Farms

2023 KABOOM Awards Family Favorites Finalist: Family-Friendly Farms

This 900-acre farm located just north of I-85 between Anderson and Clemson boasts one of the largest corn mazes in the southeast. In addition to the maze, they offer a wide assortment of activities including play areas, farm animals and a u-pick pumpkin patch. The activities are all covered under one admission price. Denver Downs Farm is open daily late September through mid-November.

Offers:
Pumpkin Patch
Many Kids’ Activities- cow train, jumping pillow, zip line, and more!
Farm Animals
Corn Maze 

Check out our KA review of the Denver Downs Fall Festival, with reviews of what’s new on the farm, their epic slide, and other fun things to do on the farm.

Visit Stewart Farms for wagon rides, farm store, farm animals, honey bee observatory, the SC MAiZE, and a pumpkin patch. The 2023 Fall Season begins on Saturday, September 23rd and ends on October 29th. 

Nighttime activities include Big Boo: Family-Friendly Haunted Maize and Nighttime Wagon Rides. These are offered on October 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, & 28th. While the Big Boo is family-friendly, it is not recommended for children under the age of 6.

2023 Homeschool Days are on September 26th and 27th

Offers:
Wagon Rides
Farm Store
Farm Animals
Corn Maze
Pumpkin Patch
Homeschool Days

Corn Maize Cost:
Ages 6 & up: $8 + tax
Kids age 5 and under: Free
Big Boo Nighttime Corn Maize:
Ages 6 & up: $12 + tax

Wagon Ride Cost:
$5 + tax for day time ride
Ages 2 and under: Free

You can cut your own Christmas tree down at Moss Tree Farm in Cashiers, NC.

2023 Opening Hours:

Hours of operation are subject to change. Only trees that have ribbons on them are being sold. They sell Fraser Firs.

Check their Facebook page for updates on hours and availability of trees and wreaths. You can also preorder your tree or wreaths for choose and cut!

2023 KABOOM Family Favorites Finalist: Outdoor Fun
2023 KABOOM Family Favorites Finalist: Farms

A KAG reader favorite, Sky Top Orchard offers mountain views, ponds with ducks and geese, farm animals, play structures, and apple and fruit trees. Don’t miss the amazing apple cider donuts. Last year there were some concerns about Sky Top getting too crowded so maybe try to go during the week if you prefer smaller crowds.

2023 season-opening date: Sky Top WILL HAVE U-Pick in 2023.

• Open weekends as of end of July for donuts, wagon rides, and farm store apples, follow their Facebook page for updates. 
• Apple Upick Begins August 3rd, 2023

Dogs on leash allowed but not in the fruit stand.

Offers:
U-pick apples
Farm Store with Cider donuts
Farm animals
Wagon Rides
Playground
Gold Rush Gem Mine 

Don’t miss our Kidding Around Review of Sky Top Orchard

Knob Creek Orchards offers homemade ice cream and lots of local produce, including apples.

• No U-pick
• Produce grown on the farm
• Homemade ice cream

Pick pumpkins off the vine at Nix Pumpkin Patch in Hendersonville, NC. You’ll also find winter squash, cabbage, potatoes and gourds.

Opens September 9, 2023 for the Upick pumpkin season!

Hunter Farms, located outside of Easley, SC, has U-Pick strawberries, an ice cream stand, and, during the fall, a small corn maze. There are even a few games the kids can play after you grab a dipped ice cream or milkshake. The farm also hosts birthday parties and field trips. Stay tuned to their Facebook page for updates.

At the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains lies this gorgeous farm and orchard, which is not only a working farm but also a popular wedding venue.
Besides a pick-your-own experience, Chattooga Belle Farm also offers cabin rentals, a bistro for lunch and dinner, disc golf, and an amazing variety of exotic fruits like Asian pears, figs, pawpaws, and persimmons.

2023 season-opening date: Farm store is open year-round – Check the Chattooga Belle Farm Website  for daily updates on available options.

Dogs are allowed, but not in the fruit areas or inside dining. They are allowed for outside dining and the disc golf trail.

