Pumpkin Patches and Apple Orchards Around Omaha (Updated 2023)
By: Ryan Renner, Realtor
I have helped many families moving to Omaha. Contact me if you have any questions about the Omaha area or need help buying a home.
When the weather gets cooler, the leaves change color, and you smell pumpkin spice in the air, you know fall is here! As we transition into fall, you can schedule a visit to one of the many incredible pumpkin patches and apple orchards all around Omaha!
To help you decide where to go this season, I’ve compiled a list of pumpkin patches and apple orchards around Omaha. Some of these farms are huge, while others are small. Some are primarily for little kids, while others have plenty to do, even for adults!
Whatever kind of autumn experience you’re looking for, Omaha has the perfect place for you. Here are our pumpkin patches and apple orchards:
Vala’s Pumpkin Patch and Apple Orchard
Many in Omaha have fond memories of growing up attending Vala’s Pumpkin Patch and Apple Orchard, and it’s become a community favorite.
Vala’s is considered the Disneyland of pumpkin patches with over 400-acres of pumpkin patch fun. Travel Channel even declared Vala’s one of the 15 best pumpkin patches in the country! Below are some reasons this place is so highly regarded:
Location
12102 S 180th St
Gretna, NE 68028
Produce
Vala’s primary produce staples are pumpkins and apples! In fact, the apple orchard has over 21 apple varieties. In addition to produce, Vala’s has fresh-cut fall flowers. So, if cooking and baking isn’t your game, you can still come to the pumpkin patch and build a beautiful autumn bouquet for your table!
Activities
Play
This pumpkin patch and apple orchard has too many attractions to list! They have over 50 experiences for patrons of all ages. There’s a corn maze, a petting zoo, an “Egg Scramble” attraction, and a carousel. Additionally, your family can enjoy hay rides, apple blasters, pig races, pony rides, live shows, train rides, and dozens of playgrounds!
There are kid-friendly haunted houses, and of course you can pick your own pumpkins and apples! All around Vala’s there are shopping opportunities too. You’ll find flower shops, toy stores, bakeries, and more as you explore the pumpkin patch and apple orchard!
Events
Vala’s isn’t available to host weddings or big events, but they do have rentals for small private celebrations! You can rent a bonfire and get your campfire goodies catered right to your spot! (S’mores, anyone?) Or, there are tents, picnic shelters, pavilions, and the party barn available for rent. You can make your reservations here.
Though you can host a big party at the pumpkin patch, Vala’s has multiple big festivals and events of its own! Each weekend there’s a different theme that highlights one aspect of the Vala’s experience.
There’s the Honeycrisp Festival, Cider & Sunflower Festival, Bluegrass & BBQ Festival, Johnny Appleseed Festival, Pumpkin Harvest Festival, a Thanksgiving market, and a trick-or-treating event. Here’s a calendar of all these events, but, remember, you’ll have a blast any day you come to Vala’s Pumpkin Patch!
Food and Beverages
If you don’t have kids, some of the Vala’s activities may not excite you. But, the trip is definitely worth it for the fresh produce and the delicious food alone! They’re most famous for their pies, apple cider donuts, and chocolate chip cookies. Besides those staples, the many restaurants and food stalls offer baked treats, turkey legs, barbeque, popcorn, candy, pizza, cider, hot chocolate, and other classic concessions!
The apple orchard side of Vala’s also has premium hard cider made from their apple crop (and other produce). They have 4 varieties bottled up, and 12 on tap around Vala’s. So, if you’re on a date or spending time with friends, enhance your pumpkin patch experience with some choice hard cider. There’s no better way to unwind.
Vala’s Pumpkin Patch Hours, Pricing, and Other Info
Hours:
Open From: Limited Hours in September and 7-days a week in October
- Sunday – Thursday: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 9:00 am – 10:00 pm
Pricing:
- Monday – Thursday: $21.99 per person
- Friday, Saturday, Sunday – $43.99 per person
- Cider & Sunflower Festival – $30.79 per person
- Season pass is available for $99.99 per person.
(2 and under are free)
More Info:
- Save 15% off admission prices by buying online.
- Vala’s is cashless. You can either pay with a card or load cash onto a gift card when you arrive.
- No pets are allowed on the property. (Service animals are fine.)
- Outside food is allowed. Outside alcohol is not.
The Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Patch
The Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Patch functions as an upscale event venue AND a memorable family attraction! It’s one of the area’s biggest pumpkin patches, and thousands every year visit the farm to have fun with their family, host a special event, or get married! Here’s all the Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Patch has to offer:
Location
11001 South 48th Street
Papillion, NE 68133
Produce
Many pumpkin patches are also apple orchards, but this farm is one-of-a-kind! They grow pumpkins and berries! (And, a handful of vegetables). This means, visitors can navigate the patch and pick strawberries, red raspberries, and blackberries. Grab a few pumpkins too and don’t pass up their sweet corn and peas either!
The hardest part about touring the farm is resisting the urge to take all the produce you can find. These berries are so tasty! Just make sure you check the website and determine which fruits and vegetables are currently in-season. The fall season has raspberries, blackberries, and pumpkins!
Activities
Play
There is so much to do for all ages at the Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Patch. Across the grounds there’s a big outdoor play area with treehouses, tall slides, zip lines, bounce houses, climbing nets, swings, pirate ships, and more! You can also explore gold mines and caves next to an Old West ghost town. If all that wasn’t enough, navigate the corn maze, ride a pony, or jump on the train!
Halloween
The farm goes ALL OUT for Halloween with their “Ranch of Terror” project. In addition to haunted houses, there’s a haunted hayride, haunted caves, and even a spooky zombie jail. The whole Ranch of Terror experience is really scary, so they don’t recommend kids, pregnant women, or people with epilepsy or pacemakers to indulge in this scary adventure.
But, there is also a no-scare Halloween event that includes silly zombie walking, face painting, spooky decorations, local vendors, and great food. So, no matter the age of your kids or your horror-tolerance level, there’s a Halloween event for you!
Events
With such a gorgeous and sizable property, it’s unsurprising that so many use it as a venue for events big and small. The farm has outdoor pavilions, small buildings, and campfires all for rent if you have a small- to medium-sized event like a birthday party or intimate family reunion.
But, the Berry & Pumpkin Patch also has their Frontier Room and Bueno Vista building for weddings and other big events. These buildings are beautiful and easily accommodate a large wedding and reception. You can even get married outside and enjoy the scenery!
There are also big annual events at the Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Patch. They host a Días de Los Muertos event, a Renaissance Festival, PotterFaire, PirateFest, and the Christmas in the Country experience. The community holds each event in high regard.
Food and Beverages
A pumpkin patch wouldn’t be complete without delicious food. The Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Patch has several food stands, a Pirate’s Pub, and a Harvest Barn. You can get anything from big turkey legs to spiced baked goods.
Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Patch Hours, Pricing, and Other Info
Pumpkin Patch
Hours:
Open From: September 16th – October 31st
(open limited hours throughout the year for other produce)
- Monday – Thursday: 9:00 am – 8:30 pm
- Friday: 9:00 am: 6:00 pm
- Saturday – Sunday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Pricing:
- Daytime Weekday: $12 (2 & under are free)
- Daytime Weekend: $19 (2 & under are free)
Special Weekend Events: - Opening Weekend: September 16th, and 17th – $15
- Military Discounted Weekend: September 22nd, 23rd, and 24th – Half off regular admission with Military I.D.(active or retired), plus 1 child half off.
Ranch of Terror
Hours:
Open From: September 15th – October 29th
- Friday – Saturday: 6:30 pm – 11:30 pm
- Sunday: 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Pricing:
- Ranch of Terror: Includes Haunted House-Haunted Caves $19
- Haunted Hayrack Ride: $19
- Combo Pass (Haunted Hayride & Ranch of Terror) $30
- Combo Pass (Daytime Admission and 1 Nighttime Attraction) $30
- Combo Pass (Daytime Admission and Both Nighttime Attractions) $40
Other Info
- Campfire Reservation: $65
- Save $1 if you bring a can of food for local food banks
- Save $2 Buy 101 or more tickets online and recieve $2 off per person.
Pioneer Trail Pumpkin Patch & Apple Orchard
Pioneer Trail Pumpkin Patch and Apple Orchard is a quaint, family-owned farm that’s served the community for almost 28 years! They are entering a golden phase, slowly beginning their journey towards retirement. With this change, they will no longer charge admission or offer tractor rides, campfire rentals, or entertainment activities. They still have fun attractions as they return to their traditional roots of simply offering pick-your-own apples & pumpkins!
Madness Haunted Farm will still be open from mid-September through October, so be sure to check out their website for details.
Location
21534 Chestnut Rd
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Produce
The apple orchard has 5 apple varieties. These are Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Jonathan, Macintosh, and Fuji Myra Red. The pumpkin patch side holds a massive crop of pumpkins and gourds in all shapes and sizes. Pioneer Trail also has locally harvested honey!
