Looking for a pumpkin patch in Maryland? Make an afternoon of selecting a pumpkin or just go grab one for your front porch, there are plenty of home grown pumpkins in the fields around Maryland.
*Always be sure to call before going, since some activities are closed on certain days and the pumpkins and apples might not be ready yet!

Maryland Pumpkin Patches

ANNE ARUNDEL

Knightongale Farm.  Open Saturdays and Sundays in the fall from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 26- Oct. 31. Pick your own pumpkin, and then enjoy activities such as a three-acre corn maze, hayrides and pony rides. The activities are $3 each. 3924 Solomons Island Rd, (Route 2 and 424), Harwood. 443-871-1073.

Maryland Sunrise Farm’s Corn Maze. The maze is open 9/11-11/7.Adult admission is $9; for children 5-12, $5; kids under 5 with families, free! For those who are not faint of heart, Haunted Sunrise—several haunted dairy barns and a haunted hayride—is open after dark on weekends in October. The $15 attraction is not recommended for children under 10. 100 Dairy Ln, Gambrills. mdsunrisefarm.com; www.hauntedsunrise.com.

Pumphrey Farm. Pick your own pumpkins from early October until Halloween. 8220 Veterans Hwy, Millersville. 410-987-4290.

Pumpkin Patch.Buy pumpkins from 10 a.m. -9 p.m. 1350 Annapolis Mall, Annapolis. 410-897-0010.

Running from 10/9-10/31, you can buy pumpkins to help the homeless citizens of Anne Arundel County at the Light House.The kids can enjoy seasonal crafts and activities, baked goods, and thousands of wonderful pumpkins! There are also local handicrafts. Consider bringing canned goods to donate. St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, 1120 Spa Rd, Annapolis. 410-268-4251. http://friendslhs.org

BALTIMORE

North Run Farm. Pick your own pumpkin, find your way through a corn maze (or a mini maze for the younger ones), take a hayride, or enjoy the farm animal zoo. The maze opens 9/18, and is open from 12-6 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m.-6 pm Saturdays and Sundays. Arrive at least an hour before closing. Admission for farm, maze, and hayride is $6 for children 4-12 and $8 for adults (children under 4 are free). Admission is $1 less if you don’t want to go in the maze.  410-241-3392. Historic Greenspring Valley. www.northrunfarm.com

ROHA Farms. This farm in Baltimore County is open to the public on weekends in October from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Parking and admission to the farm is free, and you can also catch a free hayride to the pumpkin patch. There are other activities to enjoy as well, such as a corn maze, scarecrow-making, pony rides, and the “Barnyard Buddies”—a modified petting barn.  6009 Church Ln, Hydes. 410-592-8040. http://rohafarms.com

CALVERT

Bowles Farm Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch.  The $10/person admission (children 3 and under are free) covers the corn maze, petting zoo, children's play area, wagon rides, and barrel rides. Pumpkins are paid for separately. It is open by appointment only Mon-Fri, and from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Sat. and Sun. (The last tickets are sold at 7 p.m.) Check website for details about fall events. 22880 Budd's Creek Road (Route 234), Clements. 301-475-2139. www.bowlesfarms.com

Spider Hall Farm. Pumpkins, corn maze, hay rides, corn stalks and straw bales. Open September to November Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm and Sunday 12 to 6pm. 2006 prices: $5 for each activity or $8 for a combo. 3915 Hallowing Point Rd, Prince Frederick. 410-535-5819 or 410-610-0094

CARROLL

Baugher’s Orchard. Take a fun wagon ride to pick your own pumpkins (and apples, too)! Open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on weekends in October. A free walk-in petting zoo is open until Oct. 31. 1236 Baugher Rd, Westminster. 410-848-5541. www.baughers.com

CECIL

Fall Festival Weekends at Milburn Orchards. Saturdays and Sundays from 9/18-10/31, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy hayrides, a “Boo Barn,” corn and straw mazes, a Barnyard Buddies Zoo, and more mini family fun events at the Pumpkin Patch. Check out the website for details on themes like “Grandparents Weekend” (grandparents get in free with grandchildren) and “Pumpkin Harvest Weekend.” Pick-your-own apples every weekend. Admission is $8 for ages 3-59, and $4 for 60 and over. 1495 Appleton Rd, Elkton. Cecil County. 410-398-1349. www.milburnorchards.com

CHARLES

Middletons’ Cedar Hill Farm.The farm is open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. The $8.00 admission for everyone over the age of 3 includes Barnyard animals, hay maze, and a hayride to a pick-your-own pumpkin patch. 5190 Leonardtown Road, Waldorf. 301-399-9812. www.middletonfarm.com.