Offers:
Restaurant serving lunch and dinner
Cabin rental
Event Venue
Disc Golf
Distillery
Pre-picked apples, table grapes, wine grapes, peaches, and more.
Farm Store

Opens the weekend before Thanksgiving and remains open until they sell out of trees. 

Hours: 10 am – 6 pm daily

This choose-and-cut Christmas tree farm offers Carolina Sapphire, Eastern Red Cedar, Leyland Cypress, Murray Cypress, Virginia Pine, and White Pine trees.

The farm also has farm animals and a North Pole mailbox.

Eliada’s features a 12-acre maze as well as 2 children’s trails, the Storybook Trails. These trails lead guests on a fun-filled adventure while following along with a story your child will love.   Other attractions include a cow train, spider web climber, tube slides, corn cannon and a jumping pillow. All proceeds benefit Eliada Homes, which is a non-profit organization that serves Western North Carolina children.  Activities also include a hayride, pumpkin patch, and corn cannon.

The 2023 Eliada Corn Maze is open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between September 29th and October 29th. Note: Tickets must be pre-purchased for specific time slots this year.

Offers:
Kids activities
Corn Maze

2023 Opening TBA

Hours: Monday – Friday noon  6 pm, Saturday 9 am – 6 pm, Sunday 1- 6 pm

Choose & Cut Carolina Sapphire, Leyland Cypress. Pre-Cut Fraser Firs also available.

Activities: Shop with unique ornaments and other gifts, and play area for the kids with a zip line.

The family-friendly Fall on the Farm event in late September/ October, that includes a corn maze, pumpkins, a hayride, barn games, trike racing, a play area for kids to enjoy, and more!
They will have fall-flavored ice cream and shakes.

Admission is $10 per person (ages 2 and under are free)

They are only open on Saturdays in the fall.

Located in Inman, SC is open for the 2023 season from September 18th, 2023 – End of October (or end of pumpkin season)

Offers:
Upick (From the vine) pumpkins
Prepicked pumpkins
Giant pumpkins and multiple varieties
Lots of produce and apples

Open Monday – Saturday from 10 am – 5 pm
Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm

Located in West Union, Little Cane Creek Farm features a 4-acre corn maze, hayrides, children’s play area, pumpkin patch, and more.  Each year the corn maze has a different theme. Little Cane Creek Farm’s 2023 fall season is September 30, 2023 – November 5, 2023

Offers:
Pumpkin Patch
Hayrides
Children’s play space
Corn Maze
Picnic Area
Concessions
Sunflower Patch

Linda’s is much more than a plant shop, though, they do have excellent indoor and outdoor seasonal plants!

This fall they are offering a small cut-your-own pumpkin patch, and a cut-your-own sunflower patch. Set in the middle of a beautiful orchard with pretty views, the smaller patch is a welcome reprieve from crowded alternatives. They also offer pre-picked pumpkins and gourds in the shop.

Other activities include photo ops inside and out, as well as an indoor haybale pumpkin maze ($5).

Check them out at Christmas time for Christmas trees and holiday plants, as well as fun holiday activities.

In previous years, this home & garden center had NC Fraser Firs for sale at their Woodruff Road location. Look for them in-store right around Thanksgiving.

2023 KABOOM Awards Family Favorites Finalist: Best Family-Friendly Farms

Located in a picturesque part of Hendersonville with views of the mountains, Justus Orchard is the perfect place to go apple picking. Their apple cider donuts are also a treat not to be missed. This apple orchard in Hendersonville, NC was one of the first in the state to invite customers to not only buy apples already picked but allow visitors to go into the orchard and pick their own apples.

Open for 2023 season
Check the Justus Orchard Facebook page for current u-pick status, before heading up. 

Gala Apple Upick opening day: August 11th, 2023

Well-behaved dogs on leash allowed and owners must pick up after them.

OFFERS:
Blackberries – July thru August
Apples – Mid August thru Early November
Bakery
Apple cannon ($)
Jumping pillow ($)
Cow Train ($)
Playground

Don’t miss our Kidding Around Review of Justus Orchard for all the details!