Activities
Ready to play? Pioneer Trail has a hayrack ride, mini gold mine, jungle gym, sand play area, hay pit, dino dig, and corn maze! Plus, for those looking for a spooky experience, they have three haunted attractions. A house, barn, and greenhouse! The greenhouse is kid friendly, whereas the others might give you more of a jump.
If you’re looking for something to do yourself without the kiddos, the farm offers candle making. You can dip or chunk your own fall scented candles to take home and enjoy. There are other craft opportunities too, so keep an eye out on their website and Facebook page for updates!
Food and Beverages
Within Pioneer Trail Pumpkin Patch and Apple Orchard they have the Apple Jacks Winery, Bar, & Grill. This is actually open year round! They have delicious pub food like philly steak sandwiches, cheeseburgers, brats, and tons of appetizers. Oh, and we can’t forget the wine! They have their own collection of wine, apple cider, and apple juice.
Pioneer Trail Pumpkin Patch Hours, Pricing, and Other Info
Hours
Open From: September 13th – October 31st
- Wednesday – Friday: 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm
- Saturday – Sunday: 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Pricing
Pricing is $7 per person for anyone any day a week!
(Children 2 and under are free)
Other Info
- No pets are allowed on the property. (Service animals are fine.)
- No outside alcohol is allowed.
- Some activities are an extra charge.
- You can rent bonfires for $45.
Welch’s Pumpkin Patch
Council Bluffs is just full of incredible family-owned pumpkin patches! They have the feel of a classic Midwestern farm and provide so much room to walk, run, or play. Every one, including Welch’s Pumpkin Patch, produces high-quality produce and an unforgettable experience.
Plus, when you buy your fall goods from any of these farms, you’re supporting local small businesses, which is definitely something to feel good about! Here’s all that Welch’s Pumpkin Patch has to offer:
Location
17676 Sunnydale Road
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Produce
Welch’s grows pumpkins, gourds, apples, and sunflowers! The sunflower patch is really unique to this beautiful farm, so it’s definitely worth it to come out and see the crop. Like many other farms on the list, this pumpkin patch is also an apple orchard. So, grab all your fall favorites all in one place.
Activities
Aside from open green space for playing and large pumpkin fields for picking, Welch’s has a play area that includes a pirate jungle gym, pretend cars, and carnival games. They also have a model pumpkin patch with a train running through it. Your kids will love to watch it loop all around the miniature farm!
Welch’s Pumpkin Patch Hours, Pricing, and Other Info
Hours
Open From: September 9th – October 31st
- Monday – Friday: 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
- Saturday – Sunday: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Pricing
No admission fee!
Other Info
- Pumpkins, gourds, apples and grapes available for You-Pick. Honey and jelly available in their shop.
- Photography is allowed during our business hours. There is no charge for photography, but we ask for a free will donation or to purchase pumpkins.
Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch
Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch is not quite as small as the really homegrown facilities, but not theme-park level like Vala’s! It’s the perfect in-between with one-of-a-kind attractions for all ages, delicious fall-themed food, and great quality produce.
It’s also north of Omaha in Blair instead of south of Omaha like a lot of the other options. So, if you live on that side of town, it might be a shorter drive than Gretna or Council Bluffs!
Location
3935 State Highway 133
Blair, NE 68008
Produce
There’s nothing quite like walking through a real farm to pick your own pumpkin off the vine. Whether you’re going to use it as cute holiday yard decor or carve it into a spooky jack-o-lantern, Skinny Bones has the perfect pumpkin for your project. Find just the right pumpkin at Skinny Bones this weekend!
Activities
Play
After you get your pumpkin, there’s plenty to do at Skinny Bones! Younger kids can play in the corn pool, jump on the bouncy mats, see the animals at the petting zoo, and zoom around on the hayrack and tractor rides. Bigger kids (even you, big kid!) will enjoy the pumpkin plunge and other slides, the corn maze, the pedal cars, the jack-o-shooter, and more!
Skinny Bones also includes hiking and walking trails if you want a more relaxed afternoon at the pumpkin patch. A tornado simulator calls the farm home too, so you can see the strength and science behind the Midwest’s most powerful force! And, if all that wasn’t enough, experience illusions in a fun house called the House of Mystery.
