By Juliana Octavini
There is a side of Orlando that rarely appears in Brazilian travel itineraries.
It lies beyond the parks-and-outlets circuit and offers an experience that is part of the American fall, yet many Brazilians do not even know it exists.
Between September and November, several farms in Central Florida are completely transformed. There are mountains of pumpkins, flower fields, corn mazes, tractor rides, animals, seasonal food, bonfires and those fall scenes that look as though they came straight out of an American movie.
And we're not just talking about places where you come in, take a picture with a pumpkin and go. Some farms have turned the season into full-fledged festivals that can easily fill several hours of your day.
For those who already know the parks, are taking a longer trip or simply want to add a different experience to their itinerary, it can be a great opportunity to discover a much less touristy side of Florida.
But before choosing a farm, there's a difference worth understanding.
Are pumpkin patches and U-Pick the same thing?
No. And understanding the difference is important so you do not arrive expecting one thing and find another.
Pumpkin patch is an area where pumpkins are displayed so visitors can choose which one they want to take home. Depending on the location, they may be arranged on the lawn, under trees or in decorated scenery.
This means that finding hundreds of pumpkins on a farm doesn't necessarily mean that you will pick them directly from the field.
U- Pick — short for you pick — literally means that you pick the produce yourself. Depending on the season and farm, they can be flowers, strawberries, blueberries, citrus, vegetables or other products.
And there is also Fall Festival, which is something bigger: an autumn celebration that can bring together a pumpkin patch, U-Pick activities, a corn maze, hayride (a ride in a wagon or farm vehicle), animals, music, food and children's activities.
It is precisely this combination that makes some of the farms below interesting even for those who do not intend to buy a pumpkin.
Farms, Pumpkin Patches, and Fall Festivals Near Orlando in 2026
1. Southern Hill Farms — Clermont
If I had to choose one of the most complete experiences on this list, Southern Hill Farms would be among the first.
The 11th Fall Festival takes place from September 26 to November 22, 2026, on selected Thursdays, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday and also on Monday, October 12.
There is a pumpkin patch, a U-Pick flower field, a corn maze, petting zoo, live music, seasonal food, food trucks, opportunities for photos and amusement rides.
That is, here the pumpkin is almost an excuse to spend most of the day on the farm.
Hours vary by day: Fridays usually run from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with variations on some dates.
Admission: required for guests ages 3 and older and must be purchased online before the visit; the farm states that tickets are not sold on site. Children age 2 and under enter free. Tickets are in the range of $28.95/US$29.94, depending on the date and fees.
Address: 16651 Schofield Road, Clermont, FL.
Official website of Southern Hill Farms
Who I would recommend it for: families who want to turn the tour into a half day or full day outing rather than simply visiting a pumpkin patch.
2. Amber Brooke Farms — Eustis
This is another of the most complete experiences on the list.
The 6th Annual Fall Festival takes place between September 19 and November 22, 2026, on selected dates. In general, scheduled weekdays run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; on October 24, 25, and 31 and November 1, the farm opens at 9 a.m.
In addition to pumpkins and sunflowers, there are more than 25 attractions: petting zoo, children's areas, jump pads, Cow Train, duck races, live music, food trucks and activities that change according to the weekend. Some experiences cost extra.
It is also possible to harvest flowers and fill a mason jar with the flowers you pick as an additional activity.
Ticket: from US$19.95; buying online costs less than paying at the gate.
Address: 36111 County Road 44A, Eustis, FL 32736.
Amber Brooke Farms official website
Who I would recommend it for: families with children and those looking for a farm experience with plenty to do beyond the photos with pumpkins.
3. Great Scott Farms — Mount Dora
This farm features one of the most classic elements seen in American movies: the corn maze.
The Great Scott Farms Fall Festival takes place on Saturdays and Sundays, from September 26 to November 15, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Last entry takes place at 4 p.m.