2023 Season TBA- likely mid November

Grandddaddy’s Christmas Trees has two locations:

Greenville: 1234 E. Butler Road beside Barkingham Palace
Simpsonville: 621 Fairview Road in Ingle’s parking lot

Hours:
Monday through Thursday: 11 am to 9 pm
Friday through Sunday: 9 am to 9 pm

Twisted Apple is a farm and retail outlet. They generally do not offer u-pick, but it is one of very few places to purchase local naturally grown, eco-friendly apples. They do offer baked goods and a variety of apples to purchase.
Check their Facebook page for updates.

2023 Opening date: August 19, 2023; no u-pick for 2023

Dogs allowed but not in the bakery.

Offers:
Naturally grown and conventionally grown apples
Baked goods
Apple beverages
Retail farm products.

The owners of the Windy Hill Orchard and Cider Mill got their start 20 years ago when they wanted to create the perfect apple cider (they apparently succeeded). Their main apple variety is the Stayman Winesapp and u-pick opens up in late August. The orchard asks that everyone 2 years of age and older have their own pre-purchased bag before heading into the orchard. They also have weekend events that include live music.

 2023 season-opening date: August 17, 2023

Offers:
U-pick Apples
Farm Store with baked apple goods
Hard Cider Tastings
Cider donuts
Apple cider slushies

2023 KABOOM Awards Family Favorites 1st Place: Best Family-Friendly Farms

Find your perfect pumpkin, other locally-grown produce, dairy goods, and more at Happy Cow Creamery!
They host an annual Pumpkin Festival in late October.

Happy Cow Offers:
Pumpkin patch
Farm stand
Ice Cream
Fresh Milk
Picnic space

Located in beautiful Hendersonville with views of the mountains, Pilot Mountain Pears is the only dedicated Asian pear orchard in the area. They have more than 5,000 Asian pear trees and will open in 2023 for their third u-pick season.

Opens for 2023 season August 25, 2023
Check the Pilot Mountain Pears Facebook page for current u-pick status, before heading up. 

Asian Pears Upick opening day: August 25th, 2023

No pets allowed.

Offers:
Asian pears – Late August – Early October
Bakery
Picnic area

Open 9 am – 5 pm November 16 – November 19, 2023 | November 22 – November 26, 2023 | November 28-30th, 2023 | December 1st-3rd, 2023

You select the tree and they cut, bale, and tie it. You also have the option to cut yourself. Cut Fraser Firs, live Fraser Firs (for planting), and wreaths are available.

Santa visits on November 18th and 19th, 24th, 25th and 26th.

Open November 18th, 19th, 23rd – 26th,  December 2nd- 3rd, and December 9th and 10th, 2023

Offers choose and cut Christmas Trees.
They offer cut-your-self trees and have hand saws available. Staff will bail and tag your tree for you.

Weekends have wagon rides out to the tree fields and The Christmas Shop with homemade ornaments, quilts, and more.

Jeter Mountain Farm is the result of more than 150 years of farming history in the Hunsader family. Located on 411 acres near Hendersonville and Brevard, this farm offers Choose N’ Cut Christmas Trees, plus u-pick includes berries, peaches, pumpkins, grapes, and over 20 varieties of apples. Be sure to check the Jeter Mountain Farm Harvest Calendar to see what’s ready for picking. Important to note for the tractor enthusiasts in your family, orchards are accessed via tractor ride!

2023 season: Get updates for availability on their Facebook page.

• Open weekends 10-5 as of July 2023 for u-pick berries.
• Apple U-pick Begins August 12, 2023.
• Pumpkins will be available in early October, 2023.

Pets are not allowed at the u-pick orchards, inside the market, inside the tap room, coffee shop, and wagons. 

Offers:

U-pick Apples & other fruits according to season
Market with pre-picked apples, apple cider, apple cider donuts, and other goods
Hard Cider Tap Room
1813 Smokehouse
Covered play area

Don’t miss our Kidding Around Review of Jeter Mountain Farm!