FREDERICK

Brookfield Pumpkins. Pick your own pumpkins on Mon-Thurs from 3:00 PM - 6:00 p.m., or on Fri, Sat, or Sun from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Take a free hayride to the patch on Fri, Sat or Sun; you are allowed to walk or drive on weekdays. They also have a petting zoo and a six-acre corn maze! Half of the maze’s proceeds are donated to help fund breast cancer research. Only takes cash or check. 8302 Ramsburg Rd, Thurmont. (301) 898-3527. www.brookfieldpumpkins.com

Crumland Farm Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch. The pumpkin patch and maze are open 9/26-11/1 on Saturdays and Sundays  from 10-6 p.m. 
Last free hayride to the pumpkin patch leaves at 4:30 p.m. The $9 admission to the cornmaze includes feeding the animals in the mini-barnyard, taking a spin on a pedal cart, riding on the MooChoo Train, going down the Giant Slide, and other activities. The last ticket to the maze is sold at 4:30 p.m. Check the website for full details, and for events like “The Great Pumpkin Smash!” 7612 Willow Road
Frederick.301 -845-8099. www.crumland.com

Gaver Tree Farm & Pumpkin Patch, LLC’s Pumpkin Patch and Fall-Fun-Festival. The Fall-Fun-Festival has a five-acre corn maze and many other activities for kids. It opens 9/26-11/2, and is $5/person on weekdays and $7 on weekends. Also, pick out a perfect pumpkin! Free hayrides take you to the field on weekends, but you can take a scenic walk there too. Check out the website for full details. 5501 Detrick Road, Mt. Airy. 301-865-3515. www.gavertreefarm.com

Glade Link Farms, LLC. Go to pick your own pumpkins. Take Route 194 to New Midway, and the fall crops field is on the left, just past the school. To mapquest directions, use 12270 Woodsboro Pike, Keymar. 301-898-7131. www.gladelink.com

Green Meadows Petting Farm. The $12 admission includes a pumpkin! The farm reopens for the fall season on 10/6, and is open until 10/31 from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Mon-Fri, and 10 a.m.-arrivals as late as 2 p.m. on weekends. Weekends are recommended for family visits.  10102 Fingerboard Road, Ijamsville. 301-865-9203. www.greenmeadowsevents.com

Jumbo’s Pumpkin Patch. While you’re at Jumbo’s, take a hayride to pick your own pumpkin, explore the CrazyCorn Maze for $4/person (check out the website for a coupon—buy 3 tickets, get one free!), visit the petting zoo, and on weekends, take a pony ride ($3). Open 9/18-10/31 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. 6521 Holter Rd, 
Middletown. www.jumbos.org

Summer Farm: Take a free hayride to pick a pumpkin or two (sold by the pound, with no admission charge). Daytime “Adventure Admission,” which includes the corn maze and other activities, is $7 Mon-Fri and $10 on weekends. Check the website for exact hours and for a full list of activities included in admission. 5614 Butterfly Ln, Frederick. 301-620-9316. http://summersfarm.com

HOWARD

Clark’s Elioak Farm. Pumpkin patch opens 9/25, and the farm is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (last admission-closes at 5 p.m.) Tues-Sun and every Monday in October. There is are hayrides and pony rides (both $2/person),  a petting zoo, and an “Enchanted Forest” where children will find fairytale characters; check out the website for details on fall weekend events. Regular admission is $5/person. 10500 RT. 108, Ellicott City. 410-730-4049. www.clarklandfarm.com

MONTGOMERY

Homestead Farm. Take a hayride ($3/person over the age of 2) out to the pumpkin patch on weekends through October from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pumpkins are paid for by pound. You can also bring home some fresh apples!15600 Sugarland Road, Poolesville. 301-977-3761. www.homestead-farm.net

PRINCE GEORGE’S

Queen Anne Farm. At this pumpkin patch you can explore the farm, take a hay ride, pet the animals, enjoy the flowers, learn about vegetables, and take home some delicious fresh vegetables and beautiful pumpkins of every size and color! 18102 Central Ave, Mitchellville. 301-249-2427. www.queenannefarm.com

Maryland Corn Mazes

Anne Arundel

Knightongale Farm.  Open Saturdays and Sundays in the fall from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 26- Oct. 31.
 Pick your own pumpkin, and then enjoy activities such as a three-acre corn maze,
hayrides and pony rides.
 The activities are $3 each. 3924 Solomons Island Rd, (Route 2 and 424),
Harwood. 443-871-1073.