In addition to the pumpkin patch, there is a corn maze of approximately 7 acres, a farm tour, jumping pillow, giant slide, castle-shaped playground, corn pit, games and farm market.
Ticket: US$16 in advance online or US$20 at the entrance.
Address: 26216 County Road 448A, Mount Dora, FL 32757.
Official website of Great Scott Farms
I especially like this option for those who want to combine the outing with a visit to Mount Dora, a town that makes for another worthwhile outing beyond the traditional Orlando circuit.
4. Showcase of Citrus — Clermont
This may be one of the easiest options to fit into a sightseeing itinerary.
Showcase of Citrus is in Clermont, approximately 25 minutes from Walt Disney World, according to the attraction itself.
The 8th Pumpkin Ponderosa runs from September 18 to October 31, 2026, with a pumpkin patch, fall-themed photo spots, themed food and drinkss, and family activities.
The site opens daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and parking is free.
An important detail: Showcase features citrus U-Pick, but the season usually takes place from November to May. So don't confuse Pumpkin Ponderosa with U-Pick pumpkins.
Visitors can also find animals, a playground, gem mining, and the well-known monster truck rides, all of which cost extra.
Address: 15051 Frank Jarrell Rd., Clermont, FL 34714.
Official Showcase of Citrus website
Who I would recommend it for: travelers who want to experience the fall atmosphere without devoting a large part of the itinerary to it.
5. Painted Oaks Academy — Orlando
Painted Oaks Academy has an advantage that draws attention on this list: it is in Orlando, not in more remote cities.
The 2026 schedule was announced in stages. The Fall Festival began in September, while the pumpkin patch continues during October. There are farm tours, hayrides, animals and seasonal activities. The program released for 2026 indicates a season running from September 3 through October 31, with times that may vary according to the stage of the event.
Address: 15100 Lake Pickett Road, Orlando, FL 32820. Sunbiz
One caveat: confirm on the website or directly with the farm the hours, prices, and schedule of the chosen date before leaving the hotel, because season details are released in stages.
6. Santa's Farm & Christmas Tree Forest — Eustis
Yes, Santa's farm gets into the Halloween spirit too.
The season A Lot of Pumpkins runs from October 12 through November 1, 2026.
The pumpkin patch is under trees and there are hayrides, Jack's Barnyard with animals, maze, bounce pillows, barrel train, slide, trike track and duck races.
Weekends also feature different themes, including Halloween activities.
Prices vary by date; for October weekends, the published schedule lists US$20 in advance and US$23 at the gate, with free admission for children age 2 and under.
The farm recommends purchasing in advance to guarantee admission.
Address: 35317 Huff Road, Eustis, FL 32736.
Who I would recommend it for: families with small children who want a classic American farm atmosphere in the fall.
7. Green Meadows Petting Farm — Kissimmee
Green Meadows is a different kind of option, and that distinction is important.
It is primarily a petting farm, meaning a farm where visitors interact with animals. In the fall, however, the Pumpkin Zone: paying visitors can choose a pumpkin to take home. The farm itself makes it clear that it does not grow pumpkins there and does not describe itself as a traditional pumpkin patch.
The regular experience includes animals, a tractor-drawn wagon ride and playground.
It is open Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m., with last entry at 1 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays with last entry at 2 p.m.. Closes Monday and Tuesday.
Ticket: US$18 per person for guests ages 2 and older; children under 2 enter free. No reservation is required for the regular visit.
Address: Lancaster Ranch Park, 1881 Jack Calhoun Drive, Kissimmee, FL 34741.
Green Meadows Petting Farm official website
Who I would recommend it for: mainly families with small children. If the main goal is to see pumpkins, there are better options on this list.
8. Club Lake Fall Festival — Apopka
Club Lake offers a fairly complete autumn experience from September 26 to November 1, 2026, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.. The activity area closes at 5 p.m., but Pumpkin patch and Country Store remain open until 6 p.m.
