many of these happenings are annual events. So if you missed this year, you can always pencil in the need to check for next year. By the way, Nebraska Family Magazine presented 20 of the states pumpkin patches in much greater detail. You will want to check that article out as well .
Celebrating Fall in Metro Nebraska
Family Fun in Omaha has created an interactive map that shows many of the orchards and pumpkin patches near Omaha. Mom Saves Money has an additional list of locations with more details on her site. These are the Omaha area ones.
I have already mentioned Martin’s Hillside Orchard near Ceresco. Roca Berry Farm and Vala’s Pumpkin Patch are both larger locations. Avoca’s Bloom Where You’re Planted is a bit more relaxed. In case you need even more suggestions, here are some more.
Bellevue Berry and Pumpkin Patch
Here are some area fall events that might be worth attending.
Fort Atkinson State Park Harvestfest and Oktoberfest
Two Rivers State Park (near Fremont) Spooktacular Halloween (This may or may not be family friendly)
Celebrating Fall in Pioneer Country
With its abundance of orchards, Nebraska City tends to have the market on celebrating fall. In fact, Arbor Day Farm has a harvest celebration through all of September and October. Nearby you can find other fun local places to visit and events to attend.
Local Places to Visit
Beatrice’s Korner Pumpkin Patch
Nebraska City’s Union Orchards
Sutton’s The Country Pumpkin
Tecumseh’s Stone Ridge Farm
Local Events that are celebrating Fall
Crete’s Great Pumpkin Festival
Harvest Festival at the Filley Stone Barn
Nebraska City’s Living History Weekend
Schubert’s Indian Cave State Park Haunted Hollow (This may or may not be family friendly)
For the remaining places in Nebraska, highlighting places is easier than highlighting events. There still seems to be plenty to do, but you need to check in with each local location for activities.
Celebrating Fall in the Lewis & Clark Region
Ewing’s Lambert Melons (only open a limited time)
Humphrey’s Wemhoff Pumpkins
Nickerson’s Fontanelle Orchard and nearby Pumpkin Hollow
Norfolk’s Poppy’s Pumpkin Patch
Oakland’s Harvest Moon Pumpkin Patch
Ponca State Park Hollow Fest
If you live in the Siouxland area, you will want to check out this list of pumpkin patches. Yes, many of them are outside of Nebraska, but you will see a few familiar locations from my list.
Celebrating Fall in the Nebraska Sandhills
Congratulations to Anselmo’s The Bumpkin Patch Estes Farm for opening up your pumpkin patch this fall. We wish you all sorts of success celebrating fall!
Saint Libory Helgoth’s Pumpkin Patch
Valentine’s Dylan and Ashton Lurz’ Pumpkin Patch (open a limited time)
Celebrating Fall in the Frontier Trails
At Blue Springs’ Pine Crest Tree Farm, you can get ready for fall or for Christmas.
Cozad’s J’s Pumpkin Patch
Gibbon’s Charmosta’s Pumpkin Patch
Glenvil’s Country Harvest Pumpkin Patch
Holdrege’s Grandpa’s Punkinberry Patch
Kearney’s Apple Acres Orchard
Minden’s Nielsen Kids U Pick Pumpkin Sweetcorn Patch
Celebrating Fall in the Prairie Lakes
Check out this great article about a new pumpkin patch in the North Platte area.
Champion Cox’s Pumpkin Patch (only open a limited amount of time)
McCook’s Klooz Farm Market
Celebrating Fall in the Nebraska Panhandle
Scottsbluff Engel Farms Pumpkin Patch
P.S. Thanks to the “Pumpkin Patches in Nebraska” and “The Ten Best Pumpkin Picking Spots” articles that helped me to find out about some of these great Nebraska locations.
Enjoy celebrating fall in Nebraska!
Author: neodyssey
My name is Gretchen Garrison. I started this blog about Nebraska in 2013. So far, I have written three books about Nebraska and Lincoln.
This is perfect, thank you for sharing it! I’ve been wanting to get out more since moving here, but we’ve just been so busy with home renovations that we haven’t gotten out much. Now that we’ve finished and sent back the dumpster rental, I’d like to explore our new home and these ideas are a great place to start! Thank you for sharing!