Every autumn, Nebraskans look forward to pumpkin patches opening up all over the state so they can go enjoy some fun festivities during the season.
Vala’s Pumpkin Patch & Apple Orchard is by far the most popular in Nebraska with hundreds of thousands of people that go each year. This pumpkin patch has a total of 450 acres with over 50 different attractions, adding new and improved ones each year.
Some of the most well-known attractions at Vala’s are their hayrack rides, the three-acre corn maze, haunted houses, and the performances with live music and stunt shows. Despite the traditions, people this year seem to be loving the newly added features like the apple swing ride and the runaway grain wagons rollercoaster.
According to Vala’s website, there are enough things to do for people to spend an entire day at the pumpkin patch without worrying about boredom. There are live events happening every weekend.
Another local favorite in Nebraska is Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch. This one is in Blair and has a lot of similarities to Vala’s; it just is smaller in size. Some of their most-known attractions are their frankenslide, petting zoo and tornado alley exhibit.
Bellevue Berry Farm & Pumpkin Ranch is another great place to visit during the autumn season this year. This farm is open year-round, but their pumpkin season is currently going on with activities like the great pumpkin round up and the ranch of terror.
Nebraskans visit these three pumpkin patches the most out of any other place, but which one is the best? While Vala’s is definitely the biggest and most popular, it is also the most expensive. With their prices being as much as $42.99 per ticket for general admission on weekends and nearly $100 for a seasonal pass, it drives people to go to some of the smaller options.
Skinny Bones and Bellevue Berry Farm are some of these alternatives; they might be smaller in size, but they both have everything any other pumpkin patch would have. The only difference is it’s for a lower price of about $15 tickets on weekdays and $20 on weekends. Another thing to consider is the crowds; some families prefer less people around them, which would make these two pumpkin patches even more appealing.
One other factor is the target audience for these pumpkin patches, while each one caters to family activities; some have more versatile options than others. For example, the majority of Bellevue Berry Farm’s attractions are for younger children while attractions at Vala’s include more options for older audiences.
Each pumpkin patch has its pros and cons, but ultimately it is up to each individual to decide which one is the best in Nebraska.
Pumpkin patches are not for everyone, so other alternatives might be a better fit if none of these sound particularly appealing. Local farms offer some of the same experiences, such as Wenninghoff’s or Nelson Produce Farm. Haunted houses or scarier attractions could also be more popular for an older audience, especially with places like Scary Acres in Sarpy County and Bloodrush in Elkhorn.