Maryland Sunrise Farm’s Corn Maze. The maze is open 9/11-11/7.Adult admission is $9; for children 5-12, $5; kids under 5 with families, free! For those who are not faint of heart, Haunted Sunrise—several haunted dairy barns and a haunted hayride—is open after dark on weekends in October. The $15 attraction is not recommended for children under 10. 100 Dairy Ln, Gambrills. mdsunrisefarm.com; www.hauntedsunrise.com.

BALTIMORE

North Run Farm. Pick your own pumpkin, find your way through a corn maze (or a mini maze for the younger ones), take a hayride, or enjoy the farm animal zoo. The maze opens 9/18, and is open from 12-6 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m.-6 p.m Saturdays and Sundays. Arrive at least an hour before closing. Admission for farm, maze, and hayride is $6 for children 4-12 and $8 for adults (children under 4 are free). Admission is $1 less if you don’t want to go in the maze.  410-241-3392. Historic Greenspring Valley. www.northrunfarm.com

ROHA Farms. This farm in Baltimore County is open to the public on weekends in October from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Parking and admission to the farm is free, and you can also catch a free hayride to the pumpkin patch. There are other activities to enjoy as well, such as a corn maze, scarecrow-making, pony rides, and the “Barnyard Buddies”—a modified petting barn.  6009 Church Ln, Hydes. 410-592-8040. http://rohafarms.com

CALVERT

Bowles Farm Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch.  The $10/person admission (children 3 and under are free) covers the corn maze, petting zoo, children's play area, wagon rides, and barrel rides. Pumpkins are paid for separately. It is open by appointment only Mon-Fri, and from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Sat. and Sun. (The last tickets are sold at 7 p.m.) Check website for details about fall events. 22880 Budd's Creek Road (Route 234), Clements. 301-475-2139. www.bowlesfarms.com

Spider Hall Farm. Pumpkins, corn maze, hay rides, corn stalks and straw bales. Open September to November Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm and Sunday 12 to 6pm. 2006 prices: $5 for each activity or $8 for a combo. 3915 Hallowing Point Rd, Prince Frederick. 410-535-5819 or 410-610-0094

CECIL

Fall Festival Weekends at Milburn Orchards. Saturdays and Sundays from 9/18-10/31, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy hayrides, a “Boo Barn,” corn and straw mazes, a Barnyard Buddies Zoo, and more mini family fun events at the Pumpkin Patch. Check out the website for details on themes like “Grandparents Weekend” (grandparents get in free with grandchildren) and “Pumpkin Harvest Weekend.” Pick-your-own apples every weekend. Admission is $8 for ages 3-59, and $4 for 60 and over. 1495 Appleton Rd, Elkton. Cecil County. 410-398-1349. www.milburnorchards.com

FREDERICK

Brookfield Pumpkins. Pick your own pumpkins on Mon-Thurs from 3:00 PM - 6:00 p.m., or on Fri, Sat, or Sun from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Take a free hayride to the patch on Fri, Sat or Sun; you are allowed to walk or drive on weekdays. They also have a petting zoo and a six-acre corn maze! Half of the maze’s proceeds are donated to help fund breast cancer research. Only takes cash or check. 8302 Ramsburg Rd, Thurmont. (301) 898-3527. www.brookfieldpumpkins.com

Crumland Farm Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch. The pumpkin patch and maze are open 9/26-11/1 on Saturdays and Sundays  from 10-6 p.m. 
Last free hayride to the pumpkin patch leaves at 4:30 p.m. The $9 admission to the cornmaze includes feeding the animals in the mini-barnyard, taking a spin on a pedal cart, riding on the MooChoo Train, going down the Giant Slide, and other activities. The last ticket to the maze is sold at 4:30 p.m. Check the website for full details, and for events like “The Great Pumpkin Smash!” 7612 Willow Road
Frederick.301 -845-8099. www.crumland.com

Gaver Tree Farm & Pumpkin Patch, LLC’s Pumpkin Patch and Fall-Fun-Festival. The Fall-Fun-Festival has a five-acre corn maze and many other activities for kids. It opens 9/26-11/2, and is $5/person on weekdays and $7 on weekends. Also, pick out a perfect pumpkin! Free hayrides take you to the field on weekends, but you can take a scenic walk there too. Check out the website for full details. 5501 Detrick Road, Mt. Airy. 301-865-3515. www.gavertreefarm.com