Opening Day: November 17th, 2023

Open daily until sold out of trees.
Offers: Pick your own Christmas trees and fresh precut trees.
You will not be allowed to cut your own, staff with help cut, transport, and bail your tree.
Prices:
Trees over 9 feet will be precut only
Prices start at $60 for a 5-6 ft tree
$80 for 6-7 ft tree
$100 for 7-8 ft tree
$120 for 9+ ft tree

Hours: 10 am – 5 pm
Open Thanksgiving Day from 10 am to 2 pm

With two u-pick locations, one in Landrum and one in Campobello, Thompson Family Farms offers upick tulips in March, upick sunflowers in July, and upick pumpkins/corn in September & October.

Pumpkins are pick your own and are precut from the vine in the fields to ensure ripeness.

Fall Season begins September 21, 2023 until the end of October
Hours: Hours are 10 am – 7 pm, Thursdays – Saturdays. Admission is free! 

There are also photo opportunities, workshops, a sunflower maze, and picnic areas.

Learn more about Thompson Family Farms in our KA Review about their Three Season of U-pick!

Landrum Location (u pick tulips): 328 Arledge Road, Landrum, SC
Campobello Locations ( u pick sunflowers & u pick pumpkins): 13830 SC-11, Campobello, SC

Strawberry Hill USA, is a 115-acre strawberry farm and also grows summer squash, pumpkins, cantaloupe, and cucumbers.  They have a cafe and ice cream parlor open year-round. Fall activities include Cooley’s Corn Maze as well as both pre-picked pumpkins and still on the vine pumpkin patch!

Fall Activities will be held every Saturday & Sunday, Open September 30th, 2023- October 29th, 2023.

Offers:
Corn Maze
Nights Maze (don’t forget to bring your flashlight!)
Cafe
Ice Cream
Prepicked & upick pumpkins

This South Carolina orchard might be one of the friendliest farm stands you’ve ever been to. You’ll find a farm store with lots of seasonal produce including apples in the fall and peaches in the summer.

Very rarely this farm will offer a u-pick day for apples, but most of the time you’ll buy your apples pre-picked. They sell cider made at the farm, as well as eggs, produce, and baked goods from Travelers Baking Company (delivered Saturdays and Thursdays). We highly recommend the sourdough bread and the pretzels.

Purchase pre-picked pumpkins here and enjoy the pretty fall displays and photo ops. Don’t forget to say “hey” to the farm cat, you’ll likely find him around the front of the farm store.

This smaller orchard has a lot to offer with much smaller crowds than its neighbors. Start with the farm store which has a wide variety of apples, pumpkins, produce, and decor items. Then, head inside with your purchases to check out. Of course, you’ll pass by the bakery full of apple turnovers, apple cider donuts, pies, tarts, and lots more.

The only way to head out into these orchards is to purchase a ticket to ride on the trackless train. The Apple Express is about a 10-minute ride through the beautiful apple orchards. There is no U-pick at this farm! Purchase tickets for the train at the register in the farm store, or purchase them online and show your receipt.

There’s also a small deck that overlooks the orchards where you can enjoy your baked goods or apple cider slushies while you enjoy the view.

Open 50 years, Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard are experts on organizing their orchard for u-pick. They begin their family fun and farm activities in mid-August and invite you to bring a lunch and spend the day at the orchard.

Open August 18, 2023. Check their Facebook page for up-to-date info on what’s available for picking.

Offers:
U-pick Apples
Grapes
Sunflowers
Farm Store
Picnic Space
Corn Maze ($)
Jump Pads (on weekends) ($)
Apple Cannon (on weekends) ($)

Open for 2023 on November 17th, 2023

This choose-and-cut Christmas tree farm is located in Pickens County offers a variety of trees to choose from: Leyland Cypress, Murray Cypress, Carolina Sapphire, Blue Ice, White Pines, and Thuja Green Giant. They also offer pre-cut Fraser Firs and handmade wreaths. The farm has a playground area that includes a large playhouse, see-saw, and a fun tunnel with Santa Sleigh & Reindeers.

Hours of operation are Sunday through Friday 1 – 6 pm and ​​Saturday 9 am – 6 pm.

