By Kiran Ross and Kate McKinney of KCKidsFun.com

September in Kansas City means Pumpkin Patches and Apple Orchards

September is upon us, school has begun, and it won’t be long until every morning and evening is crisp and cool. Such weather is exactly what is needed for delicious, juicy apples and large, perfectly round pumpkins.

Kansas City and its surrounding suburbs have many wonderful pumpkin patches and orchards from which to choose. A trip to the orchard is something the entire family will enjoy and remember for a long time.

Almost all orchards and pumpkin patches feature family activities in addition to the “picking” of fruits and/or pumpkins. You will find hayrides, corn mazes, haunted houses, pumpkin launches, inflatables and even pony rides! 

If you are lucky enough to be in town on October 10, you’ll want to head to Crown Center for their annual Pumpkin Patch, where you’ll find yourself surrounded by over 30,000 pounds of pumpkins! And best of all, you’ll be supporting the children and programs of Children’s Therapeutic Learning Center, one of the city’s premier preschools for children with varying needs.

Most orchards are already open; if going in early September, you might want to call ahead for hours and to make sure pumpkins are available.

If you find yourself in Kansas City or even further north of the river, you’ll want to consider:

• Alldredge Orchards (Platte City)
• Carolyn's Country Cousins Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze (Liberty, MO)
• 13th Annual Crown Center Pumpkin Patch (KCMO), Saturday, Oct. 10 @ Crown Center Square
• Looper Farms (Holt, MO - just north of Clay County on I-35) - u-pick pumpkin patch, hayrides, train rides
• Pumpkins, Etc. (Platte City, MO)
• Red Barn Farm (Weston, MO)
• Schweizer's Orchard (St. Joseph, MO)
• Vaughn Orchard, 816-386-2900 (Weston, MO)

Head south and/or southwest of the city, and it is here where you’ll find an abundance of orchards, mazes and farms. A unique, fun day can be had in Louisburg, KS, at Louisburg Cider Mill. This was rated one of the country’s “Top 10 Cider Mills” according to MSNBC. Simply head south of Overland Park on 69 Highway for 20 miles and then east on Highway 68 for 3 miles to the Mill.   

If you make it to Louisburg, you must try the cider doughnuts! Chase a few of these fresh, hot doughnuts down with some freshly made cider or root beer--and you’ll be in heaven.

• The Berry Patch (just south of Leawood & Martin City)
• Dunn's Cider Mill (Belton, MO)
• The Ice Rink at Park Place (Leawood, KS)
• Johnson Farms (Belton, MO)
• KC Pumpkin Patch (Gardner, KS)
• Louisburg Cider Mill (Louisburg, KS)
• Louisburg Corn Maze (Louisburg, KS)
• Pendleton’s Country Market (Lawrence, KS)
• Powell Pumpkin Patch (Louisburg, KS)
• Schaakes Pumpkin Patch (Lawrence, KS)
• Wagon Wheel Orchard (Gardner, KS)

Eastern Jackson County, MO boasts a large orchard in Sibley, as well as Faulkner’s Pumpkin Farm.

Faulkner’s was known for years as “Benjamin Stables and Ranch” and was located in southern Kansas City off of 87th Street.

The Faulkner family has moved the ranch and orchard activities off of I-470 and Raytown Road. For a first-hand account of a day at Faulkner’s with some second graders, check out KCKidsFun.com.

• Sibley Orchards (Sibley, Jackson County, MO)
• Faulkner's Pumpkin Farm (Kansas City, MO - south of I-470) 

Kansas City and its surrounding communities offer plenty of opportunities for you and your family to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather.

There’s nothing like an “Indian Summer” in KC—and there’s no better way to enjoy it than at one of the many orchards and pumpkin patches!

Map It! Kids Guide to Fall Pumpkin Patches and Apple Orchards

View Fall Pumpkin Patches and Apple Orchards in a larger map

About the Authors

Kiran Ross and Kate McKinney are two Kansas City metro-based businesswomen and mothers. Kate and Kiran operate KCKidsFun.com, an online resource that assists readers in finding activities and classes for children as well as family-friendly events in the Kansas City area.