There is a pumpkin patch, two hayrides, a corn maze, a maze for young children, playgrounds, duck races, game areas and even pumpkin and ball launches using an air cannon.
Ticket: $18.95 per person. Infants enter free. Interestingly, anyone who just wants to visit the pumpkin patch and the Country Store can enter free; admission is required to access the activity area.
Address: 3403 Rock Springs Road, Apopka, FL 32712.
Official website of Club Lake Fall Festival
This detail of the free access to the pumpkin patch makes it an interesting option for those who just want a few photos and to buy a pumpkin without paying for an entire festival.
9. Partin Ranch Corn Maze — Kenansville
Here the experience gets even more rural.
Partin Ranch holds its Corn Maze & Fall Festival on October 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, and 31 and November 1, 2026, always from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m..
The ticket includes mazes, a hayride, ranch animals, playground, corn box and various activities. There is also a pumpkin patch with pumpkins sold according to size.
Ticket: US$15 for guests ages 3 and older; children age 2 and under enter free. Advance purchase is not required.
Address: 5601 N Canoe Creek Rd., Kenansville, FL 34739.
Partin Ranch Corn Maze official website
I would put this in the category "for those who really want to leave tourist Orlando behind". It is less convenient to fit between parks, but that is precisely why it offers a different experience.
10. Hastings Ranch & Farm — St. Cloud
The Hastings Ranch Annual Farm Festival takes place on October weekends, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. The 2026 schedule includes October 10–11, 17–18, 24–25, and 31, as well as November 1.
The event features a pumpkin patch with over a thousand pumpkins of different shapes and sizes, corn maze, hayrides, barrel train, sunflower field, animals, games and music. Some activities, including gem mining, horseback riding, and the corn cannon, cost extra.
The pumpkin patch can be visited to choose and to buy a pumpkin; prices vary.
Address: 1550 Dolphin Dr., Saint Cloud, FL.
Hastings Ranch & Farm official website
It is another good option for those who are staying in the Kissimmee region and want to experience something beyond the traditional itinerary.
11. Lake Catherine Blueberries — Groveland
In spite of the name, during the fall blueberries are no longer the main attraction.
The 2026 season takes place from September 26 to October 31: Fridays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Parking and farm entrance are free.
There's live music on weekends, food and drinkss, bonfires with s'mores, playground and free photo opportunities with vintage tractors and cars.
And there's another side to the experience after dark.
The farm offers haunted attractions including Dark Forest Trail of Terror on Friday and Saturday nights from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. This portion requires a separate ticket and is not recommended for children under 13.
Address: 5849 Lake Catherine Road, Groveland, FL 34736
Official Lake Catherine Blueberries website
Who I would recommend it for: travelers who want to combine a farm atmosphere, fall and a little Halloween without necessarily making it an entirely child-focused outing.
12. 4Roots Harvest Festival — Orlando
This may be the easiest option for those who want to experience some of this tradition without devoting a whole day to another city.
4Roots Harvest Festival takes place for one day only, on October 24, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 4Roots Farm Campus in Orlando.
Admission is free.
The program includes a pumpkin patch, a farmers market, live music, food vendors, children's activities, costume contests and, in this case, U- Pick of vegetables and flowers.
Address: 1101 N. John Young Pkwy., Orlando, FL 32804.
Official website of 4Roots Farm
In my opinion, it is one of the most interesting discoveries on the list precisely because it does not require the logistics of "let's spend the day on a farm". It can easily fit into a day in Orlando.
13. Brown's Adventure Farm — Oxford
It is the farthest option in this selection, so I wouldn't put it as the first choice of travelers on a short trip.
But 7 Weekends of Fall is big enough to deserve to be on the list.
The season takes place from September 26 to November 8, 2026, on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m..
There is a 7-acre corn maze, animals, over 30 attractions, train, slides, children's areas, photo spots, plus fireworks on Saturdays. Each weekend also features a different theme.