They usually sell out at the beginning of December, so check their website for updates before heading out.

Primarily known for their incredible peaches, Fishers Orchard also grows apples that are available for picking in the fall (call for exact dates).

No U-Pick in 2023.

Offers:
U-pick peaches in summer
U-pick apples in October
Produce, vegetables, and pumpkins throughout the year

Beechwood Farms offers u-pick strawberries, u pick sunflowers, and vegetables.

They are open seasonally late April through mid-October.
They offer prepicked pumpkins in October

Apple Hill Orchard opened for u-pick apples and flowers August 12th, 2023

They are open 9 am-6 pm Monday-Saturday

• bakery
• farm market
• To pick, purchase a Picking Pass, and you will also need to pay for the apples you pick by container size ($3 per person picking pass- Ages 2 and under are free)

Located in Clinton: Opens for the 2023 season on October 7th, 2023 – October 28th, 2023
Open every Saturday in October
Open 10 am – 5 pm

Offers:
Corn pit
Gem mine
Corn maze
Wagon rides
Barnyard animals
Playground
Mini train rides
Pumpkins
Playground
Food

$10 per person, Ages 2 and under are free
Additional activities cost a fee,  including animal feeding, corn cannons, gem mining, and other.

2023 Season begins November 24th 2023 

In addition to Christmas trees, this farm offers an alpaca feeding experience as well as farm tours.

Closed on Thanksgiving.

Prices:

Activities: Santa will be on-site November 24th, 2023

Opens November 18, 2023 through December 23rd (or until sold out.) 

Hours: 9 am to dark (about 5:45 pm)

Both Choose and Cut and pre-cut trees are available. Varieties include Leyland Cypress, Murray Cypress, Virginia Pine (limited), Carolina Blue Sapphire (limited), Carolina Blue Sapphire (limited), Eastern Red Cedar, and a few White Pines. Wreaths made onsite are also available as well as tree stands and other accessories.

Fall season from the end of September through October 31st, 2023
Open Monday – Thursday from 9 am – 6 pm
Friday & Saturday from 9 am – 9 pm
Sunday from 1 pm to 6 pm

Offers:
Prepicked pumpkins and pumpkins in the field
Fried apple pies, produce, apple cider donuts, pumpkin donuts, apples, slushies, and apple cider.
Combine slide
Playground area
2 corn mazes (regular and mini)
Picnic shelter available for use

They will have a corn maze and mini corn, with a night maze on Friday and Saturday nights (last ticket sold 30 minutes before closing)

Admission: Tickets are $10 for the corn maze, and $6 for the mini corn maze

In Hendersonville, this little farm stand has a lot to offer. In addition to a farm store with apples, produce and prepicked pumpkins, kids can enjoy the small field with games and chickens to visit. The field also has tractors to look at and pumpkins.

You’ll see J&M if you’re headed to Linda’s Plants & Shrubs on Chimney Rock Road. Check out the food trucks and make a pit stop for lunch!

J&M also has a patio with a fireplace, outdoor tv, beverages to purchase, and sometimes even food trucks. On the day we visited, they were also doing a wine tasting of local wines.

2023 Opening is November 18th, 2023

Beck’s Christmas Tree Farm offers a variety of choose-and-cut as well as pre-cut trees including Carolina Sapphire, Blue Ice, Naylor Blue, Eastern Red Cedar, Leyland Cypress, and Murray Cypress. They may have a few Fraser Fir available, but it is not confirmed.

Fresh wreaths and tree stands are also available.

Famoda Farm, located in Taylors, SC, has baby calves, donkeys, chickens, and pigs that you and your kids can see and learn about. They even have an on-site farmer’s market called Grazers where you can find local fresh meat and many other farm-to-table items. All items are sourced from local farmers.

Their Fall Corn Maze has 8 acres of twists and turns.

Be sure to read our full review of Famoda Farm.

Don’t miss their FallFest with animals, jumping pillow, a caterpillar train, a corn maze, and lots more! Here’s everything you need to know about FallFest at Famoda Farm. 