Events
Each Saturday night Skinny Bones hosts “Haunted Night” where patrons weave through a scary corn maze in complete darkness. If you really need a flashlight to make it less spooky, you can come on Friday nights where lighting aids are allowed.
The venue hosts regular events throughout the season, including acapella groups, dance studios, and bands. They also have a Dog Day where you can bring your furry friends to the pumpkin patch! The rest of the season dogs aren’t allowed, but on September 18th, bring that furry friend.
Shopping
The Market is a unique experience at a pumpkin patch. It’s a vintage market that runs the whole season. Local gifts, products, and crafts are sold at this adorable barn venue. Additionally, you can grab handmade honey, salsa, and jams. And, at M’s Bakery Barn, you can get Skinny Bones souvenirs and gifts.
Food and Beverages
At Skinny Bones you can get food no matter the occasion! If you’re wanting a real meal, you can stop by Emmy’s Food Barn and get turkey legs, barbeque, burgers, and hot dogs. However, M’s Bakery Barn has all your favorite fall baked goods if you’re craving a quick treat. Or, if you want something you can take home for later, check out The Market.
Skinny Bones Hours, Pricing, and Other Info
Hours
Open From: September 8th – October 31st
- Monday – Wednesday: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Thursdays: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 9:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Sundays: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Pricing
September:
- Monday-Thursday – $13.95
- Friday-Sunday – $18.95
October:
- Monday-Thursday – $13.95
- Friday-Sunday – $22.95
(2 years and under are free.)
Other Info:
- Fire pits are $100.
- No pets are allowed except on Dog Day Event (Sep. 17th)
Ditmar’s Orchard & Vineyard
If you were looking for a dedicated vineyard, Ditmar’s Orchard & Vineyard is your place. Unlike the others that have apples but are primarily pumpkin patches, Ditmar’s is all about their high-quality apples!
They started out as just an orchard back in 1994 and have grown to include a lot of other produce varieties, including pumpkins! Plus, their facility has become the perfect fall excursion, with lots of activities, events, and beautiful scenery.
Location
19475 225th St
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Produce
You can fill your whole fridge with the delicious fruits and vegetables at Ditmar’s! They have strawberries, cherries, apricots, peaches, pumpkins, tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and apples, of course. In fact, they have over 30 varieties of apples—common and rare!
Ditmar’s even has flowers! You can grab a bundle of zinnias, sunflowers, or mums while at the orchard too. Check their website to confirm what flowers and produce are in-season before you get your hopes up about one of the delicious treats or gorgeous flowers.
Activities
Play
For fun activities at Ditmar’s, kids can play on their giant playground made of tires! They can also enjoy bounce houses, hayrack rides, and 4-wheeler pulls. Plus, the whole crew can head over to the goat enclosure to play with these funny animals, feed them, and brush them. They’re so much fun!
Events
Ditmar’s Orchard & Vineyard is too beautiful not to be used for events! They host regular comedy nights, live music, yoga, and craft workshops. Once a year, though, Ditmar’s is the site of the Renaissance Revel and Fields of Flight, which is a hot air balloon event. All of these experiences are totally worth the trip!
Food and Beverages
No outside food or beverages are allowed at Ditmar’s, and that’s okay, because there are lots of food options! You can grab classic concessions like hot dogs, pretzels, and pizza. Or, you can indulge in scrumptious signature sweets, including apple cider donuts, funnel cakes, hand-dipped caramel apples, and apple pies.
Being an orchard and vineyard, of course Ditmar’s has premium wine and cider! There are 13 varieties of wine whether you enjoy red, white, or fruit wines. Apple cider also comes in three flavors, including traditional apple cider, apple raspberry, and apple cherry. And, if you head to the cafe, you can get a flight of hard cider. There’s always 6 unique flavors on tap!
Ditmar’s Orchard & Vineyard Hours, Pricing, and Other Info
Hours
Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Pricing
All Season – $10
(Children under 3 are free!)
Other Info
- No pets are allowed.
- You can’t climb trees.
- No outside food.
- It’s open some in spring and summer to harvest and sell some of their other fruits and vegetables, so call ahead to see if you can snag those outside the regular fall hours.
Apple orchards and pumpkin patches are a great way to spend a fall day!
There are lots of opportunities to pick apples, find the perfect pumpkin, play outside, eat great food, and enjoy the beautiful fall scenery. At any of these apple orchards and pumpkin patches, you’ll leave with fresh produce, choice baked goods, and lasting memories!
If you’re looking for other activities, I’ve created a guide to things to do in Omaha with kids.