Ticket: US$19.95 in advance (+ fees) or US$24.95 at the gate.
Address: 13940 US-301, Oxford, FL 34484.
Brown's Adventure Farm official website
I would consider this an option for those who are willing to drive more to enjoy the full experience of a large fall festival.
Which of these farms should you choose?
This is where the list starts making the most sense.
If you want a complete experience, I would look first at Southern Hill Farms, Amber Brooke Farms and Great Scott Farms.
For those with small children, Santa's Farm, Green Meadows and Amber Brooke offer an especially good combination of animals and activities.
If your goal is to spend less, 4Roots stands out for its free admission, while Club Lake allows you to visit only the pumpkin patch and the store for free.
If you want something relatively easy to fit into the tourist itinerary, Showcase of Citrus is worth considering because it is in Clermont, near the Disney area.
And for those looking for something really different from Orlando's parks, Partin Ranch, Hastings Ranch or Brown's Adventure Farm offer an even greater change of scenery.
Do I need a car to visit these farms?
In practice, I would consider a car almost essential for most of them.
Some are 40 minutes, an hour or even more from the tourist area, depending on the traffic and where you are staying. A rideshare may work for getting there, but finding a car to return from a rural area is another story — and the cost can erase much of the benefit.
If you intend to add one of these experiences to your itinerary, it is worth consulting our guide on how to drive in Orlando and the main differences for Brazil.
It is also a good opportunity to combine attractions. Clermont, Mount Dora, Eustis, Groveland and St. Cloud can offer other activities on the same day, avoiding driving an hour just to take a picture with a pumpkin.
Does this have anything to do with Halloween?
Yes, but not necessarily.
Pumpkin patch and Fall Festival are related to the fall and the harvest season, while Halloween takes place on October 31. Because the seasons overlap, the two naturally blend together.
That is why pumpkins and scarecrows appear alongside ghosts, costume contests, and haunted attractions.
For Brazilians, that may be precisely what makes it interesting: realizing that the Halloween we see in the parks is just a part of a much larger cultural season.
In fact, October 31st is not a U.S. federal holiday, although it is widely celebrated. We explain this and other differences in our guide to American holidays and how they affect a trip to Orlando.
And if the idea is to dive into the scariest side of the season, then the experience changes completely: the Halloween Horror Nights 2026 by Universal Orlando happens on selected nights until November 1.
Before leaving the hotel, check again
There is an important rule for almost every place on this list: farm activities depend on the weather.
Heavy rain can close areas, cancel activities or change schedules. Harvests also depend on what is available in the fields.
Therefore, even if you have saved this article, visit the farm's official website on the day of your visit.
I also recommend:
- buy in advance whenever admission is tied to a specific date;
- wear closed and comfortable shoes;
- bring sunscreen and insect repellent;
- check the weather;
- do not assume that every activity is included with admission;
- confirm whether the pumpkin is included or purchased separately.
And don't necessarily expect the movie-style fall weather with coats, orange leaves, and chilly temperatures. We're talking about Florida. September and October can still be very hot.
So, would I take a day out of the parks to visit a farm?
It depends very much on the trip.
On a first seven-day trip, trying to experience Disney and Universal, I probably would not give up an entire park day for it.
But the situation changes completely for those who stay ten, twelve or fifteen days, have already visited Orlando or are just looking for different experiences.
In that case, I would try to combine the farm with another outing in the same area. Great Scott Farms + Mount Dora, for example, makes much more sense than driving there exclusively to buy a pumpkin.
And there is also another option: choose a short experience, such as Showcase of Citrus or the 4Roots festival, and fit it into a less hectic day.
Because the most interesting thing here is not to bring a pumpkin to the hotel — something that, let's face it, is of little use to those who will be flying back to Brazil.
What matters is taking part for a few hours in a tradition that Americans look forward to every year and realize that while tourists are running between Disney, Universal and outlets, there is another Florida celebrating autumn a few miles away.