2023 sales begin around Thanksgiving

This local farmer’s market sells Christmas trees beginning around Thanksgiving.
See Facebook page for hours.
They also offer wreathes and garlands.

With over 20 different varieties of apples, you are bound to find a favorite at Grandad’s Apples N’ Such. They also have a bakery on-site that sells pies, donuts, caramel apples, and cider. Activities for kids include a corn maze, cow train, and a huge pumpkin patch where kids are bound to find their ideal pumpkin.

 2023 season-opening date: August 11, 2023

Due to the late frost, the apple crop is limited at Grandad’s. They let us know u-pick is TBD but apples will be available in the farm store.

All pets must be leashed and picked up after while visiting.

Offers:

Offering U-Pick Apples as available**—check Grandad’s Facebook page for updates,  there may or may not be U-Pick in 2023**
Pumpkin Patch (late September – October)
Farm Store and bakery
Corn Maze ($)
Cow Train ($)
Apple Cannons ($)

Check out our fun fall day at Grandad’s in our Kidding Around Review!

The Golden Strip Pumpkin Patch’s proceeds support local non-profit charities.

Open September 30th 2023 – October 31st, 2023

Offers: 
Pumpkin Patch

2023: Christmas at the Farm is November 24th -26th from noon – 6 pm and December 2nd and 3rd from noon – 6 pm

Evergreen Tradition’s Christmas at the Farm is a weekend-long event during which your family can pick out a tree, enjoy hot chocolate and s’mores, shop local vendors, get a free professional family photo taken, and much more!

Tickets are $15 each for adults and $10 each for children 3-17, and must be purchased online ahead of your visit. (Children ages 2 and under are free.)

In past years they have gotten Fraser Fir trees from North Carolina starting in late November and go through the first three weeks of December.

Hours are 8:30 am to 6:30 pm Monday through Saturday and 11 am to 5 pm on Sunday.
However, winter hours may vary.

2023 season opens on November 18th.

Trees, wreaths, stands, and garlands are available for purchase.

Choose & Cut and Pre-Cut trees available. Varieties include Blue Ice, Virginia Pine, Carolina Sapphire, Eastern Red Cedar, Fraser Fir, White Pine, and Leyland Cypress.

Just a few miles from the Chattooga River, Bryson’s Apple Orchard is also close to gorgeous waterfalls and many of the hiking places that KAG has recommended (so maybe hiking and apple donuts one day this fall?). The Long Creek area, according to their website, is one of the “largest apple producing areas east of the Mississippi River.”

 2023 season-opening date: July 28, 2023 for apples at the stand; no u-pick apples this year but they will have prepicked apples available.

Offers:
Prepicked apples
Asian pears (Asian pear crop ruined by a late frost in 2021) 
fresh peaches 

Open Thanksgiving Day, November 23 – 26, 2023. 

In years past, this farm sold out of trees in early December, so please check with the farm before heading out. At May-Lan, you can cut your own tree or choose a pre-cut tree.

General store offers hot chocolate, cider, marshmallow roasting (weather permitting) and other treats. As well as wreaths, garland, bows and more.

Offers:
Christmas Tree Farm
Farm Animals

2023 Season opens on November 18th, 2023

Frasier Firs will be available starting November 19th.
They offer pre-cut Frasier Firs, as well as a variety of choose-and-cut trees.

Hours: Thursday, Friday, and Sunday 12 pm – 6 pm
Saturday, open 9 am to 6 pm

Apple picking is a delight at Coston Farm with the mountains as a backdrop to the orchard. Like other orchards, they also offer delicious baked goods and apples already picked for sale.

 2023 season-opening date: August 18, 2023

No pets allowed.

Offers:
U-pick apple orchard from August – October
(See their apple ripening calendar for different varieties)
Farm Store with pre-picked apples, pumpkins, and fall decor

Closed for the 2023 Season, See you next September!

U pick pumpkin patch located in Pendleton, South Carolina

Offers carving pumpkins, heirloom pumpkins, and other varieties.
Open Friday – Sunday
Check their Facebook page for updated hours

Cash and card accepted