Jumbo’s Pumpkin Patch. While you’re at Jumbo’s, take a hayride to pick your own pumpkin, explore the CrazyCorn Maze for $4/person (check out the website for a coupon—buy 3 tickets, get one free!), visit the petting zoo, and on weekends, take a pony ride ($3). Open 9/18-10/31 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. 6521 Holter Rd, 
Middletown. www.jumbos.org

Summers Farm. Take a free hayride to pick a pumpkin or two (sold by the pound, with no admission charge). Daytime “Adventure Admission,” which includes the corn maze and other activities, is $7 Mon-Fri and $10 on weekends. Check the website for exact hours and for a full list of activities included in admission. 5614 Butterfly Ln, Frederick. 301-620-9316. http://summersfarm.com

Maryland Apple Picking

Be sure to call before heading out to a farm! Seasons vary according to the type of apple, and picking schedules vary!

Baugher’s Orchard. 1236 Baugher Rd, Westminster. Carroll County. (410) 848-5541. www.baughers.com

Butler's Orchard. 22200 Davis Mill Rd, 
Germantown.Montgomery County. (301) 972-3299.
 www.butlersorchard.com.

Homestead Farm. 15600 Sugarland Rd, Poolesville. Montgomery County. (301) 977-3761. www.homestead-farm.net

Kingsbury's Orchard.19415 Peach Tree Rd, Dickerson. Montgomery County. 301-972-8755.

Larriland Farm, Inc. 2415 Rt. 94, Woodbine. Howard County. (301) 854-6110 or (410) 442-2605. 
 www.pickyourown.com

Lewis Orchards. Rt. 28 and Peach Tree Rd, Dickerson. Montgomery County. (301) 349-4101.

Milburn Orchards. 1495 Appleton Rd, Elkton. Cecil County. (410) 398-1349. www.milburnorchards.com (Weekends after Labor Day.)

We might live near a lot of other people in the Maryland and metropolitan D.C. region but our area offers a wide variety of hiking options from flat and sandy to mountainous with rock and stream hopping. If you are looking for a group hike or just some suggestions on where to hike, try some of the following organizations. Many have planned daily hikes or at least weekly hikes that are open to all.

Families in the Chesapeake Bay area know the pleasures of getting to swim in the Chesapeake Bay and other Maryland creeks, rivers and ponds. But how can you tell if the water near the Chesapeake Bay is clean enough to swim in?

What can swimming in dirty Bay water mean for your family? Chesapeake families know first-hand that swim spots can be less than pristine.  Keonte Smith frequents Sandy Point with her son and goddaughter and describes the water as “filthy” —  but says she continues to spend time there because it is affordable, convenient and her kids don’t care.  “After swimming for a couple hours, my son’s swim trunks were completely brown and it was disgusting.  You never know what is in the water when you go,” tells Smith.

Like most, Smith never witnessed anyone testing the water and first recognized that a swim spot can turn unsafe quickly when one of her children was stung by a jellyfish.  “Ocean City is much cleaner, but it is all about convenience,” reiterates Smith.

Hiking isn’t just a summer activity: you can dig the hiking boots out of the closet at any time of year. IN fact, a bit of frost on the ground, snow in the trees, or frozen breath in the air is no reason to resign the family to the couch. Just throw on a warm hat and gloves, thick socks, and an extra layer or two, and hit the trail. Together with your family you can rediscover your favorite hiking spots, or perhaps check out a new locale. We’ve got the best hikes in the Anne Arundel county area; hikes at the five parks listed below can be done year-round, though whether it be because of seasonal wildlife, enhanced vistas, or lack of usual crowds, they each hold special winter appeal.

Parks

Whether it’s for a quiet hike through the woods, spending quality time with man’s best friend, catching sight of a bald eagle, the momentary thrill of shooting down a slide, (or better yet, a half pipe) we all have our reasons to spend an afternoon at the park. Luckily, no matter what your reason is, there’s a local park for you. While you might think of park visits as a summer activity, it’s a great way to get out of the house and get a little exercise during the winter months and what could be a better way to see the colors of fall or the first buds of spring than a walk in the park? Even during the chillier months, these places have the facilities to make your afternoon a little more than just a picnic on the grass.